It is the diamond capital, one of the most fascinating cities in Belgium and its Flemish soul. Are you planning a getaway and are you looking for the best things to see and do in Antwerp ? In this post we will tell you the essential plans and places to visit that cannot be missed on your trip to Antwerp.
10 places to visit in Antwerp
Antwerp is located in the heart of Europe and this geographical luck literally put it on the map, being one of the most important commercial ports of the Old Continent. This fact boosted the diamond industry , a flourishing market that would bring much joy (and money) in the centuries to come.
But this Belgian city was not only about diamonds and trade, we must not forget that Antwerp is also synonymous with Flemish art : personalities such as Rubens and Van Dyck were some of its most famous inhabitants, and created many of their masterpieces under the sky of this city.
Squares, churches, castles, museums... We have the cultural part well covered, but a visit to Antwerp is not fully enjoyed if you do not stop at a waffle or frites stand , the French fries that, although known as "French fries", are more Belgian than Tintin.
Here are what we believe to be the 10 must-see and must-do things in Antwerp :
Before you start: sign up for a free tour of Antwerp
Do you only have a few hours in Antwerp? Are you one of those people who always starts a visit to a city with a guided tour? Then don't think twice and sign up for this free tour of Antwerp in Spanish . Over the course of a couple of hours, you'll visit the city's main attractions with a local guide who will tell you interesting facts and historical information, and with other tourists to share experiences with.
The Grote Markt, Steen Castle, the Church of St. Charles Borromeo or the Rubens House are just some of the stops... And if you like this type of activities, we recommend reserving the afternoon to take the free tour of legends and mysteries of Antwerp .
1. Grote Markt
The Market Square is the main square in Antwerp, a meeting point for locals and tourists , where some of the most notable buildings of the city are located. This is the case of the majestic Town Hall ( Stadhuis ) in Renaissance style and decorated with the colours of many flags, or the Guild Houses from the 16th century, which retain their peculiar stepped facades.
In the centre stands a bronze fountain, dedicated to Silvius Brabo , a Roman legionary who, according to legend, killed the evil giant Druon Antigon, who cut off the hands of boatmen who did not pay a fee to sail on the Scheldt River. The statue depicts the epic moment when Brabo throws the giant's hand into the river. It is said that this legend is what gives the city its name: Antwerpen , which unites the Dutch words " hand " and " werpen ", which mean "to throw the hand".
Come by both during the day and at night , when it is dimly lit and looks almost prettier.
2. Cathedral of Our Lady
From the Grote Markt itself, and towering imposingly over one of its corners, you can see the Cathedral of Our Lady, the main religious temple in Antwerp . It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is particularly striking for its monumental Gothic-style bell tower , which measures 123 metres, making it the tallest in the country.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to go up, although it is worth paying the €12 entrance fee to see some of Rubens' paintings , such as "The Descent from the Cross", considered one of his masterpieces, as well as the stained glass windows, which are absolutely amazing.
What if we told you that you can drink a beer in this Cathedral ? We wouldn't be committing any sacrilege: an old chapel has been transformed into the bar "De Plek" where they serve their own Kathedraal beers . Renew or die.
If you prefer somewhere else to have a drink, there are several cafés and bars in the Cathedral Square ( Groenplaats , the Green Square) where you can spend a pleasant time. By the way, right there you will see a statue dedicated to the genius Rubens .
3. Rubens' route through the churches of Antwerp
And speaking of Rubens… the whole of Antwerp is tinged by the brush of this wonderful artist and you yourself can follow in his footsteps by improvising a route through churches and museums. Here we recommend the most important stops:
Church of St. Charles Borromeo
It is one of the great jewels of Antwerp, thanks to its peculiar architecture , with a spectacular baroque façade of red sandstone and grey stonework, in whose design Rubens himself collaborated. And to an equally lavish interior , where the impressive main altar stands out, whose altarpiece is changed three times a year (something unique in the world), the Lady Chapel and the crypt. In one of the side altars we can see the work "The Return of the Holy Family from Egypt" by Rubens. It is free, so you have no excuse not to visit it.
Curiosity : it was the first church in the world dedicated to Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits (it was inaugurated in 1621).
St. Paul's Church
Built in the 16th century in the Gothic style, it preserves an artistic heritage of incalculable value . During your visit, you will be amazed by the confessional carved in oak , the pictorial series of the 15 Mysteries , and other works by artists such as Van Dyck, Jordaens and Rubens (from whom "The Adoration of the Shepherds" and "The Dispute of the Blessed Sacrament" are on display). And it is more than a church, it seems like a real art gallery.
The surprises don't end here: the underground crypt , where notable figures of the time were buried, has recently been opened to the public . And to top it off, don't forget to go out into the courtyard to see a sculptural complex depicting the scene of the crucifixion of Christ, which is why this church is also known as the Church of Calvary. Entry costs €5.
Church of Santiago
This is one of the oldest churches in the centre of Antwerp and one of the few that still has its original interior. We will enter for one main reason: to see Rubens' tomb , located in the chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows and at the foot of one of his most important paintings: "Our Lady surrounded by saints".
4. Rubenshuis, Rubens House Museum
The Rubens House Museum is another must-see in Antwerp, especially if you are a fan of this painter who gave so much to Flemish art. Don't imagine a misunderstood genius struggling to make ends meet - Van Gogh style - Rubens is part of that group of artists who were able to enjoy fame during their lifetime , and his house is a clear reflection of that luck. In fact, rather than a small house, it should be called a whole mansion .
In addition to the purely architectural and historical value of the house, and to experience the surroundings and atmosphere where Rubens spent the last 29 years of his life, several of his masterpieces are exhibited here , including a self-portrait. It is currently undergoing restoration and remains closed, you can keep up to date with news on its website .
5. KMSKA Museum of Fine Arts
After 11 years of renovation, the KMSKA Museum , one of the country's art references , finally reopened in September 2022. It is located inside a colossal neoclassical building in the heart of Het Zuid , Antwerp's trendy, elegant and pleasant district, where we recommend you take a stroll after visiting the museum.
Its collection covers works from the 14th to the 20th century, focusing on Flemish painters such as Rubens, Van Eyck, Jacob Jordaens and Van der Weyden. It also includes works by important foreign painters such as Rembrandt, Titian and Modigliani, and even three surrealist artists such as Magritte, Paul Delvaux and Salvador Dalí. Special emphasis is also placed on the figure of James Ensor , a 19th-century Belgian painter who would influence the artistic movements of expressionism and surrealism.
The entrance fee is €20, which you probably won't mind paying if you like art.
This is a great area to look for accommodation in Antwerp , although the historic centre is full of charming hotels. Here are some recommendations:
- Musa Antwerp
- The 1880 Residence by Domani Hotels
- Hotel Matelote
- P6 Antwerp
- Hostel The ASH (shared rooms)
6. Plantin-Moretus Museum
Another highly recommended museum to see in Antwerp is the Plantin-Moretus Museum, which aims to highlight the figures of two great innovators of the time: Christoffel Plantijin and Jan Moretus, who were fundamental in the development of the printing press and the publishing world .
We will visit the old 16th century house that served as a printing press, library and residence for these two master booksellers. Instruments, machines, materials, handwritten documents and books dating back more than 400 years are preserved here, forming a collection so valuable that it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . Admission costs €12.
7. Antwerp Central Station
You may be surprised at first to find a station among the main places to visit in Antwerp, but once you arrive you will understand everything. Many consider it to be one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.
And there is much more to it than just platforms and crammed shops under its roof: along its 3 enormous floors, you will go down marble stairs, see baroque statues, find yourself under an impressive glass dome and, ultimately, feel like you are in a neo-baroque palace . It is not for nothing that it is known as “the Cathedral of the stations” and there are few that are more monumental than it.
The good thing is that you won't have to go to great lengths to get there, as most tourists travel to Antwerp by train from Brussels or other nearby cities. So there's no better way to start your visit!
8. Diamond District, diamond district
South of the central station we find one of the most peculiar and recognizable districts of Antwerp: the Diamond District. Antwerp is the world capital of diamonds and in fact, throughout its 4 extremely guarded pedestrian streets you will see shops, galleries, offices and companies that are dedicated to the purchase and sale of these precious stones.
It is said that almost 85% of the world's rough diamonds pass through this city at some point. But the tradition is not new; we have to go back to the 15th century to find the origin of this industry that brings so much money to the city. In this process, the Jewish community has played a fundamental role and in fact Yiddish was the official language in diamond transactions traditionally. Today this neighborhood is also known as the Jewish quarter, although there is a very interesting cultural mix .
We encourage you to continue exploring the area heading south, passing by synagogues such as the Shomre Hadas Synagogue , by the monument in homage to the Jews who suffered the horror of the Holocaust, until you reach PAKT , an old warehouse transformed into a creative and innovative space, with trendy stores, a café, restaurants and a very cool terrace.
And if you want to learn more about diamonds, their extraction and their importance in Antwerp, head to DIVA , the Diamond Museum , located in the historic centre. Admission costs €12.
9. Museum aan de Stroom (MAS)
This is the largest museum in the city, located in the port area and focused on showing the most relevant aspects of Antwerp . If you want to understand the present of a place, you first have to know its past.
The architecture of the building leaves no one indifferent, with a combination of glass windows and red sandstone panels that are very characteristic. Inside there are many exhibitions with more than 600,000 objects, which give an overview of the history, culture and traditions of the city. On the top floor there is a spectacular viewing platform , which offers panoramic views of the city and the port. Admission costs €10 but if you just want to go up to the viewing platform it is free.
10. Steen Castle
On the banks of the Scheldt River and in the heart of Antwerp stands this medieval castle whose name means "The Rock" , because it was one of the first buildings built of stone. It dates back to the 13th century, although long before that there was already a fortress here that tried to repel the incursions of the Vikings.
Throughout its long history, its appearance has changed with different reconstructions, but it has always remained stoic as a rock, watching the city grow little by little, until it became an unbreakable part of its landscape. As well as being a military fortress, it was also a prison and today it houses a visitor centre, a museum and a panoramic terrace . Admission to the exhibitions costs €7, but the viewing platform and some areas are free.
When you stand in front of the castle, you will probably notice a sculpture: the giant Lange Wapper , a character who, according to folk tales, used to chase children and drunks who still roamed the streets at night.
Extra. Is your trip on a Saturday?
If you are on a weekend getaway, take the opportunity to visit the Saturday Market (Exotische Markt), which, as its name suggests, takes place every Saturday on the esplanade next to the Stadsschouwburg Theatre from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is filled with food stalls , with artisan products and local specialities in a celebration of flavours, smells and colours.
Remember to get the Revolut card ( with a €10 promo ) to avoid commissions when paying and withdrawing money abroad
More places to see in Antwerp
Antwerp is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, interesting and dynamic cities in Belgium, so there are many other plans to enjoy during your visit. Here are a few ideas:
- Visit the De Koninck Brewery , the most important in the city, and try one or more of its specialties.
- Relax in the Stadspark urban park , very close to the Diamond District, with ponds, sculptures and paths.
- Try Belgium's most famous product: chocolate! A beautiful historic shop where you can take home a sweet souvenir is The Chocolate Line . It is located on Meir Street, Antwerp's main shopping street.
- The Port House is a newly designed building housing the port offices and has been renamed “the diamond” – can you guess why? Here’s a clue…
Map of Antwerp
We leave you a map with the location of the places to visit in Antwerp so you can plan your visit in the best way:
We have walked among statues that have killed giants, hummed “diamonds are a girl’s best friends,” been thrilled by Rubens’ indescribable art and savoured every bite of a good street waffle (we know it and you know it: no one can resist temptation). We can only wish you a great trip to this curious city in the north of Belgium. Do you know of any more things to see and do in Antwerp ?
