10 Things to Do in Antwerp During a Day Trip
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ANTWERP IS OFTEN TREATED AS A QUICK STOP BETWEEN BRUSSELS AND AMSTERDAM.
And while you certainly can see Antwerp on a day trip, the city rewards travelers who know where to focus their time.
This list is designed for train-based day trippers and first-time visitors who want to experience the best of Antwerp in just one day.
Think of it as a curated menu: you won’t have time to do everything, but these highlights will ensure your time in Antwerp is well spent.
10 Things to Do in Antwerp During a Day Trip
Top Experiences in Antwerp
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🔍 Discovery | Learn more about your destination
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🚌 Excursion | Explore nearby places of interest
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No. 1: Start Your Day at Antwerpen-Centraal Station
Best for: Architecture lovers, first-time visitors
The exterior of Antwerpen-Centraal.
The glass façade resembles peacock feather.
ANTWERP MAKES A STATEMENT THE MOMENT YOU ARRIVE.
Opened in 1905, Antwerpen-Centraal is a masterpiece of Belle Époque architecture, combining an ornate stone façade with a soaring iron-and-glass dome.
Often ranked among the most beautiful train stations in the world, the city’s main transit hub is your first clue that Antwerp takes design seriously.
Be sure to take a few minutes to look around and admire its architectural beauty.
No. 2: Wander Antwerp’s Historic Heart at Grote Markt
Best for: First-time visitors, photographers
Grote Markt is Antwerp’s historic and symbolic center.
ORNATE GUILD HOUSES LINE THE SQUARE, WHILE CAFÉS AND RESTAURANTS KEEP IT LIVELY THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
At the center stands the Brabo Fountain, depicting the legend that gave Antwerp its name — hand werpen, or “to throw a hand.”
This is the perfect place to get oriented, soak up the atmosphere, and understand Antwerp’s long history as a wealthy trading city.
No. 3: Step Inside the Cathedral of Our Lady
Best for: Art lovers, history enthusiasts
The Cathedral of Our Lady dominates Antwerp’s skyline and took nearly two centuries to complete.
Inside, it houses monumental works by Peter Paul Rubens, the Flemish Baroque painter most closely associated with the city.
EVEN IF YOU DON’T CONSIDER YOURSELF A CATHEDRAL PERSON, THIS STOP IS WORTH IT FOR THE ART INSIDE.
Antwerp’s identity as an art capital is deeply tied to Rubens and the wealth generated here during the Renaissance.
No. 4: Visit the Plantin-Moretus Museum
Best for: History enthusiasts, photographers, garden fans
The courtyard garden at the Plantin-Moretus Museum.
One of the museum’s historic printing presses.
This UNESCO World Heritage site was once the home and workshop of Christophe Plantin, a pioneering 16th-century printer.
THE MUSEUM PRESERVES THE WORLD’S OLDEST SURVIVING PRINTING PRESSES.
Its exhibitions also offer insight into how knowledge spread across Europe during Antwerp’s Golden Age.
EVEN TRAVELERS WHO AREN’T TYPICALLY MUSEUM-INCLINED WILL APPRECIATE THIS STOP.
I especially loved the courtyard garden at the Plantin-Moretus, which is well laid out and beautiful in photos.
No. 5: Explore Rubens’ Home at the Rubenshuis
Best for: Art lovers, garden fans, slow travelers
The garden features design elements like busts, urns, and planters.
A gravel path winds through the garden at Rubenshuis.
The Rubenshuis was the longtime home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens.
While the house itself is currently undergoing renovation, the Renaissance-style garden remains open and well worth visiting.
THIS STOP ADDS A MORE PERSONAL LAYER TO ANTWERP’S ART HISTORY.
It’s a glimpse into the daily life of one of Europe’s most influential painters, and a calm break from the bustling city outside its garden walls.
No. 6: Experience One of Europe’s Best Chinatowns
Best for: Neighborhood explorers, photographers, foodies
The gate to Antwerp’s Chinatown on Van Wesenbekestraat.
Centered around Van Wesenbekestraat, Antwerp’s Chinatown is compact but vibrant, and one of the largest in Europe.
MARKETS, BAKERIES, AND RESTAURANTS GIVE THIS AREA A DISTINCT ENERGY.
It’s also a reminder of Antwerp’s long history as a port city shaped by global connections.
This is a great place to combine sightseeing with lunch, especially if you want something different from traditional Belgian fare.
No. 7: See Why Art Lovers Rave About the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp
Best for: Serious art lovers, museum skeptics
The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
The main gallery is a mix of paintings and sculptures.
KMSKA IS ONE OF EUROPE’S MOST THOUGHTFULLY CURATED FINE ART MUSEUMS.
It reopened after an 11-year renovation with a modern approach that combines public restoration, digital installations, and contemporary sculptures exhibited amid Old Master paintings.
The permanent collection pairs Flemish masters like Rubens and Van Dyck with artists such as James Ensor and René Magritte.
If you’ve ever felt that fine art museums all start to feel the same, this one may change your mind.
IT’S A STANDOUT, EVEN ON A SHORT VISIT.
No. 8: Taste Belgium’s Most Famous Food at Frites Atelier
Best for: Foodies, first-time visitors
BELGIUM TAKES ITS FRITES SERIOUSLY.
At Frites Atelier, the fast food classic is reimagined with a refined take.
Expect perfectly crisp frites and high-quality sauces.
Go beyond the traditional mayonnaise, though, and try dipping sauces like andalouse or truffle.
IF YOU ONLY EAT ONE “ICONIC” BELGIAN DISH DURING YOUR DAY TRIP, MAKE IT THIS.
WATCH MY ANTWERP VLOG ON YOUTUBE
No. 9: Browse Antwerp’s Independent Shops and Bookstores
Best for: Design lovers, slow travelers
The Dries Van Noten boutique.
ANTWERP IS KNOWN FOR ITS FASHION AND DESIGN CULTURE, SO SKIP THE CORPORATE RETAILERS AND SHOP LOCAL.
Independent boutiques, bookstores, and concept shops offer a glimpse into the city’s creative spirit.
Bookworms should swing by Luddites Books & Wine, vintage-hunters will get their fix at Ensō, and independent beauty shop Necessities will delight Sephora devotees.
Fashion enthusiasts shouldn’t leave town without a pilgrimage to the boutiques of Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester, members of the legendary Antwerp Six.
THESE SHOPS ARE WHERE ANTWERP FEELS MOST LOCAL AND LIVED-IN, AND IT’S AN EASY WAY TO BRING A BIT OF THE CITY HOME WITH YOU.
No. 10: Go Off the Beaten Path at the Axel Vervoordt Gallery
Best for: Design lovers, repeat Europe travelers
The pieces at Axel Vervoordt Gallery range from stark and contemporary…
… to more traditional mediums. Its variety makes it a great stop for art and design enthusiasts.
THIS FINAL RECOMMENDATION ISN’T FOR EVERYONE.
But if you love design, art, and architecture, then this stop will be unforgettable.
Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt is known for his wabi-sabi-inspired aesthetic, and his gallery complex outside the city center is unlike anything else in Antwerp.
Reaching it requires a taxi and extra time, making it better suited to travelers who want something truly distinctive.
IF CONTEMPORARY ART AND DESIGN EXCITE YOU, THIS STOP ALONE JUSTIFIES STAYING LONGER.
Conclusion
If you only have a day in Antwerp, don’t get preoccupied with checking off as many sights as possible.
INSTEAD, GET REAL ABOUT WHAT INTERESTS YOU.
Then, edit the list of what’s available down to the experiences that most resonate with you.
And remember, the best day trips avoid complex logistics that can ruin the flow of the day.
This is what makes Antwerp a great day trip destination – it’s easy to navigate, and full of exciting things to do for a variety of interests.
THAT SAID, DON’T BE SURPRISED IF YOU FIND YOURSELF LINGERING.
Antwerp has depth, and a laid-back vibe that many visitors find intoxicating.
If this list has made you realize that this Belgian gem deserves more time on your itinerary, be sure to check out my guide on how to spend three days in Antwerp.
Until next time,
Angela
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