Antwerp Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Antwerp Market Square featuring heritage architecture, street scenes and a city
The diamond capital of the world is both historically rich and refreshingly modern, with 16th-century architecture and a thriving avant-garde arts scene.

Antwerp is known for diamonds, avant-garde fashion and gothic architecture. The city of half a million people sits on the east bank of the River Schelde, and its compact centre gives Antwerp a bustling vibe. The locals, with a reputation for being relaxed and friendly, are more than happy to switch from their native-tongue Flemish to English.

The city’s position as a key trading point saw it explode into riches during the 16th century many relics from this golden age still exist. Buildings like the City Hall in the Grote Markt and the palatial Central Station give the town an architectural beauty to rival any in Europe. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal), a huge and ornately decorated Gothic cathedral that houses artworks by Antwerpen artist Peter Paul Rubens.

Art enthusiasts can find out more about Rubens by visiting his old home and studio, the Rubenshuis. The sculpture garden at Middelheim Park south of the centre is also a popular spot for art lovers, with its mix of modern and traditional pieces dotted among shrubs and winding paths. 

Antwerp is known as the diamond capital of the world. Nearly 60 percent of the world’s diamonds are traded here. Browse the sparkling displays of jewelers’ windows in the Diamond District, east of the city centre.

The city’s fashion school is one of the best in Europe. Many well-known designers have made Antwerp their home. Shop for one-off designer clothes and accessories in the Kammenstraat area. 

It’s easy to get around Antwerp on foot or by bicycle. Rent a bike using the city’s public Velo system, which sees bike stations dotted around town. There’s also a good network of buses, trams and a pre-metro system (underground trams). Buy a fixed price transport card. 

The climate is maritime, with mild and often wet weather throughout the year. Winters rarely see snow, and June and July—the hottest months—are also the rainiest. The city makes the most of its climate with no shortage of cosy cafes and bars. Pull up a stool at a bar and drink Belgian beer with the locals.

Where to stay in Antwerp

Antwerp Market Square featuring an administrative building, a square or plaza and heritage architecture

Old Town

Museums, shopping and historical sites are just a few things travellers enjoy about Old Town. Check out Meir or Green Square while you're exploring the area.

Old Town
Antwerp which includes café scenes, street scenes and heritage elements

Historisch centrum

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Historisch centrum, Antwerp Market Square and Cathedral of Our Lady are top sights worth seeing.

Historisch centrum
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Jewish Quarter

Unique features of Jewish Quarter include the shopping and coffee shops. Make a stop by Antwerp Zoo or Hoge Raad voor Diamant while you're exploring the area.

Jewish Quarter
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Berchem

3.5/5(11 area reviews)

Berchem is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Ring Road and The Four Seasons.

Berchem
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South Antwerp

5/5(5 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the bars and museums in South Antwerp. You might want to make time for a stop at Royal Museum of Fine Arts or Justice Palace.

South Antwerp
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University District

University District is noteworthy for its historical sites, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Antwerp Beguinage and St. James's Church.

University District
Citybox Antwerp
Citybox Antwerp
3 out of 5
2 Molenbergstraat, Antwerp, Vlaanderen
The price is ₹5,344 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
₹5,344
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and a business centre. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (324 reviews)
"Very clean simple set up. Excellent option for the price."

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Citybox Antwerp
PREMIER SUITES PLUS Antwerp
PREMIER SUITES PLUS Antwerp
4 out of 5
Appelmansstraat 31, Antwerp, Antwerp
The price is ₹8,789 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
₹8,789
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews.
8.4/10 Very Good! (504 reviews)
"No room cleaning service for two days stay there."

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

PREMIER SUITES PLUS Antwerp
A-STAY Antwerpen
A-STAY Antwerpen
3 out of 5
86 Pelikaanstraat, Antwerp, Vlaanderen
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹6,937 per night from 19 May to 20 May
₹6,937
per night
19 May - 20 May
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.6/10 Excellent! (558 reviews)
"New facilities with lots of interesting approaches to what one expects from a hotel. I hope to come back again!"

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

A-STAY Antwerpen
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Condo Gardens Antwerpen
Condo Gardens Antwerpen
3 out of 5
De Pretstraat 11, Antwerp
Stay at this condo in Antwerp. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Antwerp Zoo and Antwerp Market Square are located ...
6/10 (172 reviews)
"Cheap accomodation for a reason."

Reviewed on 27 Jun 2023

Condo Gardens Antwerpen
YAYS Antwerp Opera
YAYS Antwerp Opera
3.5 out of 5
31 Frankrijklei, Antwerp, Vlaanderen
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (164 reviews)
"The location is excellent, just a 5 mins walk to the central train station and shopping district. Staff are friendly and polite. However during our stay, our one bedroom apartment TV was spoilt on the 2nd day. Informed the staff and they cannot solve the problem, so left us with no entertainment ..."

Reviewed on 5 May 2024

YAYS Antwerp Opera
Value Stay Residence Mechelen
Value Stay Residence Mechelen
3 out of 5
Lange Heergracht 65, Mechelen
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge).
6.8/10 (112 reviews)
"Lovely as always"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2023

Value Stay Residence Mechelen
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Antwerp

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
55
" "5 - Excellent 45.45454545454545%
4 - Good
51
" "4 - Good 42.14876033057851%
3 - Okay
14
" "3 - Okay 11.570247933884298%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.8264462809917356%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Peter
11 Mar 2020

Antwerp is a city made up of very distinct and different areas. Most felt safe. The roads in Antwerp are undergoing major construction, and have been for several years. Traffic congestion is a major headache and slows down travel between attractions

5/5 - Excellent

HW
16 Jan 2020

The city centre has a pleasing and distinctive character with narrow streets and buildings in many different styles. We recommend the Red Star Line museum of emigration to America, as well as the better-known museums.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
29 Dec 2019

Fantastic city! Antwerp is a hidden jewel. Great restaurants, museums and a design vibe. Can’t wait to return.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Dec 2019

We visited Antwerp mainly for Christmas markets and were not disappointed. Antwerp is a lovely place, the markets fantastic and the shopping was excellent too. Very atmospheric with all the Christmas lights

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
30 Nov 2019

I liked the city, just wish I’d stayed somewhere else.

4/5 - Good

EM
20 Nov 2019

The people of Antwerp are incredibly friendly and helpful. There is a good selection of quality places to eat and to enjoy a glass of the local Antwerp beer.

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