20 of the Best Things to Do in Antwerp in 48 hours

Brussels may be the capital city of Belgium, but Antwerp is widely regarded as a close second-city and cooler place to visit. It’s a city that blends grand Flemish history, amazing architecture, world-class art and an excellent culinary scene. It’s also home to some of the country’s best chocolatiers.

After spending 3 days exploring and seeing the top sites, we’ve created a guide on the top things to do in Antwerp. We’ll share the must-see attractions of the city centre, including the Cathedral of Our Lady and main squares. We’ll also take you across the river to the lesser-known areas of Antwerp and show you the best parks. Fancy seeing how Belgian chocolate is made and tasting some for yourself? We’ll cover that too.

To help you navigate the best of the city beyond the tourist traps, here are the top 20 things to do in Antwerp.

Google Map of all locations in our guide

Antwerp’s Old Town

Wandering around Antwerp’s charming old town on foot is a great introduction to the city. Before doing any sightseeing, we recommend spending a couple of hours strolling through its squares and main streets, marvelling at the impressive architecture and colourful rows of Flemish guild houses. Its centre has beautifully-preserved medieval architecture, grand statues and countless boutique cafes, shops and restaurants.

Vlaaikensgang Alley

One of our favourite areas of the city centre is a labyrinth of streets known as Vlaaikensgang. The passage has been carefully restored to preserve its cobblestone paths, whitewashed brick walls, and tranquil, medieval courtyards. There are also some quaint bars and cafes, which are hidden away from the tourist crowds.

Cathedral of our Lady

In a city of over 30 churches, the Cathedral of Our Lady stands out as the must-see. Built between 1352 and 1521, its 123-meter north tower is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the tallest spire in the city. It can be seen from all corners of Antwerp, guiding you back into the city centre if you get lost.

One of the main reasons to visit the cathedral is for its world-famous altarpieces by Peter Paul Rubens, including The Raising of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross. You can see the grand design of the church from outside, but to see the beauty of its interior, including the famous altarpiece designs, you’ll need to pay a small entrance fee.

Grote Markt

Grote Markt is Antwerp’s main, historic square. Located in the heart of the old town, it’s somewhere you’ll probably visit a few times during your time in the city. It’s famous for its 16th-century guild houses with step-gabled roofs and ornate gold statues, as well as the Renaissance-style Town Hall. The building is adorned with dozens of international flags.

Brabo Fountain

At the centre of Grote Markt you’ll find a bronze fountain. It was built in 1887 to honour the myth of Silvius Brabo and Giant Antigoon. The architecture and atmosphere of Grote Markt makes it one of the best places to visit in Antwerp to see the renaissance-style the city is famous for.

The Meir (notable street)

Connecting Antwerp Station to its old town is The Meir, the go-to street for shopping. As one of the busiest streets in the city, it’s a bustling mix of tourists and locals, featuring dozens of high street shops and international fashion brands. It’s also home to some impressive buildings, including a restored-20^th-century shopping centre and an 18^th-century palace.

Walk down The Meir to soak in the atmosphere, admire the buildings and statues, or indulge in some retail therapy. If you want to shop during your time in Antwerp, this is the place to go.

Stadsfeestzaal Shopping Arcade

One of the most notable buildings on The Meir is Stadsfeestzaal, a grand exhibition venue that was transformed into a shopping centre. Built in 1908, the building has a glass domed ceiling, golden furnishings and several balconies and staircases that look like they’re straight out of a palace.

It feels strange having high street shops in a building as grand as the Stadsfeestzaal, but there’s something unique and special about the place. Head inside to browse the shops and marvel at the stunning architecture.

Plantentuin botanical garden

You don’t have to venture far to find some peace and quiet in Antwerp. The Plantentuin Botanical Garden is a serene, green oasis hidden in the heart of the city’s Theatre District. Despite its compact size, the garden has an impressive collection of over 2,000 plant species, including rare trees, flower beds and a tropical conservatory.

It’s completely free to visit and a welcome escape from the busyness of the city centre. We spent an hour or so wandering around the garden and took a break on a bench. It’s only an 8-minute walk from Antwerp’s main square.

Try beer, chocolate, fries, waffles

Just like other Belgian cities, Antwerp is famous for its speciality Belgian foods, beers and sweat treats. You’ll find chocolate shops on every corner, and whilst Belgian waffles aren’t as common here as they are in Bruges and Brussels, they’re still worth trying. Many of Belgium’s most famous chocolatiers started their work in Antwerp, and it’s home to the first Belgian chocolate factory, Meurisse.

Take time to appreciate Belgian fries, chocolate, waffles and beer while you explore the city. You’ll find artisan shops, stalls and micro-breweries all over the city centre.

Antwerp docklands district

Antwerp isn’t just a city of grand architecture, churches and attractions; it’s also a major European dock. Its waterways are home to tourist boats, large cargo ships, and even luxury yachts. To see the Port of Antwerp up close, head to the Eilandje district. It’s just a 20-minute walk north of the city centre.

This quiet residential and boating quarter is a great place to go for a leisurely walk. Check out its yacht marina, enjoy a drink with a view of the quays from one of the harbourside restaurants, or hire a bike and explore the full length of the canals.

MAS – Museum aan de Stroom

One of the top sites to see in Antwerp’s dock area is the MAS museum, also known as the Museum aan de Stroom. This 60-metre-high, unusual-looking building is the largest museum in Antwerp. It explores Antwerp’s global connection through maritime heritage, trade and art collections across ten themed floors.

Aside from the museum exhibits, you can visit MAS for its free rooftop terrace. Head up the escalators to its tenth floor and you’ll be treated to 360-degree panoramic views of the city. You can see the small boats in the marina below, the River Scheldt in the distance and the spires of the Church of Our Lady in the city centre.

Visit a museum – Rubenshuis or Plantin-Moretus Museum

MAS isn’t the only museum in Antwerp that’s worth checking out. The city is full of exhibitions dedicated to crafts, history and iconic artists. Visit Rubenshuis to see the former home of Flemish paint Peter Paul Rubens. Other options include Plantin-Moretus Museum, which is dedicated to Antwerp’s rich printing history, and FOMU, a modern photographic art museum.

Chocolate Nation Museum

Chocolate Nation is one of the most fun things to do in Antwerp. Great for all ages, this interactive attraction takes you on a journey through the chocolate-making process, from a cocoa bean plantation in South America to a traditional chocolate workshop in Belgium. It’s the largest Belgian Chocolate Museum in the world!

We didn’t know what to expect from Chocolate Nation but ended up being very impressed by their audio tour. It’s an interactive tour that takes you through 14 different rooms, featuring special effects, chocolate-making machines, projector displays and a chance to see chocolatiers at work. At the end of the tour you’re treated to an unlimited session of chocolate-tasting. Yes, you heard that right!

If you’re a chocolate lover, you can’t visit Antwerp without adding this cool attraction to your itinerary.

Take the ferry to the western river bank

Many people visit Antwerp and stay in its city centre to the east of the River Scheldt. If you have time, we recommend boarding one of the passenger ferries to get a view of the city from west of the river. The ferry crossing from the city centre-side of Antwerp to Linkeroever is completely free. It’s quick and smooth, taking just a matter of minutes.

When you reach the other side of the river, there are several walking routes, a park, and some excellent views of Antwerp’s city centre skyline. Walk a little further north and you’ll see a yachting marina.

St Anna’s Tunnel

Another way to cross the River Scheldt is by walking through St Anna’s Tunnel. Built in 1933, this iconic tunnel features classic wooden escalators and tiled pedestrian and cycle paths. The early-20^th century design makes it a unique attraction to see, even if you don’t want to walk the full length of the tunnel.

We recommend crossing the river by ferry, exploring the western river bank and then returning to Antwerp city centre by foot using the tunnel. It’s great exercise and a chance to see Antwerp from a local’s point of view.

Het Steen Castle

Nestled by the river, a short walk from the city centre is Het Steen Castle, a medieval fortress that was built between the year’s 1200 and 1225. It looks straight out of a fairy-tale, with its prominent turrets, arched entrance and castle keep. Many sections of the original castle have been destroyed or restored, but it’s still a cool place to visit in Antwerp to gain an insight into its rich history.

Walk up the castle ramp and under the arch and you’ll enter the inner keep. It has several exhibition rooms, a small gift shop and a winding staircase that takes you up to the castle walls. The view from the top of the tower is well worth the climb. You have 360-degree panoramic views of the city centre on one side and the river on the other.

Stadspark

We’ve already mentioned Plantentuin botanical garden as an excellent place to escape for some peace and quiet. Stadspark is the other Antwerp green space that’s worth checking out. This 35-acre park is only a short walk from the train station. A popular hangout place for locals, it’s a nice place to go for a walk, have a picnic or read a book.

Stadspark has several forest-covered walking trails, a lake, a children’s play area and neatly-maintained gardens, statues and bridges. We recommend visiting the park just before sunset.

Zurenborg neighbourhood

Zurenborg is a neighbourhood south-east of Antwerp Train Station that’s famous for its early-20^th-century Art Nouveau architecture. Noted as the nicest and most expensive place to live in the city, its streets are lined with grand mansions and neoclassical palaces. Alongside its residential areas, the main street, Cogels-Osylei has some excellent cafes and restaurants.

Visit the Zurenborg neighbourhood for an easy, quiet detour from the city centre. It’s great for anyone interested in architecture or a coffee away from the tourist crowds.

Antwerp Central Station

Antwerp Central Station is likely how you’ll arrive into the city. It’s one of the most important transport hubs in the country, but it’s also the most beautiful. The Central Station’s grand entrance hall is covered in golden furnishings, with towering pillars and an ornate ceiling. It’s widely regarded as a masterpiece in railway architecture.

The outside of the building is nice to look at too. No matter which area of the station you visit, you’ll be impressed by its blend of architectural styles, which take inspiration from buildings all over Europe. Spend around an hour or so exploring the different levels of building when you arrive or depart from Antwerp.

That brings us to the end of our guide on the top things to do in Antwerp, Belgium. We personally preferred Antwerp’s charming, relaxing atmosphere compared to the busier capital city of Brussels. Its architecture is spectacular and it has a wide range of attractions for different interests.

If you have any questions about any of the places we’ve featured or would like to tell us your own recommendations, be sure to post a comment.