ANTWERP: SIGHTS, DIAMONDS, FOOD & WHERE TO STAY

Antwerp (or Antwerpen in Dutch) is one of those cities that might never make it to the top of your list unless someone actually suggests it to you. And yet, it hides some of the most unique sights in Belgium: one of the most beautiful train stations in the world, the “heart” of the international diamond trade, impressive squares, incredible chocolate and a very lively atmosphere.

I visited Antwerp on a day trip from Brussels and started exploring the main things to see in the city.
So if you’re wondering “What should I see in Antwerp in one day?”, in this article I’ll walk you step by step through my favourite Antwerp attractions, tell you where I ate, and give you ideas for where to stay in Antwerp if you decide to make it a proper city break and not just a day trip.

My Pretty Travels tip – If you don’t have time or… you’re not very confident booking train tickets and finding your way around, this organised day trip, which costs under €50 lets you visit both Ghent and Antwerp. With a guided tour, you can see these beautiful Belgian cities in just one day. It includes free cancellation, so I recommend booking in advance here , as it often sells out!

ANTWERP AT A GLANCE

Before we get to the “what to see”, let’s put Antwerp on the map for a moment:

• It’s located in Flanders, in northern Belgium.
• It’s one of the largest ports in Europe.
• It’s considered the “diamond capital of the world”, as a large part of the global diamond trade happens here.
• It’s a city of art: museums, galleries, architecture.
• From Brussels, you can get there very easily by train (about 40 minutes) – ideal for a day trip.

If you have 3–4 days in Belgium and you’re wondering whether it’s worth “sacrificing” one of those days for Antwerp instead of Bruges or Ghent, my answer is: Yes, if you like cities with energy, shopping, chocolate, and you’d like to see a slightly different European port city.
Now let’s see what to do in Antwerp in one day, based on my own itinerary and experience.

ANTWERP – WHAT TO SEE IN ONE DAY

#1. Antwerp Central Station – the most impressive “entrance” to a city

For me, the trip to Antwerp started before I even set foot on the street. You arrive by train from Brussels, the doors open, you go up the stairs and… suddenly you’re in a station that looks more like a palace than a transport hub.

Antwerp Central Station is one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve seen in any city. High ceilings, stained glass, stone, metal – everything is put together in a way that makes you stop for a moment, look around and forget that, technically, you’re “just” in a train station.

Little tips:

If you start your day here, you’ve already ticked off one of the top sights in Antwerp..

#2. Antwerp & Diamonds – stroll through the Diamond District

As you step out of the station, you’re very close to the famous Diamond District, the area filled with shops, workshops and offices that all deal with diamonds.

Antwerp + diamonds is a classic combination: a large part of the world’s diamond trade passes through here, and you can feel it in the atmosphere. Shop windows full of sparkling rings, signs in many languages, people going in and out of offices for meetings.

I personally didn’t go there to buy a diamond (I wish!). Still:

• If you’re thinking of buying, do your research first, compare shops and don’t rush.
• If you’re not planning to buy, just enjoy the walk and the shop windows.

For me, the Diamond District is more of a landmark area of the city, and it’s definitely worth adding to your plan if you’re interested in the story and world of diamonds.

#3. Meir – shopping in Antwerp & a more modern side of the city

If you like Rue Neuve in Brussels or, in general, big shopping streets with chain stores, window displays and a bit of chaos, then you’ll enjoy Meir.

• A great spot for shopping (or just window shopping if we’re in budget mode).
• A nice route to feel the “modern” side of the city before you reach the more historic centre.

On Meir you can make a quick stop for coffee. I personally ended up buying a few clothes because it was REALLY cold, what I had brought from Greece wasn’t enough, and I literally sat in a café to warm up and change into the clothes I had just bought.

#4. Grote Markt, Brabo Fountain, Antwerp City Hall & Christmas Markets

And this is how you reach the spot you’ll probably love the most: Grote Markt, Antwerp’s main square.

Εδώ θα δεις:

• Antwerp City Hall (Stadhuis) with its impressive façade.
• Historic buildings with ornate façades – it feels like stepping into a page from a fairytale.
• The Brabo Fountain, the fountain with the statue linked to the legend of the city’s founding.
• The Cathedral of Our Lady in the background, “overlooking” the square from above.

Somewhere around here you’ll also find the statue of David Teniers II, which adds yet another layer of history and art to your walk. I visited at Christmas, so the picture looked like this:

• Christmas markets with wooden stalls.
• Lights everywhere, smells of glühwein, chocolate and street food.
• People taking photos in front of the Brabo Fountain and City Hall.

#5. Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal)

The Cathedral of Our Lady dominates Antwerp and – literally – you can see it from almost everywhere. It’s the largest Gothic cathedral in Belgium and, when you look at it from the square with the sky behind it, you understand that it’s one of the top Antwerp attractions you simply can’t ignore.

What you can do:

• Admire it from the outside and play with angles for photos (especially if you get the square and the other buildings in the same frame).
• Go inside, if you have time, to see the interior, the artwork and the overall atmosphere.

Even if you’ve seen many cathedrals around Europe, this one has something special – maybe because it combines that sense of grandeur with the very lively, everyday life all around it.

#6. Het Steen – the oldest building in Antwerp & riverside walkόλτα στο ποτάμι

Walking down towards the River Scheldt, you’ll find Het Steen, the oldest building in Antwerp – a stone fortress–castle right by the water.

You don’t need hours here, but:

• It’s worth seeing from the outside, walking around it and taking a few photos.
• It connects beautifully with a walk along the riverside promenade – especially if you want a bit of calm after the buzz of the square.

It’s that point in the day that brings you back down to earth a little: from the super-photographed Grote Markt, you suddenly find yourself in front of a castle-like building and the river.

#7. Chocolate Nation – chocolate paradise in Antwerp

If you’re a chocoholic, get ready. Chocolate Nation is close to Antwerp Central Station and is considered the largest Belgian chocolate museum in the world.

I had an amazing time there – it’s one of those places that:

• Don’t feel like a “heavy” museum, but like an experience.
• Take you through the story of Belgian chocolate from the cocoa tree to pralines.
• Have interactive spaces, scents, flavours (yes, there’s a tasting), colour and fun.

If you only have one day in Antwerp and you need to choose just one museum/experience, Chocolate Nation is a very strong choice – especially if you’re travelling with kids or if you simply want a nice break from walking and shopping.

#8. Other sights in Antwerp – if you stay more than one day

Εγώ στη μονοήμερη δεν πρόλαβα να τα δω όλα (και κάπως χαίρομαι, γιατί έτσι έχω πάντα λόγο να On my day trip I didn’t manage to see everything (and in a way I’m happy about that, because it gives me a reason to go back). If you have 1–2 extra days, it’s worth adding these to your list:

• MAS – Museum aan de Stroom: iconic building by the harbour, with a free rooftop terrace offering 360° views over the city and port.
• Museum Plantin–Moretus: an old printing house–home, the first museum in the world to be added to the UNESCO list, with the oldest surviving printing presses.
• Rubenshuis: the house and studio of Rubens, now a museum (just check before you go if it’s open, as it has undergone renovation works).

So if you’ve already seen the main attractions in Antwerp from my one-day itinerary, these are the “bonus levels” for next time.

ANTWERP FOOD – WHERE I ATE & WHAT I RECOMMEND

I have a bit of a weakness for food (in case that wasn’t already obvious from the best things to do in Brussels post), so of course I had to try Antwerp food as well.

Parillada Argentina – meat, cosy atmosphere and a hearty meal

Classic Greek move: I didn’t think to book ahead or have dinner early, so by the time we got hungry at 10 pm, many options were already closed.

One of the places that was still open, had people and served good food was Parillada Argentina, a restaurant specialising in meat, Argentine-style grill.

What I liked:

• Generous portions, juicy meat.
• Warm, relaxed atmosphere – without being pretentious.
• Perfect place to sit down after lots of walking around the city.

It’s not the most traditional Belgian food, but if you want a solid option for a hearty meal in Antwerp, I’m happily adding it to my list.

Coffee in Antwerp – The G.O.A.T.

You already know that coffee is serious business. And yes, I found a place with freddo cappuccino in Antwerp: The G.O.A.T.

Why am I mentioning it by name?

• Because the coffee was genuinely good, not just “ok for abroad”.
• Because if you’re one of those people who, after hours of walking, just need a freddo to revive, you’re going to remember this.

Besides these two, it’s also worth trying in Antwerp:

• Belgian fries.
• Beers (obviously).
• Chocolates from local chocolateries.
• Waffles, although personally I felt I’d already honoured them quite a lot in Brussels.

ANTWERP ACCOMMODATION – WHERE TO STAY IF YOU DON’T JUST DO A DAY TRIP

I did a day trip from Brussels, but if I went back and stayed 1–2 nights, I’d think about Antwerp accommodation roughly like this:

City centre / around Grote Markt & the Cathedral

Ideal if:

• It’s your first time in Antwerp.
• You want to do most sightseeing on foot.
• You like stepping out of your hotel and being immediately in the heart of the old town.

Obviously prices here are a bit higher, but for a 1–2 night city break, it’s worth it.

Near Antwerp Central Station

Very practical if:

• You’re combining Antwerp with other cities (Brussels, Ghent, Bruges).
• You want easy access to trains.
• You often find more budget-friendly accommodation options without being too far from the centre.

You can easily walk or take a tram to the historic centre and still have your base right next to the station.

Eilandje area / around MAS

If I went again and had more time, I’d also consider the area around MAS:

• It’s more hip and youthful, with bars, restaurants and views of the harbour.
• A good choice if you’ve already stayed in the historic centre and want something a bit different.

Either way, Antwerp accommodation has options for every taste: from boutique hotels to more budget-friendly places around the station or slightly outside the centre.

ANTWERP FROM BRUSSELS – HOW TO GET THERE & FIT EVERYTHING INTO ONE DAY

I did the classic:

• Took a train from Brussels (Brussels Central / Midi) to Antwerpen-Centraal.
• The journey is about 40 minutes, so if you leave around 9:00, you have plenty of time to spend the whole day in Antwerp.

A possible itinerary for 1 day in Antwerp:

1. Arrival at Antwerp Central Station – photos & first impressions.
2. Walk through the Diamond District and continue to Meir for some shopping / wandering.
3. Head down to Grote Markt, Brabo Fountain, City Hall and the Christmas market (if you go in winter).
4. Visit / take photos at the Cathedral of Our Lady.
5. Walk down to the river and Het Steen.
6. Head back towards the station and visit Chocolate Nation.
7. Dinner at Parillada Argentina and coffee/freddo at The G.O.A.T. before catching your train back.

It’s a full day, but absolutely doable. If you feel the pace is too intense, just keep 2–3 key Antwerp attractions and leave the rest for next time.

FAQ ABOUT ANTWERP (SHORT & PRACTICAL)

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