What to see in Antwerp: 9 tips from Milan Bez Mapy

I ended up in Antwerp by accident, but two days there is plenty. I’d recommend the Cathedral of Our Lady, Grote Markt, the MAS museum and the diamond district. It’s often cheaper to fly to Brussels or Eindhoven and continue by train.

Quick factsby Milan Bez Mapy

How many days

A weekend; two full days is plenty

Getting there

It’s often cheaper to fly to Brussels, Charleroi or Eindhoven and continue by train

Where to stay

Away from the historic centre; from our Airbnb in the centre we heard the clubs emptying at 5am

Getting around

Trams and the metro, paying with the card on your phone; Bolt and Uber drivers often cancelled on me

MAS museum

The rooftop viewpoint is free; for me it’s the perfect sunset spot

Rubens House

The residence is closed for renovation until 2030 at the earliest; the Rubens Experience and the garden are open

So what is there to see in Antwerp? Honestly, I hadn’t even planned to go. My friends and I had planned a trip to Pride in Amsterdam, but when we bought the flights we managed to mix up the dates and booked them for a week later.

They were already paid for, so we started working out what to do. And it turned out that Antwerp, in Belgium, was holding its own Pride on exactly those ‘wrong’ dates. So we thought, why not? It’s only an hour and a half by train. And that’s how this article came about.

Things to do in Antwerp: Milan Bez Mapy’s picks and practical tips

How to get to Antwerp by air, plus a tip for cheap flights

We flew to Amsterdam with KLM, but you don’t have to. It can work out better to fly straight to Belgium, either to Brussels or to Charleroi, or else to Eindhoven in the Netherlands. You can compare prices with the tip below.

Tip from Milan I’d recommend booking your accommodation as early as you can, because rooms in a good location at a fair price go first. Here you’ll find accommodation offers in the area valid today.

From Bratislava, Vienna or Budapest in particular, it often pays to fly to Charleroi, where Ryanair regularly runs good deals. You can get a return flight there for as little as €50, and from Charleroi it’s an easy train ride on to Antwerp.

Where to stay in Antwerp and what to watch out for

I’d book somewhere outside the historic centre. Why? Because Antwerp doesn’t seem to have such a thing as a quiet night. And let me tell you, it nearly finished me off. Sure, my friends and I had planned this trip as a party weekend, but at my age (34) you need at least a bit of sleep, party or no party.

Antwerp is a student city, and when the crowds spill out of the clubs at five in the morning, you hear every bit of it. We stayed in an Airbnb right in the historic centre and, honestly, next time I’d go for a regular hotel a little further out.

How many days do you need in Antwerp?

A weekend. Two full days. Really, that’s enough.

How to get around Antwerp

Public transport in Antwerp works really well, especially the trams and the metro. Just tap the card on your phone as you get on and you’re good to go. Bolt and Uber operate here too, but in my experience they’re rather unreliable.

I often waited far too long, or the drivers cancelled my rides. More than once I waited so long that I ended up walking or taking the tram. Antwerp is a small city, so you can easily walk to most places.

Antwerp sights worth visiting

1. Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal): the largest Gothic building in Belgium, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with works by Rubens inside.
2. Grote Markt: the main square, with its Renaissance town hall and guildhalls, ideal for a stroll or a drink on a terrace.
3. MAS museum (Museum aan de Stroom): a modern building on the banks of the Scheldt, with exhibitions on the city’s history and a free rooftop viewpoint.
4. Rubens House (Rubenshuis): the former home and studio of the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens.
5. The Jewish quarter and the diamond district: Antwerp is the centre of the world’s diamond trade.
6. Antwerp Central station (Antwerpen-Centraal): one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world, worth a look even if you’re not catching a train.
7. Port House (Havenhuis): a futuristic building by Zaha Hadid and a symbol of modern Antwerp.
8. Meir and the Botanical Garden
9. Handelsbeurs Antwerpen

Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal)

Your first stop in Antwerp, and the one that’s sure to win you over, is the Cathedral of Our Lady. It looks majestic even from a distance, and when you stand in front of it, your head tips back all by itself. It’s the largest Gothic building in Belgium and fully deserves its place on the UNESCO list.

And the bonus? Inside are works by Rubens himself. Suddenly you feel as if you’re standing in a gallery hidden inside a church. I really liked the cathedral, because it isn’t just ‘another cathedral’ but a place where history, art and faith come together.

Grote Markt, Antwerp’s main square

Grote Markt is the heart of the city. Typical Belgian houses with ornate façades, a Renaissance town hall and the famous fountain in the middle: the square is made for wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere.

Antwerp isn’t as packed with tourists as Brussels or Bruges, so you can enjoy the feel of a historic square even more here. I’d recommend stopping at one of the cafés or having a Belgian beer on a terrace. It’s one of those things you simply have to do, because this is where you see the city’s everyday life, from students and local artists to tourists hunting for the perfect photo.

The Silvius Brabo Fountain and the severed hand

As you stroll across Grote Markt in Antwerp, you can’t miss the beautiful fountain with a bronze statue of a man raising a huge hand above his head. The statue shows Silvius Brabo, a Roman soldier who, according to local legend, defeated a giant robber called Druon Antigoon.

Antigoon supposedly made boatmen on the Scheldt pay a toll, and if they didn’t, he cut off their hands and threw them into the river. Brabo decided to end his tyranny: he killed him and threw the giant’s own hand into the river. According to the legend, this is also how the city got its name: ‘Antwerpen’ comes from the Dutch words ‘hand’ (hand) and ‘werpen’ (to throw). The fountain was completed in 1887 and is the work of the Belgian sculptor Jef Lambeaux. It captures the dramatic moment when Brabo hurls Antigoon’s hand into the river.

De Ruien: Antwerp’s underground

If you’re in Antwerp, make time for De Ruien. This network of underground canals and passages dates from the Middle Ages. For centuries it served as the city’s sewers, but it was also an important part of Antwerp’s defences and supply system. It was gradually covered over in the 19th century and has since been restored, so you can walk through it safely on guided tours.

The guides show you Antwerp’s history from an unusual angle, point out where a river once flowed and explain the role De Ruien played in the city’s development.

MAS museum (Museum aan de Stroom) and its free rooftop view

The MAS is a completely different experience from the old town. The building is modern, clad in red brick and glass, and it has you reaching for your phone before you’re even inside. It’s devoted to Antwerp’s history as a port city, to migration and to culture, so if you like stories of seafarers and trade, this is the place for you. What I loved most, though, was the viewpoint on the roof.

It’s free, and from up there you can see the whole city, the river, the port and the old centre. For me it’s the perfect spot at sunset, when the whole city suddenly turns golden. If I had to pick one modern museum in Antwerp, it would be this one. My friends and I went round the whole thing. There’s a bit too much of it for my taste and my feet were killing me, but it was well worth it.

Rubens House (Rubenshuis)

Rubens is a name almost everyone knows, whether you’re into art or not. In Antwerp you’ll find his former home and studio, where he lived and worked. The house is beautifully restored, with a garden, and feels more like a small museum. If you like history or want to see Antwerp’s cultural side as well, don’t miss it.

Be aware, though, that the residence itself is temporarily closed for renovation and isn’t due to reopen until 2030 at the earliest. You can still visit the Rubens Experience exhibition, the garden and the library. Check the latest information on rubenshuis.be before you go.

The Jewish quarter and Antwerp’s diamond district

Antwerp is also known as the diamond capital of the world. Around the main station you’ll find streets where these precious stones are traded. The whole area is also fascinating culturally, as it’s home to a large Jewish community.

A walk through these streets shows you a completely different side of the city, from shop windows full of jewellery to shops that look very unassuming at first glance.

Controversy over slavery and diamonds in Antwerp

Antwerp is famous as the world’s diamond hub, but the history of the diamond trade has a dark side too. In the 1990s the city found itself in the spotlight over conflict diamonds that financed wars in Africa. The Kimberley Process was introduced as a safeguard, but it wasn’t always strictly enforced, so illegal diamonds kept reaching the market.

These days there’s also the issue of Russian diamonds after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Imports from Russia were banned, which hit the Antwerp trade and raised new ethical dilemmas. For visitors to the diamond district, it means that behind the sparkle and beauty of these stones lies a complex history and a responsibility the city is still grappling with.

Antwerp Central station is a work of art

I’ll say it straight: this is one of the most beautiful railway stations I’ve ever seen. And believe me, I’ve seen quite a few. Antwerpen-Centraal looks more like a palace than a place where you catch a train.

The huge dome, the wealth of detail and the mix of old and new make it incredibly grand. Even if you’re not travelling by train, it’s worth dropping in for at least a few minutes. You’ll take a few photos, but above all you’ll see that a station doesn’t have to be just a functional building. It can be a work of art too.

Port House (Havenhuis) by Zaha Hadid

If you like modern architecture, the Port House will be a highlight. Zaha Hadid designed it, just as she did Sky Park in Bratislava. It’s the headquarters of the port authority and a symbol of how Antwerp links its history with its future. It isn’t right in the centre, but it’s worth the trip, if only to see it with your own eyes. I like contrasts, and that’s exactly what this place is about: new and old side by side in perfect harmony.

Meir, Antwerp’s main shopping street

If you like shopping, Meir is for you. It’s the city’s main shopping street, with everything from the usual chains to more upmarket brands. But honestly, even if you’re not a shopaholic, it’s worth a stroll.

The buildings are gorgeous, often Baroque or neoclassical, so the whole street feels like a living gallery of architecture. To me, the shopping felt like just an excuse. The real reason to come is the atmosphere.

Botanical Garden (Den Botaniek)

If the city starts to feel a bit too noisy, head to the botanical garden. It’s on the small side, but very cosy. Lots of greenery, flowers and benches: the ideal place to take a break from the busy streets. And it’s right in the centre, so it makes a perfect mini escape without having to travel anywhere.

Handelsbeurs Antwerpen

If you’re interested in Antwerp’s trading history, make sure you stop at the Handelsbeurs. This historic building went up as early as 1531 as the world’s first purpose-built commodity exchange, and it was there at the birth of modern trading in Europe.

After several fires it was rebuilt in neo-Gothic style, and today it’s a multi-purpose venue with a restaurant, a hotel and space for cultural events. Personally, I’d just go for a wander, take in the architecture and imagine the bustle of trade here in the old days. It’s a great mix of history and the present.

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Where to eat in Antwerp: cafés, bars and restaurants I liked

Antwerp has plenty of places to eat and drink, and we didn’t come close to trying them all, but these are worth a mention:

1. Bubble Waffle Café, a nice place where we went for breakfast
2. Bar Paniek, a bar we walked past: it’s in the industrial area by the water, and I really liked the vibe
3. ToiToiToi, a café

Is Antwerp worth visiting?

So that’s Antwerp according to Milan Bez Mapy. In the end, a city I hadn’t even planned to visit won me over, from the historic streets to the modern museums and futuristic architecture. It wasn’t love at first sight, though, and the miserable weather on the first day had a lot to do with that.

Two days is plenty to get a feel for the atmosphere, soak up the history and maybe relax on a terrace in Grote Markt. And above all, don’t be afraid to go somewhere by chance or on the ‘wrong’ dates. You might discover experiences you’d otherwise have missed, just as my friends and I did.

Happy travels!