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Before you go
Your trip to Antuérpia.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Antuérpia – Antuérpia Destination Antuérpia and Mechelen Capital
How to get there
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Antwerpen-Centraal 2 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
From Brussels there are frequent trains to Antwerpen-Centraal, with a journey of about 40 minutes to 1 hour depending on the type of train. From Brussels airport there is a direct train in about 30 to 40 minutes. From Gante it’s about 50 minutes by train. Confirm before buying.
How many days
Two days allow you to see the historic center, the station, the MAS and one or two museums without rushing. With one day, focus on the Grote Markt, the cathedral, Het Steen and the station. With three days, include the KMSKA, Zurenborg and a half-day trip to Mechelen.
When to go
From May to September the days are long and the weather is milder, good for walking along the docks and through neighborhoods. From November to February it’s cold, it rains frequently and it gets dark in the late afternoon, but museums hold up well as an option.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No. The center is compact and walkable, and the tram and premetro cover the more distant neighborhoods like Zuid and Zurenborg. The center has a low-emission zone and parking is difficult. For going to Mechelen, Brussels or Gante, the train is more practical than a car.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Antuérpia
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Morning
Station Antwerpen-Centraal and walk along the Meir
Start at the hall of Antwerpen-Centraal station and the view of the layered platforms. Walk along the Meir, the shopping street, on foot to the historic center.
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Afternoon
Cathedral, Grote Markt and Plantin-Moretus
See Rubens’s paintings in the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, pass by the Grote Markt and the Brabofontein and visit the Museum Plantin-Moretus at the Vrijdagmarkt.
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Late afternoon
Het Steen and the MAS terrace
Walk down to Het Steen on the banks of the Escalda, and stroll along the river to the Eilandje. Ride the MAS escalators up to the panoramic terrace.
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Evening
Dinner in the Eilandje or near the Grote Markt
Dine at one of the restaurants on the docks of the Eilandje or return to the streets around the cathedral, with the façades lit up.
2 days in Antuérpia
Day 1
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Morning
Station and historic center
Visit Antwerpen-Centraal station and walk along the Meir to Groenplaats, with a view of the cathedral tower.
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Afternoon
Cathedral, Grote Markt and Het Steen
Enter the cathedral to see Rubens, head to the Grote Markt and finish at Het Steen, with the Antwerp Story exhibition and the terrace overlooking the river.
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Late afternoon
MAS and the docks of the Eilandje
Walk along the banks of the Escalda to the MAS and enjoy the view from the terrace at the end of the day.
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Evening
Night in the Eilandje
Stay for dinner at the Willemdok and Bonapartedok docks, in former warehouses converted into restaurants.
Day 2
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Morning
Museum Plantin-Moretus
Spend the morning visiting the presses, the library and the rooms of the Museum Plantin-Moretus.
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Afternoon
KMSKA and the Zuid neighborhood
Walk or take the tram to the KMSKA in the Zuid neighborhood to see Van Eyck, Rubens and Ensor. Take a break at a café on one of the neighborhood squares.
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Late afternoon
Zurenborg facades
Take the tram or train to Berchem and walk along Cogels-Osylei and Waterloostraat, among art nouveau houses.
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Evening
Dinner at Dageraadplaats
End the day at one of the tables on Dageraadplaats, the square frequented by Zurenborg residents.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What language is spoken in Antwerp?
Flemish, the Dutch spoken in Belgium. In museums, shops and restaurants in the center, English is widely understood. French is used less than in Brussels.
Where can you see Rubens' works in Antwerp?
At the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, which houses four of his paintings, at the KMSKA and at the Museum Plantin-Moretus, which holds portraits of the Moretus family painted by him.
Is Antwerp a good base for visiting other cities?
Yes. Mechelen is about 20 minutes by train, Brussels less than 1 hour and Ghent about 50 minutes.
What is the diamond district?
It's the area next to Antwerpen-Centraal station where the city's diamond trade is concentrated, with many jewelry shops on the nearby streets.
How to get around the city?
On foot in the historic center. For Zuid, Zurenborg and the Eilandje, use the tram and premetro, which also depart from the central station.