Looking for inspiration for your own Antwerp city break? Then you'll find it in our personalised guide to Belgium's second largest city. Our advice on things to do in Antwerp, plus where to stay, how to get around, and some hidden spots to discover on your bicycle.
Updated December 2023
Antwerp is not the place to come and do the waffles and mussels thing.
Instead though, this compact cosmopolitan city of just under half a million on the River Scheldt, is perfect for a cultural city break interspersed with walks down cobblestones, cycle rides, clean-lined design, and clinking glasses in the evening sun. .
It is, thankfully, a city for those who live in it, rather than somewhere which has transformed itself into a place for tourists. Visitors for a weekend break will enjoy its engaging museums and galleries, the emerging international food scene, hunting down street art and sculptures, alongside sipping some of Belgium’s finest beers in trendy bars and old-school cafés.
Whilst some of its nearby neighbours offer packaged clichés, Antwerp simply offers itself; cool, simplistic, with a ongoing conversation between its past port-side riches and new urban perspectives.
We really liked it.
things to do in antwerp
Admire / Antwerp Centraal Train Station and explore the old town (or take a popular guided tour to find out more)
Visit / The galleries FoMu, M KHA & MAS
Shop / At the weekend markets & Kloostestraat
Below / Go underground at Sint-Annatunnel
Discover / The city’s fantastic street art and Parkbrug
Drink/ In Kattendijkdok or Pakt (and make the most of Belgian beers). You can also take the De Koninck Brewery Tour or join a BeerWalk
Enjoy / The Baroque classics and Plantin-Moretus Museum
Hire / A bicycle and head to Middelheimmuseum Park or join a highly-rated bike tour like this one.
Stay / In Hotel Pilar, or if you’d prefer an Airbnb take a look at this loft, this serene apartment or this designer apartment. Backpackers or solo travellers will love Yust.
Our Favourite Things to Do in Antwerp
Explore Antwerp Centraal Train Station
Antwerp Centraal Station is, quite simply, breathtaking; in walking its black diamond tiles, you feel transported into a magical scene from a 1920s romance movie.
The fact that it still functions as a busy international transport hub, rather than being turned into a relic of the age, is part of its enduring magic.
Gilded and marbled, it’s the reason that we didn’t even look at flight prices to Antwerp from London; we knew we simply had to arrive here first, rather than in another airport which looks like all other airports. After the train dropped us off in more modern railway platforms below, we marvelled at the grandeur as we climbed the floors, returning a couple of days later to explore its majestic trappings fully.
It’s no wonder that this is viewed as one of the most beautiful train stations in the world; this isn’t simply a place to arrive and leave Antwerp, it’s a place to linger.
Don’t forget to look up when you’re standing in the main hallway, as the roof is exceptional.
Ironically, our least favourite area in Antwerp was the one we immediately stepped into from, arguably, its most captivating building - there are are much nicer streets and atmospheres than you'll find in the surrounding Diamond district, so don't be too alarmed.
Where | Koningin Astridplein 27. For those not arriving into Antwerp by train, find the station here on Google Maps.
Did you know? // If you take the Eurostar from Kings Cross St Pancras to Antwerp, via Brussels, then you are taking a journey from the world's most beautiful train station to the world's fourth most beautiful (according to Newsweek).
Go to FoMu and M HKA
We know the types of museums and galleries we like to visit, and we know that many of us don’t enjoy feeling like we have to go to a ‘pottery museum’ or ‘doilies from the 1920s exhibit’ simply because it’s recommended in a guide book.
But, as will become abundantly clear as we share our favourite spots in Antwerp, this is a city which is exceptionally well-curated with a fantastic mix of the contemporary and the classic on offer. The galleries we visited over the course of three days can each be enjoyed in a couple of hours, rather than an entire afternoon, so complement your overall experience of your city rather than eat up too much time each day.
Located about five minutes walk from each other in the Zuid neighbourhood, both FoMu (the Museum of Photography) and M HKA (Museum of Contemporary Art) show off the city’s penchant for abbreviation and its on-going cultural renaissance; Antwerp is understandably defined by many for its 16th century baroque period understandably, but it is certainly not trapped within that period.
Indeed, a couple of the exhibits during our visit specifically focused on contemporary interpretations of the 'baroque' style.
Housed within stylish modern minimalist buildings, the permanent and temporary exhibitions at these two museums challenge, entertain, and invoke curiosity. Due to their proximity, we recommend seeing them on the same day, and pairing it with a wander around the chic and pretty Zuid area more generally.
The FoMu Essentials
Where & When | You can find FoMu at Waalsekaai 47, here on Google Maps. The museum is closed on Mondays and open 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday - Sunday.
Cost | Tickets cost €12 per adult with various concessions available. It’s also free for holders of the Museum Pass and the Antwerp City Card (read why the city card is such a good deal for an Antwerp city break here).
The M HKA Essentials
Where & When | You can find M HKA at Leuvenstraat 32, here on Google Maps. The museum is closed on Mondays and open 11 am to 6 pm every other day of the week.
Cost | Tickets can be bought in advance online or in person and cost €14 per person with various concessions available. As with FoMu, entry is free to Antwerp City Card Holders and those with the Museum Pass.
Sample Weekend Markets
The weekends are when Antwerp really comes alive, with a number of diverse and pleasant markets setting up their stalls across the city. Take the time to blend into the local crowd, try and grab a bargain, or simply browse at your own pace with an excellent cup of takeaway coffee in hand.
The Friday Market
With its roots dating back to the 16th century, The Friday Market is quite unlike any other city market we’ve seen in Europe. In the picturesque cobbled square in front of the Plantin-Moretus Museum, crowds gather around the stacks of old books, furniture, odds and ends, with an auctioneer selling lots off to the highest bidder.
It’s fun to watch, full of curios, clutter and curious characters, and can become quite lively. We however hated to see some of the very cool unsold pieces simply discarded into the rubbish once the sale was done (we could have decked out at least two of our dream hostels with all that stuff!).
Where & When | You can find the Friday Market here on Google Maps. It runs every Friday between 9 am and 1 pm.
Top Tip // If you’re at the market, then grab a coffee inside In De Roscam (maps)
The Sint-Jansvliet Antique Market
A short walk from one of our favourite neighbourhoods, and favourite Antwerp attractions (see the next section!), the Sunday Sint-Jansvliet Flea Market may not be huge, but it does offer the chance to acquire some genuinely excellent antiques at fair prices. Its location means a visit here is ideally paired with general browsing and brunching - a perfect weekend combo.
Where & When | Found here every Sundays (and public holidays) from 9 am to 5 pm
other popular markets
The Exotic Market | Held each Saturday between 8 am - 4 pm, the Exotic Market showcases everything you’d expect of a city with such global and multicultural roots, with stalls selling local and international foods and flavours. The market can be found on Oudevaartplaats, Theaterplein and the surrounding streets (maps)
There are also a few other markets held less frequent that are worth checking out if you happen to be in Antwerp at the right time:
Brocantwerpen | This vintage flea market is held on various dates throughout the Spring and Summer (this year it’s between April and September) between 10 am and 6 pm. You can find the market here on Google Maps, and further details on specific dates here.
Boekenplein | One for the bookworms, this market is held every third Sunday of the month between March and October) and often has musical performances alongside book stalls. Find it here between 10 am and 5 pm.
Lambermontmartre | We were fortunate to have this monthly market outside our hotel on a Sunday morning, where various amateur artists showcase and sell their work in a colorful and friendly "à la Montmartre" atmosphere. Find the market in the Zuid district, here on Google Maps. For further details see the official webiste.
Go underground at Sint-Annatunnel
Visiting a tunnel is, quite possibly, not most people’s idea of fun.
However, anyone who finds themselves in Antwerp and who doesn't check out the Sint-Annatunnel (or St Anna’s Tunnel in English) will be missing out on a real gem in this city of diamonds.
From a relatively non-descript entrance, we both became quite giddy at the sight of the old-school wooden escalators, in place since the tunnel’s opening in 1933, bringing us further and further into the bowels of the city.
The reason for the tunnel's existence? Despite its obvious aesthetic beauty, it has a very practical function - to link the left and right banks of Antwerp, shuttling pedestrians under the river Scheldt.
Because of this, it’s important to be aware that the Sint-Annatunnel is very much an active thoroughfare for thousands of traversing cyclists and pedestrians, so be careful down there and make sure not to get in the way of somebody speedily commuting as you take a photo!
Where & When | You can find the Sint-Annatunnel here on Google Maps. The entrance can be a little tricky to find so if you’re struggling either follow the bikes or ask a friendly local. Note that the lifts have now undergone refurbishment and the tunnel is again accessible for those unable to use the escalators.
The tunnel is open 24 hours a day and it’s free to enter.
Top Tip // If you have the time, walk the 572m to the other side of the Scheldt for a lovely view of Antwerp.
Find the city’s Street Art
In a city intimately associated with the behemoths of the Baroque era, it is a new type of art that has come to the foreground in the last twenty years: street art. Intertwined with the rise in hip hop culture across the city, Antwerp is now home to as many open air pieces as can be found within the walls of its excellent museums.
As with most painted cities, you’ll will likely come across many of the street art pieces simply by exploring the city on foot. However, for those keen to see specific works, there are a number of neighbourhoods and streets you should aim for and a variety of routes that can be followed, often leading to alleys and areas that you may not naturally stumble across:
Berchem | Officially known as the city’s street art district - and home to one of the longest graffiti walls in Europe - Berchem is a must visit for those looking to understand the true impact of Antwerp’s urban art scene.
The Comic Wall Route | A collection of nine or so large scale comic book murals across the centre of Antwerp. You can find the route here.
Travel Tip // There are no specific street art tours that we can find in Antwerp, but if you’d like to learn more about the city (particularly its history and legends), this 2-hour walking tour is super popular and highly rated.
Alternatively, if you’re on a bit of a budget, consider joining the free walking tour!
take in The Best View in Antwerp
Like many European cities, Antwerp has made a conscious effort to regenerate its port area into something offering an attractive public space for culture, restaurants, pedestrians, and business. The Eilandje and Het Eilandje neighbourhoods, a short stroll from the old town, have all the hallmarks of gentrification and are now firmly established on most visitor's itineraries.
We really enjoyed our time exploring both.
The biggest draw, literally standing out from the rest, is yet another abbreviated museum - MAS (The Museum aan de Stroom). With red brick and glass, its escalators (have you noticed a theme with Antwerp and escalators yet?) take you up nine floors, with different exhibitions and galleries on the first seven. It's an interesting take on how to lay out a museum, and meant we simply stopped off at each floor, wandered around for as long or as little as we wished, then hopped back on to be taken to the next floor and exhibit.
MAS's glass-sided rooftop also offers the best panoramic views of the city, and it's free to enter for everyone (if you want to take shots, its got handy little holes in the glass on each of the four sides). There is also an impressive workspace open to the public - again with excellent views - within the building.
The Mas Essentials
Where & When | MAS can be found on Hanzestedenplaats 1, here on Google Maps. For the permanent exhibits and most temporary displays, the museum is open between 10 am and 5 pm, and tickets are sold for specific 30 minute entry slots.
Cost | Tickets to the permanent and temporary exhibits cost €12 per person (€8 for concessions), and permanent exhibits only cost €10 (€6 concessions). If you choose to buy your tickets upon arrival, note that it is a cashless ticket office.
It is free to access the viewing level.
Do note that entry to MAS is free with the Antwerp City Card.
Did you know? // Antwerp is called 'Anvers' in French and 'Antwerpen' in Dutch.
grab A Drink in Kattendijkdok
Looking out on to boats and yachts bobbing gently in the waters of Willemdok, the area immediately surrounding MAS has a number of pleasant restaurants and bars in which to grab a bite to eat.
This section of the port was however, not our favourite.
Before or after your visit to MAS, we recommend you take a bike or walk across the bridge towards nearby Kattendijkdok. There you'll see a the quirky and shabby-chic Bar Paniek by the waterside, plus a couple of other options in the old warehouses.
If the sun is out, a drink on Bar Paniek's (maps) colourful tables within the greenery is great, but make sure you pop your head in to see the jumble and bric-a-brac of inside (we asked the barmaid, and she didn't even know what it's all there for!).
There’s also a couple of high-rated seafood restaurants located nearby if you’re hungry for lunch.
After you're done at Paniek, either go to check out the modern architectural centrepiece of the city - the diamond-tipped Port Authority building (maps) - or head to nearby Park Spoor Noord (maps).
take a Walk down Cogels Osylei
An Instagram follower messaged us to say that we shouldn’t miss the houses at Cogels Osylei (maps), and he was absolutely right. Excellent examples of art noveau architecture, these buildings are now protected and a big reason to cycle out to the quaint Zurenborg neighbourhood.
Afterwards, you can head to nearby Dageraadplaats (maps) for lunch or a coffee in the square. This part of Antwerp has some really great independent restaurants, including some of the city's best for foodies.
Top Tip // We had an amazing vegan Poké bowl at Aan het strand van Oostende (maps), and can highly recommend a visit.
Don't miss the Parkbrug
As is hopefully becoming clear, Antwerp has lots of old and new attractions for those who enjoy architecture and design. One of the more recent instalments is Parkbrug (Park Bridge), which is exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians.
A new project by Ney & Partners, the striking metal structure provides a different - but always impressive - experience, dependent on the time of day that you visit. The strategic location, at the north of the city, also provides a beautiful gateway to Antwerp.
You can find Parkburg at Italiëlei 9, near Park Spoor Nord. Find it here.
Baroque n' Roll
As a 16th century trade powerhouse, Antwerp was well-heeled and thriving. And, wherever the patrons were, art would surely follow. Home to artists such as Reubens, the city is viewed as one of the most distinctive examples of the ornate 'Baroque' movement and style which flourished in Europe centuries ago and impacted art, architecture and, music.
Whilst our city break was focussed more on the modern, the alternative and the local, for many, seeking out Antwerp's baroque treasures and influences is a key reason for their visit:
Rubens House | Ruben’s residence from 1610 until his death in 1640, the house now houses some of his most famous works, alongside many of his contemporaries. The property is currently undergoing a massive revamp and redevelopment so it’s worth checking out the official website to see whether it’s opened up when you visit.
Snijders & Rockox House (maps) | Once the home of Nicolaas Rockox, the 17th century mayor, art collector and friend of Rubens, as well as the 17th century painter, Snijders. Open 10 am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday and costs €10 per person (concessions available, and free for Antwerp City Card holders). Find out more on the official website.
Museum Mayer van den Bergh (maps) | In the heart of the old town, the museum houses the collection of the art dealer and collector Fritz Mayer van den Bergh, including paintings by Pieter Brueghel the Elder. Open 10 am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday and costs €10 per person (concessions available, and free for Antwerp City Card holders). Find out more on the official website.
Churches | A number of grand churches in Antwerp have been decorated in the Baroque style, several including paintings by Rubens. Be sure to check out The Cathedral of Our Lady (maps), St Charles or St Carolus Borremous Church (maps) and St Jacobskerk (maps).
enjoy Pavement Belgian Beers
Whatever one’s travel style, you simply cannot visit a Belgian city and miss out on sampling the country’s finest beers. For us, we liked to twin tasting a different beer with a stop in the sunshine on a bar of cafe’s terrace or pavement tables (all the exploring is thirsty work after all).
It's not difficult to find somewhere with a good selection, so simply pull up somewhere that takes your fancy, and watch the world go about its business.
We really liked the atmosphere in the evening around Leopold de Waelplaats in Zuid, with Chatleroi being our favourite place for an evening beer with the local crowd (and Patine next to it is pretty nice too). We were staying the stylish Hotel Pilar, just across the road.
Travel Tip // If you're interested in finding out more about Belgian beer whilst you're in the city, you can take the De Koninck Brewery Tour (and yes, you get tastings!).
Alternatively, if you’re in Antwerp with a few friends, this BeerWalk visits five excellent bars and pubs.
Visit the Plantin-Moretus Museum
Within dark cavernous rooms, some wallpapered by leather book bindings, one can step into a wonderfully preserved world of antique printing presses, ink stains, creaking floorboards, and shelves upon shelves of wonderfully preserved books and manuscripts.
Many a guidebook will tell you that this place is unique due to its position as the only museum listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. For us though, there are several more special reasons why everyone, not just us typography geeks, should spend an hour or so exploring the former home and workshop of the Plantin and Moretus publishing dynasty.
Antwerp was at the forefront of the arts and progress centuries ago, and it was within this building that Christophe Plantin was the first to begin printing on large industrial scale.
If you like typography and books, you’ll love this museum. If you like wonderful old buildings and stately homes, you'll love it too.
It is a fascinating reminder of how, in the digital 21st century, we have forgotten the importance, value and impact the printing press has had over the centuries. One of its finest and most important works, the Plantin Polyglot Bible, took “5 years, up to 4 presses and 40 workmen to print the Bible” and was recently sold for £488,000.
Top tip - don’t miss the lovely garden courtyard in the museum. and the the gift shop is actually worth a visit if you're into fonts.
Where & When | Vrijdagmarkt 22-23. Find it here on Google Maps. The museum is open 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday - Sunday.
Cost | Entry fee is €12 per person with a variety of concessions available. Free entry to those with the Antwerp card (and Museum Pass). Note that tickets can either be bought online in advance or at the ticket office but cash is not accepted - card only.
Further Info | Please see their website.
Browse & Buy on Kloostestraat
Antiques and boutiques on a very pretty street - what else do you need? This New York Times article about the Antwerp institution of Sunday strolls on Kloosterstraat says it better than we ever could.
Kloosterstraat links the Zuid neighbourhood with the area where you'll find the Plantin-Moretus Museum and the Sint-Annatunnel, so we'd recommend you go from one to the other at your leisure. There are some lovely little coffee shops and restaurants at the western end of Kloosterstraat, or you could keep on walking to the very popular brunch spot called Charlie's (Volkstraat 46).
Hang out at PAKT
Located next to the neighbourhood of Groen Kwartier is another successful Antwerp enterprise; PAKT.
Here, in what were formerly disused warehouses (and the site of many an obscure underground party) right next to an old military hospital, is a new creative hub and the location of several excellent and sustainable bars, eateries and coffee shops, a Cross Fit gym and even a rooftop community vegetable garden which supplies many of the onsite businesses.
Very cool, very hipster and very much worth checking out.
Don’t miss:
Speciale Belge. If you’re a beer aficionado, then you’ll certainly want to visit Speciale Belge. It has a mind-blowing range of Belgian beers, mostly from smaller breweries.
Caffènation. One of Antwerp’s most well-known coffee shops, using beans roasted next door.
Racine. The rooftop restaurant which only uses products grown at the PAKT site.
Standard. Speciality sourdough pizzas done right!
Where & When | 1, Regine Beerplein, 2018. Find it here on Google Maps.
A handful of the restaurants are open later in the evening, and some businesses do operate at the weekend but if you want to appreciate PAKT at its most vibrant, then pop in Monday - Friday during working hours. You can find full opening hours for the individual businesses on their own websites (or google maps).
Further details | See the PAKT website.
Top Tip // Foodies visiting Antwerp should consider booking a table at the nearby, highly-coveted two Michelin-starred restaurant The Jane. Or alternatively, if you’ve left it too late to make a booking, consider dining at August, a similarly close beautiful boutique hotel whose restaurant is overseen by the same chef.
get lost in the Backstreets of the Old Town
The Grote Markt (Great Market Square, since you asked...), and the medieval streets surrounding it, are undeniably the most touristic parts of Antwerp. For us, they aren’t what come to mind when we think of the excellent three and a bit days in the city, but we know that people will naturally gravitate here at some point.
Our advice is to take an afternoon stroll amongst it when the weather is in your favour, but don’t limit your Antwerp experience to this part. The Brabo Fountain, which depicts the tale of how the city got its name, the imposing town hall and the golden-statue topped guild buildings are the foremost attractions, however a wonderful little area can be found a couple of minutes away.
The narrow passages and nooks of Vlaeykensgang Alley, now home to some little restaurants, are very pretty and, if you time it right, will feel like they’re still a secret for you and the city to share.
Top Tip // We really liked Wolstraat and the streets connecting to it, which had trams shuttling around, cute little bars and cafes, and a nice ambience overall.
Visit the Sculpture Garden at Middelheimmuseum
A cycle ride away from the city centre is Europe’s first permanent sculpture garden, and a very different sort of museum. Out in the open-air of Middelheim park, it’s an excellent concept and an interesting new spin on how to display art and remove some of the boundaries that traditionally exist between it, and the public.
One can stroll through the park’s leafy lanes and find metal sculptures and large-scale installations scattered around its confines (including some very rude ones).
Best visited on a sunny day, we simply wandered around enjoying the serenity and stopping at the various works that caught our eye. Should you enjoy a little more structure, there are set routes and maps available to follow.
Where & When | Middelheimlaan 61 (various buses and tram 7 stop nearby). If cycling out here from the city (something we strongly recommend - more on that later), the route follows cycle paths right up to the park entrance where you'll find a VeloAntwerpen station to dock
The park is free to enter and open daily (but check the website for season specific opening and closing times).
Where to Stay in Antwerp
As two people who despite moving away from East London retain a good dollop of that hipster spirit, we have to say that accommodation option in Antwerp bat well above their average. If you’re also a sucker for a cool aesthetic, you’ll have no problem finding something to suit your taste in Antwerp.
Hotels in Antwerp
Hotel Pilar | This boutique hotel right next to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts is where we stayed during our time in Antwerp, and we highly recommend it. The offer a small number of beautifully designed rooms (each with a slightly different look, but leaning heavy on minimalism and mid-century furniture) that all provide, light and space and provide breakfast in the excellent little cafe downstairs. Find out more here.
Small Luxury Hotel De Witte Lelie | This beautifully unique but luxurious hotel is the perfect option for those who like to escape the ordinary when they travel. Heavy of the maximalism, each room is uniquely designed with eh thoughtful attention to detail extending into the bar and dining room. It’s also got a great location. Find out more here.
Alternatively, if classic and elegant are more your vibe (but you still look for luxury), be sure to take a look at the stunning Sapphire House Antwerp.
August | Located in Antwerp’s upcoming Green Quarter (where you’ll find PAKT) and housed within a former Augustinian convent, this modern and minimalistic hotel has become one of the city’s most coveted boutique property. Guests can enjoy the serene spa, stylish bar and excellent restaurant overseen by the head chef of nearby Michelin-starred restaurant, The Jane. Find out more here.
August is the sister hotel to the equally sought-after Hotel Julien, located in the city centre.
Citybox Antwerp | If you’re just looking for a modern, safe and well-priced hotel to crash in between your city explorations, this is the hotel for you. It’s within walking distance to the main sites, the rooms are a really good size, there’s a great little communal area and the thousands of reviews are really excellent. Find out more here.
Airbnbs in Antwerp
Even during the summer months, there are a decent number of really well-raced Airbnbs. Two of our top budget picks are The Hendrik Square Residence and Private Garden Apartment.
Penthouse Home | Excellently priced split-level apartment (less than £80 a night n the summer), in a city-centre located restored medieval building. Ideal for a couple, it’s main selling point is rooftop terrace with views over the city. Find out more here.
Around a similar price point, this stylish one-bed is also super popular.
Unique Apartment | This two-bedroom ground floor apartment located in what was once an old monastery is light-filled, modern, has excellent reviews and benefits from a sunlit garden (quite a novelty in the city!). Find out more here.
Loft in Authentic Townhouse | Luxurious loft situated in one of our favourite area of Antwerp, Het Zuid. Newly renovated, it beautifully combines modern design with original features (like high ceilings and large windows), and is styled with a distinctive mix of vintage design and contemporary art. Also benefits from a terrace. Find out more here.
Serene Apartment | We love this two-bedroom apartment, located in a quiet residential area south of the historic centre. Light and bright throughout it boasts beautiful minimalistic design, has a fantastic kitchen and a gorgeous terrace area - perfect for slow mornings or summer meals. Find out more here.
Designer Apartment | This recently renovated loft-style apartment is located near the cool shopping street of Kloosterstraat, known for its antique and design shops. The design is flawless throughout, the space is super bright, it’s got a great kitchen, and the reviews excellent. Find out more here.
CityLoft | Another fantastic, modern and minimlist option filled with light, this apartment is all about good design, in a cool location. A real benefit to this apartment is the private car park, located beneath the building plus the large balcony. Find out more here.
Visiting during the summer months when outdoor space may be super important? Don’t miss Quartier Le Sud, this duplex apartment, and Wonderful Apartment.
The City Guide Apartment | For those that prefer a cosy space with a little more colour (whilst maintaining modern aesthetic), be sure to check out this popular one-bedroom duplex apartment. The separate office area makes it ideal for those that need to work while they travel. Find out more here.
Other one and two bedroom apartments that caught our eye include: this one-bedroom centre Antwerp haven with patio, Welcome @ Tempor'area, Gem in the Heart of Antwerp, this spacious apartment overlooking the cathedral, The Big Sleep and Shifting Scenery.
If you need a little extra space, the good news is that some of our very favourite Airbnbs in Antwerp are three bedrooms including this duplex penthouse and this stylish retreat.
Hostels in Antwerp
Yust | Part hostel, part hotel, all communal cool. Yust suits a younger or those keen to meet fellow travellers. Beautiful styling throughout with a contemporary vibe, lots of excellent hang out areas (including a restaurant/bar, plus shared lounge and garden), a guest kitchen, and a healthy mix of dorms and privates. Find out more here.
How To Get Around Antwerp
Antwerp’s public transport network is incredibly well set-up and accessible for city-breakers. No location is more than 45 minutes or so away, and the connections / routes are all quite straightforward.
Trams + Buses
For the less-mobile or less-inclined to cycle or walk, the white and yellow trams criss-cross through most of the areas you’re likely to have on your itinerary. You can purchase a single 60-minute ticket (€2.50) which allows you to change between buses and trams within the time period, a day ticket (€7.50), or a 3 day pass (€15).
It’s possible to buy the single and day pass upon boarding the tram via contactless payment, but it’s recommended to buy your tram or bus ticket in a point of pre-sale (newsagent’s, supermarket, the vending machines at the various stops or in the visitor centres of Visit Antwerp), or via the app where tickets are cheaper.
The trams and buses are however completely free with the Antwerp City Card (the card acts as your ticket), which is just one of the reasons we recommend everybody visiting buys one.
Find out more information about the tram system and public transport more generally on the official website.
Renting a Bicycle
Discovering a new place on foot is always our favourite way to understand its layout, its contrasts, and its history, and with Antwerp being quite compact (from Zuid to Eilandje, it’s less than 2.5 miles), you can happily wander from one neighbourhood to the next. However, a real advantage in Antwerp is how perfect it is for people to come to the city and explore on a rented bicycle.
We had some gorgeous summer weather on our city break, and our fondest memories come from navigating and experiencing the city on two wheels. Around the port area, down cobblestone streets around Zuid and the old town, out to the green spaces of Middleheim, and by the water and shipping containers Eilandje, we cycled all over the city together and it was excellent.
With 700kms of cycling lanes, an affordable and easy-to-use bicycle rental scheme, and a rhythym of life where cyclists are equals to cars in and around the city, we highly recommend you spend at least one day on two wheels.
VeloAntwerpen is the main city-wide cycle rental scheme, and it operates in the same ways as the Boris Bikes in London and Velib in Paris. To use these small red and white bicycles, you need to purchases either a day pass (€5) or a week pass (€12) online, and this will provide you with a code and instructions on how to access from each ‘velo station’. Once you take the bike out, you can use it free throughout for 30 minute periods, with small charges being added for usage over the time (i.e. €0.50 for an extra 30 minutes).
Our advice is to avoid using the bike for longer than the free half hour, and just dock it into the nearest station once your time is almost up; it’s then just a matter of waiting 5 minutes until you can take out another bike from that station for another free 30 minutes period. So that you always have an idea of where the nearest station is, we recommend downloading the VeloAntwerpen app.
From the Airport
If you’re travelling to / from the city via Antwerp International Airport, then take the bus 51, 52 or 53 to Antwerp-Berchem railway station (travel time of 10 minutes), which is on the outskirts of the city. From there, you can take a quick train to Antwerp Centraal Station, or pick one of severals trams and buses into your final destination in the city. Find more information here.
You can also book a private airport transfer here.
Is Antwerp Expensive?
Once you've found accommodation and transport to suit your budget, it's perfectly possible to enjoy Antwerp on a range of travel budgets.
Due to its compact size, you can save money on public transport and put it towards entry costs for the museums. However, if you're here and plan doing a lot of sightseeing, then we do think that the best value option is getting the Antwerp City Card as it provides free public transport plus entry to most of the museums you'll want to visit. You can find out more about why we recommend purchasing the card in our short guide.
As with a city break to any European city, eating out is likely to be the main expense. Antwerp has a really great range of independent international restaurants where you can grab a good lunch or dinner for under €15 per person, and even less if you're happy to look around a little longer.
There are also some great affordable Airbnbs too - take a look at the best Airbnbs in Antwerp.
Your Next Stop
Now we’ve inspired your time in the city with our guide to the best things to do in Antwerp, take a look at the rest our Antwerp series.
