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Antwerp's station is one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. A true architectural gem! Marble floors, majestic columns, enormous clocks, and towering ceilings evoke genuine admiration. The high-tech aspect of the building is also impressive: platforms are located on several levels. Between the floors where trains arrive and depart, you will find supermarkets, cafes, waffle kiosks, pharmacies, and jewelry stores.
Address: Koningin Astridplein 27.
“Diamonds 24 Hours” — such a sign is not commonly seen in every city. But in Antwerp — the world capital of diamonds — it is quite common. Most of the jewelry stores are located near the station, in the so-called Diamond District. To be clear, the buildings there are not adorned with gold or sparkling in the sunlight. But it is still interesting to walk around. Even if you don’t plan to buy diamonds as souvenirs, take a look and watch how skilled salespeople present their goods. It’s a true ritual!
Address: Pelikaanstraat, Vestingstraat, Schupstraat, Quellinstraat, De Keyserlei.
Near the banks of the River Scheldt in the old town lies the triangular Grote Markt square. In the past, merchants gathered here to trade finished goods and craftsmen made custom works and sealed deals.
The perimeter of Antwerp’s main square is lined with old buildings that are interesting from an architectural and historical standpoint. Unfortunately, many of these treasure-like buildings were destroyed during the "Spanish Fury." Only a few houses on Grote Markt are original; most were reconstructed and restored in the 19th-20th centuries. Nevertheless, their facades are remarkably beautiful.
Among the iconic landmarks of Antwerp is the 19th-century Brabo Fountain, illustrating a local legend about a mythical villain and the hero who defeated him. Here’s the story. In the delta of the River Scheldt lived a giant thief named Antigoon who hindered merchant boats transporting goods and products to the Romans (who ruled the lands of Flanders at that time). For the privilege of passing by his castle, Antigoon demanded an exorbitant toll, and those who refused to pay had their hands cut off. One day, the bravest soldier, Silvius Brabo, killed the hated giant, cut off his hand as a sign of victory, and threw it into the river. Hence the name of the city: "ant" — hand and "werpen" — to throw.
The fountain’s feature is its lack of a water basin; the water simply flows over the stones on which the sculpture is set.
Address: Grote Markt.
You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.
A true jewel of the square is the 16th-century City Hall in Renaissance style. It is a bright example of Dutch Renaissance, one of the first buildings constructed according to the classical canons of the era. The City Hall opened in 1576, and eleven years later, it was seized and set on fire by the Spanish. The building was nearly destroyed, but it was restored almost to its original state.
The decorative elements of the City Hall are magnificent. Inside are frescoes depicting city life, wooden-paneled rooms, massive fireplaces, leather, and gilding. The facade is adorned with columns and gilded coats of arms of Antwerp’s nobility, the Spanish Habsburgs, and the Duchy of Brabant.
Address: Grote Markt, 1.
Rising 123 meters above Antwerp’s historic center is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Our Lady. This is another city symbol and another stunning Gothic building. The cathedral walls are adorned with works by Rubens, as well as paintings by Martin de Vos, Jacob de Backer, and Otto van Veen. Many famous composers and organists served and created here, and the cathedral choir continued to sing even during wartime.
Address: Groenplaats, 21.
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday — 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday — 10:00 to 15:00, Sunday and holidays — 13:00 to 16:00.
Entry Fee: €6, for groups (from 20 people), students, and seniors — €4 per person, children up to 12 years — free.
Steen Castle is the oldest structure in the city. It was built in 1200 and became the first large-scale stone construction in Antwerp, earning it the name "Steen" (from Dutch — "stone").
The fortress controlled the River Scheldt on which it was built and served as a prison intermittently for several centuries. In the 19th century, much of the fortress was demolished during the river’s straightening to combat its shallowing. Essentially, only the facade of the majestic structure remains today. A tour of the castle’s exterior will be more than enough (the inside houses a small maritime museum and a café).
At the entrance to the castle, guests are greeted by a sculpture of the hero of Dutch epic, Long Wapper — a giant who hated drunkards.
Address: Steenplein, 1.
Opening Hours: The castle is currently under renovation. It is planned to reopen the attraction in July 2020.
Experience the beauty by visiting one of Belgium’s most popular museums — the house and studio of Peter Paul Rubens. The museum features dozens of paintings by the famous artist and his contemporaries, as well as antique furniture. The house was purchased by the city in 1937 and underwent extensive restoration. So, don’t expect 100% historical authenticity — what matters is the house's atmosphere, which is truly impressive.
Address: Antwerpen, Wapper, 9-11
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 — 17:00. Closed on Monday.
Admission Fee: €10, for visitors aged 12 to 25 and 65+ — €8.
A must-visit for all art lovers! The museum is located in a majestic 19th-century building on Leopold Square in the Het Zuid district. It houses over 7,000 sculptures, drawings, engravings, and paintings from the 14th to the 20th centuries. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts holds the most significant collection of Flemish paintings in the country.
Address: Leopold de Waelplaats 2
Opening Hours: Currently under renovation. Expected reopening date — 2020.
The Antwerp Fashion Museum is located on Nationalestraat and is adjacent to boutiques of renowned brands. The collection includes dresses and suits from the 16th to 19th centuries. The museum frequently hosts exhibitions dedicated to a particular fashion designer — whether a legend or an emerging creator. There is no permanent exhibition as such; the program changes regularly, much like fashion itself.
Address: Nationalestraat, 28.
Admission Fee: Free for visitors under 18, €3 for visitors aged 18 to 26, €8 for visitors 26 and over, €6 for an adult with a child under 12.
The 60-meter high MAS Museum features a curved glass structure with a facade made of Indian red sandstone. The museum has over 470,000 exhibits organized into several themes: capital, power, life and death, and the history of Antwerp as a major international port. This modern building is not only a museum but also a fantastic observation deck, and it’s free. Nearby, you can find various souvenirs and art books.
Address: Antwerpen, Hanzestedenplaats, 1.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 — 17:00. Closed on Monday. From April 1 to September 30, open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00.
Admission Fee: Full ticket for permanent exhibition — €5. For visitors aged 12 to 25 and 65+ — €3. Combined ticket for permanent exhibition and exhibitions — €10 full, €8 reduced.
Antwerp is very advanced in terms of architecture. The new port building, known as “The Diamond,” is the best proof of this. Architect Zaha Hadid designed it as the new headquarters for the Antwerp Port Authority. The building is thought to pay tribute to the diamonds that have made Antwerp famous worldwide.
Address: Entrepotkaai, 1.
Antwerp is divided by the picturesque River Scheldt. To cross from one bank to the other, you can use the underground tunnel, which is 572 meters long and 34 meters deep. It was built in 1933, and its design has remained unchanged since then. This tunnel is somewhat akin to a metro passage, so don’t expect too much. However, walking underwater provides quite a unique experience. Plus, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Antwerp’s attractions from above.
Address: Sint-Jansvliet.
This is the oldest zoo in Belgium and one of the oldest in Europe! It was established in 1843. If you arrive in Antwerp by train and plan to visit the zoo, take advantage of the B-Excursion: Antwerp Zoo offer, which allows you to buy a combined train and zoo ticket at the railway station or online. It’s cheaper and you won’t have to stand in line at the zoo’s ticket counter.
Address: Koningin Astridplein, 26
Opening Hours: Winter — daily from 10:00 to 16:45, summer — daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
Admission Fee: Adult ticket — €25, child (up to 11 years) — €20.
Located near Antwerp's historic center, this international museum features temporary exhibitions and its own collection. The permanent exhibition is divided into several parts: cinema, media art, fine arts, and visual culture. In addition to exhibitions, the museum hosts performances, lectures, concerts, discussions, and guided tours.
The museum is situated in a former port grain silo. The massive light cylinder attached to the huge cubes is a perfect fit for avant-garde art.
Address: Leuvenstraat, 32
Opening Hours: Tuesday–Wednesday: 11:00–18:00, Thursday: 11:00–21:00, Friday–Sunday: 11:00–18:00. Closed on Monday.
