In this article, I’m taking you to discover a very lively city, located in the Flemish part of Belgium: Antwerp (Antwerpen in Dutch). The Flemish city is renowned for its history, its great gastronomic spots, and also for its shopping addresses, as it is the capital of avant-garde Belgian fashion and the diamond trade as well. It is also the second-largest city in Belgium, and I must say that we absolutely loved discovering this city with my favorite photographer!
Antwerp has been a port city since the 12th century and reached its peak in the 16th century. It then experienced a certain decline at the end of the 16th century and the beginning of the 17th century with the rise of the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The tourist advantage of visiting Antwerp for us French people is that, despite Antwerp being a Flemish city, many people here speak French. And we found it very easy to make ourselves understood by the locals.
Table of Contents
Practical Information for visiting Antwerp
How to get to Antwerp from Paris?
From Paris, it is really very simple to get to Antwerp. You just need to take an Eurostar train from Gare du Nord to Antwerp (duration about 2 hours). And the great thing is that there are direct trains, no need to make a change. You will arrive in Antwerp at the Central Station, which is a tourist attraction in itself. It has been recognized as one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. This “railway cathedral” offers travelers grandiose architecture dating from the very beginning of the 20th century.
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The Antwerp CityCard
This CityCard gives access to the city’s museums, churches (I have indicated in the article the visits and activities we did with the card). Finally, it also gives you unlimited access to Antwerp’s public transport. This is very practical, because even if the city center is very easy to explore on foot, some places (like the Fine Arts Museum, for example) are further out. If you come during the warmer months, the card also allows you to rent a bike for a day.
Quick summary: with the card you have access to:
- free access to Antwerp’s museums and churches
- free and unlimited access to the city’s public transport
- discounts of 10% to 25% on various attractions
Antwerp City Card
Card for 24h at 29 € / 48h at 40 € or 72h at 48 €
What to see, what to do in Antwerp?
The city of Antwerp is quite large and is divided into 8 different districts, each with its own character and charm. The city is also crossed by the river The Scheldt. In the old town, you will find picturesque, winding streets and many old facades. Don’t miss, of course, the Grand-Place of Antwerp which, as is often the case in Flanders, is very impressive. You can admire the guild houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, which have been very well restored, as well as the City Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
For information, all the cultural activities we did (museums, visit to the cathedral, but also the brewery) were included in the Antwerp City Card (which I told you about just above). It also allows you to use the city’s public transport for free!
City transport: Antwerp is a compact city and you can visit the city center on foot; however, if you wish to go further or avoid too much walking, the city has a tram and metro system to get around more quickly. The ideal is to buy a 10-trip transport card from the transport company De Lijn (if you haven’t taken the Antwerp City Card).
My tips for visiting Antwerp:
- Every last Wednesday of the month, several museums can be visited for free: the Plantin-Moretus Museum, the Snijders&Rockox House, the Mayer van den Bergh Museum, the MAS, the Red Star Line Museum, the Rubens House (Rubenshuis), and the Letterenhuis.
Visitor Centre Visit Antwerp
Grote Markt 13, 2000 Antwerpen
or Central Station (level 0 next to the escalators)
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Take a Free Tour in Antwerp with Civitatis
Civitatis is a platform specializing in the online distribution of activities, excursions, and guided tours for the world’s main tourist destinations. The great thing is that they organize Free Tours (free guided tours!) in several major cities around the world that have no fixed price. At the end of the tour, each person is free to give the guide an amount in cash based on their level of satisfaction. Discover all the secrets of one of Belgium’s most historic cities with this walking free tour in Antwerp, accompanied by an expert English-speaking guide. There is also a 2nd night-time Free Tour to discover the mysteries and legends of Antwerp!
Free tour in Antwerp by Civitatis
Duration: 2h (1h30 for the night tour)
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Visit the Plantin-Moretus Museum
This wonderful museum is housed in a former printing house that has existed since the 16th century. It was also the home of the printer Christophe Plantin, a French bookbinder and leather worker who came to Antwerp in the 16th century, during the city’s golden age, and opened a printing house that would become one of the most important ever established in Belgium. In 1555, Christophe Plantin published his first book, and important writers and scientists soon flocked to his printing house, the Officina Plantiniana. The printing business grew into a multinational with branches in Frankfurt, Leiden, and Paris. After Plantin, books continued to be printed by his company for eight generations!
You should allow about 2 hours for a complete tour of the museum, which is quite vast in the end. You will discover how words and images were disseminated at the time, and the visit is worth it as much for the building itself as for its fascinating museum trail. Please note: the museum is undergoing renovation work and will be temporarily closed from August 3 to December 4, 2026 (reopening with a new visitor route on the weekend of December 5-6, 2026).
Plantin-Moretus Museum
Vrijdagmarkt 22, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Prices: 12 € / 8 € reduced / free for under 18s
Free with the Antwerp CityCard
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Visit the Mayer van den Bergh Museum
This small museum exhibits the highly diverse art collection that Fritz Mayer van den Bergh assembled at the end of the 19th century. The museum opened its doors in 1904, just three years after his sudden death following a horse riding accident. This was thanks to the determination of his mother, who posthumously fulfilled her son’s dream by having this museum built next to the family home. To do so, she called upon the architect Jos Hertogs, who created a facade in the Flemish Renaissance style based on a lost facade from the Saint-Walburga district of Antwerp.
Since 1951, the museum has been managed by the city of Antwerp and today it houses a collection of approximately 3,100 art objects and nearly 2,500 coins and medals.
Mayer van den Bergh Museum
Lange Gasthuisstraat 19, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Prices: 10 € / 6 € reduced / free for under 18s
Free with the Antwerp CityCard
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Visit the Maagdenhuis Museum or “House of the Virgins”
The Maagdenhuis is a former orphanage for girls founded in 1552 and located in Antwerp on one of the city’s most important squares. It operated until 1882. The administration of the civil hospices was then established there, and the building has been the property of the C.P.A.S. (Public Centre for Social Welfare) since 1925 and houses a museum. You can discover objects from the daily life of the orphans as well as works of art, such as paintings.
The facade of the building is majestic, and it also houses an inner courtyard. It is also very interesting to discover this 16th-century complex, which today preserves the memory and heritage of this type of place, also known as the “House of the Virgins”.
Maagdenhuis Museum
Lange Gasthuisstraat 33, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
open every day except Tuesdays and public holidays
Prices : 7 € / 5 € reduced
Free with the Antwerp CityCard
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Visiting the Rubens House
This museum is housed in the home where Rubens lived for 25 years, and it is here that he created the majority of his works. You can notably discover the master painter’s studio. This visit is just as much worth it for the house itself, which is a true urban palace with Italian inspiration (for which Rubens drew the plans himself), as it is for the collections it contains. You will find furniture and numerous works of art that have been gathered there since 1946. The art collection offers not only paintings signed by Rubens but also those of his students or works with a clear connection to the master: portraits of his acquaintances or works by his friends. The visit also allows you to stroll through the painter’s gardens at the beginning or end of your visit. Please note: the historic master residence is currently undergoing extensive restoration. However, the visitor experience remains partially open in the new reception building (Hopland 13), featuring the immersive multimedia “Rubens Experience”, the library, and the redesigned Baroque garden.
The Rubens House
Wapper 9-11, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
Info from February 2023: the museum is temporarily closed for renovations
Free with the Antwerp CityCard
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Discovering Het Steen and The Antwerp Story
The Steen is a medieval building (the oldest in the city) and it houses a welcome center and a cruise terminal, but also the attraction The Antwerp Story, which presents the various points of interest and the identity of the city in 11 rooms via an interactive tour. This visit is a perfect introduction to Antwerp if it is your first time in the Flemish city (allow about 1h30 to visit The Antwerp Story). So don’t hesitate to do it at the beginning of your stay!
The Antwerp Story
Het Steen, Ernest Van Dijckkaai 9, 2000 Antwerp
The Antwerp Story prices: 7 € / reduced 5 € / free for under 5s / Free with the Antwerp CityCard
The insider tip: you can go up to the panoramic terrace of the venue for free to get a beautiful view of the city of Antwerp
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Visiting the Royal Museum of Antwerp
During our visit, this museum was unfortunately closed for major renovation work, but it reopened its doors in September 2022. You can admire works from the Flemish Primitives to modern masters, and I think it is absolutely essential to include it in your city sightseeing program (I have actually noted it down for my next visit to Antwerp). It is also one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp
Leopold de Waelplaats 1, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
Prices: 20 € / 10 € for under 26s / free for under 18s
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Going up to the panoramic roof of the Museum aan de Stroom
This curious building houses a museum (which was unfortunately already closed when we arrived that day around 5 PM), but we made up for it with the panoramic rooftop terrace of the venue (which is accessible for free until 10 PM) and which offers a magnificent view of the city! I recommend that you at least come to go all the way to the top (to the 10th floor, to be exact) and to enjoy a great vantage point over Antwerp. Not to mention that the building is also well worth a look for its contemporary architecture.
MAS Museum aan de Stroom
Hanzestedenplaats 1, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
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Visiting the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp
This Gothic church (the largest in the historical Low Countries) dedicated to the Virgin Mary contains numerous works of art, including several paintings by Rubens (an Antwerp painter and founding father of Baroque art in the Low Countries, whom I have already mentioned in this article), and its entrance is therefore paid. Its construction was completed in 1521 after about 170 years of work. It also has a high northern lace tower that is 123 meters tall and overlooks the city.
Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp
Groenplaats 21, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
Visits possible outside of religious services on weekdays from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm, and Sundays and public holidays from 1 pm to 5 pm
Rates: €12 / reduced €10 / Free with the Antwerp CityCard
The insider tip: free guided tour offered daily by the welcome group
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Visit the Saint Charles Borromeo Church
This church is the work of the Antwerp Jesuits during the Counter-Reformation. It was built between 1615 and 1621, and Rubens contributed significantly to its splendor in his capacity as co-architect and painter. The church also houses a beautiful collection of lace and textiles. I recommend stopping by to take a look if you are in the area.
Saint Charles Borromeo Church
Hendrik Conscienceplein, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
Free visit
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Go for a bike ride with Antwerpen by bike
Antwerpen by bike is a company that offers rentals for bikes, scooters, or streetsteppers, as well as guided tours (7 different ones) of the city. I found it to be a great way to get around the city and the best way to reach slightly more remote neighborhoods like the port, for example. For our part, we did a 2-hour guided tour to discover neighborhoods around the city center that we hadn’t visited yet.
We first went to the Belvedere Park to get a nice view of the city from a bit of a distance. We then continued to the modern port, which was actually founded by Napoleon after he conquered the city at the beginning of the 19th century. It is now the 2nd largest port in Europe! I also recommend going to see the New Port House, which was built in the old fire station based on designs by architect Zaha Hadid, who gave it the shape of a ship.
We then got back on the road to discover the Antwerp Begijnhof (I’ll tell you more about it in the next paragraph). During this ride, we also went to discover the new south, a rapidly expanding residential area, and the Palace of Justice, an architectural statement in metal and glass by Richard Rogers (the architect who also designed the Centre Pompidou and the Millennium Dome in London).
The insider tip: if you want to discover Antwerp by bike on your own, you can also pick up the Urban Jungle Cycling Circuit (in English only, however) at the Visit Antwerpen tourist office locations for €5.
Antwerpen by bike
Bike rental rates: €8 for 2h / €10 for 3h / €12.50 for the day / + €10 per additional day
Guided tour rate: for a 2h tour = €26.50 per person
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Discover the Antwerp Begijnhof
I mentioned it just above because we discovered this beguinage thanks to the bike tour we did with Antwerpen by bike. Beguines lived here until the 60s, and today they are residential homes. For information, the Begijnhof is open for free during the day and closed at night. In the middle, there is a charming little public garden.
The beguinage was founded in the 13th century and had up to 150 beguines at the end of the 18th century. It was deconsecrated following the French Revolution, then partially demolished in 1819 by the Antwerp municipality. What remained of the beguinage was then converted into housing, and that is what we can still see today.
Antwerp Begijnhof
Rodestraat 39, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
Free entry during the day
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Stroll through the Botanical Garden
This little garden is certainly not very big, but it is filled with flowers, plants, and even contemporary art pieces. It was once the medicinal plant garden for the Saint-Elisabeth hospital, located right next door. Today, it houses some 2,000 medicinal herbs and also features a greenhouse where you can find a collection of cacti and exotic plants. A special tranquility and atmosphere emanate from this garden, which made me really enjoy our stroll there (discovered, by the way, completely by chance).
Antwerp Botanical Garden
Leopoldstraat 24, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
free and open access during opening hours
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Visiting the De Koninck Brewery
I recommend visiting this historic city brewery because it is very well done and the site itself is also really cool. Beer has been brewed here since 1833. Today, you can discover the entire history of this brewery through an interactive tour that is quite well-made, I must say. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Antwerp and its beer, but also about Belgian beers in general. During the visit, you can also taste the typical Antwerp beer: the Bolleke De Koninck, an amber beer served in a special glass.
On-site, the venue also offers a shop where you can find all the brand’s products (collector glasses, bottle openers, magnets, clothing) and beers, as well as a bar/restaurant to drink a beer on the spot and grab a bite to eat, along with several food shops (bakery, chocolate shop, butcher, cheese shop…).
Antwerp City Brewery
Mechelsesteenweg 291, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium
open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 4:30 p.m.) and late night on Saturdays until 8 p.m.
visit duration: approximately 1 hour
Included in the visit: a tasting of the Triple d’Anvers (16cl) and the Bolleke De Koninck (16cl)
Prices: 16 € / 14 € reduced
Free with the Antwerp CityCard
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Discovering the street art of Antwerp
As you know, I am very sensitive to street art and it is an aspect that I always love discovering in a city. In Antwerp, we used an app with the walls to see in the city: Street Art Cities. Below are some photos of urban art, taken by my favorite photographer during our wanderings.
My favorite addresses in Antwerp
As usual, you will find below my selection of great addresses in Antwerp (one hotel and several restaurants) that we had the opportunity to test during our stay with my favorite photographer. These addresses often offer the chance to discover local products and some regional specialties to taste if you come to Flanders. If you want to discover more about Belgian gastronomy, don’t hesitate to also take a look at my article on this subject.
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Where to have a healthy and local lunch in Antwerp? Native
This little address that offers local, seasonal, and natural items is one of our favorites from the trip. The place is really perfect if you are vegetarian or even vegan. The venue is trendy and the service is relaxed. We tested the lunch menu at 24.50 € which is served for the whole table with a soup each + dishes to share. There are many plant-based options in the dishes offered; it’s simple but well-made and, above all, with good products. Finally, the address also offers a nice little terrace for sunny days right in front of the establishment, which is very pleasant. I therefore warmly recommend that you test this address during your stay in Antwerp.
Native
Muntstraat 8, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
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Where to have lunch/brunch in a coffee shop in Antwerp? Moss (closed in 2026)
This trendy brand has 4 different locations: Moss, the Epicerie du Cirque (a restaurant offering contemporary Flemish cuisine), Racine, and the Palmier bar. Moss is the coffee shop side of the brand and offers food for breakfast or lunch. I recommend you try the Eggs Benedict (€14) and the Green Goddess toast (€17.50) with guacamole, quinoa, poached eggs, and smoked salmon. For something sweet, we had the French toast (€10.50) and the Blueberry waffle (€9.50). As for drinks, since the place is more of a coffee shop, I recommend you get a coffee-based drink like the latte (€3.90) or the flat white (€3.80). Here again, you can have lunch on the terrace on very nice wooden benches set up in front of the restaurant.
Moss, le Comptoir du Cirque (closed)
Volkstraat 11, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
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Where to grab a quick bite in Antwerp? Lunch at LocalStore
This atypical restaurant/shop is perfect for a quick snack with ethical and local food. The place offers healthy dishes with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. You can also take a look around the LocalStore shop to buy local products. To eat, you can sit inside the LocalStore or on the large, relaxed terrace that surrounds the place.
To try: the place offers plenty of homemade non-alcoholic drinks (€4) (soda, iced tea…); Lebanese croques (between €11.20 and €12.90); a homemade chocolate tart for dessert (€6.20); very good products on the coffee side as well (double espresso Doppio at €3.20).
LocalStore
Everdijstraat 20 2000 Antwerpen
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Where to have a gourmet dinner in Antwerp? Graanmarkt 13
The Graanmarkt13 restaurant is nestled in a place that houses a concept store but also a restaurant that received a green star in the Michelin Guide in 2021 for its sustainable gastronomy focused on seasonal vegetables! This trendy and gourmet address offers complex and refined dishes, with a desire to elevate the product. Chef Jan Keuppens is clearly specialized in preparing vegetables, and the address offers a selection of refined dishes to share. I recommend you order one or two starters for two people + a main course (meat or fish) + one or two side dishes depending on your appetite, and finally one or two desserts to share. You should expect to pay around €60 to €85 per person for a meal at Graanmarkt13 including drinks.
To test: we fell in love with the radishes with a rhubarb mousse, which were absolutely delicious; as an original starter, we also really liked the yellow beets with cottage cheese; the fish was also excellent; for dessert, we tried the cold sabayon with saffron and blood orange.
The little extra: the hidden interior terrace of the restaurant, where we dined that evening and which does not lack charm.
Graanmarkt 13
Graanmarkt 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Price: starters between €12 and €22 / main courses between €16 and €48 / side dishes between €13 and €20 / desserts between €15 and €18
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Where to have a chic dinner in Antwerp? At Fiera
This restaurant and bar is set in the sumptuous setting of the former Schippersbeurs of Antwerp (the Boatmen’s Exchange), which was once an international meeting place. This address offers a magical setting, with a building that dates back to the end of the 19th century and is a jewel of neo-Gothic architecture with its delicate metal frame. It is truly the perfect place for a chic and romantic dinner in the city, in a breathtaking setting. In the kitchen, we find chefs Andy De Cremer and Davide Mazzoni, who offer dishes with international accents around their menu, each time linked to a different city.
To test: the house cocktails (price between €13 and €19) which are very good, I particularly recommend the Feria Sour (€18) which is made with Elixir d’Anvers, a neon yellow liqueur with digestive properties; the 4-course tasting menu to discover and let yourself be carried away by the chef’s cuisine.
Fiera
Lange Nieuwstraat 14, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Price: lunch menu at €39 for 2 courses or €49 for 3 courses / dinner menu 4 courses at €69 or 5 courses €79
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Where to stay in Antwerp? Hôtel’t Sandt
This little boutique hotel is very well located in the center of Antwerp and is truly charming. It offers 29 rooms and suites with quite unique layouts. Our duplex room no. 101, “The Milestone,” for example, had a mezzanine bed and impressive ceiling height. The common areas are tastefully decorated, and you can find contemporary art pieces throughout. It’s a lovely place for a short stay in Antwerp.
My recommended accommodations for this stay
Hôtel't Sandt
via BookingBotanic Sanctuary Antwerp
via BookingThe hotel also has a very pretty inner courtyard with a terrace where it’s lovely to sit for breakfast on sunny days, for instance, or just to have a coffee or tea during the day. Breakfast is served buffet-style and is of good quality, offering nice products.
Hôtel’t Sandt
Zand 13/De Rubenszaal, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Rates: night from 195 €
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A 5-star hotel in Antwerp? The Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp
We haven’t tested this hotel, but I’ve heard a lot about it, so we took advantage of our quick stop at the city’s Botanical Garden (I tell you about it in the first part of the article) to go and take a quick look. The place is magnificent, and I think that even without staying there, it must be nice to go for a drink or a meal.
Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp
Leopoldstraat 26, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
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Thanks to VisitFlanders and VisitAntwerpen for organizing this stay in Antwerp in 2022.
To perfect your exploration of the Flemish part of Belgium, the logical and essential next step of this journey is to organize a long weekend to visit Ghent, world-renowned for its majestic historic center, its gastronomic and cultural life, and its Castle of the Counts.
I hope that with all this, I have made you want to discover Antwerp and Flanders, and if you also have your own favorite spots and tips for this destination, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments below!
Find all my articles on Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia) below:
⇒ All my articles on Belgium
⇒ All my articles on Flanders
GENERAL INFORMATION ON BELGIUM
⇒ Brussels the capital
⇒ Belgian gastronomy
⇒ Bed and breakfasts in Belgium
MY ARTICLES ON FLANDERS
⇒ Bruges
⇒ Ghent
⇒ Leuven
⇒ The Belgian Coast and Ostend
MY ARTICLES ON WALLONIA
⇒ The Gaume Province
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Mademoiselle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free; photographer's authorization required before any use
