If you’re planning a day trip to Antwerp and you’re not sure what to do – we’ve got you covered. Here are the best things to do in Antwerp in one day!
Being the biggest city in Flanders and the second biggest in Belgium (after Brussels), Antwerp makes for a great city break destination. Close to the Dutch border and only 50 minutes from Brussels by train, this port city is easy to get to and is one of the best places to visit in Belgium (in my opinion!).
I grew up in a small Dutch village near the Belgium border, with Antwerp only an hour’s drive away. Growing up, I’ve visited Antwerp many times with my parents and my sisters, but usually, those visits were focused around the main shopping areas (especially when I was a teenager).
During one of my recent visits home, I thought it’d be a great idea to plan a day trip to Antwerp with my mom and one of my sisters. Especially now I have a travel blog and I’ve learned to properly plan city breaks
Doing research for our day trip, I was surprised at how many other amazing things there were to see and do in Antwerp!
So, without further ado, here is my one day Antwerp itinerary if you also want to visit the city. I’ve finaly been able to see the city from a different perspective and I have to agree with my sister, Antwerp is amazing!
In this travel guide
Here is my Antwerp day trip itinerary:
Antwerp Central Station is the starting point of this one day Antwerp itinerary. But even if you’re not getting to Antwerp by train, the station makes for a great starting point for your day.
This neo-baroque building was opened in 1905 and it’s considered to be one of the most beautiful train stations in the world – and I couldn’t agree more! It’s magnificent!
Want to see Antwerp on a budget but still see all the highlights? Why not book a free guided tour in Antwerp with Civitatis. There are two tours available per day (at 10:30 and 13:00) and they last around 2 hours. Book them here.
Since 1447, Antwerp has been known as the Diamond Capital of the world. And it has kept this title till this day.
Walking out of the Central Station, you’ll enter the Diamond Quarter. This is where diamonds are polished and traded – with many diamond stores for customers to spend all their money.
While I don’t think it’s really worth spending a lot of time here, it’s nice to have a quick look in the shop window. But, unless you’re in Antwerp specifically to buy diamonds, it makes sense to just walk through it from the station to the next stop on this one day Antwerp itinerary.
Walking through the Diamond Quarter, you’ll end up in Meir Shopping Street. Being one of the prime shopping places in the whole of Belgium, this is where I’ve spent quite a bit of time (and money) on shopping trips as a teenager.
The architecture in this area is quite impressive, especially for a shopping district. But while the buildings themselves make this street stand out, the shops are the typical brands you find in any city. Still, a pretty good place to get some clothes.
If you’re only visiting Antwerp for one day, you won’t be able to fit in a lot of museums. However, Rubens House is one of the most popular ones in the city – so if it’s up your street, make sure to add it to your day trip.
The world-famous Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, lived here with his family. From it, he created many of his famous works.
It’s best to pre-book tickets if you really want to visit it because time slots do get booked up in advance!
Ready for a quick break with a cup of coffee and a snack yet? Well, have I got the place for you
Have a Roll make 100% vegan cinnamon rolls with the most delicious toppings (think Caramel Pecan, Biscoff, Cookie Dough and more). And since they’re made fresh every single day, they taste fantastic. They also serve drinks, including coffees, hot chocolate, teas and even matcha lattes.
And, best of all, you can buy boxes with their cinnamon rolls to take home. They are good to eat for two days after you bought them (or even longer if you store them in the freezer!). A little treat for after your Antwerp trip.
And “Have a Roll” isn’t the only independent vendor that’s worth checking out when going on a day trip to Antwerp. The city is filled with them – one of the reasons why I used to go to Antwerp as a teenager. While it has the mainstream H&M and Zara stores on the Meir (which are ideal for getting some basics, especially on a shopping trip), there are some real gems in Antwerp’s alleyways where you can find the most unique items.
Some real gems to check out when shopping in Antwerp are:
The Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) in Antwerp is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Not only is it beautiful to look at from the outside, but it is also a treasury that holds a collection of major artworks.
The Cathedral is currently being renovated, so it’s not possible to enjoy its beauty in its full glory – however, it’s still very much worth it to stop by.
As in most European cities, the main square is a must when visiting for the day. But the one in Antwerp is by far one of the most beautiful squares in the continent.
The City Hall can be found here, along with stunning Guild Houses. You can also find the Brabo Fountain on the square. Near it, there are lots of bars and restaurants – perfect for a quick lunch.
Did you know that Antwerp also has a castle? You can find this 13th century Het Steen castle lying on the Scheldt river. From the city centre, it’s only a short walk – definitely worth it!
The medieval fortress can be visited for free, but if you want to go inside The Antwerp Story, you’ll have to purchase a ticket. The Antwerp Story is in Het Steen and shows you the history of the city while you walk through 11 different rooms.
And what’s a day trip to Antwerp without a cold Belgium craft beer? Apart from its delicious chocolate, fries and waffles, Belgium is also known for its craft beers. And Antwerp doesn’t have a shortage of bars where you can try some.
If you’re looking for a unique place to grab a beer, check out “Elfde Gebod”, located just behind the cathedral. The name translates to “11th commandment” in English and the bar claims to be the oldest in Antwerp. Whether they are or not, the interior of this bar is definitely unique enough to make it worth a visit. It is filled with Christian art and religious decorations – plus, they serve Trappist beers from local brewers!
Yes, Antwerp is definitely worth visiting. With beautiful architecture, a lively city centre, a ton of independent shops and a ton of great food, Antwerp makes for one of the best city breaks in Europe. Especially since it’s only a short drive/train ride from both the Netherlands and Brussels, I highly recommend adding Antwerp to your itinerary if you have a few extra days to fill.
While not many people have put Antwerp on their travel list yet, they should. The city is filled with stunning architecture, delicious food, some of the best independent shopping scenes in the country and, on top of that, it’s very walkable. Whatever your interest (history, shopping, gastronomy), Antwerp has got something for you.
Being the biggest city in Flanders and the second biggest in Belgium (after Brussels), Antwerp makes for a great city break destination. Close to the Dutch border and only 50 minutes from Brussels by train, this port city is easy to get to and is one of the best places to visit in Belgium (in my opinion!).
I grew up in a small Dutch village near the Belgium border, with Antwerp only an hour’s drive away. Growing up, I’ve visited Antwerp many times with my parents and my sisters, but usually, those visits were focused around the main shopping areas (especially when I was a teenager).
During one of my recent visits home, I thought it’d be a great idea to plan a day trip to Antwerp with my mom and one of my sisters. Especially now I have a travel blog and I’ve learned to properly plan city breaks
So, without further ado, here is my one day Antwerp itinerary if you also want to visit the city. I’ve finaly been able to see the city from a different perspective and I have to agree with my sister, Antwerp is amazing!
In this travel guide
Best Things to do in Antwerp in One Day
Here is my Antwerp day trip itinerary:
Antwerp Central Station
Antwerp Central Station is the starting point of this one day Antwerp itinerary. But even if you’re not getting to Antwerp by train, the station makes for a great starting point for your day.
This neo-baroque building was opened in 1905 and it’s considered to be one of the most beautiful train stations in the world – and I couldn’t agree more! It’s magnificent!
Want to see Antwerp on a budget but still see all the highlights? Why not book a free guided tour in Antwerp with Civitatis. There are two tours available per day (at 10:30 and 13:00) and they last around 2 hours. Book them here.
Diamond District
Since 1447, Antwerp has been known as the Diamond Capital of the world. And it has kept this title till this day.
Walking out of the Central Station, you’ll enter the Diamond Quarter. This is where diamonds are polished and traded – with many diamond stores for customers to spend all their money.
While I don’t think it’s really worth spending a lot of time here, it’s nice to have a quick look in the shop window. But, unless you’re in Antwerp specifically to buy diamonds, it makes sense to just walk through it from the station to the next stop on this one day Antwerp itinerary.
Meir Shopping District
Walking through the Diamond Quarter, you’ll end up in Meir Shopping Street. Being one of the prime shopping places in the whole of Belgium, this is where I’ve spent quite a bit of time (and money) on shopping trips as a teenager.
The architecture in this area is quite impressive, especially for a shopping district. But while the buildings themselves make this street stand out, the shops are the typical brands you find in any city. Still, a pretty good place to get some clothes.
Rubens House
If you’re only visiting Antwerp for one day, you won’t be able to fit in a lot of museums. However, Rubens House is one of the most popular ones in the city – so if it’s up your street, make sure to add it to your day trip.
The world-famous Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, lived here with his family. From it, he created many of his famous works.
It’s best to pre-book tickets if you really want to visit it because time slots do get booked up in advance!
Have a Roll at “Have a Roll”
Ready for a quick break with a cup of coffee and a snack yet? Well, have I got the place for you
Have a Roll make 100% vegan cinnamon rolls with the most delicious toppings (think Caramel Pecan, Biscoff, Cookie Dough and more). And since they’re made fresh every single day, they taste fantastic. They also serve drinks, including coffees, hot chocolate, teas and even matcha lattes.
And, best of all, you can buy boxes with their cinnamon rolls to take home. They are good to eat for two days after you bought them (or even longer if you store them in the freezer!). A little treat for after your Antwerp trip.
Shop in Antwerp’s Independent Shops
And “Have a Roll” isn’t the only independent vendor that’s worth checking out when going on a day trip to Antwerp. The city is filled with them – one of the reasons why I used to go to Antwerp as a teenager. While it has the mainstream H&M and Zara stores on the Meir (which are ideal for getting some basics, especially on a shopping trip), there are some real gems in Antwerp’s alleyways where you can find the most unique items.
Some real gems to check out when shopping in Antwerp are:
- Sincerely Valentine (they’ve seen such success that they have three locations in Antwerp now!)
- The Other Shop
- Stay
- Wunderkammer.
Antwerp Cathedral of Our Lady
The Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) in Antwerp is one of the most iconic buildings in the city. Not only is it beautiful to look at from the outside, but it is also a treasury that holds a collection of major artworks.
The Cathedral is currently being renovated, so it’s not possible to enjoy its beauty in its full glory – however, it’s still very much worth it to stop by.
Grote Markt
As in most European cities, the main square is a must when visiting for the day. But the one in Antwerp is by far one of the most beautiful squares in the continent.
The City Hall can be found here, along with stunning Guild Houses. You can also find the Brabo Fountain on the square. Near it, there are lots of bars and restaurants – perfect for a quick lunch.
Het Steen
Did you know that Antwerp also has a castle? You can find this 13th century Het Steen castle lying on the Scheldt river. From the city centre, it’s only a short walk – definitely worth it!
The medieval fortress can be visited for free, but if you want to go inside The Antwerp Story, you’ll have to purchase a ticket. The Antwerp Story is in Het Steen and shows you the history of the city while you walk through 11 different rooms.
Have a Belgium Craft Beer
And what’s a day trip to Antwerp without a cold Belgium craft beer? Apart from its delicious chocolate, fries and waffles, Belgium is also known for its craft beers. And Antwerp doesn’t have a shortage of bars where you can try some.
If you’re looking for a unique place to grab a beer, check out “Elfde Gebod”, located just behind the cathedral. The name translates to “11th commandment” in English and the bar claims to be the oldest in Antwerp. Whether they are or not, the interior of this bar is definitely unique enough to make it worth a visit. It is filled with Christian art and religious decorations – plus, they serve Trappist beers from local brewers!
Is Antwerp Worth Visiting?
Yes, Antwerp is definitely worth visiting. With beautiful architecture, a lively city centre, a ton of independent shops and a ton of great food, Antwerp makes for one of the best city breaks in Europe. Especially since it’s only a short drive/train ride from both the Netherlands and Brussels, I highly recommend adding Antwerp to your itinerary if you have a few extra days to fill.
Antwerp Day Trip: Conclusion
While not many people have put Antwerp on their travel list yet, they should. The city is filled with stunning architecture, delicious food, some of the best independent shopping scenes in the country and, on top of that, it’s very walkable. Whatever your interest (history, shopping, gastronomy), Antwerp has got something for you.