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How to Spend One Day in Antwerp Belgium
Did you know 11.6 million people visit Antwerp Belgium for a day trip each year? I was surprised to learn Antwerp is the largest city in Belgium and the diamond capital of the world. There is no shortage of fun things to do in Antwerp Belgium. A few of Antwerp’s must-see attractions are the Antwerpen-Centraal railway station, Steen Castle, Meir Shopping Street, and Grote Markt. If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, be sure to take a walk down Vlaaikensgang medieval alleyway, or cross the Parkbrug pedestrian tunnel, Antwerp is full of museums. The popular MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) tells the history of Antwerp and the Red Star Line Museum focuses on the emigration of Europeans to America. If you love spending time outdoors you may opt for a picnic lunch in Stadspark or a visit to the Den Botaniek gardens. As you can see, you will have no problem filling your day in Antwerp with amazing experiences. Below is how I spent 1 day in Antwerp Belgium, please use my day trip itinerary as a template and make it your own by filling in your personal bucket list dreams. Always remember, it is possible to travel the world with limited PTO. Enjoy your time out of the office!
READ Complete Belgium Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
A Perfect Day in Antwerp Belgium: Exploring the Highlights in 24 Hours
8 AM Plan to arrive at Antwerpen-Centraal railway station before 9 am. Spend some time exploring this gorgeous station. You will exit in the diamond district. Do some window shopping and consider a stop at DIVA, the diamond museum. Continue walking towards Meir Shopping Street, and be sure to step into the Stadsfeestzaal shopping center. Look around for a trash can and take a fun video using it. Take a selfie with the Giant Antigoon severed hand statue before moving on.
10 AM Visit the Saint Charles Borromeo Church, Nottebohmzaal Library, and/or Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp. Stop to take a selfie with the Nello & Patrache Statue and walk down the Vlaaikensgang medieval alleyway.
Noon Have lunch at a cafe in the Grote Markt before walking towards the river. Stop at Steen Castle and check out the view from the roof, or, take a ride on the Ferris Wheel. The St Anna Tunnel underground pedestrian passage connecting you to the left bank is nearby.
3 PM Continue walking along the river towards the MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) and head to the roof for a panoramic view. Visit the Red Star Line Museum and read the stories of European emigrants who used the line to cross to America. Be sure to check out the observation deck view before you leave. The Parkbrug pedestrian tunnel is a fun photo stop nearby.
6 PM By now your feet are tired so grab a taxi and make your way back to the Antwerpen-Centraal railway station for your return train.
Looking for more options? Continue on with my list of things to do in Antwerp Belgium to adjust this day trip itinerary or jump down for Antwerp Belgium day trip ideas.
Top Things to Do in Antwerp Belgium
- Photograph the beautiful Antwerpen-Centraal railway station
- Check out the shimmering displays in Antwerp’s Diamond District
- Explore the stories of refugees at the Red Star Line Museum and climb the observation tower
- Relax and people-watch in Grote Markt
- Wander the art nouveau architecture in Cogels Osylei
- Photograph the Steen Castle and check out the rooftop view
- Browes the works of Pieter Paul Rubens at Rubenshuis
- Tour the interactive Chocolate Nation Museum
- Browse the stores on Meir Shopping Street
- People watch in Groenplaats
- Learn about diamonds at DIVA, the diamond museum
- Tour the De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery
- Browse the collection of fine art at KMSKA, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp
- See the collection of typographical materials of Plantin Press at the Museum Plantin-Moretus
- Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady and St Paul’s Church
- Wander the street art in Berchem or walk the Muurvast comic wall route
- Learn about Antwerp at MAS, the Museum by the River
- Head to the roof of the MAS for a city view
- Visit Museum Vleeshuis, an interactive music museum
- Photograph the neo-Gothic facade of Antwerpen-Centraal
- Enjoy a cocktail at Elfde Gebod, the 11th Commandment bar
- Browse the boutiques at Stadsfeestzaal
- See the open-air sculptures at Middelheim Open Air Museum
- Browse the Museum of Contemporary Art, Antwerp’s alternative art collection
- Photograph the Nello & Patrache Statue
- Enjoy a picnic in Stadspark
- Walk from the left to the right banks under the river Scheldt in St Anna’s Tunnel
- Check out the Saint Charles Borromeo Church
- Visit the Heritage Library Hendrik Conscience
- See the oldest sand clock in the world with the sand flowing for exactly 30 minutes each turn at the Antwerp Zoo
- Wander the Den Botaniek gardens
- Spend a night out at Club Vaag or Ampère
Be sure to check Visit Flanders Belgium website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
Where to Go From Here: Day Trips From Antwerp Belgium
Can you squeeze another day into your exploration of Antwerp Belgium? Consider a visit to Brugge, Ghent, or Brussels. Each city is easy to reach by train and has plenty of fun things to do. Ghent Belgium is a port city full of Gothic buildings, cobblestone streets, canals, waterfront cafes, a castle, waffles, Gruut Beer, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
READ One Day in Ghent Belgium: Must-See Sights and Experiences
Bruges Belgium is one of Europe’s fairytale towns. The city is referred to as Venice of the north because it is full of beautiful canals. You will also find medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, crooked bridges, market squares, and lace shops as well as what Belgium is best known for: waffles, chocolate, fries with mayo, and amazing beer.
READ One Day in Bruges Belgium: Must-See Sights and Experiences
Brussels has been referred to as the Capital of Europe; it is the home of the European Union Commission and the headquarters of NATO. The city is full of art nouveau, cobblestone pathways, sidewalk cafes, comic book murals, a little boy famous for peeing, frites, waffles, beer and melt in your mouth chocolates.
READ 100 Things to Do in Brussels Belgium, a Bucketlist City
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