All citiesAntwerp Things to do and walking itinerary
Belgium Antwerp travel guide
30 things to do in Antwerp, where to stay, airport transfers, 3 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Antwerp
- Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal — Roman-Catholic cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Museum Plantin-Moretus — museum in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp — arts museum in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Rubenshuis — museum in Antwerp, Belgium, formerly the home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Antwerp City Hall — city hall of Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Antwerp Zoo — zoo in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Museum aan de Stroom — museum in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Het Steen — fortress in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Museum Mayer van den Bergh — art museum in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Carolus Borromeuskerk — church in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Middelheim Museum — open air museum in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 120 min)
- St. James' Church, Antwerp — church building in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. Paul's Church — Catholic church in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Hollandse Synagoge — synagogue in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 30 min)
- M HKA - Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen — art museum in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 120 min)
- MoMu - Fashion Museum Antwerp — fashion museum in Antwerp (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Bourlaschouwburg — neoclassical theater in Antwerp, Belgium, opened in 1834 (visit ≈ 20 min)
- St. Andrew's Church, Antwerp — church building in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Citadel of Antwerp — citadel constructed in 1572, partially deconstructed in 1577-1585, then rebuilt (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Letterenhuis — Belgian non-profit organization located in Antwerp (visit ≈ 120 min)
- St. Michael's Abbey (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Eisenmann Synagogue — synagogue in Antwerp (visit ≈ 30 min)
- FOMU Photo Museum Antwerp — photography museum in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Franklin Rooseveltplaats — square in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Vleeshuis — Building in in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Snijders&Rockox House — museum in Antwerp (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Nachtegalen Park — park in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 45 min)
- St Walburga Church — former church in Antwerp, demolished in 1817 at the Steenplein, Belgium (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Waterpoort — gate in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Koningin Astridplein — square in Antwerp, Belgium (visit ≈ 15 min)
3-day Antwerp walking itinerary
Starting point: Grote Markt / Old Town. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 6.1 km · 8,270 steps · 1 h 22 min on the way): Antwerp City Hall → Het Steen → Museum aan de Stroom → Antwerp Zoo
- Day 2 (≈ 4.7 km · 6,350 steps · 1 h 2 min on the way): Rubenshuis → Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp → Museum Plantin-Moretus
- Day 3 (≈ 0.3 km · 350 steps · 4 min on the way): Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal
Where to stay in Antwerp
- Grote Markt / Old Town: The cathedral, town hall and riverside are within walking distance.
- Het Zuid ('t Zuid): An artsy area with wide boulevards, museums and smart restaurants.
- Eilandje: The old docks area, with the MAS museum and modern waterside hotels.
- Central Station / Diamond District: Closest to airport and intercity trains; plenty of hotels.
- Meir / Shopping District: The main shopping street, halfway between the station and the old town.
Getting from the airport to Antwerp
- Brussels Airport (BRU): Direct train ≈ 35 min
Getting around
The centre is walkable; trams and buses reach outer areas. You can cross the river through the pedestrian tunnel.
Classic places to eat
- Paters Vaetje: A small old beer café right beside the cathedral.
- Kulminator: A family-run bar famous for rare, aged beers.
- De Vagant: A traditional bar pouring hundreds of jenevers.
- Désiré de Lille: An old sweet shop known for warm waffles and doughnut-like smoutebollen.
- Chocolatier Del Rey: A family chocolatier since 1949.
- Grand Café Horta: A large café-brasserie decorated with Art Nouveau ironwork.
- De Groote Witte Arend: Flemish dishes and beer in an old convent courtyard.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Zilte — 3 MICHELIN stars, Creative
- Het Gebaar — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern
- The Butcher's Son — 1 MICHELIN star, Modern, meat-focused
Romantic views
- MAS Rooftop Panorama (Sunset): The free museum rooftop looks over the port and city.
- Het Steen and the Scheldt Quays (Evening): A riverside walk past the medieval castle.
- Sint-Anna Beach (Sunset): The city skyline seen from across the river.
- Vlaeykensgang (Evening): A hidden 16th-century alley near the cathedral.
- Stadspark (Afternoon): A calm central park with a pond and bridges.
Football stadiums in Antwerp
- Herman Vanderpoortenstadion: Home of Lierse S.K.
- Freethiel Stadion: Home of Sportkring Beveren, K.S.K. Beveren
- Olympisch Stadion Antwerp: Home of Beerschot A.C., K Beerschot VA
Day trips
- Atomium — 36 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Antwerp
- Fine: Clothing that fully covers the face is banned in public.
- Fine: Foreign cars must register in advance to enter low-emission zones in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent.
- Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
- Warning: You're required to carry ID or a passport.
- Warning: Don't walk on cycle lanes.
- Warning: Watch for pickpockets at Brussels' main stations.
- Emergency: 112 (police 101)
- Plugs: C/E, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is safe; restaurants usually serve bottled.
- Tipping: Service is included; round up if pleased.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Belgium, Wikivoyage — Belgium, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Antwerp travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Antwerp?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 3 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 4 days for the top 20 places within walking distance. Add extra days for day trips (Atomium).
- What are the top things to do in Antwerp?
- Highlights: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, Museum Plantin-Moretus, Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, Rubenshuis and Antwerp City Hall. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Antwerp?
- Grote Markt / Old Town: The cathedral, town hall and riverside are within walking distance. Other options: Het Zuid ('t Zuid), Eilandje, Central Station / Diamond District and Meir / Shopping District.
- How do you get from the airport to Antwerp city centre?
- Brussels Airport (BRU): Direct train ≈ 35 min
- How do you get around Antwerp?
- The centre is walkable; trams and buses reach outer areas. You can cross the river through the pedestrian tunnel.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Antwerp?
- According to the last known data there are 3 starred restaurants: Zilte (3 stars), Het Gebaar (1 star), The Butcher's Son (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Antwerp?
- Emergency: 112 (police 101).
- Do you tip in Antwerp?
- Service is included; round up if pleased.
Nearby cities
Brussels · Ghent · Rotterdam · Bruges · The Hague · Amsterdam · Cologne · Luxembourg
Belgium travel guide: all cities · All cities