Planning your trip to Antwerp: what to know before you go (2026)
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Antwerp doesn’t get anywhere near the hype of Brussels or Bruges, but if you like wandering medieval streets, sitting by the river with a decent beer, and stumbling across art you weren’t expecting, it’s one of the best weekend breaks in Europe. It’s a compact, walkable and very liveable place that’s easy to settle into for a weekend.
We’ve spent several weekends in Antwerp during our trips to Belgium, so everything here is based on first-hand experience.
This is the practical side of planning your trip: where to stay, how to get there, when to go, and what it costs. If you’re looking for what to actually see and do once you’re there, check out our guide to the best things to do in Antwerp, which covers our favourite sights, museums, hidden streets, and cafés.
Whether it’s your first time visiting Antwerp or you’re going back for another round, this should help you plan a trip that feels manageable and fun – rather than trying to cram everything in.
Antwerp quick facts
- Country: Belgium (Flanders region)
- Language: Dutch (English widely spoken)
- Currency: Euro (€)
- Best time to visit: April–May or September–October
- Days needed: 2–3 days for a first visit
- Getting there from London: 4 hours by train (Eurostar and connection)
- Known for: Fashion, diamonds, Rubens, beer, Art Nouveau architecture
Why visit Antwerp?
If you’re wondering whether to choose Antwerp over Brussels or Bruges: it’s more compact than Brussels, less overrun than Bruges, and has a local, lived-in feel that both of those cities sometimes lack.
Antwerp is often flies under the radar, even though it’s ridiculously easy to get to. From London, you can be in the city centre in under four hours by train, which makes it just as doable as Paris or Amsterdam – only with a lot less crowds.
It’s has a little bit of everything: winding medieval streets, bold modern architecture, more museums and galleries than a city this size should have, and great food that doesn’t just mean Belgian waffles (although, yes, they’re here too). One of our favourite days was just wandering the old town in the morning, grabbing lunch by the Scheldt, and ending up with a beer in the sun by mid-afternoon.
Because it’s so well connected, Antwerp slots easily into a bigger Belgium trip. You can pair it with Ghent, Bruges, or even hop over to the Netherlands, but it’s got enough going on to visit on it’s own as a long weekend away.
How many days do you need in Antwerp for a city break?
Two to three days is ideal for a first visit to Antwerp. That gives you enough time to see the main sights, eat well, and explore at least one neighbourhood beyond the old town without rushing.
Three or four days is usually enough to get a proper feel for the city. You’ll have time to explore the main sights, try local food, and wander around without rushing. Our guide to the best sites to explore in Antwerp will help plan your itinerary.
If you’ve got more time – five days or more – that’s when things get a bit more relaxed. You can explore neighbourhoods like Zurenborg properly, or take easy day trips to places like Ghent or Bruges. Extra days are also great if you’re big on museums, because Antwerp has a lot of them – check out our guide to all of Antwerp’s museums (23!).
Quick stay guide
- 24 hours: Wander the Old Town, visit Cathedral of Our Lady, and grab a beer by the Grote Markt. If you’re short on time, focus on the main square and pick one museum to see – it’s the most efficient way to see Antwerp in a day.
- 3 days (recommended): Day 1: Old Town and Rubenshuis; Day 2: MAS + riverfront walk + Eilandje; Day 3: cycle through Het Zuid, visit a museum or relax in a café.
- 5+ days: Consider a day trip to Ghent or Bruges, or spend extra time exploring art galleries and local bistros in Zurenborg. You can explore Antwerp’s trendy districts, like Het Zuid or Eilandje, without rushing.
Where should you stay in Antwerp?
Antwerp’s neighbourhoods all feel quite distinct, so where you stay does make a difference.
The Historic Centre (Centrum)
This is the postcard Antwerp with medieval buildings, busy squares, and most of the big sights close by. You’re near the Cathedral, the Grote Markt, and pretty much everything a first-timer wants to see.
It’s the most convenient base, though it’s busier and pricier than other areas. We’d recommend it for a first visit, especially if you’re only here for a weekend.
Our picks for the Historic Centre
- Hotel Julien (£££): a beautiful small hotel tucked into two historic buildings around a green courtyard, about five-minutes walk from the Grote Markt. Rooms blend original period details with clean, modern design: exposed beams, lots of natural light, and very comfortable beds. There’s a rooftop terrace with views over the old town, which is lovely for a drink in the evening. One of the most special places to stay in Antwerp. Book Hotel Julien on Booking.com.
- Hotel ‘t Sandt (££): a charming boutique hotel right in the heart of the old town, converted from a former post office. Rooms are spacious with a cosy, classic feel, and breakfast is included. The location is hard to beat, as you’re steps from the Cathedral and the main square. A good option if you want comfort and character without the top-tier price tag. View Hotel ‘t Sandt on Booking.com.
- Citybox Antwerp (£): a slick, self-service hotel about a ten-minute walk from the Grote Markt. Check-in is automated, rooms are small but smartly designed, and everything feels fresh and modern. There’s no restaurant or lobby bar, but at this price in this location, it’s excellent value. A great pick if you just need a clean, comfortable room and plan to spend your time out in the city. View Citybox Antwerp on Booking.com.
Het Zuid (South)
Just south of the old town, but still an easy walk in. This is one of our favourite areas. It feels more relaxed and creative, with lots of galleries, museums, and restaurants that feel aimed at locals rather than tourists.
If you like evenings that involve good food and wine rather than souvenir shops, Het Zuid is a great shout. It’s also home to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and FoMu (the photography museum), so you’re well placed for culture without trekking back to the centre.
Our picks for Het Zuid
- Hotel Pilar (££): a design-led boutique hotel right opposite the Royal Museum of Fine Arts. The rooms are spacious and minimal, with open-plan rain showers and mid-century furniture. Breakfast in the café downstairs was a highlight for us – it’s excellent. View Hotel Pilar on Booking.com.
- Boutique Hotel Maison Emile (££): a charming B&B-style hotel in a converted townhouse on a quiet street. Ten individually decorated rooms, friendly owners, and a good breakfast spread. It feels personal without being fussy. A solid mid-range option in one of the best parts of the city. View Maison Emile on Booking.com.
- B&B HOTEL Antwerpen Zuid (£): a no-frills modern chain hotel on the edge of Het Zuid. Rooms are small but clean and functional, and you’re a short walk from the museums and restaurants. It won’t win any design awards, but it’s hard to beat on price for this neighbourhood. Book B&B HOTEL Antwerpen Zuid on Booking.com.
Eilandje (Island)
The old docklands area is now a modern waterfront district with a mix of modern and traditional architecture, trendy bars, and the brilliant MAS (Museum aan de Stroom). It’s where a lot of Antwerp’s nightlife has shifted to in recent years.
It’s a bit quieter and more contemporary, which we liked after busy days sightseeing. It can feel slightly sterile compared to the historic centre, but some more calm and still, don’t mind being a little further out, it works well.
Our picks for Eilandje
- U Eat & Sleep Antwerp (£££): a stylish 4-star hotel right on the docks with views over the water and the MAS. The rooms are sleek and modern, and the on-site restaurant is worth eating at (not just “hotel restaurant” decent). If you want to treat yourself and don’t mind being outside the old town, this is the one. [Book U Eat & Sleep on Booking.com →]
- Hotel Docklands (££): a friendly 3-star hotel in the heart of Eilandje with a modern, unfussy feel. Rooms are comfortable and well-sized, and you’re surrounded by restaurants and bars. Public transport into the centre is right on the doorstep. Good value for the area. View Hotel Docklands on Booking.com.
- Holiday Inn Express Antwerp City-North (£): a reliable, modern hotel on the edge of Eilandje with free breakfast included (which is rare at this price point). Rooms are compact but clean and functional, and there’s a metro stop right outside that gets you to the centre in minutes. Book Holiday Inn Express City-North on Booking.com.
Can’t decide? Browse all available hotels in Antwerp on Booking.com or Agoda to compare prices for your dates.
How do you get to Antwerp?
The easiest way to get to Antwerp from the UK is by train: Eurostar to Brussels (around 2 hours), then a connecting train to Antwerp Central (about 45 minutes). The whole journey takes roughly 4 hours, door to door.
By train
Antwerp Central Station is a major railway hub. Direct trains run from many European cities, including Paris, Amsterdam, and Brussels.
The train station itself is worth seeing, often listed among the world’s most beautiful train stations because of its grand main hall.
From London, you can take the Eurostar to Brussels (3.5 hours) and then connect to Antwerp (45 minutes). Our guide to taking the Eurostar to Belgium will help you.
From Antwerp Central Station, it’s a short walk (about 15 minutes) to the city centre.
Alternatively, you can take tram lines 3, 5, 9 or 15. These run directly from the station to various points in the centre. Taxis are also available outside the station.
You can book Eurostar tickets on Rail Europe, who often have offers and discounts. We’d recommend booking early, as prices go up closer to the date.
By air
Antwerp Airport is small and only serves a handful of regional routes. You can take a bus or taxi to the city centre, which is just a 15-minute drive away.
If you’re flying, you’ll almost certainly arrive at Brussels Airport instead. From there, the easiest way to reach Antwerp is by the direct train to Antwerp Central Station. The journey takes around 30 minutes. You can buy paper tickets from machines in the train station using debit or credit card (tickets cost about €9 one-way).
We always use Trip.com to compare flights and find the best deals.
By car
Antwerp is well connected by motorway from Brussels and the Netherlands.
From the UK, you’re looking at a ferry to Calais or Dunkirk, then a 3–4 hour drive. From Brussels it’s about 45 minutes, and from Bruges around an hour.
One thing to note: Antwerp has a Low Emission Zone. You may need to register your car in advance, and parking in the centre is expensive. If you’re driving, park-and-ride is usually the least stressful option.
How do you get around Antwerp?
Cycling and walking
We’ve only ever walked around Antwerp, and it works really well. Most of the main sights are within about 20 minutes of each other, and walking is half the fun.
It’s also very bike-friendly, with dedicated cycle lanes and plenty of places to rent bikes if you want to cover a bit more ground.
Public transport
We didn’t use public transport much once we were there, but trams and buses cover the city well if you need them.
You can buy single tram/bus tickets at vending machines at tram and bus stops for around €3 – €4, or use contactless (card/phone).
The De Lijn Day pass (around €7) gives you unlimited travel within the city – but it’s only worth it if you’ll use it a lot.
The De Lijn app is helpful for planning your journey and buying tickets online.
Taxis and car shares
Taxis are available throughout Antwerp.
You can hail them on the street or find them at taxi stands.
Uber is also available in Antwerp, however, we’ve found it to be pricier than local taxis.
When is the best time to visit Antwerp?
We’ve found that the best time to visit Antwerp is spring (April–May) or early autumn (September–October). The weather’s decent, the city feels busy without being overwhelming, and hotel prices are reasonable.
Summer can be hot and crowded, while winter is colder and wetter – although Antwerp’s Christmas market is excellent and worth a trip on its own if you’re into that sort of thing.
There are also plenty of events throughout the year, like fashion and art markets. Just be aware that Antwerp is compact and hotel prices jump during major events. Check the city’s event calendar to see what’s on during your visit. If you’re not interested in the event then you may want to visit another time.
What should I do in Antwerp?
Antwerp has so much to offer! Without giving away too much (we’ve written a whole separate guide for that), our favourites were:
The old town is beautiful for wandering with cobbled streets, guild houses, and plenty of spots to sit with a coffee or a beer. The Cathedral of Our Lady towers over everything and houses several Rubens masterpieces. The Grote Markt is the main square and worth seeing at least once, even if it’s a bit touristy.
Beyond the obvious, there’s the MAS museum in the Eilandje district (free rooftop views) telling Antwerp’s history, Rubenshuis (Rubens’ former home), and so many other museums – we counted 23. Antwerp’s diamond district isn’t the most visually exciting area to walk through, but it’s an interesting piece of the city and the world’s largest diamond trading hub. The DIVA museum covers the diamond trade in depth.
Check out our guide to our favourite places to go in Antwerp for our top recommendations.
How much does a trip to Antwerp cost?
Antwerp isn’t as cheap as eastern Europe, but it’s more affordable than Amsterdam or Paris. Here’s a rough idea of daily costs based on our experience as a couple:
- Budget (€120-140 per day): staying in cheap hotels, eating street food and supermarket lunches, and walking everywhere.
- Mid-range (€160–180 per day): a decent hotel, sit-down lunches, and a couple of museum entries.
- Top end (€240+ per day): boutique hotels and restaurant dinners.
Some specific costs to plan for: a beer in a bar is usually €3–5, a main course at a mid-range restaurant €15–22, museum entry €8–14, and a single tram ticket around €3–4. Tipping isn’t expected in Belgium, but rounding up is appreciated.
Where should I eat and drink in Antwerp?
We didn’t do a huge amount of research before our first visit and just wandered until we found somewhere we liked, which worked surprisingly well. A few places that stood out:
For a proper Belgian beer experience, Kulminator in the centre has an amazing selection of vintage and craft beers in an old-school setting. If you want something more modern, the bars around Eilandje are great for a riverside drink on a warm evening.
For food, the streets around Hendrik Conscienceplein have a good cluster of restaurants that feel more local than touristy. We also loved grabbing frites from Frites Atelier (a gourmet chip shop by a Michelin-starred chef) – it sounds pretentious, but it’s excellent and cheap.
Belgian waffles are everywhere. The ones from street vendors are fine, but if you want the best, look for places that make Liège waffles fresh – they’re denser and sweeter than the Brussels style.
If you want a guided food experience, book an Antwerp food tour on GetYourGuide – it’s a good way to try several places in one go.
What should I pack to visit Antwerp?
Antwerp is a walking city, so comfortable shoes are definitely needed – cobblestones are charming until your feet disagree.
Belgian weather is unpredictable (we got rained on in every season we’ve visited), so a decent waterproof jacket is helpful. Layers help too, since mornings can be cool even in summer.
Beyond that, you don’t need anything special – it’s a normal European city.
How can I be more sustainable when I visit Antwerp?
Antwerp is making efforts to become a more sustainable city. Here are a few ways you can travel more responsibly:
- Walk or use public transport/bike: Antwerp has an excellent public transport system and plenty of bike lanes. Using a bike rental like Velo Antwerp makes exploring eco-friendly and fast.
- Support local businesses: Eat at local restaurants and shop at independent stores.
- Bring a reusable water bottle: Refill it at water fountains throughout the city (you can drink the tap water).
- Choose eco-friendly accommodations: Look for hotels or guesthouses with sustainability certifications.
- Respect the environment: Avoid littering and dispose of waste properly.
Find out more ideas to travel sustainably.
What else should I know about Antwerp?
Anvers is the French name for Antwerp – had we known this then getting the train would have been a lot easier (‘we want to go to Antwerp, not Anvers…’).
Antwerp offers a city card which gives free entry to 16 attractions, discounts to others, and free public transport. Like all city cards, you’ll need to work out whether you’ll use it enough to make it worth it.
A lot of museums and other attractions close on Mondays, so bear that in mind when planning your visit.
What do I need to know about travelling in Belgium?
So, when are you visiting Antwerp?
Antwerp is a city that you’ll love, with its unique blend of history, culture, and modernity.
It’s easy to get around and has a great nightlife. It’s also easy to get to, so perfect for a long weekend away or as part of a tour of Belgium.
Next steps:
- Decide what to see: our guide to our guide to the best things to do in Antwerp covers our top picks, hidden spots, and a suggested walking route
- Explore more of Belgium: see our Belgian travel content for Ghent, Bruges, Brussels, and beyond
- Travel more sustainably: our sustainable travel tips have ideas that work for any trip.
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