What to Do in Antwerp, Belgium
A while back, I decided to take a day trip to from Paris to Antwerp just for fun. I know, not the most common day trip from Paris. But I had never been to Belgium, and I found super-cheap bus tickets, so I decided to just go for it!
I ended up loving Antwerp. It was a pretty, interesting, and walkable city. Are you wondering what to do in Antwerp on your own visit? Here’s everything that I did on my day trip to Antwerp!
Where to Stay in Antwerp
While Antwerp is small enough that you can see most things in a day like I did, the city also makes a great weekend getaway.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to stay in Antwerp, Hotel Rubens is a lovely boutique hotel located just steps away from the Grote Markt square in the old town.
1. Stop for a Belgian waffle
How could you go to Belgium without ordering a Belgian waffle? If you go to a restaurant, don’t order a “Belgian waffle” though – they are actually called Liège waffles!
I stopped for a waffle in a cute and cozy tearoom called Désiré De Lille first thing when I arrived.
2. Grote Markt
See the spectacular Flemish architecture of Antwerp’s historic main square, the Grote Markt. During the Christmas season, Grote Markt is home to a Christmas market that looks absolutely beautiful.
However, when I was there, not much was going on. But it was still a very nice spot to take pictures.
3. Go back in time in a secret alley
Just a couple minutes away from Grote Markt and in the shadow of the cathedral is a secret alley dating back to medieval times. The cobblestone Vlaeykensgang alley winds through some of the oldest houses in the city and is the last street of its kind left in Antwerp.
Now, this magical alley is home to art galleries and a chic French restaurant. There are multiple entrances to the alley and they are all easy to miss, but you the best place to enter is at 16 Oude Koornmarkt. You will feel like you’ve gone back in time!
4. Do some shopping
Antwerp is a big shopping city, known for its diamonds and high fashion. The city is home to the Antwerp Six, a group of designers including Ann Demeulemeester and Dries van Noten who graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp.
For some of the best shopping in the city, you can stroll along the Meir, a big pedestrian-only shopping street in Antwerp. Or check out the flagship stores of the Antwerp Six like the one below.
5. Visit the Rubenshuis
The last place I stopped on my Antwerp day trip was the Rubenshuis. This former home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens is now a lovely art museum showcasing some of Rubens best work, along with the work of other famous Flemish painters.
Admission to the museum is €10 for adults and €8 for students. The museum is open every day except Monday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Now you know what to do in Antwerp – enjoy your trip!
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