30 Best Things To Do in Antwerp | 3 Day Itinerary

There’s really an endless list of things to do in Antwerp, but I’ve selected the 30 best and mashed them into a perfect 3-day itinerary.

Historically, Antwerp, Belgium’s second biggest city after capital Brussels, was known as a harbour city (Europe’s second largest after Rotterdam). And also a centre for diamonds and painters such as Rubens and Van Dyck.

Antwerp is still all of that in its historic centre and along the Scheldt river. However, when you spend a few days here, you will discover that there is so much more to this sprawling city.

3 Days in Antwerp Weekend Itinerary

Excited to find out about all of the things to do in Antwerp? Below you’ll find 3 days full of suggestions. Ideally you have time to spend a weekend in Antwerp that starts on Friday. That way you can follow the below things to do in the suggested order for a perfect 3-day Antwerp itinerary. This allows you to see every nook and cranny (well almost anyway) of Belgium’s coolest city.

Day 1 | Eilandje & Antwerp’s Old Town

Start your first day in Antwerp at one of Europe’s most beautiful train stations, Antwerpen-Centraal.

From there take the tram to Zaha Hadid’s Havenhuis and then walk down Eilandje to DOK 36 for coffee and breakfast. Visit MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) afterwards to round off the morning.

In the afternoon grab a coffee to go at Normo and make your way to the Cathedral of Our Lady. When you’re done at the cathedral explore the historic centre for the rest of the afternoon. When you’re feeling peckish have some fries, grab a waffle or eat chocolate. You’re in Belgium after all!

Antwerp Beef Stew at Brasserie Appelmans and a few Belgian wines at aptly named wine bar Belgian Wines are the perfect ending to day 1 of your Antwerp itinerary.

1. Antwerpen-Centraal Station

Whenever I spend time in Antwerp I always arrive at Antwerpen-Centraal. This incredible train station is one of Europe’s most beautiful and the perfect entry point to your Antwerp itinerary. The station was constructed with 20 different types of marble and the domed building almost gives you the feeling you’re entering a cathedral.

The station was designed by Louis Delacenserie, an architect from Bruges. Construction took place between 1895 and 1905 after which the first train was welcomed. Admire the central hallway and walk around here for a bit to see what influences you can spot in the building’s design.

Apart from being a beautiful architectural masterpiece the station is very well connected, both nationally and internationally. Take the train from Antwerpen-Centraal directly to Ghent, Bruges and Brussels for example. Or internationally to Paris, Rotterdam or Amsterdam.

Also read: 15 Best Things To Do in Ghent in One Day

2. Visit Zaha Hadid’s Havenhuis

Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port, but Antwerp’s port is second. And what Rotterdam lacks in modern architectural grandeur is certainly present in Antwerp.

In the area called ‘t Eilandje you can find the Havenhuis (Port House) from Iraqi founded and London Based Zaha Hadid Architects. The architects have combined a brand new modern structure with the existing historic fire station. The building is a real architecture superstar and should definitely be on your list of things to do in Antwerp.

Havenhuis is free to visit (take tram 24 from Antwerpen-Centraal), but because it’s an office building for the Port Authority of the Port of Antwerp you can only visit the ground floor. Occasionally though it’s possible to go on a guided tour.

3. Explore Eilandje

The Havenhuis is the most eye-catching element on the district Eilandje in the north of Antwerp. And although many people of Antwerp consider most of Eilandje a rusty old junkyard, there’s actually quite a few things to do.

Check out Droogdokkenpark for example with views of the Scheldt river. Or discover some indeed rusty old ships. You will also find quite a few insta worthy murals here.

One of the highlights is the Red Star Line Museum that gives you insight into how two million European passengers boarded their ship to New York.

Another highlight here is Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie, a craft beer brewer. Although this is probably better to return for later in the day if you’re a beer lover. Perhaps now is better to grab some brunch at DOK 36.

4. Brunch and specialty coffee at DOK 36

Being the coffee aficionado that I am I always create a list of must visit specialty coffee shops when visiting a new city. DOK 36 was one on the list for Antwerp and I can certainly say that this roaster creates some truly delicious coffees. I prefer a drip coffee and the Colombian filter coffee that I tried was just super.

Apart from the excellent coffee you can have a delicious breakfast/brunch here with a croissant, some yoghurt with granola and freshly pressed orange juice. Perfect way to start the day!

5. Learn all about Antwerp at MAS (Museum aan de Stroom)

By now it’s time to visit MAS, Antwerp’s municipal museum, Museum aan de Stroom. You might have already seen it, because it’s quite a remarkable building.

Inside you can learn all about Antwerp’s rich history and how they amassed this richness. Not all pages in Belgium’s history book are pretty, but this is the case with most European history books. The collection now however consists of more than 600,000 objects of art, about cultural traditions and Antwerp’s history in general.

Tip: If you don’t want to visit the museum, you should know that you can go to the top of the building for free and admire the 360 views. The views alone certainly make a visit to MAS one of the best things to do in Antwerp.

6. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady

Next up is Antwerp’s Old Town. More coffee? Perhaps grab one to go from Normo and continue your way through Grote Doddaard and Wijngaardstraat. Eventually you will reach the Cathedral of Our Lady.

This majestic cathedral is worthy of a visit if you enjoy stained glass windows and religious art. The church houses some exceptional works by Belgian painter Pieter Paul Rubens. These include the Raising of the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ.

The cathedral has its entrance on Handschoenmarkt, where you can also see the sculpture of Nello & Patrasche. The boy and his dog are the main characters in the English novel A Dog of Flanders.

Tip: If you want to see more of Rubens’ paintings on your Antwerp itinerary, then head to the Saint Charles Borromeo Church around the corner (Hendrik Conscienceplein). Or visit the Church of Saint-Paul (Sint-Paulusstraat).

7. Eat fries at Frites Atelier

When you think of Belgium surely you’ll think of fries, waffles and pretty little chocolates. I encourage you to eat lots of those!

For a good portion of fries head to Frites Atelier. At Frites Atelier they serve kind of a posh portion of fries with a little more unfmailiar ingredients than just a side of mayonnaise. However, that side of home made mayonnaise is also perfectly possible.

That being said though, I suggest you have the fries with Flemish Beef Stew. This is braised beef in brown beer sauce, served with fresh garden cress and some pickled mustard seeds. Delicious!!

8. Explore the Historic Centre of Antwerp

For a long time Antwerp was the entry point to continental Europe. It has been a true trading hub ever since the Middle Ages. This sparked a golden age for art, culture and architecture that you will see reflected all over the city’s picture perfect streets and squares.

Needless to say after that little introduction is that Antwerp’s Old town is full of things to do to keep you busy for the rest of the afternoon. See if you can find the Vlaaikensgang and the inner-city oasis of the Beguinage. Make sure to visit the Groenmarkt and admire the facades and the Brabo fountain on the Grote Markt. You can also visit the Rubenshuis (when reopened in 2027) and castle Het Steen along the Scheldt river.

If you like to be guided through the historic centre and learn more about Antwerp’s history you can go on a walking tour. A walking tour is a perfect way to hear anecdotes and delve a little deeper into what Antwerp is all about.

9. Discover UNESCO-listed Plantin-Moretus Museum

Although it might not sound very appealing at first, you can continue your itinerary in Antwerp with a visit to the Plantin-Moretus Museum. This museum houses the world’s oldest printing presses.

You see, it doesn’t sound that interesting. Then again, the invention of printing presses is one of the greatest inventions ever! What does make a visit to this museum very appealing though is that the museum is housed in a beautiful mansion that is UNESCO-listed.

10. Have dinner at Brasserie Appelmans

After all the sightseeing you are probably hungry, so take a seat at Brasserie Appelmans. The restaurant has an international mix of dishes, but what stands out is the Antwerp Beef Stew.

The beef stew is prepared with Antwerp beer Tripel D’Anvers and served with thick-cut Belgian fries. The beef melts on your tongue and comes highly recommended. Have a beer on the side and dinner is complete.

11. Finish the day with Belgian wines (yes for real, they exist!)

Now when you think of wine, you think of France, Spain and Italy and a bunch of New World wine countries, right? But Belgium? Not so much!

You’ll be extra surprised then that there is a wine bar in Antwerp specialising in Belgian wines. So, for a little more sophistication and refinement after that beef and beer you had for dinner head to aptly named wine bar Belgian Wines.

I cannot recommend the Le Canard de Beau Marais chardonnay I had there enough. It was probably the best white wine I’ve ever had! And I don’t say that lightly.

Day 2 | Discover Antwerp’s Best Art Institutions

Today after breakfast venture a bit outside of the city to Kanaal in Wijnegem and visit world class art gallery Axel Vervoordt (only open on Saturday).

Afterwards head back to the city and have lunch at Barchel. From there continue your Antwerp itinerary with a visit to the renovated KMSKA for an hour or two. Have some afternoon drinks at Vitrin and finish the afternoon with a visit to some commercial art galleries in Zuid.

When you’re done at the galleries it’s only a block away from the Scheldt river. Follow the river back to the city centre. Have dinner at middle eastern restaurant Shuk and finish the day with cocktails at Dogma. At the end of the day 2 you’ve already done 21 of the best things to do in Antwerp.

12. Visit Axel Vervoordt Gallery in Kanaal (Wijnegem)

Start your day with breakfast at the hotel and make your way to Axel Vervoordt Gallery in Kanaal (Wijnegem). This art gallery is quite a bit out of the way, but trust me when I say this is the number one of things to do in Antwerp if you love art.

Kanaal is an area just outside of Antwerp that was built in 1857 to be used as a distillery and malting complex. This is not the case anymore, but most of the brick warehouses and the grain silos are being transformed. Partly into residential and office buildings, but partly also into a cultural hub.

The Axel Vervoordt Gallery is the most notable addition to Kanaal if you’re visiting as a tourist. There are varying temporary exhibitions by a wide range of international artists.

Permanent installations include Anish Kapoor‘s At the Edge of the World in a grain silo at the heart of the complex, and Red Shift by James Turrell. Both these installations alone are full-on experiences and worthy of your time and effort to visit Axel Vervoordt Gallery.

The gallery is free to visit, but only open on Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm.

How to get to Axel Vervoordt Gallery?

Like I said it’s a bit of a trek to get there, but you can take bus 410 in the direction of ‘Turnhout Warande’ that departs from Antwerpen-Centraal. The bus should take around 30 minutes to get to bus stop ‘Wijnegem Dorp’ which is where you need to get out. And then it’s a good 25 minutes walk along the canal to get to Kanaal. Alternatively, take a taxi or an Uber which should take around half an hour.

13. Enjoy your lunch at Barchel

Back in the city it’s time for lunch in lovely Barchel. This brunch cafe is the perfect place to reflect on what you saw in Kanaal over a delicious flatbread guacamole. There are lots of other sweet and salty brunch options here, as well as delicious espressos.

14. Visit the renovated KMSKA (Royal Museum of Fine Arts)

After eleven years of renovation the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) was finally reopened in 2022. The museum is a respected institution and houses some of Belgium’s most important art. This makes it one of the top things to do in Antwerp and quite unmissable on your Antwerp itinerary.

The collection includes work by the classics such as Rubens and Van Dyck, but also the world’s largest collection of James Ensor and works by René Magritte. Furthermore you can find works by a long range of international artists such as Dalí and Van Gogh.

15. Afternoon drinks at Vitrin

Visiting the KMSKA easily takes up about two hours, so time for a sit down at Vitrin afterwards. This cool corner bar has an all around terrace and is a popular hangout.

You have to get the drinks at the bar yourself, so don’t expect table service. But the service is friendly, fast and efficient, so before you know it you’re back at your table sipping little sippies of your drink.

16. Walk pass the Vlinderpaleis

Continue your Antwerp itinerary by walking pass the Vlinderpaleis. This law court opened in 2006 and was the winning design of a 1999 competition. The roof of the winning structure looks like futuristic sails or perhaps even shark fins. From the air however, it supposedly looks like a butterfly, hence the name Vlinderpaleis (Butterfly Palace). 

17. Check out some commercial art galleries in Antwerp Zuid

Between the Vlinderpaleis and the Scheldt river is one of Antwerp’s newest neighbourhoods. Here you will find green areas, offices and residential towers. But the area is on your Antwerp itinerary, because in the plinth of these buildings, mainly along the Jos Smolderenstraat, you will find some really cool commercial art galleries.

Start at Tim van Laere Gallery and then continue to Everyday Gallery, PLUS-ONE Gallery and Gallery Sofie van de Velde. The galleries aren’t very big, but all of them have rotating exhibitions and are worthy of popping in.

18. Follow the Scheldt river back to Antwerp’s city centre

Your eyes are probably tired now from taking in so much art today, so time to walk back to the city centre. The Scheldt river is just one block away from the art galleries you visited, so head there and follow the river back into the centre.

Alternate between the river quay and cross to the street to take a look at postmodern Huis van Roosmalen and pop in to design shop Espoo if it’s still open. Keep walking until you are at the Sint-Annatunnel.

19. Visit the Sint-Annatunnel

The Sint-Annatunnel is the tunnel that runs underneath the Scheldt river. As you may have noticed there are no historical bridges across the Scheldt river, so taking the tunnel is basically the only way pedestrians and cyclists can cross to the other side.

The tunnel is 572 meters long and opened in 1933. Pretty much nothing has changed here since it opened almost a century ago. You can still see the cream coloured tiles and use the wooden escalators. Visiting the tunnel is really a must do on your Antwerp itinerary.

20. Have some Lebanese dinner at Shuk

Ask me about favourite cuisines and Middle Eastern cuisine will be somewhere in the top 3. Especially Iranian and Lebanese food I find finger licking delicious! So, tonight visit Shuk for some Middle Eastern street food.

Take your pick from a range of hummus, mezzes, bowls, pitas and salads. Pick and mix to fill the table with a range of plates for your party. For sure taste the za’atar chicken, the shakshuka and the fattoush salad and have a home made lemonade with fresh mint to drink.

21. Finish the night with cocktails at Dogma

Arguably the best cocktail bar in the city of Antwerp is Dogma which makes it the perfect place to finish your day. The atmosphere here is very eclectic and so is the music.

When you peek inside it might look full, but there are hidden rooms they can open, so don’t automatically assume it’s full. Hopefully you can get a table and sip one or more delicious cocktails before you get to bed.

Day 3 | Antwerp’s Hip and Happening Haringrode & Zurenborg

When you’re a coffee aficionado start your day with the best coffee in Antwerp and a delicious breakfast at MONO Coffee.

Then take the bus to the Middelheimmuseum for a few hours in the park and discover some outdoor art installations and statues.

Afterwards take it to Groenkwartier for coffee, lunch and drinks at PAKT. From there walk to the Zurenborg neighbourhood to visit Cogels-Osylei and then hang with the locals at Rush Rush Coffee.

Finish your 3-day itinerary in Antwerp with dinner at fine-dining restaurant The Jane.

22. Start day 3 of your Antwerp itinerary at MONO Coffee

So yeah another excellent coffee place on this things to do in Antwerp list. Food and specialty coffee are important, so head to Antwerpen Berchem for your breakfast at MONO Coffee. It’s a little bit out of the way, but the coffee shop is probably my favourite in Antwerp. At MONO they servce coffee from London based roasters Assembly.

Apart from the excellent coffee the small breakfast menu is just divine. I went for a slice of sourdough with goatcheese and plum and I cannot forget it ever since. It is totally worth the trip on the final day of your weekend in Antwerp.

MONO’s interior is fresh and modern, but still feels homey and welcoming. When the sun is out take it to the terrace to absorb a few of those lovely morning rays.

23. Take a walk in Antwerp’s Middelheimmuseum sculpture park

Next up on this Antwerp itinerary is the Middelheimmuseum. This free open air museum is situated in the Middelheim Park. The park is filled with sculptures and art installations and is a great example of landscape art. See if you can spot works from Auguste Rodin, Ai Weiwei and Bruce Nauman.

It’s quite a large beautiful area, so take your time to wander around the park. Enjoy the art, but also the peace and quietness. And bring a blanket and a picnic if the sun is shining, because the park is the perfect place for some time out.

24. Visit Groen Kwartier

No more art from now on, I promise! You can spend the afternoon of day 3 to chill and walk around the Haringrode and Zurenborg neighbourhoods. So, from Middelheimpark make you way to the Groen Kwartier, which is at the heart of the Haringrode neighbourhood.

Groen Kwartier used to be a military hospital, but has been going through some major transformations between 2005 and 2019. Nowadays, Groen Kwartier is a car free living and working area with lots of green space.

25. Have lunch at Racine PAKT

Continue your Antwerp itinerary by heading to PAKT, which is situated right next to Groen Kwartier. PAKT is housed in a bunch of derelict warehouses that have been transformed into what it is now by Ismail and Yusuf Yaman, and Stefan Bostoen who fell in love with the are in 2006.

The team was inspired by similar areas in Berlin and New York and wanted to create something like that for Antwerp. By combining sports, leisure and urban farming PAKT’s colourful and lively atmosphere was born.

What you find here are quite a few food and drink places, so why not take in PAKT by having lunch at Racine. This restaurant is right in the centre of it all so just a perfect place to enjoy the area.

26. Antwerp and Belgian Beer Tasting at Spéciale Belge Taproom

After lunch you can head downstairs to grab a coffee at Caffènation. Or, because it’s perhaps the end of your weekend in Antwerp, have a beer or two.

Belgium and beer are pretty much synonym to eachother, and that shows in the variety on offer at Spéciale Belge Taproom. There’s always 18 different beers served right out of the tank. And even more that come in a bottle. No worries if you don’t want to drink alcohol, because the non-alcoholic drinks menu is quite extensive too.

The team that runs the taproom are all fans of beer and especially micro breweries. That’s why they decided to get their own tanks and started brewing their own specialty beer. You will find Spéciale Belge’s own beers under the name ‘Tourist’ followed by the batch number. Enjoy!

27. Visit the Zurenborg neighbourhood

Next up on this list of best things to do in Antwerp can be found on the other side of the tracks. There you’ll find the popular neighbourhood of Zurenborg. It’s popular for a reason, because it’s just so beautiful and very lively.

Walk up and down the streets to admire the architecture and cross the squares or sit down at them to take in the atmospere. Popular hangouts include Walvis and Moeskop, or the Dageraadplaats square.

28. Walk along Antwerp most opulent street: Cogels-Osylei

Probably the most famous street in Antwerp is the Cogels-Osylei. This street is lined with the grandest mansions. The mansions are built in different styles, such as neoclassical, neo-gothic and art nouveau. They all scream opulence, and I love it.

29. Enjoy the terrace at Rush Rush Coffee

If the sun is still out either head to one of the hangouts in Zurenborg mentioned above, or sit with the cool kids at Rush Rush Coffee. This specialty coffee shop has a fantastic terrace. It’s not just coffee that is served here, but also a bunch of cold drinks such as ginger beer and a tasty cherry cooler.

30. Have a culinary experience at The Jane or untitled.

Final thing to do on this Antwerp itinerary is to enjoy dinner at one of Antwerp’s best restaurants, The Jane. To get there head back to Groen Kwartier where you’ll find The Jane inside the chapel buidling.

The Jane is a fine-dining restaurant, so expect perfectly plated food and immaculate service. But this comes at quite the investment of €265 for the tasting menu. Yikes?! I can imagine.

Alternatively, check out untitled., by the same chef, but at an a lot more accessible price level. Make your reservations in advance right here.

Where to stay in Antwerp

Whether you’re spending a few days or a weekend in Antwerp, make sure to stay at the right place. Antwerp is a very safe and walkable city, so technically you could stay anywhere, but…

Let me save you the hassle of finding the perfect spot to explore all the things to in Antwerp from. Check my suggested accommodations below.

Hampton by Hilton Antwerp Central Station

The perfect hotel for those that arrive at Antwerpen-Centraal station. No need to tow your luggage through the whole city, because the entrance is literally across the street from the station.

The Hampton by Hilton Antwerp Central Station is brand new, comfortable and clean. On top of that free breakfast is always included!

Hotel Riga

Right at the centre of everything is elegantly decorated boutique Hotel Riga. There’s just 12 rooms in this hotel and some of the rooms were once a paint shop frequented by Vincent van Gogh!

Hotel Julien

My final recommendation is for Hotel Julien. This boutique hotel has 21 rooms and each and every one of those is decorated to the brim with design furniture. Think Vitra and Eames for example. But also take a look at the art that’s on loan from Antwerp’s Gallery Fifty One.

The best thing about the hotel is that you can visit the rooftop. And from there you have amazing views of the Cathedral of Our Lady.

Not quite the Antwerp accommodation you’re looking for?

Looking for different accommodation? On booking.com you can explore further.

Final thoughts

Thanks for reading all the way through to the end of this 3-day Antwerp itinerary. I hope you have found sufficient inspiration to make the most out of your visit to Antwerp. Even if you’re only going for a day I count on it that you’ve found enough things to do in Antwerp to keep you busy.

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