How to Spend One Day in Antwerp

Best things to do in Antwerp

On the Northern coast of Belgium lies the port city of Antwerp. With its 16th-century architecture, Antwerp is a beautiful city and is a great day trip to do from Amsterdam or Rotterdam. If you only have one day to spend in Antwerp, here are the best things to see and do in Antwerp.

Antwerp Central Station

Even if you’re not arriving by train, Antwerp Central Station is a must-visit. It’s one of the most beautiful railway stations, earning it the nickname “Railway Cathedral”. Designed by architect Louis Delacenserie, Antwerp Central Station was inspired by the Roman Pantheon. Make sure you check out the large clock and Art Nouveau ceiling.

Grote Markt

Located in the Old City Quarter of Antwerp, you’ll spot the the market square of Antwerp from the 16th-century guild houses that surround it. Be sure to take a look at Antwerp City Hall and the Brabo Fountain. If you’re visiting in winter, the square hosts a Christmas market.

Cathedral of our Lady

Consecrated in the 16th-century, the Cathedral of our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal Antwerpen) is a must-see if you only have one day in Antwerp. It’s in the very heart of the city, just a short walk from the Grote Markt. With spires that reach 123 metres in height, during the 14th century this building was among one of the tallest in the world. Most of the original interior was lost over the past couple of centuries due to fires and raids, and much of the structural elements were reconstructed later in the 19th-century.

MAS Museum

The high-tech MAS museum (Museum aan de Stroom) is a bit of a walk away from the city centre, but it’s worth it for the views from the top! It’s an easy 10-15 minute walk along the River Scheldt, and you can check out Steen Castle along the way (more on this below). You’ll be able to spot the strikingly modern building before you get there, it’s very unique. There are a number of exhibitions in the MAS museum you can pay to see, but getting to the top to see the view is free. At the top, you’ll find a rooftop that offers panoramic views of Antwerp.

Walk Along the Waterfront

On your way back from the MAS museum, take a walk along the waterfront. You’ll walk past Steen Castle, an ancient fortification that dates back to the 11th-century. Today, it houses the National Maritime Museum.

Groenplaats

This lively square is a must-visit when you’re walking through Antwerp. It offers a great view of the Cathedral, and there are many shops and eateries to expire. Make sure you check out the statue dedicated to Paul Rubens.

Plantin-Moretus Museum

The Plantin-Moretus Museum is in a beautiful section of Antwerp, surrounded by colorful old houses. It’s located in an old printing house, and here you can see some priceless artefacts like the first printed atlas in the world, and an original Gutenberg Bible.

Explore the bars & restaurants

Antwerp has so many great food options around, so you’ll have no trouble finding a bite to eat when you get hungry! A must-try are the fries from Frituur n°1. They’re so good, and worth the wait! If you want to sit down for a drink or a meal, try Eifde Gebod, De Pottekijker or De Groote Witte Arend. For a quick bite, try Falafel Tof or Foodmaker Meir.

Sample the Belgian Chocolate

Trying some of the fine Belgian chocolate is a must when in Antwerp! There are many chocolate stores around, but be sure to check out Neuhaus, Pierre Marcolini and Leonidas. For some chocolate tasting and to learn about the history of Belgian chocolate, the Chocolate Nation museum is definitely worth a visit. It’s the largest Belgian Chocolate museum in the world, and takes you on a 60 to 90 minute chocolate journey. There’s a chocolate tasting at the end where you can taste 10 different flavours of chocolate.

Antwerp Zoo

If you have some time left in your day, visit Antwerp Zoo, which is located just a couple of minutes walk from Central Station. It’s one of the oldest zoos in Europe and is quite large, so you could spend anywhere from one to three hours here.

Happy travels!