Antwerp in 5 days

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.

Day 1, Get oriented

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

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.

Eat: Antwerpse handjes, hand-shaped biscuits and chocolates

Day 2, Iconic sights

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

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.

Eat: Moules-frites, mussels with fries

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

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

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.

Eat: Belgian frites with sauce and local craft beer

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Het Eilandje, The revitalised old docklands with the striking MAS museum, marina and waterfront dining.

Morning: Sunset and a beer on the riverbank by Het Steen castle.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Het Eilandje, The revitalised old docklands with the striking MAS museum, marina and waterfront dining.

Evening: The hidden baroque St Charles Borromeo Church near the centre.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: De Koninck, the city's signature amber ale (a 'bolleke')

Day 5, Slow finish

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Old Town & Grote Markt, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Antwerpse handjes, hand-shaped biscuits and chocolates, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Old Town & Grote Markt.

Eat: Antwerpse handjes, hand-shaped biscuits and chocolates

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.

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.

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