Stand in the middle of the Grote Markt and turn a slow circle: guild houses with stepped gables on every side, the Brabo Fountain in front of the city hall, and the cathedral tower rising behind the rooftops. That square is where most visits to Antwerp begin, and it sets the tone for a city that rewards walking.
Antwerp suits travellers who like their history mixed with everyday city life: medieval streets, a working diamond trade, churches full of Rubens, and a river that has carried the city's fortunes for centuries. It is compact enough to cover a great deal on foot, and the museums are close enough together that you can move between them without losing a day to transit.
This guide covers the sights and experiences in and around the centre, with practical notes on when to go and what to combine. It draws on the places listed for the city, so everything named here is somewhere you can actually plan around.
Top things to do in Antwerp
1. City Hall and Old Market Square (Stadhuis/Grote Markt)
This is the historical centre of town. The market square is surrounded by the typical medieval guild houses found in most Flemish historical towns, and the city hall combines Gothic and early Renaissance styles in a way that is almost exclusive to this region of Europe. Both the square and the city hall are UNESCO World Heritage listed.
The Brabo Fountain stands in front of the city hall, and restaurants with terraces surround the square. Come in winter and the Grote Markt is decorated with Christmas lights and a large Christmas tree. There is a nice view of the cathedral from here, and several events take place at this location through the year.
2. Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal)
One of the most impressive and largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, built in 1351 and standing over 400 ft tall. It also houses some of Rubens' most famous paintings.
Pair it with the Grote Markt, which is a short walk away and gives you the best exterior view of the tower. Because the cathedral holds major Rubens works, it is worth setting aside proper time inside rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.
3. The hidden street Vlaeykensgang
A real street connecting Hoogstraat, Oude Koornmarkt and Pelgrimsstraat, but only accessible through unassuming medieval front doors in those streets. It is the medieval equivalent of a gated community, and it now houses informal restaurants and discreet houses.
Because the entrances are easy to walk past, look for the doorways rather than a signposted lane. It sits between streets you will likely already be walking, so it works well as a detour while exploring the centre.
4. Plantin Moretus Museum
The home of 16th-century bookbinder and printer Christoffel Plantin, regarded as one of the finest museums dedicated to printing in the world. Its collections of important books and printing presses, and its role in the technology of printing, have seen it added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It is on Vrijdagmarkt and opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00, with last entrance at 16:30. Adults pay €12. Plan it as a slower stop, since the collections reward attention.
5. Museum aan de Stroom (MAS)
A large museum that tells the story of Antwerp in the world. You can visit the building for free, and the rooftop gives a very wide view across Antwerp.
The viewing platform on the roof is accessible without a museum ticket, which makes it a good stop even if you skip the exhibitions. Opening hours vary by season: November to March, Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 17:00; April to October, Saturday and Sunday until 18:00; closed Mondays. Entry is €10 regular if there is a temporary exhibition, otherwise €5, with reduced rates and free entry for children under 12 and on the last Wednesday of the month.
6. Red Star Line Museum
Opened in 2013, this museum displays the history of the Red Star Line, a Belgian navigation company offering connections between Antwerp and New York, which enabled large-scale emigration to the United States. The collection is built on the stories of people who travelled on the line, including Albert Einstein and Irving Berlin.
It is on Montevideostraat and opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00, closed Mondays. Entry is €8 regular, €6 reduced, and free for children under 12.
7. Diamond District
South and southwest of the central station, this area holds countless jewellery shops as well as the Antwerp Diamond Exchange, one of the most important financial centres of the world's diamond industry. A majority of the world's rough diamond transactions take place here.
The district is interesting from an ethnic and cultural perspective, since a large share of the diamond industry is in the hands of the city's Jews. Combine it with a look at the central station area, which is where you will arrive or depart anyway.
8. Jewish Quarter (Joodse wijk)
One of the main Jewish centres in the world, with the Van Den Nest and Bouwmeester synagogues. Contact the Jewish community for a guide if you want to visit properly.
The Bouwmeester synagogue is on Bouwmeestersstraat 7, close to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp. The Romi Goldmuntz Synagogue, also known as the Van Den Nest synagogue, is at Oostenstraat 2 on the corner of Van Den Nestlei and is the main synagogue of Antwerp.
9. Antwerp Ruien
You can take a guided tour of the underground city of Antwerp. The tour runs 90 minutes.
It is free with the City Card, or €19 otherwise. Because it is a guided tour, build it into your day rather than treating it as something you can drop into at any moment.
10. Saint Paul's Church (Sint-Pauluskerk)
A beautiful mixed Gothic and Baroque church, formerly part of a nunnery, and noted for its Calvary monument.
It is a short distance north of the Grote Markt on Zwartzustersstraat, which makes it an easy addition to a morning around the square and the cathedral.
11. Carolus Borromeus Church
Unlike the cathedral, this is a Baroque church. With a safe and minimal exterior, you would not know the beautiful decorations, done by Rubens' studio, are inside.
It is on the picturesque square Conscienceplein, so pair the visit with a look around the square itself.
12. Vleeshuis
Literally the "meat house", built as the guild hall for the butchers, where every day tonnes of meat changed owners. The building is famous for original masonry made to resemble stacks of bacon, switching between white stones and red bricks.
It now houses a museum whose main part is a musical instrument collection, including examples of old harpsichords built by the local Ruckers family.
13. Museum De Reede
A museum devoted to graphics, permanently featuring works by Francisco Goya, Félicien Rops and Edvard Munch, with temporary exhibitions as well.
It is at Ernest Van Dijckkaai 7, close to the riverside Het Steen fortress. It opens Monday 11:00 to 17:00 and Friday to Sunday 11:00 to 17:00, and is closed Tuesday to Thursday. Entry for adults is €15, with other options on the website.
14. Bourla Theatre (Bourlaschouwburg)
A 19th-century neo-classicist theatre building, charming from the outside and even nicer if you manage to get in for a theatre show or a concert.
It houses a pastry salon inside the large cupola above the theatre, a good place to have tea with cake or waffles. It sits at the end of the Meir shopping street, next to the Boerentoren.
15. Boerentoren (Farmers' Tower)
Now called KBC Tower after the company that owns it, this 97-m building in the historical centre is said to be the oldest skyscraper on the European continent, built between 1929 and 1932. It is renowned for its typical art-deco sculptures.
It stands at the end of the Meir shopping street, so combine it with a walk along the Meir and a stop at the Bourla Theatre.
16. Antwerp Zoo
One of the oldest zoos in the world, with over 4000 animals and lots of 19th-century design and architecture.
It sits by the central station, which makes it convenient to pair with the Diamond District just to the south and southwest.
17. The Begijnhof (beguinage)
A sort of medieval monastery for women, with well-kept gardens that make good photo opportunities.
It is a quiet stop, so slot it in between the busier squares and museums rather than at the end of a long day.
18. Mineralogical Museum (Museum van de Academie voor Mineralogie, ACAM)
A museum for mineralogy, palaeontology and gemology, with the largest collection of fluorescent minerals in Europe and permanent collections of systematic minerals and fossils.
It is at Frans de l'Arbrelaan 12; take tram 6 in the direction of Luchtbal and get off at Gasthuishoeve. It opens only on Saturday afternoon, 13:30 to 17:30, and guided tours are free and highly recommended. Entry is €4, free for children, students and teachers.
19. Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum (Flemish Tram and Bus Museum)
Supported by the Flemish transport company De Lijn and located within a former tram depot, its collection includes Antwerp's first electric tram, an open tram, a steam-operated tram and the Gyrobus, an electric bus built in 1956.
It is at Diksmuidelaan 42; take tram 4 or 9 to the Berchem Groenenhoek tram stop. It opens mid-April to mid-October, Saturday and Sunday 13:00 to 16:30.
20. Extra City Kunsthal
An art space for contemporary visual arts, based in an old bottling factory. Its shows are mostly experimental, but always intriguing.
It is at Eikelstraat 25. Because the programme changes, check what is on before making a special trip.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the City Hall and Old Market Square (Stadhuis/Grote Markt), where the guild houses, the Brabo Fountain and the city hall set out the city's history in one square. Walk the short distance to the Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal) and give the Rubens paintings proper time. On the way, look for the doorways of the hidden street Vlaeykensgang, which connects Hoogstraat, Oude Koornmarkt and Pelgrimsstraat. If time allows, add Saint Paul's Church (Sint-Pauluskerk), a short distance north of the Grote Markt on Zwartzustersstraat.
Afternoon. Head to the Plantin Moretus Museum on Vrijdagmarkt, open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 17:00 with last entrance at 16:30. From there, make your way to the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) and go up to the rooftop viewing platform, which is accessible without a museum ticket and gives a wide view across the city. If you have energy left, the Carolus Borromeus Church on Conscienceplein is a compact Baroque stop with decorations by Rubens' studio.
Evening. Return to the Grote Markt, where restaurants with terraces surround the square, and take in the view of the cathedral in the evening light. If you would rather end on a quieter note, the Bourla Theatre houses a pastry salon inside the large cupola above the theatre, a good place for tea with cake or waffles, and the Boerentoren is right at the end of the Meir shopping street nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a card that covers Antwerp's museums and churches?
Yes. The Antwerp City Pass lets you visit all museums and three monumental churches over a 48-hour period, and includes a 25% discount on attractions, sightseeing and bicycle rentals. The free guide contains vouchers for benefits on typical Antwerp and Belgian products including chocolate and chips. Prices are €45, €55 or €65 depending on the option.
When is the best time to see the Grote Markt?
The square works at any time of year, but in winter it is decorated with Christmas lights and a large Christmas tree. Several events take place at this location, so it is worth checking what is on during your dates.
How do I get to the Mineralogical Museum?
Take tram 6 in the direction of Luchtbal and get off at Gasthuishoeve; the museum is at Frans de l'Arbrelaan 12. It is only open on Saturday afternoon, 13:30 to 17:30, so plan your week around that window if you want to visit.
Can I visit the Jewish Quarter and its synagogues?
Yes, but contact the Jewish community for a guide. The Bouwmeester synagogue is on Bouwmeestersstraat 7, close to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, and the Romi Goldmuntz Synagogue, also known as the Van Den Nest synagogue, is at Oostenstraat 2 on the corner of Van Den Nestlei.
Pick the places that match your interests, check the days and hours that apply to your dates, and start mapping out your days in Antwerp.