We had a long weekend in Antwerp in October 2024, and didn’t know much about it before we left. We were very impressed – check out our full guide here – and especially impressed by the number and range of Antwerp museums!
Antwerp is a hidden gem of art and history, with a museum for every interest. From world-class art and diamond museums to quirky niche spots, you’ll find countless reasons to fall in love with this port city’s cultural scene.
We’ve found all the museums Antwerp has to offer to help you plan your trip here. Let us know what we’ve missed!
The practical stuff
Ticket prices and free admission
Museum tickets range from €8 to €15, with some free entry options, especially on the first Wednesday.
The Antwerp City Card
Antwerp’s city card gives you free entry to 16 museums (as well as four churches and three attractions, discounts at other places, and free travel on public transport).
It’s quite expensive (like most city cards) costing €45 for 24 hours, €55 for 48 hours and €65 for 72 hours. You’ll need to work out the museums you want to go to and whether its cheaper to pay individually or get the card.
Opening hours and time slots
Most museums are open from Tuesday to Sunday, with typical hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Make sure you plan your visit in advance if you’re there on a Monday, as most museums are shut.
Some major sites use time-slot ticketing to manage crowds during peak times, especially for popular or temporary exhibitions, so we’d recommend booking in advance.
Accessibility and getting around
Most museums are within walking distance in Antwerp’s city centre, close to landmarks like the Cathedral of Our Lady and the City Hall. For those slightly further out, we used the City Mapper app and took public transport (Antwerp’s bus and tram network is excellent).
What are Antwerp’s museums?
Museum aan de Stroom (MAS)
Located on Antwerp’s harbour, Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) explores Antwerp’s identity as a port city and its connections with the wider world. The MAS building itself is a masterpiece, with bold red sandstone and undulating glass walls that reflect the river.
Inside, MAS has various exhibitions dedicated to Antwerp’s place in history, focusing on trade, food, the home, and its experience during World War Two.
Each floor of MAS tells a different story, from the city’s maritime history to it’s rooftop, which gives brilliant views of Antwerp’s skyline. The rooftop is free to enter, if you don’t fancy seeing the museum.
Location: Hanzestedenplaats 1, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €10 for adults; free for children under 12; free on the first Wednesday of every month.
Website: MAS Antwerp
Opening times: Monday to Thursday 10:00am – 5:00pm, Friday to Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
Rubenshuis (Rubens House)
The Rubenshuis, or Rubens House, is a captivating museum located in the former residence of the renowned Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens. You can see rooms where Rubens painted some of his masterpieces, including art from his own collection and works by contemporaries such as Anthony van Dyck.
You’ll step into Rubens’ grand studio, where you can still feel the creative energy that once filled the space. Rubenshuis is particularly fascinating for its art room, housing works from Rubens and his contemporaries, and for the courtyard garden, inspired by Italian Renaissance villas.
Location: Hopland 13, 2000 Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €12 for adults; discounts available for students and groups.
Website: Rubens House
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
Chocolate Nation
Antwerp is often called the “City of Diamonds,” but it could just as easily be known as the City of Chocolate! Chocolate Nation is a museum dedicated to Belgium’s most famous sweet treat. Across from Antwerp’s Central Station, Chocolate Nation takes you on an immersive journey, explaining the brewing process of chocolate and exploring how Antwerp became one of the largest importers of cocoa beans worldwide.
From interactive exhibits to tasting sessions, Chocolate Nation is a full sensory experience. You’ll learn about the bean-to-bar process and get to taste some of the finest chocolates Belgium has to offer.
Location: Koningin Astridplein 7, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €12.50 for adults; discounts available for groups and children.
Website: Chocolate Nation
Opening times: Daily 10:00am – 6:00pm; Closed: None.
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA)
Recently reopened after an extensive renovation, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) is one of Europe’s finest art museums and one of the best Antwerp museums. This new building combines modern design with classical architecture, housing a selection of the best museums within its walls. Here, you’ll find masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens, Jan van Eyck, and Hans Memling, as well as a collection of contemporary art.
The museum’s architecture itself is a highlight, with light-filled rooms and spacious galleries that showcase the artwork beautifully. There are permanent and temporary exhibitions, including everything from the 16th-century Flemish masters to avant-garde modern pieces.
Location: Leopold De Waelplaats 2, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €12 for adults, with discounts for students, children, and seniors.
Website: KMSKA
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
Plantin-Moretus Museum
Located in the former home of Christophe Plantin and his son-in-law Jan Moretus, the Plantin-Moretus Museum offers an immersive journey through the early days of printing. It’s the only printing museum on the UNESCO World Heritage List, housing the oldest printing presses in the world. The building itself, once a prominent publishing house, is filled with historical artefacts, including rare books, prints, and a reading room that transports you back to the Middle Ages.
Highlights include the works of Pieter Bruegel and the original Gutenberg Bibles, making it one of the world’s most prestigious collections of early prints. The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a testament to Antwerp’s role as a centre of the Renaissance publishing world, and the Moretus family’s legacy lives on through every room.
Location: Vrijdagmarkt 22, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €12; free entry on the first Wednesday of the month
Website: Plantin-Moretus Museum
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
Red Star Line Museum
The Red Star Line Museum offers a poignant look at the lives of the many immigrants who passed through Antwerp on their way to the New World. Housed in the historic building that once served as a processing centre for travellers, this museum brings to life the personal stories of those who boarded the Red Star Line ships in search of a better life. You’ll get a sense of the courage, hope, and dreams that motivated people to leave everything behind.
With reconstructed cabins, memorabilia, and multimedia displays, the museum is both moving and educational. The Red Star Line Museum is an essential stop for anyone interested in Antwerp’s history as a port city and its role in the lives of so many emigrants.
Location: Montevideostraat 3, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €10 for adults; discounts for seniors, youth, and groups.
Website: Red Star Line Museum
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
MoMu Fashion Museum
Antwerp is globally renowned for its contributions to fashion, and MoMu showcases this legacy in style. Located in a stylish building on Nationalestraat, MoMu’s temporary exhibitions regularly feature innovative themes, including the influential Antwerp Six.
Its extensive collection includes everything from haute couture to archival pieces by prominent designers. You can explore iconic pieces, original sketches, and multimedia displays that capture the creative process behind legendary designs.
Location: Nationalestraat 28, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €12 for adults; €3 for those aged 18-25; free for those under 18.
Website: MoMu Antwerp
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
DIVA – Museum of Diamonds, Jewellery, and Silver
DIVA is Antwerp’s treasure trove of diamonds, jewellery, and silver. This museum tells the story of Antwerp as the city of diamonds through interactive exhibits that delve into the artistry and craftsmanship of jewellery making. DIVA’s exhibition space includes everything from Renaissance-era treasures to modern masterpieces, with fascinating insights into Antwerp’s historic role in the diamond trade.
The museum has a unique interactive way of presenting its collection, with multimedia displays and carefully curated pieces that take you from the origins of diamond cutting to the contemporary jewellery industry.
Location: Suikerrui 17-19, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €12 for adults; €8 for those aged 18-25; free for those under 18.
Website: DIVA Antwerp
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
Museum Mayer van den Bergh
Tucked away in a historic building, Museum Mayer van den Bergh is a lesser-known but one of the most enchanting Antwerp museums. This museum is named after art collector Fritz Mayer van den Bergh, who gathered an extensive collection of medieval and Renaissance art. The museum’s prized possession is Pieter Bruegel’s famous work, Mad Meg, alongside other pieces by Hans Memling and Jan van Eyck.
Museum Mayer van den Bergh feels like a time capsule with its intimate rooms and carefully curated displays.
Location: Lange Gasthuisstraat 19, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €8 for adults; €1 for ages 12-25; free for children under 12.
Website: Museum Mayer van den Bergh
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
Museum De Reede
Museum De Reede focuses exclusively on prints and engravings, featuring an extensive collection from artists like Francisco Goya, Edvard Munch, and Félicien Rops.
The museum provides a close-up look at printmaking techniques and the intense expressions of its featured artists. Francisco Goya’s haunting prints, Munch’s psychological explorations, and Rops’ provocative imagery all offer a glimpse into the depth of graphic art.
Location: Ernest Van Dijckkaai 7, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €10 for adults; €7.50 for ages 13-25 and seniors; free for children under 13.
Website: Museum De Reede
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 11:00am – 6:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
Snijders & Rockoxhuis
The Snijders & Rockoxhuis offers a journey into the lives of Antwerp’s wealthy 17th-century elite. This dual museum combines the former residences of painter Frans Snijders and Nicolaas Rockox, a wealthy art collector and mayor of Antwerp. Both homes are filled with an entire collection of period furniture, paintings, and decorative items that bring the Baroque era to life.
This museum feels more like a former home than a traditional gallery, with each room offering a glimpse into 17th-century life. From grand portraits to intricate still lifes, it’s a great way to learn about the day-to-day lives of Antwerp’s prosperous residents.
Location: Keizerstraat 10-12, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €8 for adults; €6 for ages 18-25; free for those under 18.
Website: Snijders & Rockoxhuis
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
Middelheim Museum
If you’re looking for an open-air sculpture museum, the Middelheim Museum is the perfect spot. Located in the village of Middelheim on the outskirts of Antwerp, this Antwerp museum sprawls across 30 acres of parkland, featuring over 200 sculptures by artists from around the world. Ai Weiwei and Hans Arp are just a few of the international figures whose work you’ll find here.
Exploring Middelheim is a refreshing change of pace, combining art with nature in an absolutely gorgeous park. The museum is free to visit and perfect for a leisurely day out. You can bring a picnic and spend a few hours wandering among the sculptures, enjoying art in a beautiful outdoor setting.
Location: Middelheimlaan 61, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: Free admission
Website: Middelheim Museum
Opening times: Daily 10:00am – 5:00pm
FoMu – Photo Museum
FoMu – Photo Museum features a dynamic programme of temporary exhibitions, showcasing both historic and contemporary photography from Belgian and international artists. Located in the trendy Zuid district, FoMu covers a range of themes from documentary to fine art photography, making it one of Antwerp’s premier spots for contemporary visual arts.
FoMu offers a mix of styles and subjects, with some exhibits highlighting the city of Antwerp itself through historic photos, while others explore themes as varied as fashion, architecture, and social issues.
Location: Waalsekaai 47, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €12 for adults; €5 for ages 18-25; free for those under 18.
Website: FoMu Antwerp
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
M HKA – Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp
M HKA – Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp offers an exhibition space that regularly rotates with thought-provoking contemporary works. Its collection covers multiple media, including installations, paintings, and performance art, providing a comprehensive view of Belgium’s place in the international art scene.
The museum’s permanent collection includes works by renowned artists like Félicien Rops and hosts temporary exhibits by emerging talents.
Location: Leuvenstraat 32, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €10 for adults; €3 for ages 18-25; free for those under 18.
Website: M HKA Antwerp
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum
The Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum (Flemish Tram and Bus Museum) is located in an old tram depot and is dedicated to the evolution of public transport in Belgium. The museum has an impressive collection of historic tramcars, buses, and trolleybuses, many of which have been beautifully restored to their former glory.
Exploring the Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum is a nostalgic journey through Belgian public transport history. You’ll see vehicles dating back over a century, with detailed exhibits explaining the city of Antwerp’s pivotal role in connecting communities.
Location: Diksmuidelaan 42, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €5 for adults; €2.50 for children aged 6-12; free for children under 6.
Website: Vlaams Tram- en Autobusmuseum
Opening times: Saturday and Sunday 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Closed: Monday to Friday.
Eugeen Van Mieghem Museum
This museum celebrates the works of Eugeen Van Mieghem, an artist deeply inspired by the lives of the working-class people who frequented the Antwerp docks. Located on the Scheldt riverbank, the Eugeen Van Mieghem Museum tells the story of this artist’s life and work through an extensive collection of drawings and paintings.
Van Mieghem’s art captures a gritty and honest depiction of life in Antwerp in the early 20th century. Through his portraits of dockworkers, immigrants, and local residents, you’ll gain insights into the hardships and resilience of the city’s people.
Location: Ernest Van Dijckkaai 9, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €8 for adults; free for those under 18.
Website: Eugeen Van Mieghem Museum
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
Stampe & Vertongen Museum
Located at Antwerp Airport, the Stampe & Vertongen Museum is dedicated to the pioneers of Belgian aviation. Named after two famous Antwerp aviators, Jean Stampe and Maurice Vertongen, this museum showcases vintage planes, historical photographs, and artefacts from early aviation history.
A highlight of the visit is seeing the Stampe SV.4, an iconic biplane used in World War II, as well as exhibits on the Red Star Line ship and Antwerp’s role as an aviation hub.
Location: Antwerp Airport
Ticket Prices: €8 for adults; €5 for ages 6-12; free for children under 6.
Website: Stampe & Vertongen Museum
Opening times: Saturday and Sunday 2:00pm – 5:00pm; Closed: Monday to Friday.
Volxmuseum – the people’s museum
The Volxmuseum, or People’s Museum, is one of the quirkier and offbeat Antwerp museums and is dedicated to everyday objects and local history. This museum features an eclectic collection of historic objects ranging from toys and household items to tools and furniture. Each object tells a story, providing a window into the daily life of Antwerp’s past residents.
Volxmuseum offers a nostalgic experience, with artefacts from the 19th and 20th centuries that bring Antwerp’s history to life in a uniquely personal way. It’s an especially interesting visit for anyone curious about social history and the city’s cultural evolution.
Location: Koraalplaats 2, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: Entry by donation
Website: Volxmuseum Antwerp
Opening times: Saturday and Sunday 2:00pm – 6:00pm; Closed: Monday to Friday.
Visitor Center Het Steen
The Visitor Center Het Steen is housed in Antwerp’s oldest building, Het Steen castle, which dates back to the Middle Ages. Recently restored, the centre provides an immersive introduction to Antwerp’s history and serves as the perfect starting point for your city exploration. With its interactive way of presenting the city’s past, Het Steen offers multimedia displays and engaging exhibits about the port city and its development over the centuries.
You can climb up to the tower for views of the Scheldt River too (this bit is free to enter). We’d recommend going at the beginning of your visit to Antwerp, as you might get some ideas of places to go.
Location: Steenplein 1, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: Free admission
Website: Het Steen Visitor Center
Opening times: Daily 10:00am – 6:00pm
Letterenhuis (House of Literature)
The Letterenhuis, or House of Literature, is Belgium’s largest literary archive and a fascinating stop for anyone interested in Flemish literature. It houses manuscripts, letters, and books by some of the most prominent Flemish authors. You can explore the creative processes of writers through a variety of documents and exhibits that offer insight into Belgian literary culture.
The museum includes a reading room where you can browse through archived works, and temporary exhibitions explore specific literary themes or authors.
Location: Minderbroedersstraat 22, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €5 for adults; €3 for ages 18-25; free for children under 18.
Website: Letterenhuis Antwerp
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am – 5:00pm; Closed: Mondays.
Cathedral of Our Lady (art and heritage exhibitions)
The Cathedral of Our Lady isn’t only one of Antwerp’s most famous landmarks but also a hub for art and heritage exhibitions. This Gothic cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to iconic works of art, including Peter Paul Rubens’ masterpieces like the Raising of the Cross and Descent from the Cross. Beyond its stunning architecture, the cathedral’s art room displays an impressive collection of works that highlight the city’s artistic heritage.
Besides art, the cathedral also has exhibits that explain the building’s history and its importance as a spiritual centre in Antwerp.
Location: Groenplaats 21, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €12 for adults; €6 for students and seniors; free for children under 12.
Website: Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp
Opening times: Monday to Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm
St. Paul’s Church Art Gallery
St. Paul’s Church is a stunning Baroque church located in the heart of Antwerp, and it houses an exceptional art gallery featuring works by Anthony van Dyck, Peter Paul Rubens, and Jan van Eyck. The church itself is an architectural marvel, with elaborate interiors and a rich history.
Its art gallery includes significant religious works, and the church occasionally hosts temporary exhibitions that highlight different aspects of its extensive collection.
Location: Sint-Paulusstraat 22, Antwerp
Ticket Prices: €5 for standard entry; €3 for students. Free on the first Tuesday of every month.
Website: St. Paul’s Church Antwerp
Opening times: Daily 2am – 5:00pm (from 1st November to 31st March, only Saturdays and Sundays).
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