Antwerp

Understand

The origins of the name of Antwerp comes from aan de werpe, which is Dutch for "at the throw", referring to where the river throws its sand. The name also has a funny anecdote saying it comes from Hand werpen, which translated is "throwing hands". In the city flag, the castle "het Steen" and the hand of Antwerp are shown. In the 16th century, Antwerp was one of the most important financial centres of the world, where traders from all over Europe and Asia sold and bought their goods. After the siege of Antwerp in 1585 by the Spanish, this role as a financial centre was taken over by Amsterdam. Nevertheless, since the 19th century and especially the 20th century, Antwerp has made a serious economic comeback.

Visit Antwerp tourism website

Climate

Antwerp has an oceanic and mild climate with cool winters, warm summers, and light, frequent precipitation year round. Summer temperatures average around 23 °C (73 °F) during the day and 14 °C (57 °F) at night; though temperatures climbing to or exceeding 29 °C (84 °F) and not going below 18 °C (64 °F) at night are not unheard of during heat waves. Daylight hours range between 05:30-22:00 in the summer and from 08:45-16:45 in the winter.

Getting there

By plane 1 Antwerp Airport (ANR IATA). A small airport catering mostly to leisure travellers. There are some regular, but mostly seasonal flights to various popular holiday destinations in Southern Europe, Morocco and Turkey, as well as private and chartered (business) aviation. The flip side of the small size of the airport is that arrival and departure procedures are very quick compared to large hubs. There is a regular bus from the airport to the centre and a taxi costs around €10. Brussels Airport (BRU IATA) Hourly direct trains link Antwerpen Centraal station with this airport in 25 minutes (45 minutes on weekends and public holidays). Single adult tickets are €11.30. There is also a direct bus between Brussels Airport and Antwerp which costs €10 and has two stops in Antwerp at Hotel Crowne Plaza and in the city centre, at Franklin Rooseveltplaats at platform B5. A schedule can be found here

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS IATA) has a high-speed train station on the Amsterdam-Brussels line directly underneath the terminal, which allows for two different railway connections to Antwerp: As of December 2024, there is no longer a direct regular intercity train from Antwerp to Schiphol Airport. The cheapest option is the EuroCity to Rotterdam, transferring to a Dutch IC train to Schiphol Airport at Rotterdam Centraal. The journey takes about 2 hr and costs around €25. You can buy tickets by credit card at the automatic ticket booths in the Schiphol arrival hall. Payment with cash is also possible at the counter. Or you can book through Belgian Railways (SNCB/NMBS) or NS International. A new hourly semi-high-speed EuroCity Direct train connects Antwerp directly to Schiphol Airport in 1 hr 13 minutes. Tickets cost between €21 and €51, depending on how early you book. Booking is possible through the Belgian Railways, NS International or at the stations. The most expensive option is the bright red high-speed Eurostar train Amsterdam - Paris, which stops at Schiphol and Antwerpen Centraal station, in about 1 hr 3 minutes, but at double the price. Contrary to regular trains, reservations on Eurostar are required. Best reserve your seat a week or so beforehand, since buying a ticket on the spot will turn out to be even more expensive. The Eurostar journey from Schiphol to Antwerpen Centraal can also be booked as a part of a SkyTeam flight (IATA code for Antwerpen Centraal is ZWE IATA), usually costing less than when booking the flight and the Eurostar ride separately. KLM also maintains a direct shuttle bus connection between Antwerpen Centraal and Schiph

Getting around

By public transportation

The public transportation company De Lijn has a dense network of buses, trams, and pre-metro (underground tram) connections in the city and wide area around it. Tickets can be purchased through the mobile app. You can also buy cards of €21 (10 fares, as of July 2025) or alternatively 1- or 3-day tickets at fixed points in town; inside transportation payment of tickets is only possible via contactless payment (cards or via smartphone); buying tickets in cash is not possible anymore. For one fare, you can ride up to an hour. The tram system operates with low-floor articulated units (refer to the above photo), mostly in tunnels under the centre, & older high-floor tramcars, mostly on ground-level routes. The central bus station is the Franklin Roosevelt plaats, near the central train station. Most buses leave from there or from the train station. Maps of the bus/tram network in the entire region can be found in PDF format here .

By taxi Taxis are available, but they can be quite expensive. They await customers at specific locations around town (waving your hand will seldom work) like the Groenplaats or the railway station. You can recognize these places by an orange TAXI sign. The prices are fixed in the taximeter. Mabo Taxi Antwerpen provides taxi rides in Antwerp for those who wish to avoid public transportation.

By car Driving in Antwerp is not as difficult as many big cities in the world, but crossroads can seem very chaotic for foreigners. There are few free parking spaces, but many spaces where you have to pay (on the street or in underground car parks). The underground car parks are well-signposted. The prices are typically €2 to €4.80 per hour, depending on the area. As of August 2023, parking on the streets is only allowed for residents and permit holders; visitors have to park in a car park downtown, or at one of the 9 park-and-rides (€1) at the border of the city, with connections on public transport to the centre. There are many one-way roads, that can make it difficult to get to a specific place. Try to park your car as close as possible and go on foot. Antwerp has introduced a Low Emission Zone, which applies to domestic and foreign registered cars. The latter have to jump through hoops to demonstrate their emission status. The zone seems to be inside but excluding the ring-road, but the official map is dreadful, so beware.

By De Waterbus Antwerp has De Waterbus, which runs on the river with various stops on both sides from Fort Lilo in the north to Hemiksem in the south. Rates are about €4 for a one-way a

See

Antwerp City Pass. With the Antwerp City Card you can visit all museums and three monumental churches over a 48-hour period. It also features a 25% discount on attractions, sightseeing and bicycle rentals. In the free guide you find vouchers that you can use to enjoy benefits on typical Antwerp and Belgian products including chocolate and chips. €45/€55/€65. (updated May 2023)

Centre

1 City Hall/Old Market Square (Stadhuis/Grote Markt). This is the historical centre of town. The market square is surrounded by the typical medieval guild houses you find in most Flemish historical towns. The city hall is designed in special architectural style with a combination between Gothic and early Renaissance, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This style is almost exclusively found in this region of Europe. The Brabo Fountain (Dutch: Brabofontein) is located in front of the city hall. Restaurants with terraces surround the square. During winter the Grote Markt is decorated with Christmas lights and a large Christmas tree. Several events take place at this location. Nice view of the cathedral. (updated Apr 2023)

2 Diamond District. This is south and southwest of the central station. You will find countless jewellery shops, as well as the Antwerp Diamond Exchange, one of the most important financial centres of the world's diamond industry. The district is interesting from an ethnic and cultural perspective, for at least 50% of the diamond industry is in the hands of the city's Jews. Antwerp has a large population of Jews (about 50,000 people), a lot of them Orthodox. (updated Dec 2022) 3 The hidden street Vlaeykensgang. Connects Hoogstraat, Oude Koornmarkt and Pelgrimsstraat. It is a real street, but only accessible through unassuming medieval front doors in the streets. The medieval equivalent of a gated community. It now houses nice, informal restaurants and chic, discrete houses. A must see! Jewish Quarter (Joodse wijk). One of the main Jewish centres in the world, with the beautiful 'Van Den Nest' and 'Bouwmeester' synagogues. Contact the Jewish community for a guide. 4 Bouwmeester synagogue, Bouwmeestersstraat 7 (close to the "Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp"). (updated Oct 2021) 5 Romi Goldmuntz Synagogue (Van Den Nest synagogue), Oostenstraat 2 (corner Van Den Nestlei), ☏ +32 3 232 01 87. The main synagogue of Antwerp. (updated Oct 2021) 6 Antwerp Ruien. You can take a guided tour of the underground city of Antwerp. 90 minutes. Free with City Card. €19. (updated Dec 2022) Red light district. Like cities such as Amsterdam and Hamburg, Antwerp has a

Do

1 St. Anna pedestrian tunnel (Sint-Annatunnel), Sint-Jansvliet. Take St. Anna pedestrian tunnel (Sint-Annatunnel) to the Left Bank (Linkeroever) of the river Schelde. If possible, you should descend on the original wooden escalator. The walk through the tunnel takes 9 minutes at a casual pace. On the Left Bank, you have a beautiful view over the city centre across the river, so make sure you bring your camera! The Left Bank is very quiet compared to the city centre, and green with many parks along the riverside. A few km further north, there even is a small beach (Sint-Annastrand). Swimming is prohibited due to dangerous currents and heavy ship traffic, but the views over the city and riverbend are great. Best is to come here by bicycle (you can ride through the tunnel, many locals do this). If you are on foot and don't feel like walking back through the tunnel, the premetro will take you back to Groenplaats in under 5 minutes. (updated Dec 2015) Antwerp by Bike — Discover Antwerp with a bike. The inner city is perhaps too crowded, but the green outskirts are really worth visiting. For bike rental, see [2] and "Vélo". "Antwerp by Bike" [3] has a charming tour with all the highlights of Antwerp, like the cathedral, the Butterfly Palace and the MAS museum (from July till September). For other tours, see [4] Baja Bikes (Bike Tours Antwerp). Antwerp is a perfect city to explore by bike. An English or Dutch guide will show you around and tell you all about the city. Besides that the guide knows where to go in Antwerp and can recommend you nice bars and restaurants. It is possible to do a highlights tour or book a private tour so that you will have your own guide. (updated Dec 2015) 2 Kinepolis Antwerpen, Groenendaallaan 394, ☏ +32 3 544 36 00. In this large cinema complex a bit north of the city centre many international movies are shown. Except for some children movies dubbing is rare and subtitles are common. (updated Dec 2022) Football: Royal Antwerp play soccer in Pro League, Belgium's top tier. Their home ground Bosuilstadion (capacity 16,100) is 5 km east of city centre. Beerschot were relegated in 2025 so they play in Challenger Pro League, the second tier. Their Olympisch Stadion (capacity 12,700) is 5 km southwest of city centre.

Tours and cruises Port of Antwerp. Take a boat tour of the second largest port in Europe and 5th largest in the world. There are various companies offering tours of differing price and length. (updated Jan 2018) Ghostly Nighttime Tour, (Antwerp Ghostwalk). Take the ghost tour and learn about the dark history of Antwerp

Buy

The main shopping area is the Meir, a street that stretches out from the Keyserlei (close to the central station) to the Groenplaats. It is one of the most famous shopping streets in Belgium. Don't forget to visit the mall Stadsfeestzaal (between Meir and Hopland), which was beautifully restored and reopened in 2007 after it was partially destroyed by a fire ten years earlier. You will see a lot of gold on the ceiling, and all sorts of stores. The streets Hopland and Schuttershofstraat are the shopping terrain of the rich and famous with exclusive fashion shops like Cartier, Hermes, Scapa, and Armani. The Huidevettersstraat, Nationalestraat, and Kammenstraat (all close to the Meir) are also very interesting shopping streets to visit.

Purchasing a diamond at one of the many tourist jewelry shops around the Central station can be an unpleasant experience. Like any big diamond city in the world, there are many tourist trap diamond shops around the actual diamond district centre, though it is fair to say that if you are prepared to bargain you can purchase jewellery here for significantly less than in countries such as the UK. Wealthy diamond buyers should do their investigative shopping online prior to visiting Antwerp. For tips on buying diamond rings, see Diamond rings in Antwerp. If you're less wealthy and someone asks you to bring back some diamonds from Antwerp, buy diamond-shaped chocolate pralines at e.g. Burie (Korte Gasthuisstraat 3), Château Blanc [5] (Torfbrug 1) or Del Rey (Appelmansstraat 5). Trendy shopping can be done in the Kammenstraat and surroundings. In this area, you will also find the Fashion Museum [6] and many shops of famous Antwerp fashion designers, such as Walter van Beirendonck and Dries van Noten. The Kloosterstraat has many antique shops, with often bizarre items for sale. Chinatown can be found about 300 m north of the Central Station (see also Eat). A lot of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese products can be found here. Weekend Markets take place on the Theaterplein Square (follow Wapper or Meistraat south from the Meir) in front of the Stadsschouwburg theatre. The markets are very popular with stalls offering everything from food (fruit and veg, meat, fish, nuts, cheese ethnic specialities) to household goods to bicycles to antiques to clothes. Sunday tends to see a lot more stalls compared to Saturday. Take a break from browsing at the stall at the centre of the square, where you can buy a cheese roll with a glass of chilled cava to wash it down, most convivial! At Ploegstraat 25 you can find a "give-away shop", where you can

Eat

Antwerpse handjes are little biscuits or chocolates in the shape of a hand. Invented by a Jewish baker in 1932. As with most Flemish towns, you can find many frietkoten in the city. These are places of which the Belgians are really proud of. Here you can buy the famous Belgian fries and other fried food for a reasonable price. For lunch people often go eat a "smos", a sandwich with several layers of garniture in it. The name refers to the mess you make when trying to eat it. You can find them in several stores like Panos or Foodmaker. De Keyserlei (the street that runs west from Central Station) is a street with a varied choice of restaurants. The side streets on the north side of De Keyserlei offer even more options, with Lebanese, South-African, Mexican, Italian and Vietnamese (to name but a few) restaurants all rubbing shoulders with each other. With so many restaurants in a small area the prices tend to be pretty competitive. Chinatown takes up a couple of streets on the north side of Koningin-Astrid-plein (the large square to the north of Central Station). Look for the 2 lions guarding the entrance to Van Wesenbekestraat. Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai and Nepalese restaurants are here as well as lots of Chinese options.

Budget Broodje/Boterkoken (sandwiches) are local and inexpensive.

1 Aahaar (Vegetarian Indian Cuisine), Lange Herentalsestraat 23 (Minutes from Antwerp's main train station Central Station), ☏ +32 3 226 00 52. M-F 12:00-15:00 and 17:30-21:30, Sa Su 13:00-21:30. Serves only vegetarian Indian cuisine, including a buffet with a daily changing menu. (updated Feb 2023) 2 D’Oude Stad, Oude Koornmarkt 13. (updated Feb 2023) 3 Kumpir Eethuis, Hoogstraat 10. (updated Feb 2023) 4 The Yellow Window Coffee House, Vlasmarkt 8. (updated Feb 2023) 5 Komida - City Campus UAntwerp, Koningstraat 8. (updated Feb 2023) 6 Brasserie lambik, Lange Leemstraat 16. (updated Feb 2023) 7 Falafel Tof, Hoogstraat 32. (updated Feb 2023)

Mid-range Try one of the Indian restaurants on Lange Herentalsestraat.

8 Rooden Hoed, Oude Koornmarkt 25 (Corner of Oude Koornmarkt and Tempelstraat), ☏ +32 3 289 09 09. The oldest restaurant in Antwerp, specializing in seafood, especially mussels. Very popular with locals, but few tourists, so you know it's good. Mains starting at €20 (June 2017) (updated Feb 2023) 9 Bourla, Graanmarkt 7, ☏ +32 3 232 16 32. A "Havanna style" restaurant in an old theatre. They serve a mix of Belgian and French style food. Not cheap, but excellent value for money (updated Feb 2023) 10 Hoffys (Kosher Yiddish cuisine), Lange Kievi

Drink & nightlife

Wherever you are in Antwerp, you will always be near a pub or another drinking facility. Not surprising in the city that has the most pubs per capita in the world. The pubs do not have a closing hour. Drinks originating here are De Koninck (commonly called "Bolleke") beer, and Elixir d'Anvers – a liquor based on plants.

Den Engel — Most famous traditional cafe in Antwerp. Situated at Grote Markt. De Vagant — A famous Belgian cafe serving about 300 kinds of Jenever. De Muze — A jazz café in Melkmarkt. Relaxed atmosphere and live (jazz) music played on a regular basis. Beyond typical Belgian beers, coffee lovers can enjoy a true Italian Espresso or, if willing to drink something bigger, a "Koffie Verkeerd". Caffénation — Most friendly bar in Antwerp. They have very nice specialized coffee creations and a cozy outdoor with lots of green. Good music. Say hi from "TheKitt" for a special, double shot cappuccino. Paeters Vaetje, (in the Cathedral Square). Here you can order more than 100 kinds of beer. In summertime, you can also sit outside. Kassa4, in the student neighbourhood, on the Ossenmarkt. Very popular student pub with a good choice of alternative music. Can be very crowded at times. Den Hovenier — Typical Antwerp pub near the Sint-Jacob Church. Café Beveren, near the river. Enjoy the automatic Decap Organ. Stanny — Non-smoking café close to the station of Antwerp-Berchem. Copa Cava — a cava bar on the vlasmarkt, with a cosy atmosphere and which serves relatively cheap and exclusive cava from Barcelona. La Treille — intimate wine bar and shop at Haarstraat 23, close to the Grote Markt, serves and sells authentic wines (straight form the vineyard) out of Italy, Belgium and France. t Vervolg — between the "groenplaats" and the "Grote Markt", very friendly prices mixed with house & RnB always ensures there's something going on Monday through Saturday evening. SIPS. A cocktail bar. Witzli-Poetzli (Blauwmoezelstraat 8, Meir. From 10:00 daily.) The Witzli-Poetzli is a very small café in the centre of city centre. It is next to the great cathedral. In the summer there's a unique terras in the shadow of the cathedral. In the winter it is a cosy place where people come to drink coffee and read a newspaper. Café Den Joker, Kleine Markt 16. The one and only comedy bar in Antwerp. A lot of Belgian stand-up comedians started their career in this small bar. Comedy organized weekly. Also improvisation sessions and quizzes. Often in Dutch.

Clubs 1 Noxx. Hosts famous DJs. You can find it close to the Kinepolis Antwerp ('Metropolis'), just outside the centre of

Sleep

Budget

Hotels 1 ibis budget Antwerpen Centraal Station (formerly "Etap Hotel"), Lange Kievitstraat 145 (in a cluster of modern residential buildings behind the Antwerpen Centraal station, not on the square in front of it.), ☏ +32 3 202 50 20. Hotel Rubenshof, Amerikalei 115 (from Antwerpen Centraal, take trams no. 12 or 24), ☏ +32 3 237 07 89. Run by a friendly couple, it offers a combination of lush, authentically historic interiors with a budget price (and standards). from €52 (shared bathrooms).

Other accommodation options Antwerp Mabuhay Lodgings, Zurenborg, Draakstraat 32. Bed and breakfast, guesthouse in cozy neighborhood of Antwerp. Rooms available for two. Apartments and studios available for short term staying visitors, expats, or students. Camping Vogelzang, Vogelzanglaan 7-9. 10 minutes by tram from the heart of the city and good for low-budget travellers. Scoutel. A scouting youth hostel that is open to everyone and offers affordable accommodations in the centre of the city, just around the corner of the central train station. The Swan B&B, Huikstraat 25. A self-contained apartment for up to 3 guests in a quiet part of the historic city centre, a 5-minute walk from the main square. The owner Nadine gladly provides directions and tourist advice. Minimum stay of 2 nights. From €65.

Mid-range

Astoria Hotel Antwerp, Korte Herentalsestraat 5 2018 Antwerp Belgium, ☏ +32 3 227 31 30, [email protected]. (updated Dec 2018)

Chain hotels 2 Best Western Hotel Docklands, Kempischdok-Westkaai 84-90 2000 Antwerpen, ☏ +32 3 231 07 26. The name is absolutely correct: the Best Western is in the docklands area. The hotel could use an update to contemporary standards, but can be cheaper than more central hotels. 3 Crowne Plaza Antwerpen (at the intersection of the R1, A1 and A12 highways, on the outskirts of the city). It can be inexpensive for a hotel of its class, but it comes at the expense of the less-than-handy location and rather aged decor in the cheapest rooms. On the flip side, the large pool with artsy decorations and forest vistas is a treat. from €70. 4 Holiday Inn Express Antwerpen City North, Italiëlei 2, 2000 Antwerpen. The hotel faces one of the port basins in the docklands area in the north of Antwerp, offering a view of the Museum aan de Stroom from some of its rooms. Despite the modern facade, the hotel was built to the brand's previous standards, so it may not be comparable to newer HIExpress properties in terms of furniture and fitouts, but all hotels in the chain it offers free breakfast and WiFi includ

Go next

Antwerp is a key railway hub on the high-speed line from the Netherlands to France, so you can get relatively quickly and easily not only around Belgium, but also to its two neighbours.

Belgium Getting around Belgium is relatively easy from Antwerp, as the country is small and featuring one of the densest railway networks in the world. Some of the more popular destinations that can be visited on a day trip from Antwerp are:

Bruges (Brugge) — Very nice medieval town. Often called "Venice of the North", because of the many canals that flow through and under it. Well worth an overnight stay, since it is most romantic at night and very safe. Brussels — The capital of Belgium and some say, the capital of Europe. Multicultural and multilingual. Unfortunately, some of the city's historic (medieval) centre was destroyed at the end of the 19th century when Belgium seceded from the Netherlands and Brussels was made capital of the new country. Nonetheless, Brussels is known as a city of "hidden gems," where you can turn a street corner in a less-than-breathtaking area and come face-to-face with an opulent and unexpected Art Deco or Art Nouveau building. Its popularity with tourists has been steadily increasing. Ghent — A medieval town a bit like Bruges, with more emphasis on cathedrals and other big buildings. Great centre of medieval paintings exhibited in and around the cathedral of Sint-Baafs. Namur — The regional capital of Wallonia. Leuven — Nearly as lively as Antwerp or Brussels is this college town, home to one of the world's oldest universities is here. Many hotels also cater to businessmen who find Brussels too expensive.

Netherlands Amsterdam — You can take a direct train to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. There is about one train an hour and it will take you about two hours to get there. Amsterdam is well known for its grachten, many bicycles, and "coffeeshops" where marijuana is sold. (Coffee-only places are called "cafes".) There also is the Eurostar high-speed train which is a bit more expensive but you will get there a lot faster. Rotterdam — You can take a direct train to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. There is about one train an hour and it will take you about one hour to get there. Rotterdam is well known for its harbour. Den Bosch — You can go by train to this medieval city (change trains in Roosendaal). Zeeland — Where the Schelde reaches the ocean. It's about two hours by train and you will have to change in Roosendaal. Hulst — A very well-preserved historic fortified city very near Antwerp, which attracts lots of day-trippers from Belgium