Location: Antwerp
Top Things to do in Antwerp
Top 10 Things to do in Antwerp, Flanders
Lively Antwerp is a hidden gem. Its medieval streets, Renaissance monuments and vibrant nightlife tend to be overshadowed by its reputation as center of the diamond trade and as the world's fifth-largest port. Biking is a popular choice for getting around this stylish Flemish city. See thousands of Old Masters at the Royal Museum and Rubens House. Experience the bustle of life at the Grote Markt. Marvel at the art and architecture of the still unfinished Cathedral of Our Lady, started in 1351.
Restaurants in Antwerp
1. Antwerpen-Centraal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,287 reviews
Leopold II had this unusual rail station built as a neo-Baroque monument to the railway age in 1905.
Reviewed By HenkSpring - Antwerp, Belgium
Although an operating railway station the out and inside are worth a visit for its monumental grandeur. A late 19th. century with beautiful facade and a majestic interior. Look at the marble floors in the main hall, all made out of Belgian marble. Look up inside to the dome. A must do is have a coffee in the cafetaria (or foyer), when you walk in from the front go up the stairs and take a right. Beautifull interior, like a time capsule. The level ground platforms have an impressive glasshouselike ceiling. In the late 20th. century extensive works were carried out such as a tunnel underneath and a shopping centre in excavated levels without disturbing the main historical structure.
2. Cathedral of Our Lady
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,480 reviews
Reviewed By Roangori - Antwerp, Belgium
Impressive cathedral, interesting walking around with a guide, for free, getting to know how Antwerp was and still us an important city, harbour.. my goal visiting is admiring Peter Paul Rubens masterpieces
3. Museum Plantin-Moretus
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,321 reviews
Walk into the printing press and the Plantin-Moretus family home as though you were a family friend paying a visit 400 years ago. Explore the house, the garden and the press in the only museum in the world on the UNESCO World Heritage list. - the two oldest printing presses in the world and more than 20.000 lead letters - 30.000 old books, illustrated manuscripts and other treasures of European printing - a beautiful baroque garden hidden within the walls of the museum
Reviewed By 267christophere - Cologne, Germany
Having to choose either Rubenshuis or the Plantin-Moretus museum due to the limited time I had during my stay, I decided on the latter and loved it. The rooms of this printing house are incredible and the collection of printing tools, printed books and manuscripts is really interesting. You can either take an audio guide (2€) or borrow copies of museum guides provided in the first room (free) to navigate through the exhibit (I took both). The staff was extremely friendly and helpful too. The museum does a great job in showing the many aspects of the Plantin-Moretus business and there is so much to learn about the printing process in general. Unfortunately, the museum shop was closed for inventory when I was there, so I am already looking forward to my next visit.
4. Rubens House (Rubenshuis)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,364 reviews
Reviewed By MinkusMe
Amazing to be able to walk around Reuben's house - it is opulent and has a huge garden. Reuben's life as an artist is intrinsic to the building so is interesting from this perspective, as well as the art on display. If you are just interested in seeing a beautiful town house from the 17th Century, it is worth a visit for this.
5. Grote Markt
6. MAS - Museum aan de Stroom
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,475 reviews
7. De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,511 reviews
Eager to visit a real Antwerp icon? Then it’s time you experience our brand new brewery tour! Get fully immersed in the world of City Brewery De Koninck and discover all of our beer secrets. The 4-meter high bridge in our brewery hall is globally unique! End your visit by drinking the best draft ‘bolleke’ beer in the world. It’s going to be fascinating, fun and delicious!
Reviewed By louisemN7522EL - Drogheda, Ireland
We've been to a few brewery tours over the past few years and this one lived up to the expectation. It was fun and interactive, the videos and writing was informative and the way they brought you through the beer making process was different and fun. The two drinks that come with your entry go down a treat, and all the restaurants and shops that are now located on the site make for a lovely day out.
8. Museum De Reede
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 597 reviews
Reviewed By GertBoers - Antwerp, Belgium
Unexpected to find such a nice collection of graphic works. Definitely recommend visiting this place!
9. Chocolate Nation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 473 reviews
Discover the largest Belgian Chocolate museum in the world in the center of Antwerp. In fourteen thematized spaces visitors are taken through a 60 to 90 minute chocolate journey. Starting in the cocoa plantations at the equator and following the cocoa bean to the world’s largest storage port of cocoa in Antwerp. A giant fantasy machine demonstrates how chocolate is made and how the velvety taste is created. Visitors discover why Belgian chocolate is world famous.
Reviewed By LvilleNole - Lawrenceville, United States
Went here with my bride during our visit to the area. It was our last day and we wanted to get out of Brussels for a day trip to Antwerp (note - if you go to Antwerp from Brussels do NOT get off at the first stop, wait for the Central Station which is close to everything you want to see! ) Based on reviews and having a wife who is a 'chocaholic' we went for it. A little pricey (16.5 Euros per) but well worth it. This is how it works: 1. Pay for admission, get ticket. 2. Drop off everything you don't need in a free locker. 3. Turn in ticket, get an audio guide and start tour, which consists of visiting several rooms that give you history on how cocoa is grown, harvested, shipped to Belgium and turned into chocolates. Very educational overall, they have great movies showing how cocoa is harvested, the wrapped in banana leaves and left to ferment (?) for a few days, packaged in sacks, shipped to Belgium, processed (cooked, husks removed, etc.) and then made into chocolate treats. One spot they make some chocolate filled with hazelnut (you taste) and finish at a room with 14 different flavors to taste with a spoon. You get unlimited tastes. The ability to compare different flavors was great - some tasty, others too bitter. Tried a new flavor 'Ruby' that I liked. You leave through a gift shop filled with chocolates to buy, prices seemed fair. Overall, very interesting, learned a ton, really well done and got my fill of chocolate for a while. Highly recommend
10. Antwerp Zoo (Dierentuin)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,346 reviews
Large, well-defined zoo which houses a variety of species from giraffes to fish.
Reviewed By kmok1994 - Reims, France
As an employee at a zoo, I have had many different experiences traveling around the world seeing different zoos and learning about how they operate. Without a doubt, the Antwerp Zoo is one of the most beautiful and well-done zoos I have been to. The mix of historic enclosures with modern zoo-keeping techniques is wonderful and the circular sense of the visit makes it quite the unique zoo (especially with its location right next to the central train station). I would recommend this zoo for all ages. Kids and adults alike will love the diverse animals and the gorgeous gardens on the property. Don't miss the koalas!!
