21 Things To Do In Antwerp

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Museum (10)
Garden & Park (3)
Church & Cathedral (2)
Landmark (2)

1. Antwerp Zoo

1 km from city center

Zoo

Zoo Antwerpen, established in 1843, is one of the world's oldest zoos, located adjacent to Antwerp's Central Station. Spanning approximately 10 hectares, it houses over 5,000 animals across 950 species. Visitors are drawn to its rich history, diverse animal collection, and notable architectural features, including the Egyptian Temple and Moorish Temple.

1 km from city center

Museum

The Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) is a prominent cultural institution located in Antwerp's Eilandje district, adjacent to the Scheldt River. Opened in May 2011, this 60-meter-high museum is renowned for its distinctive architecture and extensive collections that explore Antwerp's rich history and its global connections. Visitors are drawn to the MAS for its innovative exhibitions and panoramic city v (Read More)iews from its rooftop.

1 km from city center

Landmark

Grote Markt, or Great Market Square, is the historic heart of Antwerp. This triangular, pedestrianized plaza is renowned for its stunning 16th-century guildhalls, the impressive Renaissance-style City Hall, and the iconic Brabo Fountain. Surrounded by charming cafés and restaurants, it's a vibrant hub where visitors can immerse themselves in the city's rich architectural heritage and lively atmos (Read More)phere. It also hosts various events, including a festive Christmas market and ice rink during the winter season.

0 km from city center

Church & Cathedral

Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp is a magnificent Gothic cathedral located in the city's historic center. Construction began in 1352 and concluded in 1521, resulting in the largest Gothic church in Belgium. The cathedral is renowned for its impressive architecture and houses significant artworks, including masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens.

1 km from city center

Forts & Palaces

Het Steen is a medieval fortress located in Antwerp's historic city center, prominently situated along the Scheldt River. Constructed between 1200 and 1225, it stands as Antwerp's oldest building and was originally part of a larger castle complex belonging to the Dukes of Brabant. Ot is most famous for an interactive exhibit called The Antwerp Story, and enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city (Read More)and river from its rooftop terrace.

1 km from city center

Museum

The Rubens House (Rubenshuis) in Antwerp is the former residence and studio of the renowned 17th-century Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens. Located near the city center, this historic site offers insight into Rubens' life and work. Visitors are drawn to its rich art collection, period architecture, and beautifully reconstructed Baroque garden.

7. Antwerp Central Station

1 km from city center

Landmark

Antwerp Central Station is a renowned railway hub celebrated for its architectural grandeur. Inaugurated in 1905, the station features an impressive dome and a blend of styles, earning it the nickname "Railway Cathedral." It boasts a vast iron and glass train hall, measuring 185 meters in length and 44 meters in height, covering an area of 12,000 square meters.

1 km from city center

Garden & Park

City Park, known locally as Stadspark, is a 35-acre (14-hectare) public park situated near Antwerp's Central Station, bordered by Rubenslei, Van Eycklei, and Quinten Matsijslei streets. As the only romantic park in the city, it features winding paths, a Y-shaped pond inhabited by waterfowl, open lawns, and wooded areas.

4 km from city center

Garden & Park

Provincial Domain Rivierenhof is a 135-hectare public park located in Deurne, near Antwerp. features two notable castles: the medieval-style Sterckshof Castle and the classicist Rivierenhof Castle. The park boasts an arboretum, rose garden, large pond, and numerous walking and cycling paths, making it ideal for nature enthusiasts.

Street Food & Drinks

Antwerp Food Tours are guided tours take you to local hotspots, traditional eateries, and bustling markets. Tours typically begin in the city center or notable areas like Grote Markt or near Antwerp Central Station. Some tours include stops at authentic beer cafés to sample Belgian brews or visits to chocolate ateliers for artisanal creations. Most food tours can be booked online via tour companie (Read More)s or online platforms. They last for 2-4 hours.

1 km from city center

Garden & Park

Park Spoor Noord is a large urban park in the northern part of Antwerp. Covering approximately 24 hectares, it was transformed from a former railway yard into a vibrant green space for the community. The park offers open lawns, sports facilities, playgrounds, and a skatepark, making it a popular spot for relaxation, recreation, and social gatherings. The summer bar and water features are particul (Read More)arly popular during warm weather.

0 km from city center

Church & Cathedral

St. Charles Borromeo Church is a Baroque-style Roman Catholic church located on Hendrik Conscienceplein in Antwerp. Built between 1615 and 1621 by the Jesuit order, it is renowned for its richly decorated façade, inspired by the Jesuits' mother church in Rome, and its historical association with the artist Peter Paul Rubens, who contributed significantly to its interior decoration.

1 km from city center

Museum

The Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp is dedicated to the history of the Red Star Line shipping company, which operated from 1873 to 1934. During this period, the company transported nearly two million European emigrants from Antwerp to North America, many seeking better lives. The museum is housed in the original departure warehouses where passengers underwent medical checks and disinfection before (Read More) embarking on their transatlantic journey.

1 km from city center

Museum

Plantin-Moretus Museum is a part of a museum complex, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It's renowned for housing the world's oldest surviving printing presses and an extensive collection of typographical materials. Apart from offering a glimpse into the early days of printing and publishing, it also boasts the original printing presses, a (Read More) vast library, and the family's living quarters along with courtyard gardens.

2 km from city center

Museum

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, located in Antwerp's Zuid district, is a renowned art museum housing an extensive collection of artworks spanning from the 14th to the 20th centuries. It features approximately 7,600 pieces, including paintings, sculptures, and drawings. The museum is particularly noted for its ensembles by the Flemish Primitives, works by Peter Paul Rubens and other Baroque (Read More)artists, as well as pieces by Henri De Braekeleer and Flemish expressionists.

1 km from city center

Museum

Museum Mayer van den Bergh offers an intimate glimpse into a remarkable private art collection established by Henriette Mayer van den Bergh to honor her son, Fritz Mayer van den Bergh, an avid art collector. It is popular for its unique collection, which includes masterpieces from the Gothic and Renaissance periods, most notably Pieter Bruegel the Elder's "Mad Meg" (Dulle Griet).

5 km from city center

Museum

Middelheim Museum is a renowned open-air sculpture park that seamlessly blends art and nature. Spanning approximately 30 acres within the Middelheim Nachtegalen Park, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore over 400 works of modern and contemporary art in a tranquil, green setting. The museum's collection features sculptures by prominent artists such as Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, and A (Read More)i Weiwei.

1 km from city center

Monument

The Brabo Fountain, located in Antwerp's Grote Markt, is a monumental fountain-sculpture that depicts the city's legendary founder, Silvius Brabo, throwing the severed hand of the giant Druon Antigoon into the river Scheldt. It is a popular spot for photographs, especially with the historic guild houses and City Hall as a backdrop.

2 km from city center

Museum

FOMU is a leading photography museum, situated in the vibrant Het Zuid district. It is housed in a former warehouse, offering a unique setting for its extensive collection of photographic works. It manages a vast collection of over 900,000 images, illustrating the development of international and Belgian photography. The museum also houses an extensive array of photographic equipment and books.

2 km from city center

Museum

Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA) is a prominent institution dedicated to contemporary visual arts, film, and sculpture. Located in city's vibrant Het Zuid district, it houses a diverse collection of contemporary artworks by both Belgian and international artists. The museum's exhibitions are frequently updated, reflecting current trends and movements in the art world. In addition to visu (Read More)al arts, M HKA features an arthouse cinema and an extensive library dedicated to contemporary art.

1 km from city center

Museum

Chocolate Nation, located directly opposite Antwerp's Central Station, is the world's largest museum dedicated to Belgian chocolate. This immersive experience takes visitors on a 60 to 90-minute journey through fourteen themed rooms, exploring the origins of cocoa, Belgium's chocolate heritage, and the intricate chocolate-making process. Highlights include a giant fantasy machine demonstrating cho (Read More)colate production and tastings of ten different chocolate flavors.