Best things to do in Antwerp
Belgium’s second-largest city is one of Europe’s biggest ports and the international centre of the diamond trade; it’s also the place to go for superb nightlife, cutting-edge fashion and all things related to the painter Rubens.
Viewpoints and panoramas
The best districts
Het Zuid: The district hit the skids in the 1960s, with many of its grand French-style mansions left to decay, but it’s bounced back to become one of Antwerp’s more fashionable residential quarters.
The diamond district: The anonymous streets just to the southwest of Centraal Station are home to the largest diamond market in the world. Behind these indifferent facades, precious stones pour from every continent to be cut or re-cut, polished and sold.
Het Eilandje: Antwerp’s old docklands have had a modern makeover, and a stroll around the area is a pleasant way to while away a couple of hours, with the obvious targets being Museum by the Stream and the Red Star Line Museum, as well as the new cafés and bars in the renovated warehouses on the waterfront.
Museums
MoMu, Antwerp: Adventurous, brilliantly presented and thought-provoking, Antwerp’s first-class fashion museum has an international reputation for the quality of its temporary exhibitions.
Rubenshuis: Not so much a house as a mansion, the Rubenshuis was where the great man lived for most of his adult life; today it’s filled with Rubens’ own work and gives fascinating insights into the artist’s life and times.
KMSKA: Antwerp’s most prestigious art gallery, the museum’s permanent collection spreads over two large floors with the paintings displayed by theme rather than artist – hence ‘Suffering’, ‘Entertainment’ and so forth.
Parks and gardens
Rivierenhof Park: If it’s big outdoor space you’re after, head to this sprawling green oasis east of Antwerp boasting lush lawns, ponds and walking trails - and in summer, it’s also a venue for open-air concerts.
Historical monuments
Antwerp Cathedral: Dominating Antwerp’s skyline, this supreme example of the Gothic is both magnificent and stunningly beautiful.
Centraal Station: A magnificent neo-Baroque structure whose medley of spires and balconies, glass domes and classical pillars was completed in 1905 and is, by any standard, an extraordinary edifice.
St-Carolus Borromeus: Much of this church’s barrel-vaulted interior, including 39 ceiling paintings by Rubens, was destroyed by fire in 1718; the ornate Mariakapel (Chapel of Maria), on the right-hand side of the nave, happily avoided the flames, its stucco ceilings and luxurious mix of marbles a fancy illustration of the High Baroque.
Day trips in the area
Tongeren: Claiming to be the oldest town in Belgium, Tongeren makes the most of its Gallo-Roman history and hosts one of Europe’s largest weekly flea and antiques markets every Sunday.
Ghent: A vital, vibrant metropolis whose booming restaurant and bar scene wends its way across a charming cityscape comprising a network of narrow canals overseen by handsome classical mansions and antique red-brick houses.
Brussels: The Belgian capital is less than an hour away, offering world-class museums, the Grand Place and the Atomium, making it an easy day trip from Antwerp.
Activities for families in Antwerp
Antwerp is a fantastic destination for families, offering engaging and fun activities for all ages, from animals and aquariums to parks and playgrounds.
Aquariums and zoos: One of the oldest zoos in the world, dating back to 1843, there are around 30 separate areas today, including a 6m high ‘skywalk’ for great views, a savannah with African buffaloes, a butterfly garden, an aquarium, a special ‘valley’ for gorillas and hippo pools.
Boat tours: Who doesn’t love a family jolly by boat? Flandria operates two- or three-hour Antwerp port/harbour cruises daily for most of the year. Passengers embark at the Asiadok-Oostkaai, about 2km (25 min walk) northeast of the MAS museum.
Interactive museums: The Red Star Line Museum, which tells the story of the eponymous shipping company whose transatlantic passenger liners carried more than two million emigrants from Antwerp, will likely appeal to older kids, but a joy for everyone - young and old - is the Chocolate Nation Museum, which, quite literally, offers an immersive experience into the world of Belgian chocolate. Yum.
Free things to do in Antwerp
Antwerp has plenty to entertain budget-conscious travellers, with a range of free activities to enjoy.
Free events: Antwerp’s cultural calendar is packed with free events, from summer music festivals to art fairs; best of the lot is August’s Bollekesfeest, a festival with free music, food stalls and entertainment.
Markets: Antwerp loves its open-air markets. Three of the best are the antique and jumble market in the city centre on Sint-Jansvliet; the Bio Market, an organic foods market on the Falconplein; and the large, general market on Theaterplein and its surroundings - all of which are super places to browse, without any pressure to buy.
Nature and outdoor activities in Antwerp
While Antwerp may be one of the country’s most important commercial and cultural hubs, that’s not to say you can’t escape to the countryside for more solitudinous pleasure.
Cycling: Southeast of Antwerp, the many quiet lanes, cycle routes and tiny villages make for a pleasant detour, with Tongeren the obvious base, especially as bicycles can be rented from the town’s Marco’s Veloshop.
Watersports: The River Scheldt offers the opportunity to partake in some water-based activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding.
Walking: Rivierenhof Park, located in Deurne, offers easy, leisurely walks through meadows and woods, but for a more immersive experience, head to Kalmthout Heath, a nature reserve just outside the city where you can enjoy heathland trails with plenty of scope for bird-watching.
