Things To See In Antwerp Belgium: Unexpected Experiences That Made Me Fall For This City
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from years of travel is that small upgrades can completely transform a trip. My first visit to Antwerp was enjoyable, but I made one classic mistake — I stayed outside the historic center and spent far too much time walking back and forth to the old town. When I returned for a second visit, this time combining Antwerp with a trip to see the spectacular Brussels Ommegang, I made a different choice and stayed right in the heart of the city.
That simple decision changed everything. Suddenly, the streets, squares, and cafés unfolded naturally around me, revealing not just the famous landmarks but also some of the most fascinating things to see in Antwerp Belgium, from hidden Renaissance houses and underground canals to museums that tell the stories of immigrants who once sailed from this port to America.
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Arriving In Antwerp: A Station That Feels Like A Palace
One of the first things to see in Antwerp Belgium appears the moment you arrive. Antwerp Central Station is widely considered one of the most beautiful railway stations in Europe, and stepping inside it feels like entering a grand civic monument rather than a transit hub.
The soaring windows flood the hall with light. A large clock sits proudly above the space, surrounded by ornate decorative details that hint at Antwerp’s long history as a major trading city. Even the escalators caught my attention. Instead of the usual single run, the escalator climbs in stages — up, then flat, then up again — a very cool design that I had never encountered before.
Antwerp Central Station: A railway Cathedral
Antwerp Central Station isn’t just impressive — it’s a reflection of the city’s wealth and ambition at the start of the 20th century. When it opened in 1905, Antwerp was one of Europe’s most important port cities, and the station was designed to make a statement. Architect Louis Delacenserie created a grand stone hall inspired by classical architecture, crowned by soaring arched glass windows that flood the interior with light.
Behind it stretches an enormous iron-and-glass train hall, engineered by Clément Van Bogaert, which was considered an engineering marvel at the time. Standing beneath the dome and looking up at the huge central clock that once helped coordinate rail travel across Europe, it’s easy to see why Antwerp Central is often nicknamed the “Railway Cathedral,” and it’s definitely, one of the most marvelous architectural things to see in Antwerp Belgium.
Grote Markt: Antwerp’s Spectacular Heart
Many of the most iconic things to see in Antwerp Belgium are centered around the Grote Markt, the city’s historic square lined with beautifully decorated guild houses.
At the center of the square stands the Brabo Fountain, which tells the legend of a Roman soldier who defeated a giant that terrorized river traders. The square is also home to Antwerp’s City Hall, a 16th-century Renaissance building that is part of a UNESCO listing.
I found myself returning to the square three times in one day. Early morning offered soft light and quiet streets. In the afternoon, I returned for a beer break, to take advantage of all the incredible Belgian beers on draft – I like the Cherry berry (Kriek), as it’s unique and not something you easily find outside of Belgium. Plus, sitting at an outdoor café and people watching is one of my favorite activities. Especially when there’s a backdrop of magnificent guild houses, like there are around the Grote Markt.
And in the evening, well, it’s just something you have to see. The buildings are illuminated dramatically, giving the entire square a completely different atmosphere. If you’re researching things to see in Antwerp Belgium, spending time in Grote Markt at different moments of the day is absolutely essential.
Antwerp City Hall And The Carillon Museum
Standing proudly on the Grote Markt, Antwerp’s City Hall (Stadhuis) is another of the historic things to see in Antwerp Belgium that’s easy to overlook while admiring the surrounding guild houses. Built in the 16th century, the building is a striking example of Renaissance architecture, blending Flemish and Italian design influences.
The exterior alone is worth a close look. Across the façade, you’ll see the flags of all 27 European Union countries, along with the Belgian flag and Antwerp’s own city flag, which creates a colorful display overlooking the square.
The building itself is also part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing, recognized alongside the historic belfries of Belgium and France. While the interiors are not freely open to wander through, guided tours are available, and from the photos displayed inside it’s clear the rooms are quite impressive. The tours need to be booked in advance, and from what I could tell they often cater to organized groups.
Inside the ground floor, there’s also a small free exhibit dedicated to Antwerp’s carillons. After hearing the bells playing outside the Cathedral of Our Lady earlier in the day, I actually found this surprisingly fascinating. The exhibit explains how these massive instruments work and includes small examples that show how the bells are controlled from a keyboard-like system.
The Cathedral Of Our Lady And A Magical Carillon Moment
Another unforgettable spot among the best things to see in Antwerp Belgium, is the Cathedral of Our Lady, a UNESCO site known for its soaring Gothic tower and masterpieces by the Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens.
Inside the cathedral hangs Rubens’ famous work The Descent From The Cross, which alone makes the visit worthwhile. But the moment that truly stayed with me happened outside the cathedral. The belfry is pretty spectacular to look at, and it marks the skyline.
However, at noon it becomes even more magical, as the carillon begins to play. Instead of traditional church music, someone performs, playing songs on the bells. It was so unexpected, as I was walking, I stopped to listen as I thought I heard notes from Somewhere Over the Rainbow. And then Here Comes the Sun, came next, and I thought how much fun that carillon player must be having and what a great sense of humour they had.
They continued playing for about 15 minutes, filling the square with music. Among the many things to see in Antwerp Belgium, this unexpected musical moment became one of my favorites.
A Renaissance Printing House: Plantin-Moretus Museum
One of the most surprising things to see in Antwerp Belgium is the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site housed inside the original residence of Renaissance printer Christophe Plantin. I’ll be honest — printing presses don’t usually top my list of must-see museums when I visit a city. But this one ended up being fascinating for several different reasons.
Part of what drew me in was the building itself. I love historic properties that still carry the atmosphere of another era, the kind of places where the architecture and decor help you imagine what life might have looked like centuries ago. Walking through the Plantin-Moretus house feels very much like stepping into another time. The rooms are kept slightly dim to protect the artifacts, but you can still admire the details: ornate chandeliers, leather-embossed wallpaper, antique globes, and a slightly eerie portrait gallery of family ancestors watching over the space.
The real highlight for me was seeing the original printing presses and the tiny metal type used to create books. Standing there, it’s easier to appreciate just how influential Plantin’s publishing house once was. At its peak, it produced an astonishing share of Europe’s printed works — roughly 35% religious texts, 35% humanist literature, and even scientific publications.
These books were printed in multiple languages, including Latin, Dutch, French, Greek, and Spanish, reflecting Antwerp’s role as a major intellectual and trading center during the Renaissance.
The Plantin-Moretus Courtyard
Among the many historical things to see in Antwerp Belgium, the Plantin-Moretus Museum offers one of the most immersive glimpses into the city’s cultural golden age.
Another detail that really struck me while visiting the Plantin-Moretus Museum was the beautiful inner courtyard garden at the center of the residence. After walking through the dimly lit rooms filled with antique printing presses, leather-embossed wallpaper, and ornate furnishings, stepping into the garden helped me understand the true scale of the house.
Standing there, surrounded by historic walls, fountains, and greenery, it became much easier to imagine what immense wealth looked like during Antwerp’s Renaissance golden age. The courtyard isn’t just pretty — it reveals that this wasn’t simply a workshop for printing books, but the home of one of the most powerful publishing families in Europe.
St. Paul’s Church And Antwerp’s Baroque Heritage
One stop that ended up surprising me while exploring the things to see in Antwerp Belgium was St. Paul’s Church. From the outside it looks fairly understated compared with the grand cathedral nearby, but stepping inside felt like entering an entirely different world.
The interior is filled with dramatic Baroque details — ornate sculptures, rich decoration, and paintings by some of Antwerp’s most famous artists, including Rubens, Van Dyck, and Jordaens. I hadn’t planned to spend much time here, but once inside I found myself lingering, slowly taking in the layers of artwork and the sense of history that fills the space.
It’s the kind of place that quietly reminds you just how important Antwerp once was as a center for art during the Baroque period — and why churches like this still rank among the most memorable things to see in Antwerp Belgium.
A Hidden City Beneath The Streets: Antwerp Underground
One of the most unusual things to see in Antwerp Belgium lies beneath the streets themselves.
The Antwerp Underground offers guided tours through a network of historic canals and vaulted tunnels that once served as part of the city’s medieval infrastructure. The temperature inside remains about 18°C (64°F), making it a great place to cool off, if you’re exploring Antwerp on a warm summer day.
In medieval Antwerp, these canals helped remove waste and served defensive purposes. Over time, they were covered as the city expanded, leaving behind a hidden world beneath the modern streets. Today about eight kilometers of canals and roughly a hundred vaults remain. Exploring them feels like discovering a parallel city hidden below Antwerp.
Red Star Line Museum: Stories Of Immigration And A Powerful Connection To America
One of the experiences that stayed with me the most among the things to see in Antwerp Belgium, is the Red Star Line Museum, located in the city’s historic harbor district. Even though my own family immigrated to the United States through different ports, visiting this museum made me think deeply about what that journey must have been like for millions of people who passed through Antwerp.
From the late 19th century through the early 20th century, Antwerp served as one of Europe’s most important departure points for immigrants heading to North America. The Red Star Line shipping company transported more than two million people across the Atlantic, many of them leaving behind poverty, political instability, or religious persecution in hopes of starting new lives.
The museum sits inside the original departure buildings where immigrants once prepared for their voyages. Walking through it today, you follow the same path many travelers would have taken more than a century ago.
The Long Journey Before The Voyage
One of the things that surprised me most while exploring the museum was realizing that the journey to America didn’t actually begin when immigrants boarded the ship.
For many families, the trip to Antwerp was already an enormous undertaking. People often traveled long distances across Europe — sometimes for weeks — before even reaching the port. Once they arrived in Antwerp, they might still have to wait days or even weeks for the next available departure.
During that time, immigrants stayed in boarding houses and temporary lodgings near the harbor. The museum explains how entire neighborhoods formed around these waiting migrants, and not everyone in the city welcomed the sudden influx of poor newcomers. Some local residents viewed them with suspicion or discomfort while they awaited their ships.
Walking through the exhibits, you begin to understand that for many immigrants, the emotional journey toward a new life in America really started here — in crowded rooms near the harbor, waiting anxiously for the ship that would finally take them across the Atlantic.
The Immigration Process And A Surprising American Story
Inside the museum, you can see how the departure process worked step by step. The exhibits show where medical inspections took place, where luggage was stored, and how immigrants possessions passed through sanitation and disinfection procedures.
The inspections were strict. Anyone deemed unfit for travel could be denied passage, as the shipping company wanted to avoid passengers being denied entry to the U.S. That’s because those who were denied entry were sent back home — at the expense of the shipping company.
The museum does an incredible job of bringing these stories to life through personal belongings, photographs, and testimonies from immigrants who made the journey.
One story that particularly stood out to me had an unexpected connection to American culture.In 1893, a young boy named Israel Beilin traveled with his family from Belarus to Antwerp. Like many Jewish families at the time, they were fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe. The Beilin family passed through Antwerp’s Red Star Line terminal before boarding a ship to the United States.
That young immigrant would later become famous under a different name: Irving Berlin. He went on to become one of America’s most influential songwriters, composing classics like White Christmas, one of the most beloved holiday songs ever written.
Before leaving the museum, you can search the passenger database upstairs to see if any of your ancestors traveled through Antwerp on Red Star Line ships — a powerful reminder of how closely this city is connected to the history of immigration.
Fancy Champagne
Just outside the museum, I also noticed a small wine shop called La Cave aux Bulles, where bottles of Red Star Line champagne are displayed in the window — a fascinating and unexpected souvenir tied to the museum’s history.
The area around the museum still feels connected to Antwerp’s maritime past. Massive harbor cranes tower over the waterfront, looking almost like something out of War of the Worlds and reminding visitors of the city’s long role in global trade and migration.
Among all the things to see in Antwerp Belgium, the Red Star Line Museum is one that stays with you long after your visit, because it tells not just the story of Antwerp — but the story of millions of lives that passed through this port on their way to a new future.
Het Steen And The Riverfront
Another historic landmark among the things to see in Antwerp Belgium is Het Steen, the small medieval castle that sits along the Scheldt River. The exterior is quite charming and definitely worth stopping to photograph as you walk along the waterfront. Inside the building, you’ll find the tourist office as well as a museum called The Antwerp Story. The tourist office also points out that there’s a free panoramic viewing terrace on the fourth floor.
I decided to climb up to take a look, but to be honest, I didn’t find the view particularly impressive. It’s only a few floors up, so the panorama isn’t especially dramatic. When I’m spending a full day exploring a city, I’ve learned to be selective about where I add extra stairs to the itinerary — unless the payoff is spectacular. In this case, I’d suggest saving your energy and simply enjoying Het Steen from the outside and along the riverfront, where the castle itself makes for a much better photo.
The Rubens House: Where Antwerp’s Most Famous Artist Lived
One of the most important things to see in Antwerp Belgium is the Rubens House (Rubenshuis), the former home and studio of the city’s most famous artist, Peter Paul Rubens.
The house is currently undergoing renovation, but I was fortunate enough to visit it during my first trip to Antwerp, and it ended up being one of the most memorable places I saw in the city.
Rubens purchased the property in the early 1600s and transformed it into both a residence and a working studio. The architecture itself is fascinating because he redesigned parts of the house to resemble the Italian palazzos he had admired while living in Italy. Walking through the rooms gave me a real sense of how successful he had become — this wasn’t just an artist’s house, it felt like the home of someone who was one of the most important cultural figures in Europe at the time.
What I loved most, though, was the garden courtyard behind the house. After moving through the interiors, stepping outside into the peaceful garden offered a completely different atmosphere and made it easy to imagine how Rubens might have used the space to entertain guests or simply escape the busy studio.
Inside the house, you can see several of Rubens’ works along with pieces from his contemporaries, which helps illustrate just how influential Antwerp was during the Baroque period.
Even with the renovations currently underway, I would still consider the Rubens House one of the essential things to see in Antwerp Belgium, as you can usually still visit the incredible garden. To find out what’s currently open, check their website directly.
Waffles, And One Incredible Beer Shop
Exploring the best things to see in Antwerp Belgium naturally leads to some delicious discoveries along the way.
I actually started my morning the most Belgian way possible — with waffles for breakfast. Staying at Hotel O Cathedral meant I could step right outside and sit at the hotel’s restaurant, Moment, which faces the square. It’s one of those spots that’s perfect for people-watching while taking in the view of the historic surroundings. Sitting there with a warm waffle and coffee, watching the city slowly wake up, felt like the perfect way to start the day.
Just across from the hotel, I stumbled upon what might be one of the most impressive beer shops I’ve ever seen: Abbey No. 8. The place is packed with shelves of Belgian beers — easily 300 varieties or more. My dad is a bit of a beer collector, so I immediately wished I had checked luggage instead of flying with just a carry-on. What I loved most, though, was that they also offer a beer of the day for about €3, which makes it an easy stop to grab a drink, sit nearby, and admire the cathedral while soaking up the atmosphere.
Trying Belgian Frites & Chocolates
Of course, when you’re in Belgium, frites are practically mandatory. I stopped at Pauwel’s Since 1909, where freshly fried potatoes are served with a whole lineup of sauces. What makes it memorable are the gleaming gold taps dispensing around a dozen sauce options. Belgium takes sauces very seriously — you even pay extra for ketchup — but experimenting with different combinations is half the fun.
Chocolate is another essential part of discovering things to see in Antwerp Belgium, and Leonidas is a classic stop. The fun here is building your own box of pralines, mixing and matching fillings until you create the perfect assortment. The only challenge I had was that many of the labels were written in Dutch, which made choosing flavors a bit of an adventure.
And because it wouldn’t be Spritzience if I didn’t point out a good cocktail bar, I have to recommend Dogma. Tucked along a smaller side street, it’s a cozy spot known for beautifully crafted cocktails mixed by hand. After a full day of wandering Antwerp’s streets and museums, it’s the perfect place to wind down.
These stops might not always appear on traditional lists of things to see in Antwerp Belgium, but they’re exactly the kind of small experiences that make exploring the city so enjoyable.
Antwerp After Dark
One thing I didn’t fully appreciate before visiting Antwerp in summer was how long the daylight lasts. In July, the sky stays bright until about 10:15 PM.
The extended daylight gives the city a relaxed evening atmosphere, and it’s easy to lose track of time wandering between squares, cafés, and bars. On my visit, I ended up staying out close to midnight simply because it never felt late. And it helped me get an extra helping of Belgian frites and an extra Kriek beer.
How To Get To Antwerp
One of the things I love about Antwerp is how easy it is to reach from Brussels airport, where direct trains connect you in about 35 minutes.
One of the things I really love about visiting Antwerp is how easy it is to combine it with other Belgian cities. From here, it’s about an hour by train to Ghent, and if your timing lines up with the Ghent Festivities, it’s absolutely worth planning around. The whole city turns into this massive celebration with music stages, performances, and crowds filling the historic squares late into the night. I wrote a full guide to the Ghent Festivities after experiencing it myself, because I loved it so much, I’ve gone twice.
And of course, there’s Bruges, which is another easy stop from Antwerp at roughly an hour and a half by train. I spent a couple of days there wandering canals, climbing towers, and slowly working my way through chocolate shops and Belgian beer bars. If you’re considering adding it to your itinerary, I share all the details in my post on Bruges, including the spots that made the city really stand out to me.
Where To Stay In Antwerp: Why The Historic Center Is Worth It
If there’s one piece of advice I’d give anyone planning to explore the best things to see in Antwerp Belgium, it’s to stay right in the historic center. If you’re looking to check prices for the below recommendations, my favorite booking engine is booking.com.
I learned this the hard way. On my first visit to Antwerp, I stayed at a perfectly nice hotel outside the old town to save a little money. But every outing meant a 30–45 minute walk or waiting for a tram that didn’t always arrive quickly. By the time I reached the Grote Markt, I kept glancing at the charming boutique hotels nearby and thinking how much easier the trip would have been if I had simply stayed there.
So when I returned to Antwerp, I did exactly that — and it completely transformed the experience. Being able to step outside and immediately wander through the historic streets, cafés, and squares made the city feel far more relaxed and enjoyable. If you’re visiting for a weekend or combining Antwerp with Brussels, Ghent, or Bruges, staying central makes it much easier to maximize your time.
Here are my top picks for hotel options near to the Grote Markt, at the center of the old town:
Hotel Julien
A chic boutique hotel known for its minimalist design and tranquil atmosphere. The rooftop terrace offers views toward the cathedral, and the property includes a spa and sauna — perfect for relaxing after a full day exploring the many things to see in Antwerp Belgium.
Hotel ’t Sandt
Set in a beautiful historic building, this hotel blends classic elegance with modern comfort. The courtyard terrace is especially lovely in warmer months and provides a quiet retreat just steps from the historic center.
Sapphire House Antwerp
Part of the Autograph Collection, this stylish hotel sits inside a beautifully restored historic building. The interiors combine contemporary design with historic details, and it’s only about a six-minute walk from the Grote Markt, making it a fantastic base for exploring the city.
Hotel Witte Lelie
This property is part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and offers one of the most unique stays in Antwerp. The design is bold and artistic, with luxurious rooms, a small garden, and a stylish bar. If you’re looking to check prices try, booking.com.
During my visit I stayed at Hotel O Cathedral, which sits right next to the cathedral itself. They offer some smaller rooms, which makes it a great option for solo travelers or anyone trying to stay central without stretching their budget too far. But if I had been traveling with my husband, I probably would have splurged on one of the boutique hotels above.
Why Antwerp Surprised Me
Belgium’s famous cities like Bruges and Brussels tend to get most of the attention. But after returning and spending more time discovering the many things to see in Antwerp Belgium, I realized just how much depth this city has.
Between the Baroque masterpieces of Rubens, the fascinating history inside the Plantin-Moretus Museum, the immigrant stories told at the Red Star Line Museum, and the lively atmosphere of the Grote Markt, Antwerp offers a mix of art, history, and culture that unfolds slowly as you explore. If you enjoy planning trips around cultural events — one of my favorite ways to travel — Antwerp fits beautifully into a broader itinerary.
You could easily combine it with some of my favorite summer festivals across Europe, which transform historic cities into lively celebrations filled with music, traditions, and incredible food. If you prefer slightly cooler weather, many wonderful spring festivals in Europe make a perfect excuse to plan a trip before the summer crowds arrive.
