In this article, I am taking you to discover a very lively city located in the Flemish part of Belgium: Anvers (Antwerp in Dutch). This Flemish city is renowned for its history, its great culinary addresses, and also for its shopping spots as it is the capital of the Belgian fashion avant-garde and the diamond trade. It is also the second-largest city in Belgium, and I must say that we truly loved discovering this city with my favorite photographer!
Anvers has been a port city since the 12th century and reached its peak in the 16th century. It then experienced a certain decline in the late 16th and early 17th centuries with the rise of the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The tourist advantage of visiting Anvers for us French speakers is that despite Anvers being a Flemish city, many people speak French here. 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 easy to get to Antwerp. You just need to take an Eurostar train from the Gare du Nord directly to Antwerp (duration about 2h). And the best part is that there are direct trains, so you don’t even need to make a transfer. You will arrive in Antwerp at the Central Station, which is a tourist attraction in its own right. 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. If you are planning a train trip across Belgium, note that Antwerp combines very well with other stops: the city is accessible in 45 minutes direct from our great weekend in Ghent, and only 40 minutes from Brussels.
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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 handy because even though the city center is very easily explored on foot, certain locations (such as the Museum of Fine Arts, for example) are further out. If you visit during the warmer months, the card also allows you to rent a bike for a day.
Quick summary of what you get access to with the card:
- free access to Antwerp’s museums and churches
- free and unlimited access to the city’s public transport
- discounts ranging from 10% to 25% on various attractions
Antwerp City Card
Card for 24h at 29 € / 48h at 40 € or 72h at 48 €
What to see and do in Antwerp?
The city of Antwerp is quite large and divided into 8 different neighborhoods, each with its own character and charm. The city is also crossed by the Scheldt river. In the old town, you will find picturesque, winding streets and numerous ancient facades. Obviously, don’t miss visiting the Grand-Place of Antwerp which, as is often the case in Flanders, is very impressive. There 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, visiting the cathedral, and also the brewery) were included in the Antwerp City Card (which I mentioned just above). It also allows you to take the city’s public transport for free!
City transport: Antwerp is a compact city and you can explore the city center on foot, however if you want to go further or avoid too much walking, the city has a tram and metro system to get around more quickly. The ideal choice is to buy a 10-trip transport card from the De Lijn transport company (if you didn’t get the Antwerp City Card).
My tips for visiting Antwerp:
- On every last Wednesday of the month, several museums can be visited for free: Plantin-Moretus Museum, Snijders&Rockox House, Mayer van den Bergh Museum, MAS, Red Star Line Museum, Rubens’ House (Rubenshuis), and Letterenhuis (House of Letters).
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 major tourist destinations around the world. The great deal is that in several major cities worldwide, they organize Free Tours (free guided tours!) that don’t have a fixed price. At the end of the tour, each person is free to give the guide a cash amount depending 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 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 works that has existed since the 16th century. It was also the home of the printer Christophe Plantin, a French bookbinder and leatherworker who came to Antwerp in the 16th century during the city’s golden age and subsequently opened a print shop that would become one of the most important ever established in Belgium. In 1555, Christophe Plantin published his first book, and prominent writers and scientists quickly visited his print shop, the Officina Plantiniana. The 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!
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 distributed at the time, and the visit is just as worthwhile for the building itself as for its fascinating museographic journey. Please note: the museum is undergoing renovation work and will be temporarily closed from August 3 to December 4, 2026 (reopening with a new tour route on the weekend of December 5 and 6, 2026).
Musée Plantin Moretus
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 put together 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 this, she called upon architect Jos Hertogs, who created a facade in the Flemish Renaissance style based on a lost facade from the Saint-Walburga neighborhood of Antwerp.
Since 1951, the museum has been managed by the city of Antwerp and currently preserves a collection of around 3,100 art objects and nearly 2,500 coins and medals.
Musée Mayer van den Bergh
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 Virgins”
The Maagdenhuis is a former girls’ orphanage founded in 1552 and located in Antwerp on one of the city’s most important squares. It operated until 1882. The administration of civil hospices was subsequently established there, and since 1925 the building has been the property of the C.P.A.S. (public centre for social welfare) and houses a museum. Inside, you can discover objects from the daily lives of the orphan girls as well as works of art, such as paintings.
The building’s facade is majestic and it also houses an inner courtyard. It is also fascinating to explore this 16th-century complex, which today preserves the memory and heritage of this type of institution, also known as the “House of the Virgins”.
Maagdenhuis Museum
Lange Gasthuisstraat 33, 2000 Antwerpen, 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. Notably, you can explore the master painter’s studio. This visit is just as worthwhile for the house itself—a true Italian-inspired urban palace (whose plans Rubens drew himself)—as it is for the collections it contains. It features furniture and numerous works of art gathered there since 1946. The art collection offers not only paintings signed by Rubens but also works by his pupils or pieces closely linked 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 tour. Please note: the historic residence is currently undergoing extensive restoration. However, the visitor experience remains partially accessible thanks to the new reception building (Hopland 13), offering the immersive Rubens Experience multimedia journey, the library, and the redesigned baroque garden.
The Rubens House
Wapper 9-11, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
February 2023 info: the museum is temporarily closed for renovations
Free with the Antwerp CityCard
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Discovering Het Steen and The Antwerp Story
Het Steen is a medieval building (the oldest in the city) housing a welcome centre and cruise terminal, as well as The Antwerp Story attraction, which quickly presents the city’s highlights and identity across 11 rooms through an interactive tour. This visit is the perfect introduction to Antwerp if it is your first time in the Flemish city (allow about 1.5 hours to visit The Antwerp Story). Don’t hesitate to do it at the beginning of your stay!
The Antwerp Story
Het Steen, Ernest Van Dijckkaai 9, 2000 Antwerpen
The Antwerp Story prices: €7 / reduced €5 / free for under-5s / Free with the Antwerp CityCard
Good deal: you can access the panoramic rooftop terrace of the venue for free to enjoy a wonderful 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 renovations, but it reopened its doors in September 2022. You can admire works ranging from Flemish Primitives to modern masters, and I think it is an absolute must-add to your city itinerary (I’ve definitely noted it down for my next trip 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 Antwerpen, Belgium
Prices: €20 / €10 for under-26s / free for under-18s
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Going up to the panoramic rooftop of the Museum aan de Stroom
This curious building houses a museum (which unfortunately was already closed when we arrived around 5 PM that day), but we made up for it with the venue’s panoramic rooftop terrace (which is accessible for free until 10 PM) offering a magnificent view of the city! I recommend coming at least to head all the way to the top (to the 10th floor to be exact) and enjoy a fantastic viewpoint 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 Antwerpen, Belgium
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Visiting Antwerp Cathedral
This Gothic church (the largest in the historical Low Countries) dedicated to the Virgin Mary houses numerous works of art, including several paintings by Rubens (an Antwerp painter and founding father of Baroque art in the Netherlands whom I already mentioned in this article), and as such, admission is charged. Its construction was completed in 1521 after about 170 years of work. It also features a soaring 123-metre lace-like northern tower that towers over the city.
Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerpen
Groenplaats 21, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Visits possible outside 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
Prices: €12 / reduced €10 / Free with the Antwerp CityCard
Good deal: free guided tour offered daily by the welcoming team
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Visiting St. Charles Borromeo Church
This church is the work of the Antwerp Jesuits during the Counter-Reformation. Built between 1615 and 1621, Rubens greatly contributed to its splendour in his capacity as co-architect and painter. The church also features a very fine collection of lace and textiles. I recommend stopping by to take a look if you are in the neighbourhood.
St. Charles Borromeo Church
Hendrik Conscienceplein, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Free admission
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Going on a bike ride with Antwerpen by bike
Antwerpen by bike is a company offering bicycle, scooter, and streetstepper rentals, 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 outlying areas like the port, for example. For our part, we took a 2-hour guided tour to discover neighbourhoods around the city centre that we hadn’t visited yet.
We first headed to Belvedere Park to get a nice, elevated view of the city from a distance. We then continued to the modern port, which was actually founded by Napoleon after his conquest of the city in the early 19th century. Today, it is the 2nd largest port in Europe! I also recommend checking out the New Port House, built within the former fire station based on designs by architect Zaha Hadid, who gave it the shape of a ship.
We then hit the road again to discover the Antwerp Beguinage (I tell you more about it in the following paragraph). During this ride, we also explored the New South, a rapidly expanding residential neighbourhood, as well as the Palace of Justice, a metal and glass architectural statement by Richard Rogers (the architect who also designed the Centre Pompidou and the Millennium Dome in London).
Good deal: if you want to discover Antwerp by bike on your own, you can also pick up the Urban Jungle Cycling Route (in English only, however) at Visit Antwerpen tourist office points 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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Discovering the Antwerp Begijnhof
I mentioned it just above because we discovered this beguinage thanks to the bike tour we took with Antwerpen by bike. Beguines lived here until the 1960s, and today it serves as residential housing. For your information, the Begijnhof is open to the public for free during the day and closed in the evening. In the middle, you’ll find a charming little public garden.
The beguinage was founded in the 13th century and was home to up to 150 beguines by the end of the 18th century. It was secularized following the French Revolution, then partially demolished in 1819 by the Antwerp municipality. What remained of the beguinage was subsequently converted into homes, which is what we can still see today.
Antwerp Begijnhof
Rodestraat 39, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Free admission during the day
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Strolling through the Botanical Garden
This little garden may not be very large, but it’s packed with flowers, plants, and even contemporary art pieces. It used to be the medicinal plant garden for the Saint Elizabeth Hospital, located right next door. Today, it features some 2,000 medicinal herbs and also boasts a greenhouse housing a collection of cacti and exotic plants. There is a special tranquility and atmosphere emanating from this garden that made me truly love our stroll here (which we discovered completely by chance, to boot).
Antwerp Botanical Garden
Leopoldstraat 24, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
free and open admission during opening hours
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Visiting the De Koninck Brewery
I recommend visiting this historic city brewery because it is extremely well put together and the site itself is also very 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 done, I must say. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Antwerp and its beer, as well as Belgian beers in general. During the tour, you can also taste Antwerp’s signature beer: the Bolleke De Koninck, an amber beer served in a distinctive glass.
On-site, the location 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 have a beer on-site and grab a bite to eat, plus several artisan food shops (bakery, chocolate shop, butchery, cheese shop…).
Antwerp City Brewery
Mechelsesteenweg 291, 2018 Antwerpen, Belgium
open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM) and late night opening on Saturdays until 8 PM
tour duration: approximately 1 hour
Included in the tour: a tasting of Tripel d’Anvers (16cl) and Bolleke De Koninck (16cl)
Rates: 16 € / 14 € reduced
Free with the Antwerp CityCard
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Discovering Antwerp’s Street Art
As you know, I am very fond of street art, and it’s an aspect I always love discovering in a city. In Antwerp, we used an app featuring the walls to see around town: Street Art Cities. Below are a few photos of urban art, captured by my favorite photographer as we wandered around.
My favorite addresses in Antwerp
As usual, you will find below my selection of favorite addresses in Antwerp (one hotel and several restaurants) that we had the chance to test during our stay with my favorite photographer. These addresses often offer the chance to discover local products and regional specialties to try if you visit Flanders. If you want to discover more about Belgian gastronomy, feel free 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 gem offering local, seasonal, and natural dishes was one of our absolute favorites of the trip. The place is truly perfect if you are vegetarian or even vegan. The vibe is trendy and the service is relaxed. We tested the 24.50 € lunch menu, which is served for the whole table with a soup each + dishes to share. There are plenty of plant-based options in the dishes offered, it’s simple yet well-executed, and above all made with great products. Finally, the address also features a lovely little terrace for sunny days right in front of the establishment, which is very pleasant. I therefore warmly recommend checking out this address during your stay in Antwerp.
Native
Muntstraat 8, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
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Where to have lunch/brunch at a coffee shop in Antwerp? Moss (closed in 2026)
This trendy brand has 4 different locations: Moss, Epicerie du Cirque (a restaurant serving contemporary Flemish cuisine), Racine, and the Palmier bar. Moss is the coffee shop arm of the brand and serves breakfast or lunch food. I recommend trying the Eggs Benedict (14 €) and the Green Goddess toast (17.50 €) with guacamole, quinoa, poached eggs, and smoked salmon. For sweets, we had the French toast (10.50 €) and the Blueberry waffle (9.50 €). On the drinks side, since this spot is primarily a coffee shop, I recommend getting a coffee-based drink like a latte (3.90 €) or a flat white (3.80 €). Here again, you can enjoy lunch on the terrace on very nice wooden banquettes 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 unusual restaurant/shop address is perfect for grabbing a quick bite of ethical and local food. The place offers healthy dishes with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. You can also wander around the LocalStore shop to buy local products. To eat, you can sit inside the LocalStore or out on the large, casual terrace that surrounds the venue.
To try : the address offers plenty of homemade non-alcoholic drinks (4 €) (soda, iced tea…); Lebanese toasted sandwiches (between 11.20 € and 12.90 €); a homemade chocolate tart for dessert (6.20 €); and very good options on the coffee side as well (Doppio double espresso at 3.20 €).
LocalStore
Everdijstraat 20 2000 Antwerpen
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Where to have a fine dining dinner in Antwerp? Graanmarkt 13
Graanmarkt 13 restaurant is nestled in a location that houses a concept store as well as a restaurant that was awarded a Michelin Guide Green Star in 2021 for its sustainable gastronomy centered around seasonal vegetables! This trendy and gourmet address offers complex and refined dishes, with a desire to elevate the produce. Chef Jan Keuppens clearly specializes in vegetable preparation, and the venue offers a selection of refined dishes to share. I recommend getting 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 spend around 60 € to 85 € per person in total for a meal at Graanmarkt 13 including drinks.
Must-try: we fell in love with the radishes with 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 tested the cold sabayon with saffron and blood orange.
The extra touch: the restaurant’s hidden indoor terrace, where we dined that evening and which has plenty of charm.
Graanmarkt 13
Graanmarkt 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Prices: starters between 12 € and 22 € / mains between 16 € and 48 € / sides 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 surroundings of Antwerp’s former Schippersbeurs (the Boatmen’s Exchange), which was once an international meeting place. This address offers a magical setting, with a building dating from the late 19th century that is a jewel of neogothic architecture with its delicate metal framework. It is truly the perfect spot for a chic and romantic dinner in the city, in a breathtaking setting. In the kitchen, chefs Andy De Cremer and Davide Mazzoni offer dishes around their menu featuring international accents linked each time to a different city.
Must-try: the house cocktails (priced between 13 € and 19 €) which are very good, I particularly recommend the Feria Sour (18 €) 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
Prices: lunch menu at 39 € for 2 courses or 49 € for 3 courses / dinner menu at 69 € for 4 courses or 79 € for 5 courses
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Where to stay in Antwerp? Hotel ‘t Sandt
This small boutique hotel is very well located in the center of Antwerp and is truly charming. It offers 29 rooms and suites with rather atypical layouts. Our duplex room no. 101, “The Milestone”, for example, featured a mezzanine bed and impressive ceiling height. The common areas are tastefully decorated with contemporary art works found throughout. It is a wonderful address for a short stay in Antwerp.
My recommended accommodations for this stay
We stayed in every one of these places, and we recommend them.
Hôtel 't Sandt
via BookingBotanic Sanctuary Antwerp
via BookingBooking through these links supports the blog, at no extra cost to you.
The hotel also features a very pretty interior courtyard with a terrace where it’s lovely to sit down for breakfast on sunny days, for instance, or just to enjoy a coffee or tea during the day. Breakfast is served buffet-style and is of good quality, offering great 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 didn’t test this hotel, but I heard a lot about it and so during our quick stop at the city’s Botanical Garden (which I told you about in the first part of the article), we took the opportunity to go take a quick look. The place is magnificent and I think that even without staying there, it must be nice to go have a drink or eat there.
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 round off your exploration of the Flemish part of Belgium, the logical and unmissable continuation of this journey is to plan a great weekend to visit Ghent, world-renowned for its majestic historic center, its gastronomic and cultural scene, and its Gravensteen castle.
I hope all this has made you want to discover Antwerp and Flanders, and if you too have your 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 INFO 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 permission required prior to any use
