Antwerp Travel Guide
Belgium's second city and the world's diamond capital, where Peter Paul Rubens, a Gothic cathedral, a cutting-edge fashion scene, and a thriving port meet in a walkable historic center.
🏛️ Sights and Attractions in Antwerp
- Grote Markt — A 16th-century market square surrounded by ornate guild houses, the Brabo Fountain, and the City Hall, the heart of Antwerp's historic center.
- Antwerp Zoo — A 1843 zoo in the city center, one of the world's oldest, with 5,000 animals, Art Deco architecture, and a planetarium.
- Royal Museum of Fine Arts — A 19th-century neoclassical museum reopened in 2022 after renovation, with 5,000 works including Rubens, Van Dyck, and the Flemish Primitives.
- Het Steen — A 12th-century castle on the Scheldt River, Antwerp's oldest building, once a prison and now a visitor center with river views.
- Meir Shopping Street — A pedestrian shopping street linking the central station to the historic center, with international brands, the 18th-century Royal Palace, and chocolate shops.
- Cathedral of Our Lady — A 1521 Gothic cathedral with a 404-foot spire, the tallest in the Low Countries, housing four Peter Paul Rubens masterpieces including The Elevation of the Cross.
- Rubens House — The 17th-century home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens, restored with period furnishings, his art collection, and 10 of his paintings including a self-portrait.
- Antwerp Central Station — A 1905 neo-Baroque station often called the most beautiful in the world, with a 246-foot dome, marble halls, and a four-level train track design.
- Plantin-Moretus Museum — A UNESCO World Heritage 16th-century printing house, the world's only preserved Renaissance printing and publishing house, with the two oldest printing presses.
- MAS Museum — A 203-foot modern tower on the Eilandje docks with 8 floors of exhibits on Antwerp's maritime history, art, and culture, plus a free rooftop panorama.
🥾 Trails and Hikes in Antwerp
- Het Park Walk — A walk through Antwerp's oldest park, 35 acres of English-style gardens, ponds, and the Middelheim sculpture pavilion.
- Antwerp Green Trail — A walk connecting the city's parks and green spaces, from the Stadspark to the Rivierenhof, with forest paths and lakes.
- Port of Antwerp Walk — A walk along the Scheldt River quays from Het Steen to the Eilandje, with harbor views, the MAS Museum, and dockland cafés.
- Stadspark Loop — A 2-mile loop through the 65-acre Stadspark, a 19th-century English garden with a lake, jogging paths, and the Boekenberg pavilion.
- Scheldt River Walk — A walk along the Scheldt River promenade from the historic center to the port, with river views, the Bonaparte Dock, and sunset over the water.
🍽️ Restaurants in Antwerp
- The Jane — A 2-Michelin-star restaurant in a 14th-century chapel by chef Nick Bril, with a 9-course tasting menu, a 600-bottle wine list, and a dramatic vaulted ceiling.
- Fiskekadden — A Danish-inspired seafood restaurant in the Eilandje with fresh oysters, lobster, and fish dishes, plus a great wine list and harbor views.
- Pakhuis — A Belgian-French brasserie in a 19th-century warehouse in the fashion district, with mussels, steak frites, and an industrial-chic atmosphere.
- De Bomma — A beloved Jewish-Belgian restaurant in the Jewish quarter, famous for its matzo ball soup, schnitzel, and generous portions since 1968.
- Bistro Refter — A cozy Belgian bistro near the cathedral serving mussels, stoofvlees (beef stew), and 30+ Belgian beers on tap.
- Restaurant Foliage — A plant-based restaurant in the fashion district with seasonal vegan tasting menus and a stylish interior.
- 't Fornuis — A 1-Michelin-star restaurant in the historic center since 1983, serving classic French-Belgian cuisine with a daily-changing menu.
- Bierhuis Kulminator — A legendary beer bar with 600+ Belgian beers, vintage vintages, and a no-frills atmosphere — a pilgrimage for beer lovers.
🍸 Bars and Nightlife in Antwerp
- Paters Vaetje — A beloved 16th-century beer café near the cathedral with 30+ Belgian beers on tap, mussels, and a lively atmosphere.
- Kulminator — A legendary beer bar with 600+ Belgian beers, including rare vintages and aged lambics, in a no-frills setting — a beer pilgrimage.
- Oud Arsenaal — A cozy brown café in the theater district with 200+ Belgian beers, a fireplace, and a relaxed local atmosphere.
- De Vagant — A 1970s jenever (Dutch gin) bar in the historic center with 200+ jenevers, Belgian beers, and a warm, wood-paneled interior.
- Bar Norman — A stylish cocktail bar in the fashion district with classic and inventive drinks, natural wines, and a relaxed atmosphere.
🎯 Activities and Tours in Antwerp
- Historical Walking Tour in Antwerp Old City — Get ready for an exhilarating adventure through the heart of Antwerp! Dive into the mesmerizing old town, where enchanting architecture awaits at every turn. Be amazed by iconic sights like the majestic city hall, the awe-inspiring cathedral, and the vibrant Grote Markt. Embark
- Guided Bike Tour: 2 Hours Highlights of Antwerp — During this bike tour you will discover the historical centre and will explore highlights such as the Steen castle, the city hall, the cathedral, the central station and the old port ‘Het Eilandje’ with the MAS museum. An ideal tour for a first visit or to see all touristic place
- Antwerp Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour — The Best Way to Discover Antwerp: Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Tour! Play, learn, and walk! Explore at your own pace with a 100% self-guided activity. Start anytime (24/7) with no guides or schedules. Pause for a Belgian waffle or a museum visit and resume whenever you're ready—
- 3-Hour Antwerp Bike Tour — Departing from Antwerp's Central Station in the weekend at 10 am and/or 3 pm, this bicycle tour takes you around the city's top attractions and some hidden gems over the course of three hours. Hop on your saddle and pedal along the city streets as you follow your local guide on a
- Antwerp Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour) — Antwerp can sometimes feel inaccessible to foreign visitors, but a private walking tour with a local guide takes the mystery out of your visit. This is a personalized walking tour where you will discover the exterior of monuments, including museums. However, we can provide a cust
- Antwerp Bike Tours — Antwerp Bike Tours is distinguished by its dedication to sustainability, personalized tours, and community engagement. We prioritize eco-friendly practices. For every tour and kilometer, we plant trees in Belgium, to offset your visit's CO2 footprint and make Belgium as green a
- Antwerp and Ghent Day Trip from Brussels With Atomium Photo Stop — Make the most of your time in Belgium during this full-day excursion to Antwerp and Ghent from Brussels. Don’t worry about time-consuming public transit; instead, benefit from round-trip transfers, as well as the insight of a local guide who can share context you might not have d
- Antwerp Audio guided walking tour 2h15 and 21 audio commentary — Antwerp, the jewel of Flanders, invites you to explore 21 of its iconic sites in one day. Stroll through historic sites such as Rubens House, Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Antwerp Station, while discovering its diamond district. This 6 km tour, designed for curious travellers,
- Tasting Tour: A Taste of Antwerp (Fries, Waffles, Beer & More) — Chocolate, waffles, fries, beer and other sweets: there's nothing that Belgians love more! Getting hungry already? Come join our Free Tasting Tour to try them all and find out the stories behind their delicious taste with a local and professional guide! On our Free Tasting Tour
- Antwerp: Diamond & Jewish Quarter Walking Tour — Explore the way of life of the Jewish community in Antwerp on a 2-hour walking tour. Uncover the history of the Jewish district and the Diamond district with a guide. Meet your guide at the Central Train Station and set off on a journey to unravel the unique history and vibrant
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🏨 Hotels and Stays in Antwerp
- Sapphire House Antwerp — A luxury Autograph Collection hotel in a 16th-century city palace in the historic center, with 63 rooms, a courtyard patio, and a restaurant by chef Seppe Nobels.
- Moxy Antwerp — Moxy Antwerp is a mid-range hotel in Nieuw Zuid, Antwerp. It offers a practical base for exploring the city for travelers exploring Antwerp.
- Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp — Located in Historic Center / Grote Markt. 5-star property. Guest review score: 8.5/10. Rates from $656/night.
- Hotel Julien — Located in Meir / Shopping District. 4-star property. Guest review score: 8.9/10. Rates from $251/night.
- Hotel Rubens-Grote Markt — Great care is taken to ensure guests experience comfort through top-notch services and amenities.Remain linked during your visit by utilizing the complimentary internet access available.Prior to your check-in date, you can arrange airport transportation services, guaranteeing a seamless and efficien...
- De Witte Lelie — At Hotel De Witte Lelie, exceptional service and top-notch amenities create a memorable experience for guests. Complimentary internet access is available in the hotel to ensure you stay connected during your visit. Arrange your trips to and from the airport using the hotel's convenient transportatio...
- Maison Emile — A boutique hotel in a 19th-century townhouse near the central station, with 11 design rooms, a courtyard garden, and a breakfast room.
- Hotel 't Sandt Antwerpen — A boutique hotel in a 17th-century mansion near the historic center, with individually decorated rooms, a garden terrace, and a popular breakfast.
- Hyllit Hotel — Great care is taken to ensure guests experience comfort through top-notch services and amenities. Remain linked during your visit by utilizing the complimentary internet access available.Discovering Antwerp becomes even more accessible, thanks to the car hire amenities provided at the hotel. Parking...
- Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel Antwerp — At Radisson Blu Cebu, exceptional service and top-notch amenities create a memorable experience for guests.Complimentary internet access is available in the hotel to ensure you stay connected during your visit.Arrange your trips to and from the airport using the hotel's convenient transportation ser...
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