Create meetup in Antwerpchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Antwerp Guides
Things to Do in Antwerp (2026)
Begin your visit at the Cathedral of Our Lady (Handschoenmarkt 21), a Gothic masterpiece housing several Rubens paintings. Climb the tower for a panoramic view of the citβ¦ π° Start at the Cathedral
Begin your visit at the Cathedral of Our Lady (Handschoenmarkt 21), a Gothic masterpiece housing several Rubens paintings. Climb the tower for a panoramic view of the city, but book your time slot online in advance to avoid queues. The cathedral is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00, and on weekends from 10:00 to 16:00.
π¨ Explore the MAS Museum
The Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) at Hanzestedenplaats 1 offers a unique perspective on Antwerp's maritime and cultural history. Its rooftop terrace is free and provides a stunning 360-degree view of the city and port. The museum is closed on Mondays, and admission is around 12 euros for adults, with discounts for students and seniors.
ποΈ Shop at the Meir
Stroll down the Meir, Antwerp's main shopping street, lined with historic buildings and international brands. For a more local experience, wander into the nearby streets of the 'Het Zuid' district, where independent boutiques and vintage shops thrive. Don't miss the Stadsfeestzaal shopping gallery, a stunning 19th-century arcade with a glass dome.
π« Taste Belgian Chocolate
Indulge in a chocolate tasting at the Chocolate Nation museum (Koningin Astridplein 27), the largest Belgian chocolate museum in the world. For a hands-on experience, join a workshop at the Antwerp Chocolate Company (Suikerrui 18), where you can create your own pralines. Prices for workshops start at around 35 euros per person, and advance booking is recommended.
π² Cycle Like a Local
Rent a bike from Velo Antwerp, the city's public bike-sharing system, with stations throughout the center. A day pass costs just 5 euros, and the first 30 minutes of each ride are free. Cycle along the Scheldt river to the 'Het Steen' castle, then continue to the trendy 'Eilandje' neighborhood for a drink at one of its waterfront bars.
πΊ Visit a Brewery
Take a tour of the De Koninck brewery (Mechelsesteenweg 291), where you can learn about the city's beer heritage and sample the iconic Bolleke beer. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and costs 15 euros, including two beers. For a more intimate experience, visit the Antwerp Beer Museum (Kaai 7) in the historic Brouwershuis, which offers tastings of local craft brews.
π Catch a Show at the Opera
The Antwerp Opera (Frankrijklei 3) offers a diverse program of opera, ballet, and concerts in a stunning neo-baroque setting. Tickets can be as low as 20 euros for balcony seats, and student discounts are available. Check the schedule in advance, as performances often sell out, especially during the summer festival season.
π³ Relax in the Park
Escape the city bustle at the Stadspark, a green oasis just a 10-minute walk from the central station. The park features a pond, walking paths, and plenty of benches for people-watching. For a more secluded spot, head to the Middelheim Open Air Sculpture Museum (Middelheimlaan 61), which is free to enter and showcases modern art in a wooded setting.
solid list, the MAS rooftop is genuinely the best free thing in the city, go at sunset when the light hits the old port buildings. one thing i'd add is the Rubenshuis, it's a 10 min walk from the cathedral and way less crowded than the main sights, the garden alone is worth the 8 euros. also skip the De Koninck tour if u're short on time, the Antwerp Beer Museum is smaller but u get to try more local brews, and the bartender there actually explains the difference between a bolleke and a pintje. if u're cycling, don't stop at het steen, keep going south along the scheldt to the zuiderterras, that's where the locals hang with a takeaway beer, and the view of the port cranes is unreal at dusk. oh and for chocolate, the workshops are fun but the pralines at the chocolate line on the korte gasthuisstraat are better than anything u'll make, just sayin
the zoo is right next to the central station and worth a half day if ur into animals, it's one of the oldest in europe and the aquarium part is surprisingly good. also for a cheap meal skip the tourist spots near the cathedral, head to the chinatown strip behind the station, the dumpling places there are legit and way better than anything on the meir. u can grab a bite then walk into the city, it's like 5 min
Good list, the bike tip is spot on. If you're here on a Saturday, don't skip the Vrijdagmarkt flea market, it's been running for centuries and you'll find everything from old postcards to weird furniture. Grab a coffee at one of the cafes around it and just watch the chaos, that's the real Antwerp vibe.
3 Days in Antwerp: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip at the Grote Markt, the city's main square, surrounded by guild houses and the Brabo Fountain. Visit the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal (Cathedral of Our Lβ¦ πΊοΈ Day One: Historic Center
Start your trip at the Grote Markt, the city's main square, surrounded by guild houses and the Brabo Fountain. Visit the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal (Cathedral of Our Lady), open Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, with an entrance fee of 12 euros. For lunch, head to the Vlaeykensgang, a hidden alley with charming cafes, just a five-minute walk from the cathedral.
π¨ Day One: Art and Museums
In the afternoon, explore the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS), a striking red sandstone building offering panoramic city views from its rooftop. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and admission is 12 euros. For dinner, walk to the 't Zuid neighborhood, known for its trendy restaurants like The Jane, which requires reservations well in advance.
π Day Two: Getting Around
Use the city's efficient tram and bus network to reach the trendy South district ('t Zuid). A single ticket costs 3 euros, or you can buy a day pass for 7 euros at any De Lijn ticket machine. From the Central Station, take tram 4 or 10 to the 't Zuid stop, which takes about 15 minutes.
ποΈ Day Two: Shopping and Design
Spend the morning browsing the fashion boutiques along Kammenstraat and Nationalestraat, home to the Antwerp Six designers. Visit the ModeMuseum (MoMu) on Nationalestraat, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM, with tickets at 10 euros. For a break, stop at the trendy coffee bar Caffe Mundi on Kammenstraat for a cappuccino and a pastry.
π« Day Two: Chocolate and Beer
In the afternoon, take a chocolate-making workshop at the Belgian Chocolate Makers on Korte Gasthuisstraat, costing 35 euros per person. Later, join a beer-tasting tour at the Antwerp Beer Tour, which starts at the De Koninck brewery in the Antwerp South area. The tour lasts two hours and includes samples of local brews, priced at 25 euros.
π³ Day Three: Parks and Palaces
Begin your final day with a stroll through the Stadspark, a peaceful green space near the Central Station. Then, visit the Royal Palace of Antwerp (Koninklijk Paleis), which is not open to the public, but you can admire its facade from the outside. For a unique experience, take a guided boat tour along the Scheldt River, departing from the Steenplein, costing 15 euros for a one-hour trip.
π½οΈ Day Three: Local Flavors
For lunch, try the famous Antwerpse handjes (little hands cookies) at a local bakery like Bakkerij Goossens on Korte Gasthuisstraat. In the evening, dine at the Michelin-starred restaurant 't Zilte, located on the top floor of the MAS, offering stunning views and a tasting menu for 145 euros. Make sure to book at least a month in advance.
π Day Three: Departure Tips
If you're leaving by train, Antwerp Central Station is a stunning architectural gem worth arriving early to explore. The station offers direct connections to Brussels (40 minutes), Amsterdam (1 hour), and Paris (2 hours). For airport transfers, take the direct bus to Brussels Airport from the station, which runs every 30 minutes and costs 15 euros.
This is a well thought out plan, you've got the essentials covered. One thing I'd add is a stop at the Plantin-Moretus Museum, which the guide skips entirely. It's a 16th century printing house and bookstore, UNESCO listed, and it's one of the few places where you can still smell the old paper and ink. It's a short walk from the cathedral, open daily except Mondays, and the entry is around 10 euros. It gives you a real sense of Antwerp's golden age beyond just the art and fashion.
For the chocolate workshop, I'd actually skip the big branded place on Korte Gasthuisstraat and go to a smaller operation like Chocolaterie Angelito near the Groenplaats. It's run by one guy, hands on, and you'll make a mess and have fun doing it. Same price range, but you're not in a group of twenty tourists.
Also, if you're at the MAS rooftop for sunset, grab a drink at the bar on the eighth floor first. It's a bit pricey, but you get to sit down and watch the river traffic instead of jostling with everyone else for a spot at the railing.
honestly this itinerary is solid, but you're missing one thing: the Saturday flea market at the Vrijdagmarkt. it's every friday actually, not saturday, my bad. whole square fills up with antique dealers and random junk, great for people-watching and grabbing a cheap waffle from a stall. goes from like 7am to 1pm, so hit it before the museums open.
also, skip The Jane if you can't get a reservation, it's overhyped imo. try Graanmarkt 13 instead, same price range but the setting is way more intimate and the menu changes weekly. tucked behind a fashion store, you'd never find it unless someone told you.
one tip for the MAS: the rooftop is free, you don't need to pay the 12 euros just for the view. just walk in and take the escalators up, nobody checks. best spot in the city for sunset pics.
and if you're into beer, skip the De Koninck tour, it's touristy. go to Kulminator instead, tiny bar near the cathedral, they have like 300 bottles aging in the cellar. owner's a grumpy old guy but he knows everything. open weird hours though, check before you go.
The itinerary's got the big hitters covered, and I'd definitely keep the cathedral on there. But if you're around on a weekday morning, swap one of the museum slots for a wander through the Zurenborg district, just east of the center. It's a quiet residential area packed with art nouveau facades, especially along Cogels-Osylei, and it's a completely different vibe from the tourist core. Tram 11 from the center gets you there in about ten minutes, and it costs the same as your day pass.
For food, the guide's right that 't Zuid is the place, but skip the fancy reservations and grab a table at Fiskeshop on Marnixplaats. It's a tiny fish bar, nothing fancy, but their fried squid and a local white beer will run you under 25 euros and it's always full of Antwerp regulars. They don't take bookings, so go early, around 6 PM, or you'll be waiting outside like everyone else.
One thing nobody mentions: the cathedral's tower climb is separate from the main entrance ticket. It's a narrow, steep spiral staircase, 515 steps, but the view over the whole old town and the river is worth the leg burn. Only open on weekends though, so plan for that if you want the full experience.