Belgium

Things to do in Antwerp

As Belgium's capital of creativity and cool, there are loads of places to go in Antwerp whether you visit the city’s fascinating museums, gourmet food, or you fancy some retail therapy, there are plenty of things to do in Antwerp to keep you and your family entertained.

Located just 2.5 hours from the port in Calais, you can discover all of the best things to do in Antwerp in no time.

In a single day, you can do all the top things to do in Antwerp like explore the city's medieval centre, take in striking modern architectural masterpieces, and shop to your heart's content at a host of designer stores, so you will find that there really is something for everybody here.

Book Now

DVR

Dover

CQF

Calais

Morning	02:00	04:25	06:50	09:15
Midday	11:40
Afternoon	14:05	16:30
Evening	18:55	21:15	23:40

Book from £ 126

See More Times

1
Antwerp Architecture
2
Art and Culture
3
Antwerp Tours
4
Shopping in Antwerp

Places to visit in Antwerp

Antwerp Architecture

Antwerp is full of amazing architecture to admire, and you can discover plenty of examples as you wander around the city. Even if you simply stroll around the city and admire the architecture from the outside, it remains a perfect, free thing to do in Antwerp, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the city’s rich arts and culture.

Start off at the Grand Central Station, named as one of the most beautiful stations in the world, this is a must see place in Antwerp. Take a walk from here to the Cathedral of Our Lady. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dominates the skyline, making it one of the most popular things to do in Antwerp. Reaching an impressive 123m in height it is the tallest church tower in Belgium. Not only is it striking in its appearance but is home to a number of famous artworks too, including many by well-known artist Rubens.

Photo by Wyron A on Unsplash

Things to do and see in Antwerp

One of the best things to do in Antwerp for those looking for a bit of culture is to spend some time in the MAS (Museum aan de Stroom), which is located in the creative dockside neighbourhood of Eilandje where the city meets the port.

One of the most popular things to do in Antwerp with family, the museum shares stories about Antwerp and its interactions with the world, mainly through the port, and boasts around 500,000 items including everything from artwork to utensils.

Another interesting place to visit in Antwerp is exploring where artist Rubens lived and worked. This attraction gives guests an idea of how people lived during the 17th century, and is home to a number of Flemish masterpieces too.

Fun things to do in Antwerp

If you want to learn all about Antwerp while you explore you might like to go on one of a number of tours that are available. It’s important to note that you should book in advance so you’re all set when you get there, especially when looking at things to do in Antwerp with kids as this will avoid disappointment.

A walking tour offers a great way to see and do all the things in Antwerp within one tour. You can visit the main sights such as churches, traditional houses, and secret courtyards, or you might prefer to join a bike tour and hear what Antwerp locals have to say about the city.

Alternatively, another fun thing to do in Antwerp is immersing yourself into the Belgian culture with a food tour that gives you the chance to try a number of local treats, including frites with sauce, and delicious chocolate.

Places to see in Antwerp

While many might not realise it, Antwerp is actually one of the great fashion capitals of the world, with countless boutiques, exhibitions, and bold concept stores to see and discover. With many shops to explore there are plenty of shops and places to visit in Antwerp and around the city.

Head down to the fashion district on the corner of National and Drukkerijstraat, where nearly every shop is full of eye-catching designs and luxury products. As well as shopping, one of the most unique things to do in Antwerp’s shopping district is learn all about the craftsmanship and creativity behind the city's fashion stars by visiting the MoMu fashion museum. Here this museum features an exciting array of design masterpieces.

For those interested in indulging in some retail therapy, head to Graanmarkt which offers both places to shop as well as places to eat in Antwerp as there is a restaurant, stores, and an art gallery all in one building. For vintage wear, Jutka & Riska is a Dutch fashion label well worth exploring during your visit.

With so many fantastic things to do in Antwerp, why not start planning your trip to Belgium and book your Dover to Calais crossing today.

While many might not realise it, Antwerp is actually one of the great fashion capitals of the world, with countless boutiques, exhibitions, and bold concept stores to discover

Photograpghy by Gerry Connor

FAQs:

1. Where is Antwerp?

Antwerp is a city located in the northern part of Belgium in the Flanders region. Known for having one of the largest ports in Europe, this vibrant city is only a 2 and half hour drive from our Calais port. Providing plenty of things to do, it is a great location to travel to by car and our ferries to Belgium make it as easy as possible for all the family.

2. What to do in Antwerp?

There are plenty of things to do in Antwerp, including things to do with families and kids so no one can be bored. Must-sees in Antwerp include the stunning Cathedral of Our Lady and the Museum aan de Stroom for panoramic views. Explore the Diamond District, shop on Meir Street, or relax in the Het Eilandje District. With one the best things to do in Antwerp with kids being its Zoo don’t forget to also enjoy Antwerp’s local delicacies, especially its chocolate. At P&O Ferries we want to make sure you have plenty of things to do on the ferry too, make sure you explore our kids' entertainment too so no one gets bored when travelling to Antwerp.

3. Where to stay in Antwerp?

There are many places to stay in Antwerp, whether you want to be near the city centre and all its main attractions or nearer to the shopping, there are a variety of places to best suit your trip to Antwerp. For a bit of added luxury why not stay at the trendy Het Eilandje District offering modern hotels with waterfront views. For a quieter vibe, try the Art Nouveau Zurenborg area, or the artistic Antwerp South (Het Zuid), perfect for galleries and dining.

4. How far is Amsterdam to Antwerp?

Taking between 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic, the distance between Amsterdam and Antwerp is approximately 160 to 170 kilometres. Similarly the distance between Rotterdam port and Antwerp is approximately 80 to 90 kilometres taking 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Travelling between the two cities couldn’t be easier with P&O’s Hull to Rotterdam route making it easier than ever to complete your Belgian-Dutch road trip without worrying about luggage limits. Book your crossing now!

5. How far is Bruges from Antwerp?

The distance between Bruges and Antwerp is approximately 45 to 50 kilometers (28 to 31 miles). By car, the journey typically takes around 40 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic. With plenty of things to do in Antwerp and Bruges you really can have the best Belgian adventure.

6. How far is Ghent from Antwerp?

The distance between Ghent and Antwerp is approximately 40 to 45 kilometers (25 to 28 miles). By car, the journey typically takes around 40 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic. Whether you visit both in the winter or summer there are plenty of places to visit in both.

7. What are the alternative things to do in Antwerp?

If visiting all the main tourist attractions isn’t really your thing then there are plenty of alternative things to do in Antwerp. A fun thing to do in Antwerp with kids is visiting Chocolate Nation, a museum dedicated to Belgian chocolate. Why not take a boat tour of the Antwerp port or enjoy hidden courtyards like Begijnhof, or join a beer tasting tour. Whatever you decide to do there is plenty of choice, why not start your trip in style and book onto our club lounge and experience the most relaxing ferry to Belgium possible? Book your ferry crossing now!

Similar Destinations

Bruges

Belgium

France

Amsterdam

Netherlands

See all destinations