Belgium

Magnificent Tourist Places to Visit and Things to Do in Antwerp

Antwerp is the capital of its eponymous province in Belgium, situated on the north-central border of the country facing Netherlands. The city sits on the coast of river Scheldt, which then links to the North Sea. It is home to the second-largest port in Europe. The city is well known for its diamond industry. It is also known as the Diamond Capital of the World. You will see many places to visit in Antwerp concerning the diamond industry.

Antwerp sightseeing is bliss because of the amazing works of architecture spread across the city, both historical and modern. On one hand, you have marvelous churches and fortresses and on the other, you have railway stations and museums. Speaking of museums, this city is home to a variety of museums dedicated to various subjects and people among Antwerp tourist attractions. You can explore art museums, house museums dedicated to artists, museums dedicated to printing and even a museum dedicated to chocolate. All of them are interesting Antwerp attractions in their own way.

The city is also famous for its vibrant nightlife, it is one of the most popular party destinations in Europe. Even besides traditional clubs there are numerous fun things to do in Antwerp at night. The city is known for its fun vibe and even more interesting people. No matter what activities in Antwerp you engage with, take time to get to know the locals and you will find them respond in kind.

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Explore the Best Tourist Places in Antwerp in 3 Days

Day 1

1. Plantin-Moretus Museum (Plantin-Moretusmuseum)

This museum is dedicated to printing and publishing history in the country. This museum is housed in a 16th century building. It is one of the most insightful things to see in Antwerp. Before being converted into a museum, the building housed a popular and historical bookshop. You will need about an hour to explore this museum.

Plantin-Moretus Museum

2. Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal)

This 14th century Roman Catholic Church is one of the most beautiful Antwerp tourist attractions. The spire of this church are still among the most dominant structures in the city. You will need about an hour to explore this cathedral.

Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp

3. Grand Place (Grote Markt)

This central square of the city and one of the most important historical Antwerp attractions. This square is considered to be the heart of the city. You will need about half an hour at this square.

Grand Place

4. Museum by the River (Museum aan de Stroom)

This museum is the epitome of Antwerp sightseeing. The museum is renowned not only for its contents but also for its architecture. It is home to artworks and sculptures. You will need 2 hours at least to explore this museum.

Museum by the River

5. Red Star Line Museum

This museum is housed in Red Star Line Port Warehouse. The museum tells the story of people migrated from Antwerp to America. You will need about an hour to explore this museum.

Red Star Line Museum

6. Antwerp Port

This is the second largest port in Europe. The port sits on the banks of river Scheidt is also known for the iconic architecture of the port authority building. You will need about an hour from Antwerp travel for this port.

Antwerp Port

Day 2

1. Antwerp Zoo (ZOO Antwerpen)

This zoo is home to more than 5000 animals from 950 species. It is among the best places to visit in Antwerp with families. You will need 2 hours for this zoo.

Antwerp Zoo

2. Antwerp Central Station (Antwerpen-Centraal)

It is one of the finest works of architecture in the building. It is the central station of the city and has great historical significance to the it. You will need about half an hour for this railway station.

Antwerp Central Station

3. St. James’ Church (Sint-Jacobskerk)

This 15th church is among Antwerp must see places. It is known for Brabantine Gothic architecture. Even the interior of the church are wonderful sight. You will need about an hour for this church.

St. James' Church

4. The Rubens House (Rubenshuis)

This 17th century house was home to one of the most renowned painter Peter Paul Ruben. The museum is dedicated to his life and his famous work. It is among the most interesting places to see in Antwerp. You will need about an hour for this museum.

The Rubens House

5. Museum Mayer van den Bergh

This museum features artworks from Gothic and Renaissance period collected by Mayer van den Bergh. You will need 2 hours to go through exhibits of this museum.

Museum Mayer van den Bergh

Day 3

1. Middelheim Open Air Sculpture Museum (Beeldentuin Middelheim Museum)

This museum is an elaborate sculpture park and exhibits some of the most beautiful open air museums in Europe. Some of the most wonderful things to see in Antwerp are found in this museum. You will need about 2 hours here.

Middelheim Open Air Sculpture Museum

2. De Koninck – Antwerp City Brewery (Brouwerij De Koninck)

De Koninck is a historical beer brand and this is the iconic brewery of the brand. You can take a tour of how the beer is brewed. It is among most popular Antwerp tourist attractions. You will need about 2 hours to explore this brewery.

De Koninck - Antwerp City Brewery

3. Photo Museum of Antwerp (Fotomuseum Antwerpen)

This museum is dedicated to photographs and photography equipment. It is an interest based Antwerp attraction, but is still quite popular. You will need about an hour for this museum.

Photo Museum of Antwerp

4. Museum of Contemporary Art (Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst)

Also known M HKA, this museum has several paintings, artworks, sculptures, art exhibits, contemporary art books, arthouse cinema and more. You will need about 2 hours for this museum.

Museum of Contemporary Art

If you plan to visit Antwerp for more than 2 days, check out the section below.

Things to do in Antwerp

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Antwerp

  1. Museum an de Stroom
  2. Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp
  3. The Rubens House
  4. Plantin Moretus Museum
  5. Museum of Modern Art
  6. Royal Museum of Fine Arts
  7. Middleheim Museum
  8. Red Star Line Museum
  9. Het Steen Fortress
  10. Photo Museum of Antwerp
  11. Museum Mayer Van den Bergh
  12. Mode Museum
  13. Antwerp City Museum
  14. Rockoxhuis House
  15. Brabo’s Museum
  16. Zeno X Gallery
  17. DIVA Museum voor Diamant
  18. Museum Vleeshuis
  19. Saint Charles Borromeo Church
  20. Museum de Reede
  21. Sint Pauluskerk
  22. Tique Art Space
  23. Paleis op de Meir
  24. Maison Guiette Le Corbusier
  25. Nello & Patrache Statue
  26. Letternhuis
  27. D’Ursel Castle
  28. Maagdenhuis Museum
  29. Site Gunfire Brasschaat
  30. Stampe & Vertongen Museum
  31. Callewaert Vanlangendonck Gallery
  32. De Zwarte Panter Gallery
  33. De Ruien Historic Canals
  34. Liefkenshoek Museum
  35. Bunker Museum
  36. Castle Wissekereke Basel
  37. Museum Eugeen Van Mieghem
  38. Fort 5
  39. Ibasho Gallery
  40. Kasteel Ravenhof
  41. Opera Antwerpen
  42. Kasteel Cortewalle
  43. Scheldenlaan Lillo Fort
  44. Statue Peter Paul Rubens
  45. Beguinage of Antwerp
  46. Vlaams Tram en Autobus Museum
  47. Hof ter Saksen Historical Building
  48. Fort 4
  49. St. Andrew Church
  50. Natuurhistorisch Museum Boekenberg
  51. Paviljoen de Notelaer
  52. De Vronte
  53. Artelli Gallery
  54. Fort Steendorp
  55. Kasteel Van Schoten

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Antwerp

  1. Kalmthout Heath
  2. De Zoom – Kalmthoutse Heide
  3. Stadspark
  4. Hobokense Polder
  5. Nachtegalen Park
  6. Boekenberg Park
  7. Polders van Kruibeke
  8. Antitankgracht
  9. Kasteel Sterckshof
  10. Peerdsbos Park
  11. Oude Landen Reserve
  12. Loopgravenpad Park

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Antwerp

  1. Zoo Antwerp
  2. Provincial Domain Rivierenhof
  3. De Koninck Brewery
  4. La Nation du Chocolate
  5. Arboretum Kalmthout
  6. Provincial Recreatiedomain de Schorre
  7. Park Spoor Noord
  8. Vordenstein Park
  9. Aspen Skiing
  10. Park deb Brandt
  11. Vrieselhof Park
  12. De Schorre Park
  13. Lago Beveren de Meerminnen Waterpark
  14. Volkssterrenwatch Urania Planetarium

Shopping in Antwerp

  1. Grote Market
  2. Meir Shopping Zone
  3. Quartier Latin Shopping Zone
  4. Graanmarkt 13

Beaches & Island in Antwerp

  1. Sint Annastrand

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Antwerp

  1. Hiking
  2. Skiing

Sightseeing in Antwerp

  1. Meir Street
  2. Port of Antwerp
  3. Boerentoren Building
  4. Cogels Osylei Street
  5. Plantentein Garden Pathway
  6. Dessel Turnhout Schoten Canal
  7. Doel Street Art
  8. Antwerp Red Light District
  9. Antwerp Train Station

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Antwerp

  1. Bar d’Henri
  2. De Godevaart
  3. Simone’s Kitchen
  4. Rooden Hooed
  5. ’t Zilte
  6. Bourla
  7. La Bella Vista
  8. Velazquez
  9. Ga Nord
  10. Bites and Wines
  11. The Dirty Rabbit
  12. Simple Emily
  13. La Grappa
  14. Hoffy’s
  15. River Kwai
  16. BOHM en Berkel
  17. Bodrum Palace
  18. Kartini
  19. Cypro
  20. El Bife
  21. Varelli
  22. B23
  23. Chips
  24. Tandoori Pasta
  25. Camino
  26. Black Sugar

Where to Stay in Antwerp?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Antwerp. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Antwerp.

Luxurious Hotels

  1. Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel, Antwerp
  2. Mercure Antwerp City Centre
  3. Hilton Antwerp Old Town
  4. Lindner WTC Hotel & City Lounge Antwerp
  5. Hotel De Witte Lelie Antwerp
  6. Hotel Indigo Antwerp – City Centre, an IHG hotel
  7. U Eat & Sleep Antwerp
  8. Hotel Rubens – Grote Markt
  9. Hotel Julien
  10. Hotel Les Nuits
  11. Hotel Hyllit
  12. Hotel ‘t Sandt

Mid-Range Hotels

  1. Hampton by Hilton Antwerp Central Station
  2. Hotel O Kathedral
  3. Park Inn by Radisson Antwerp
  4. Mercure Antwerp City South
  5. PREMIER SUITES Plus Antwerp
  6. Crowne Plaza Antwerp, an IHG hotel
  7. Novotel Antwerpen Hotel
  8. De Keyser Hotel
  9. Holiday Inn Express Antwerp City – North, an IHG hotel
  10. Leonardo Hotel Antwerp the Plaza
  11. Astoria Hotel Antwerp
  12. Leonardo Hotel Antwerpen
  13. NH Collection Antwerp Centre
  14. Park Inn by Radisson Antwerp Berchem
  15. Priorij Corsendonk

Budget Hotels

  1. A-STAY Antwerp
  2. B&B HOTEL Antwerpen Centrum
  3. Ibis Budget Antwerpen Central Station
  4. B&B HOTEL Antwerpen Zuid
  5. Citybox Antwerp
  6. Ibis Budget Antwerpen Port
  7. Hotel Rubenshof
  8. Century Hotel
  9. TRYP by Wyndham Antwerp
  10. Beaux Arts
  11. The Ash Antwerp Student Hostel
  12. Billard Palace

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Antwerp

How to Reach Antwerp?

By Air

Antwerp International Airport receives flights from several European cities including Tangier, Ibiza, Split, Murcia, Malaga, Avignon, Nador and Innsbruck. If you are flying in from other cities in Europe or outside Europe, you can also pick Brussels Airport for Antwerp travel. You can get a bus directly from the airport to the city.

By Road

You can get trains and buses to visit Antwerp from several cities in Europe. If you are planning to visit Antwerp by car, you should stick to routes E34, E19, E313, N1, N11, N12 or N70.

By Water

DeWaterbus travels along Schelde river from Antwerp port and is the only water route to reach the city.


Image Reference

Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making

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