Antwerp, Belgium travel guide

Belgium's stylish second city: a grand cathedral, Rubens, diamonds, cutting-edge fashion and a buzzing port.

Best time to visit: May-September
Average daily budget: $95 to $160 USD
Ideal trip length: 2 days

Antwerp is Belgium's coolest city, a wealthy port that pairs a glorious Gothic cathedral, Rubens masterpieces and a beautiful guildhall square with world-leading fashion, a famous diamond trade and a confident creative edge. Compact and walkable, it rewards art lovers, shoppers and food fans alike. Joy Plus shapes the cathedral, the museums, the fashion district and the riverside into an easy couple of days.

Antwerp itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Cathedral of Our Lady. See the soaring Gothic cathedral with its tower and four masterpieces by Rubens.

Afternoon: Explore Old Town & Grote Markt, The historic heart around the cathedral, the guildhall square and the riverside Het Steen castle.

Evening: MAS Museum & Het Eilandje. Ride to the rooftop of the striking MAS for panoramic views over the port and city.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Rubens House (Rubenshuis). Tour the home and studio of the Baroque master in the heart of the city.

Afternoon: Explore Het Zuid (The South), An elegant district of galleries, museums, leafy squares and a strong restaurant and bar scene.

Evening: Fashion & shopping. Browse avant-garde boutiques and the MoMu fashion museum in the design district.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: The opulent, palatial Central Station, often called the world's most beautiful.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Fashion District, The streets around the Nationalestraat and the MoMu fashion museum, full of avant-garde boutiques.

Evening: The Plantin-Moretus Museum, a UNESCO-listed historic printing house.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

Old Town & Grote Markt: The historic heart around the cathedral, the guildhall square and the riverside Het Steen castle.
Het Zuid (The South): An elegant district of galleries, museums, leafy squares and a strong restaurant and bar scene.
Fashion District: The streets around the Nationalestraat and the MoMu fashion museum, full of avant-garde boutiques.
Het Eilandje: The revitalised old docklands with the striking MAS museum, marina and waterfront dining.

Must-do experiences

Cathedral of Our Lady: See the soaring Gothic cathedral with its tower and four masterpieces by Rubens.
Rubens House (Rubenshuis): Tour the home and studio of the Baroque master in the heart of the city.
MAS Museum & Het Eilandje: Ride to the rooftop of the striking MAS for panoramic views over the port and city.
Fashion & shopping: Browse avant-garde boutiques and the MoMu fashion museum in the design district.

Hidden gems

The opulent, palatial Central Station, often called the world's most beautiful.
The Plantin-Moretus Museum, a UNESCO-listed historic printing house.
Sunset and a beer on the riverbank by Het Steen castle.
The hidden baroque St Charles Borromeo Church near the centre.

Daily budget

$95 to $160 USD per day.

What to eat

Antwerpse handjes, hand-shaped biscuits and chocolates
Moules-frites, mussels with fries
Belgian frites with sauce and local craft beer
De Koninck, the city's signature amber ale (a 'bolleke')

Getting around

Antwerp's centre is compact and very walkable, and it's a wonderfully bike-friendly city. An extensive tram, premetro and bus network (De Lijn) covers the wider city cheaply, and trains link the airport and Brussels in minutes from the magnificent Central Station. A day pass is good value, and the flat, walkable layout makes getting around easy.

Safety

Antwerp is generally safe and comfortable for solo travellers including women. Violent crime is rare; the main cautions are pickpocketing around Central Station, the diamond district and busy shopping streets, and some areas near the station and parts of the north that feel rougher at night. Use normal city sense and stick to busy streets after dark.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Antwerp?

Two days cover the cathedral, the Rubens House, the MAS museum, the fashion district and the riverside, with time for great food and beer. A third day suits the museums of Het Zuid, more shopping, or a quick train trip to Ghent or Brussels.

Is Antwerp safe for solo travellers?

Yes, Antwerp is generally safe and welcoming for solo travellers including women. The main cautions are pickpockets around Central Station, the diamond district and busy shopping streets, and a rougher feel near the station at night, so use normal city sense.

When is the best time to visit Antwerp?

May to September brings warm weather and lively riverside and café terraces. Spring and early autumn are pleasant and quieter, while December's Christmas market and lights are atmospheric but cold. Antwerp can be rainy year-round, so pack a jacket.

Is Antwerp worth visiting?

Yes. Antwerp is Belgium's most stylish city, blending a magnificent Gothic cathedral, Rubens masterpieces, the world's diamond capital, cutting-edge fashion, a striking modern museum and a great food and beer scene. It's an easy, rewarding alternative to Brussels or Bruges.

How do I get from Brussels Airport to Antwerp?

A direct train links Brussels Airport to Antwerp's Central Station in around 30 to 45 minutes and is the easiest option. From the smaller Antwerp Airport, the city centre is just 10 to 15 minutes away by bus or taxi.

What is Antwerp famous for?

Antwerp is famous for being the world's diamond-trading capital, the home of Baroque painter Rubens, a leading fashion city (the 'Antwerp Six' designers), its magnificent Gothic cathedral, its grand Central Station and its busy port, one of Europe's largest.

Can you do day trips from Antwerp?

Yes. The medieval cities of Ghent and Bruges, the capital Brussels and the historic university town of Leuven are all within about an hour by train, making Antwerp a great base for exploring Flanders.

Tours and activities in Antwerp | Antwerp in 3 days | Antwerp in 5 days | Antwerp in 7 days