by 3BRBS / CC BY-SA 3.0  

Belgium's Striking Second City

A. About Antwerp

Nickname:  The Diamond Capital of the World

Once Europe's most important trading city, Antwerp still possesses one of the biggest ports in the world.

In the center of Antwerp, one can find a substantial number of museums and architectural sights — both modern and historical ones.

Best Things to do in

The Good:

Belgium's second city is a very safe and clean destination.

Furthermore, the city possesses numerous pedestrian zones, and you can expect welcoming and hospitable people.

The Not-So-Good:

The only slight weak point is that Antwerp is quite expensive.


B. Best Things to Do in Antwerp 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than forty-five sights in Antwerp. The following sights contribute to a score of 6.45/10 in this most important category:

# Cathedral of Our Lady 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Completed in 1521 after 169 years of construction, this large seven-naved Gothic cathedral is home to four masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens.

Roman Catholic Cathedral

by Alvesgaspar / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Koninklijk Museum (Royal Fine Arts Museum) 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

This museum displays in a recently renovated building a great collection of western art, with remarkable ensembles of works of artists from Belgium or from the former Southern Netherlands from the 15th to the 21st centuries.

Show Top 5 Paintings (click here)

Museum Gallery Space: ca. 5,000 m2 | Artworks on Display: ca. 2,000 | Established: 1810 | Visitors (2010): 153 214

(Click on images to open in lightbox)

by Ad Meskens / CC BY-SA 3.0

# MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

The 60-metre-high (200 ft) MAS, which stands for the Dutch "museum on the river", is focusing on Antwerp's history of trade and cultural exchange. There is a splendid view from the rooftop. 

Museum | Modern Architecture | Viewpoint

by Zinneke / CC BY-SA 3.0

# PLANTIN-MORETUS MUSEUM 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Housed in a magnificent building, this UNESCO-enlisted printing museum focuses on the work of the 16th-century printers Christophe Plantin and Jan Moretus and takes you back to Antwerp’s golden sixteenth century.

Museum World Heritage Site: since 2005

by Thomas Quine / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Old Centre 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Dominated by the steeple of the Cathedral, the charming Old Town of Antwerp is still showing that during the 16th century the city was one of the most important financial centers of the world.

City District

by Francisco Anzola / CC BY-SA 2.0

# The Port House 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects for the Antwerp Port Authority, this magnificent shimmering diamond-shaped building was completed in 2016 over an existing former fire station. It is worth visiting the lobby of this architectural marvel which has an impressive "atrium".

Modern Building Constructed: 2012 – 2016 | Architects: Zaha Hadid Architects

by Bobo Boom / CC BY-SA 2.0

# Het Steen Fortress 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Located along the Scheldt River, this fairy-tale-like medieval fortress is Antwerp's oldest building. Het Steen, which translates to 'The Stone', as we see it today, was built around 1200-1225.

Fortress

by Jean-Pol Grandmont / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Rubens House 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Located in the heart of Antwerp, this former home, studio, and garden of the famous 16th-17th-century Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens is now a museum. 

Museum

by Jerrye and Roy Klotz Md / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Dierentuin (Antwerp Zoo) 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

This zoo in the middle of town and is a green oasis next to Central Station is one of the oldest and best-known in Europe. Highlights include koalas, red pandas, rhinoceros, okapi, the zoo’s beautiful buildings, and a flower-decked walkway.

Zoo Established: 1843 | Size: 110 000 m2, 27 acres / 11 hectares | No. of species: 950 | No. of animals: 5,000 | Annual Visitors: 1,600,000

by Cornischong/ CC BY-SA 1.0

# Central Railway Station 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

With its stunning belle époque iron and glass dome, this train station is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. After an extensive and award-winning renovation finished in 2010, contemporary and historical, are found to be in perfect symbiosis with each other.

Railway Station

by CivArmy / CC BY-SA 4.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Antwerp

    • Grote Markt (city square) 5
    • Town Hall 5
    • Red Star Line (museum) 5
    • Fashion Museum (MoMU) 5
    • Shopping Stadsfeestzaal 5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Antwerp

Brussels 7

City Distance from Antwerp: 45 km

Ghent 6

City Distance from Antwerp: 61 km

Bruges 6

City Distance from Antwerp: 109 km

E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Antwerp (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend you visit first while spending at least three or more days in Antwerp.

Cathedral of Our Lady 6

Royal Fine Arts Museum 6

MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) 6

PLANTIN-MORETUS MUSEUM 6

Old Centre 6

The Port House 5.5

Het Steen Fortress 5.5

Rubens House5.5

Dierentuin (Antwerp Zoo) 5.5

Central Railway Station 5.5