🇧🇪 Belgium · Europe

Top Attractions in Antwerp

13 ranked places

Discover the 13 must-visit attractions in Antwerp, ranked by popularity — from Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerpen-Centraal, and Grote Markt and beyond. Each entry includes ratings, ticket prices, typical visit durations, and expert tips. Antwerpen-Centraal stands out as the highest-rated, with 31,000 visitor reviews.

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#1 Image by Sergey Ashmarin, CC BY-SA 3.0

Cathedral of Our Lady

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal

⭐ 4.7 (16,700 reviews)

⏱ ~75 min 🗓 Weekday morning or late afternoon

The Cathedral of Our Lady is a Roman Catholic cathedral. Today's see of the Diocese of Antwerp started in 1352 and, although the first stage of construction was ended in 1521, has never been 'complete …

Tips

· Give yourself time for the Rubens paintings and the nave interior
· A weekday morning usually means fewer tour groups
· The spire and exterior are best photographed from a little distance

#2 Image by Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0

Antwerpen-Centraal

⭐ 4.8 (31,000 reviews)

⏱ ~30 min 🗓 Outside rush hour or at dusk

The original station building was constructed between 1895 and 1905 as a replacement for the original terminus of the Brussels-Mechelen-Antwerp Railway. The stone clad terminus buildings, with a vast …

Tips

· Step back to the main hall for the best photo of the dome and ironwork
· Pair it with the diamond quarter or Antwerp Zoo if you have extra time
· Avoid the evening commute if you want a calmer visit

#3 Image by Marek Slusarczyk, CC BY 3.0

Grote Markt

⭐ 4.6 (15,000 reviews)

⏱ ~45 min 🗓 Evening or weekday morning

The Grote Markt (Great Market Square') of Antwerp is a town square situated in the heart of the old city quarter. It is filled with an extravagant city hall, numerous elaborate 16th century guildhalls …

Tips

· Stand by the Brabo Fountain for the iconic postcard view
· The square is especially atmospheric after the crowds thin out in the evening
· A terrace stop here is worth it if you want the classic Antwerp skyline view

#4 Image by Davidh820, CC BY-SA 4.0

Rubenshuis

⭐ 4.5 (9,200 reviews)

⏱ ~90 min 🗓 Weekday mornings

The Rubenshuis ('Rubens House') is the former home and workshop of Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) in Antwerp. Purchased in 1610, Rubens had the Flemish townhouse renovated and extended on the basis of …

Tips

· Check renovation or exhibition status before visiting
· Do not skip the garden, which is often the highlight
· Timed entry helps on busy weekends

#5 Image by

Plantin-Moretus Museum

⭐ 4.7 (6,500 reviews)

⏱ ~90 min 🗓 Weekday morning

The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a printing museum in Antwerp that focuses on the work of the 16th-century printers Christophe Plantin and Jan Moretus. Located in their former residence and printing esta …

Tips

· This is one of the city's best UNESCO stops, so do not treat it like a quick browse
· The old presses and historic interiors are the main reason to visit
· Plan extra time if you like print history or book arts

#6 Image by Photo by CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

Het Steen

⭐ 4.4 (8,400 reviews)

⏱ ~45 min 🗓 Late afternoon or sunset

Het Steen is a medieval fortress in the old city centre of Antwerp, Belgium, one of Europe's biggest ports. Built after the Viking incursions in the early Middle Ages as the first stone fortress of An …

Tips

· Use the riverfront terrace for the best city views
· It works well as the first or last stop on an old-town walk

#7 Image by G.Lanting, CC BY-SA 4.0

Meir

⭐ 4.4 (5,000 reviews)

⏱ ~45 min 🗓 Weekday mornings

Meir is the main shopping street in Antwerp, Belgium. It is the most important shopping area in the country, both by number of shoppers and by rent prices. The street has been mostly pedestrianised si …

Tips

· Combine it with Stadsfeestzaal for a classic Antwerp shopping stop
· Go early if you want the street before the busiest retail crowds arrive

#8 Image by Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

St. Charles Borromeo Church

⭐ 4.6 (3,500 reviews)

⏱ ~30 min 🗓 Daytime

St. Charles Borromeo Church (Dutch: Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk) is a church in central Antwerp, located on the Hendrik Conscience square. It was built in 1626 as the Jesuit church of Antwerp, which wa …

Tips

· Look closely at the baroque interior and side chapels
· A short stop works well while walking between the historic core and museums

#9 Image by Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0

St. Paul's Church

⭐ 4.6 (2,700 reviews)

⏱ ~45 min 🗓 Morning

The St. Paul's Church or Sint-Pauluskerk (in Dutch) is a Roman Catholic church located at the Veemarkt in Antwerp. Its exterior is mainly Gothic with a Baroque tower, while the interior is characteriz …

Tips

· The interior is the main draw, so visit in good daylight
· Combine it with a walk toward the riverfront and old town

#10 Image by Ludvig14, CC BY-SA 4.0

#10

Vleeshuis Museum

⭐ 4.5 (2,100 reviews)

⏱ ~60 min 🗓 Weekday morning

The Vleeshuis (Butcher's Hall, or literally Meat House) in Antwerp, Belgium is a former guildhall. It is now a museum located. The slope where the Drie Hespenstraat meets the Burchtgracht used to be k …

Tips

· This is a strong stop for music and guild history rather than a quick photo stop
· Check current exhibits because the programming can change

#11 Image by Fred Romero from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0

#11

Vlaeykensgang

⭐ 4.5 (1,800 reviews)

⏱ ~20 min 🗓 Early evening

The hidden street Vlaeykensgang connects Hoogstraat, Oude Koornmarkt, and Pelgrimsstraat. It is a real street, but only accessible through unassuming medieval front doors in the streets. Originally, i …

Tips

· Enter through the unassuming doorway and do not rush it, because the lane is tiny
· It is best paired with dinner or drinks nearby

#12 Image by agracier - NO VIEWS, CC BY-SA 3.0

#12

Silvius Brabo Statue

⭐ 4.4 (1,300 reviews)

⏱ ~10 min 🗓 Golden hour

Silvius Brabo was a mythical Roman soldier who was said to have killed a giant, and by this would have created the name Brabant. Later this story was also used to explain the name Antwerp ('Antwerpen' …

Tips

· Treat it as a photo stop while you are already on the Grote Markt
· The Brabo Fountain and surrounding guild houses are the real draw here

#13 Image by Torsade de Pointes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

#13

Vlaamse Opera

⭐ 4.5 (1,400 reviews)

⏱ ~120 min 🗓 Evening performances

The first public opera performances in Antwerp date back to 1661. Performances took place on the stage of the Schouwburgh van de Oude Voetboog (Theatre of the Guild of Crossbowmen) at the Grote Markt. …

Tips

· Check the program before you go because the building is best experienced during a show
· Arrive early to admire the foyer and exterior details

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