Antwerp Travelers Recommend

Two days in Antwerp allow you to go beyond the historic center and important museums to explore the neighborhoods responsible for the city’s cosmopolitan reputation, such as trendy Zuid, home of cutting-edge galleries and chic boutiques. Here’s how to get the most out of two days in Belgium’s second-largest city.

Day 1: Artistic Antwerp

**Morning:**Rise early, jump aboard a hop-on hop-off bus, and head straight to the Rubens House (Rubenshuis) to enter the world of Peter Paul Rubens, Antwerp’s most illustrious son. Explore opulently furnished rooms filled with antique furniture and Rubens masterpieces before heading over to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

**Afternoon:**Tick off more sights in less time on a bike tour. Options for exploring the cycle-friendly city are plentiful: Visit the De Koninck city brewery for beer tasting or the district of Burie, famous for its Belgian chocolate. Another option is to combine a bike tour of the historic center with a cruise on the River Scheldt. 

**Night:**Spend the evening getting acquainted with Belgium’s culinary scene, which is most famous for its beer, waffles, and chocolate. Stray from the beaten path and discover local haunts on a beer-tasting tour, or get the inside scoop on the best Antwerp eateries during a food tour that also focuses on the city’s history. 

Day 2: Get Out of the Old Town

**Morning:**Dedicate your second day in Antwerp to exploring districts outside of the historic center. Zoom along the banks of the River Scheldt on a Segway tour that reveals both top attractions and hidden gems and includes stops at Green Square (Groenplaats) and the Diamond District, considered the diamond capital of the world. 

**Afternoon:**Take a few hours to explore Zuid, a former industrial district that now proves Antwerp is Belgium’s capital of cool. Indulge a love of modern art at FOMU photography museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp, where you’ll also find an art-house cinema and rooftop restaurant, before relaxing in a quirky café. 

**Night:**Once the sun has set, head to the bustling Grand Market Place (Grote Markt), which comes alive at night. Admire illuminated buildings such as the Cathedral of Our Lady and the ornate Antwerp Town Hall before enjoying Belgian delicacies such as french fries and craft beer at one of the restaurants surrounding the square. 

Antwerp’s small size and close proximity to several European countries make it easy to explore in just a day. Whether you want to wander the historic Old Town, browse jewelry shops for dazzling diamonds, or indulge in Belgian chocolate and beer, here’s how to get the most out of 24 hours in Belgium’s capital of cool. 

Morning: City Sightseeing

Orient yourself in the historic center of the city on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which gives you the freedom to disembark at attractions of your choice. Jump off at Grand Market Place (Grote Markt van Antwerpen), a triangular-shaped marketplace surrounded by grand, 16th-century buildings. Head inside the Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal), home to two famous paintings by Flemish baroque master Peter Paul Rubens. Pose for a photograph beside the Brabo Fountain, which represents the legend of Antwerp’s conception, and admire the candy-striped facade of Butcher’s Hall (Vleeshuis), a former meat market turned music history museum.

Afternoon: Be Dazzled by Diamonds

Begin by admiring the interior and exterior of Central Station, a transit hub so grand that it’s nicknamed the Railway Cathedral by locals. From here, board the dedicated diamond bus and spend the afternoon exploring Antwerp’s Diamond District, through which 84% of the world’s uncut diamonds pass every year. Soak up the multicultural atmosphere created by Indian, Lebanese, Russian, and Chinese gem dealers, and take a guided tour of Diamondland, the largest diamond showroom in Antwerp. Guided tours offer a glimpse into the workshop, where you’ll see craftspeople polishing gems and creating diamond jewelry.   

Night: Make a Toast to Belgian Beer

No visit to Belgium would be complete without sampling some of the country’s world-famous beer. Kick-start your evening in Antwerp on a beer-tasting tour led by a local, during which you’ll visit several bars and taste distinctive beer types. You can also add a stop at the De Koninck Brewery to the start of your tour to get the inside scoop on how Belgian beers are brewed and manufactured. For dinner, be sure to sample local classics such as crispy french fries smothered in mayonnaise and fluffy waffles drizzled with Belgian chocolate. 

Three days in Antwerp gives you ample time to enjoy the city’s highlights and still take in another European city. Whether you want to focus on Antwerp’s art scene or cross the border to Amsterdam, here’s how to make the most of three days in Belgium’s second city. 

Day 1: History and Heritage of Antwerp

Devote day one to orienting yourself in the historic center of Antwerp, which is characterized by grand, baroque buildings and centered around Grand Market Square (Grote Markt). Jump aboard a hop-on hop-off bus for an overview of top Antwerp attractions, which include the Rubens House (Rubenshuis) and the De Koninck Brewery. An Antwerp City Card grants you free entry to both and includes unlimited use of public transport. Then, head to the Diamond District, home to one of the world’s largest diamond showrooms. 

In the afternoon, go farther afield on a bike tour and indulge your sweet tooth with some of Belgium’s famous chocolate. Evenings in Antwerp are made for relaxing with Belgian beer and crispy french fries, which are typically covered in mayonnaise and ketchup. Get the inside scoop on Antwerp’s best eateries during an evening food tour. 

Day 2: Crossing the Borders of Europe

Belgium is nestled between France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, making it an ideal launchpad for exploring the rest of Europe. You can opt to take the train independently or use a private transfer service, which comes with the freedom to customize your sightseeing itinerary. Choose to explore the Amsterdam Canal Ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the windmills of Zaanse Schans on a day trip to the Netherlands, or tour more of Belgium during a visit to the administrative capital of Brussels and the medieval town of Bruges, hailed as one of the prettiest places in Europe. Trips to Brussels take around half a day, making them the ideal choice for visitors with limited time. 

Day 3: The Capital of Cool

Spend your final day exploring the neighborhoods that contribute to Antwerp’s reputation as the capital of cool. A great way to do this is on a Segway tour, which provides safe and speedy travel between dispersed sights. Zoom along the banks of the Scheldt River, stopping to photograph the ultramodern Courts of Law, and end in the trendy neighborhood of Zuid, home to some of Antwerp’s most prestigious art museums; enjoy 50% off admission with an Antwerp City Card. Dedicate an hour to exploring the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp, where you’ll also find a rooftop restaurant and an art-house cinema. Toast your final evening in Antwerp with a pint of Belgian beer on a beer tour, which provides local insight into some of the city’s best nightlife venues.