The second largest city in Belgium, Antwerp is a popular European destination a hip and trendy city in Belgium that has something unique to offer in terms of history, art, food, and nightlife. You can find everything to do here that you’d expect in a European city, but Antwerp also has its own unique culture, which you can get to know by spending a few days getting to know its sights and vibe. This is an ideal travel destination for soaking up the local culture in coffee bars, hanging out at the local haunts, and enjoying the historic charm of a place brimming with beautiful art and architecture. Fashionistas will love to shop here, while foodies had endless culinary delights and craft beer lovers have no shortage of tasty brews to sample. So, pack your bags and buy your ticket to this artsy, foodie, picturesque destination and check out these top 10 things to see and do in town!
Relax in the Parks and Green Spaces
Like most European cities, Antwerp has no shortage of lovely parks and green spaces to relax in. Pack a picnic lunch and head to Park Spoor Noord, a 24-hectare park that has lovely views, a BMX and skate park, and occasionally hosts events. Stadspark is in the center of the city and has a nice pond, while the city’s botanical garden is lovely to spend an afternoon among the trees in the springtime. Middelheim is also a lovely park that is an open-air museum with fascinating sculptures and art installations.
Visit Museum Plantin-Moretus
There are lots of museums that you can choose from when visiting Antwerp, but one of the most unique and interesting ones is the Museum Plantin-Moretus. This is a museum that celebrates the printing industry and features archives that have great historical significance and are listed in the UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme. You can see some of the oldest printing presses in the world here. Museum tickets are eight Euros for adults ages 26 to 65, six Euros for youth and seniors, and free for children under 12. For other museum endeavors, consider stopping by the Red Star Line Museum, Rubenshuis, Royal Museum of Fine Arts, or Museum at the River.
Sample Traditional Belgian Food
Antwerp has a thriving foodie scene that ranges from Michelin-star restaurants to traditional Belgian beer breweries, and casual bistros. Popular Belgian specialties are Belgian waffles, moules frites (mussels and fries), and handmade chocolates. Many first-time visitors to the city opt to take a food tour to sample the very best the city has to offer with the experience of a local guide. Stop by Restaurant B23, De Pottekijker, or De Troubadour if you’re looking for a tasty dish in Antwerp.
See Het Steen Castle
Het Steen is a fortress that dates back to medieval times and the 13th century. It’s a stunning piece of ancient architecture that was once used as a prison and as part of a museum. Although this impressive monument is undergoing renovation, it’s still worth walking past it and snapping a few photos. It’s expected to open to the public again in 2020 and be better and more informative than ever before with a welcome center, cruise terminal, and interactive experience route.
Browse the Outdoor Street Markets
The people of Antwerp love their markets, and many of them take place on a weekly basis. For example, tourists love the Vrijdagmarkt on Fridays for second-hand goods and antiques. There’s an exotic market at Oudevaartplaats and Theaterplein on Saturdays and a Vogelenmarkt/Birds Market on Sundays too. Meanwhile, Christmas is a magical time to browse the Kerstmarkt, a Christmas market that serves delicious local specialties like waffles and glühwein.
Sip Local Brews and Coffee
Both locals and tourists in Antwerp love their beer and coffee. It’s fun to go coffeeshop-hopping when you’re in town because there are so many cute coffee hubs where you can embrace the hipster lifestyle of Antwerp. One highly recommended spot to check out is Barnini on Oudevaartplaats 10. The spirit of Belgian beer and beer tourism is also alive and well in Antwerp. Beer lovers will definitely want to check out De Konnick, Stadsbrouwerij Brasserie ‘t Pakhuis, and Noorerpershuis while they’re in town to sample the local favorites.
Meir Street Shopping
If you love to check out shopping areas in new places you visit, then definitely make a point to spend time on Meir Street in Antwerp. This is the main avenue for shopping in town and also a top shopping destination in all of Belgium. It is here that you’ll see why Antwerp is known for its top-notch fashion. The Flanders Fashion Institute, Fashion Academy, and Fashion Museum are all located here, and there are plenty of designer and boutique shops to keep you busy for an afternoon. Other top shopping areas are the Diamond District near Central Station, De Wilde Zee near Lombardenvest, and De Keyserlei if you’re looking for larger shopping centers.
Marvel at Antwerp Central Station
Central Station is Antwerp’s train station, so many travelers arrive here without even making a specific plan to see it. But no matter how you arrive in town, head to Central Station to see its impressive architecture and stunning beauty that dates back to the late 19th century. The station is absolutely beautiful to walk around even if you’re not trying to catch a train. But this is also a great opportunity to hop onboard to check out other parts of the country and region.
Walk Through the Town Square of Grote Markt
Grote Markt is the central town square area of Antwerp and a must-visit spot when you’re in town. There are lots of famous buildings in this area, including the Stadhuis city hall and House of Guilds, as well as the Brabo fountain in the middle of the square. As the historical center of the city, you can simply relax and do some people-watching at Grote Markt or hang out in fun areas nearby like Hendrik Conscienceplein to get a more local vibe from the city.
Belgium’s Only Official Chinatown
Did you know that Antwerp is home to the only official Chinatown in Belgium? Chinese people moved into the area after World War II and started many restaurants and independently owned businesses here. There’s an iconic Chinatown archway to welcome you on to Chinatown, which is on Van Wesenbekestraat and a quick walk from Central Station. A couple recommended restaurants to check out here on a DIY foodie tour of Chinatown include D.K. and Ting Kee Mie.
