This list of places to visit in Antwerp Essentials will serve you to tour one of the most interesting cities in Belgium, known for its diamonds and the great Rubens, which from the 16th century became one of the most important shopping centers in Europe.
This wealth was used for the construction of large medieval buildings such as the Town Hall or the houses of the Plaza Mayor, today, one of the great attractions of the city.
In addition to these beautiful buildings, in the city you can stroll through alleys and charming neighborhoods, approach its immense port, visit large museums, enter ancient churches and castles, without forgetting of course to try their mussels and chips with a good beer Belgian craft.
Based on our experience during the time we spent in this city during our trip to Ghent, Leuven and Antwerp, we have made a list of what we think are the 10 must-see places in Antwerp.
1. Grote Markt
The Grote Markt or Great Market Square, is the main square and one of the places to visit in Antwerp more essential This square located in the heart of the historic center is surrounded by spectacular 15th-century guild houses and its most prominent building is the City Hall of the Renaissance-style city and the Fuente de Brabo, which pays tribute to the founder of the city.
Visiting hours of the town hall: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Grotemarkt
2. The Antwerp Station
When you arrive by train from Brussels to Antwerp you will have as the first contact with the city, one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world: the Antwerp Central Train Station, known as the cathedral of the stations, which impresses with its lobby with a glazed dome, marble stairs, magnificent windows and a large baroque facade.
A good option to know the history and curiosities of the city is to book a guided tour in Spanish that starts at the station or this free tour of Antwerp Free!
Antwerp Central Station
3. Cathedral of Our Lady
The Cathedral of Our Lady built over two centuries, is the largest in all of Belgium and another one of the places to see in Antwerp more beautiful. Located in the magnificent Groenplaats square, very close to the Grote Markt, this Gothic church stands out for its large bell tower declared a World Heritage Site, although it cannot be climbed.
In addition to its bell tower, inside the cathedral there are four Rubens masterpieces, spectacular stained glass windows from 1537 with scenes from the bible and two large organs, extra reasons not to miss this incredible place.
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm. Saturdays from 10am to 3pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm.
Antwerp Cathedral, one of the places to see in Antwerp
4. Vlaeykensgang Alley
Vlaeykensgang, a hidden alley that preserves all the medieval charm of yesteryear, is another of the places to see in Antwerp more amazing Today, in this street where the white of its traditional houses of the 16th century predominates, the houses have been replaced by bars and restaurants, where you can make a stop to regain strength in your tour of the city.
Although it costs a little to find it, it is worth walking through its narrow streets with several galleries and courtyards that will take you to medieval times.
Vlaeykensgang alley
5. Diamond district, one of the places to visit in Antwerp
They say that about 84% of all rough diamonds and 50% of all polished diamonds in the world pass through Antwerp. This traffic of diamonds and money is concentrated in the neighborhood of diamonds, formed by the pedestrian streets of Pelikaanstraat, Schupstraat, Hoveniersstraat and Rijfstraat, in which the diamond trade has been dominated since its inception by the Jewish community of the city, very present in the neighborhood, where they have even a great synagogue.
A good option to know the whole process from the extraction of diamonds in the mines, the carving and polishing, until seeing the finished jewel, is making a free guided tour in one of its stores. One of the most famous is Diamonland, where they have guides in Spanish and where you have to keep in mind that at the end they will try to sell you some of their jewels.
Store hours: Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sundays closed.
Our recommended hotel in Antwerp
The Antwerp Inn Hotel, located 5 minutes from Brussels station, is one of the best accommodation options in the city. It also has a good quality / price ratio, 24 hour reception and rooms with new and functional furniture.
6. Rubenshuis
Rubenshuis, the Rubens House Museum located in Wapper Square, is another of the places to visit in Antwerp more famous. This house-workshop in which Rubens lived during his last 29 years, was restored to become a museum and was built by Rubens himself inspired by the Italian villas, where he spent a part of his life.
During the visit with audioguide you will visit several rooms in which the original furniture is preserved, you will see several paintings by Rubens and other painters in addition to enjoying the tranquility in a beautiful Italian-style garden with several statues.
Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 5pm, Mondays closed.
Rubenhuis, one of the places to visit in Antwerp
7. Church of San Carlos Borromeo
Located in the flirtatious Hendrik Conscience square, is the church of St. Charles Borromeo, considered the most beautiful in Antwerp. Rubens and his assistant Van Dyck added the baroque style to its spectacular facade and to the main altar, to this Jesuit church inspired by the Gesu church in Rome.
A fire destroyed the 39 paintings of Rubens that decorated the ceiling of the chapel of the Blessed Virgin, even so, it is still worth approaching to visit the church and the square.
8. Steen Castle
Steen Castle is another one of the places to visit in Antwerp, located in the port facing the Scheldt River, served as a military fortress to avoid Viking raids during medieval times. This neo-Gothic style castle was also used as a prison, although a large part of its buildings were destroyed to reach the port of Antwerp when it reached the 19th century.
At the entrance of the castle flanked by two large towers, you will see the statue of the giant Lange Wapper that scared the inhabitants of the city at night, according to legend.
It is interesting to note that in addition to the visit to the castle, you will have good views of the river and the port.
A good option to visit all points of interest in the city without wasting much time is to book the Antwerp tourist bus.
Steen Castle
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. The Eilandje neighborhood
The Eilandje neighborhood, in the old port of the city, has been modernized and opened to new trends until it becomes one of the places to see in Antwerp essential.
Old hangars converted into coffee shops and cultural centers, warehouses that are now impressive lofts, new museums such as the MAS, with excellent views from its terrace, or the Red Star Line Museum, make this neighborhood one of the most fashionable and busy of the city.
When you walk through here, remember that you can not miss the San Felix store and the Schipperskwartier, the old neighborhood of the sailors full of atmosphere, where you can also see the beautiful church of St. Paul, another place to visit in Antwerp.
Eilandje neighborhood
10. Plantin-Moretus Museum
The last place to visit in Antwerp It is the Plantin-Moretus Museum, which highlights its printing machines and its old archive, declared a World Heritage Site.
This museum pays tribute to the printers Christoffel Plantijn and Jan Moretus and to the 300-year history of a printing press that marked an era in Europe.
During the visit to the museum you will see the two oldest presses in the world, numerous objects of the time of incalculable historical value, original rooms and libraries that move you 500 years ago, among many other memories.
Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 5pm, Monday closed.
How to get to Antwerp from Brussels
If you are staying in Brussels, the easiest and fastest way to get to Antwerp is to book the train. Trains leave every 10 minutes from Brussels central station and the journey takes about 45 minutes to the spectacular Antwerp station. The price is less than 8 euros.
Another cheaper option is Flixbus buses, although the frequency is lower and they depart from the north station of Brussels.
If you only have one day and want to learn more about the history of the city, a good alternative is to book this excursion by train from Brussels with a guide in Spanish or by bus that includes the city of Ghent.
In case you want to reach Antwerp directly from the two airports closest to Brussels, you have these alternatives:
- From Charleroi Airport, take a bus to Brussels Midi station and then take a train to Antwerp.
- From Brussels Airport, Zaventem, take a direct train to Antwerp, Antwerpen Centraal, in a journey of about 30 minutes. From this airport you can also take the Airport Express bus that leaves you in Antwerpen Centraal in 45 minutes.
For more information you can read this post on how to go from Brussels to Antwerp.
You can visit all these essential places following this route in Antwerp in one day.
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The best offers of Flights to Brussels here
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Book your travel insurance with a 5% discount hereHelp us complete the list of 10 places to visit in Antwerp, adding your recommendation in the comments.
