Budget · 7 Days
€511
Mid-range · 7 Days
€1,190
Best months
April to October
Hotel per night (mid-range)
€105
With 7 days in Antwerp, you'll have time to experience the city's highlights. Forget predictable sightseeing. In Antwerp, discovery happens in layers: beneath the 't Steen castle lies a medieval harbor, behind an unassuming facade on Nationalestraat is the revolutionary Dries Van Noten boutique, and within the MAS Museum's towering silhouette are stories of global trade that built this city.
Perfect for fashion lovers
Perfect for art enthusiasts
Perfect for diamond shoppers
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
Start your Antwerp adventure by getting your bearings and exploring the city's most iconic landmarks. Take time to soak in the atmosphere and discover why this destination captures the hearts of millions.
1
Central Station
Experience Central Station, one of Antwerp's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Belgium's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
2
Cathedral
Experience Cathedral, one of Antwerp's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Belgium's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 2: Local Life & Neighborhoods
Experience Antwerp like a local today. Wander through authentic neighborhoods, discover hidden cafes, and get a taste of everyday life in Belgium.
1
Rubens House
Experience Rubens House, one of Antwerp's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Belgium's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
2
MAS Museum
Experience MAS Museum, one of Antwerp's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Belgium's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 3: Art, History & Discovery
Uncover layers of history that shaped Antwerp. From ancient remains to modern marvels, today reveals the stories behind the city's evolution.
1
Diamond District
Experience Diamond District, one of Antwerp's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Belgium's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
2
Grote Markt
Experience Grote Markt, one of Antwerp's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Belgium's culture and heritage.
⏱️ 1.5-2 hours
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 4: Explore Historic Centre (Grote Markt & Cathedral)
Trade the big landmarks for a neighborhood day in Historic Centre (Grote Markt & Cathedral), one of the best areas to see everyday life in Antwerp.
1
Historic Centre (Grote Markt & Cathedral)
The medieval heart of Antwerp, centered around the magnificent Grote Markt square with its ornate 16th-century City Hall and guildhouses. The towering Gothic spire of the Cathedral of Our Lady dominates the skyline. The vibe is touristy but authentically grand, with cobbled lanes leading to hidden courtyards.
⏱️ Half day
💡 Tip: Don't miss: Cathedral of Our Lady, Grote Markt & Brabo Fountain, Guildhouses (Gildehuizen).
2
Middelheim Open-Air Sculpture Museum
A unique, free museum set in a beautiful park, featuring a world-class collection of modern and contemporary sculptures by artists like Rodin, Serra, and Panamarenko.
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: It's a peaceful, artistic escape from the urban bustle, combining art, nature, and architecture in a way few museums can. Locals treat it as a park, making it a truly integrated experience.
Day 5: Day Trip to Ghent
Leave Antwerp behind for a day and head to Ghent (50 min by train).
1
Ghent
A stunning medieval rival to Antwerp, Ghent boasts an incredibly well-preserved historic core with a fairy-tale castle, breathtaking guildhouses along the canals, and a vibrant student energy. It's more compact and intimate than Brussels.
⏱️ Full day
💡 Tip: Highlights: Gravensteen Castle, Graslei and Korenlei canal views, St. Bavo's Cathedral (home to the Ghent Altarpiece), Medieval architecture of the Patershol district.
Day 6: Day Trip to Brussels
Leave Antwerp behind for a day and head to Brussels (40 min by train).
1
Brussels
Belgium's bustling, multilingual capital offers a stark contrast to Antwerp's cool confidence. Dive into EU politics, marvel at the Grand Place's gold-leafed grandeur, and indulge in a wider array of international cuisine and comic strip art.
⏱️ Full day
💡 Tip: Highlights: Grand Place, EU Quarter & Parlamentarium, Comic Strip Route & museums, Sampling food at the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert.
Day 7: Het Zuid (The South) & Hidden Gems
Spend your last day away from the main sights: slow down in Het Zuid (The South) and seek out a few places most visitors to Antwerp never find.
1
Het Zuid (The South)
Antwerp's elegant 'Borough of Museums,' characterized by wide, Parisian-style boulevards and beautiful fin-de-siècle architecture. This is the cultural quarter, boasting a sophisticated, laid-back atmosphere with chic cafes, art galleries, and fine dining.
⏱️ Half day
💡 Tip: Don't miss: Royal Museum of Fine Arts (KMSKA), Fine arts museums, Museum of Contemporary Art (M HKA).
2
St. Anna's Tunnel (Voetgangerstunnel)
A historic pedestrian and bicycle tunnel under the Scheldt River, opened in 1933, featuring original wooden escalators and a timeless art deco aesthetic.
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: Crossing it is a step back in time, and it leads to the left bank (Linkeroever) for the absolute best panoramic view of the Antwerp skyline—a view most tourists miss.
3
Kloosterstraat Antiques Street
A long street in the 't Zuid district lined with eclectic antique shops, vintage furniture dealers, and curiosity-filled boutiques, open especially on weekends.
⏱️ 1-2 hours
💡 Tip: It's the antithesis of the high-fashion ModeKwartier, offering a treasure-hunt atmosphere among 20th-century design, oddities, and authentic retro finds.
Top tours and experiences in Antwerp
The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.
All things to do in Antwerp →
Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Why Visit Antwerp
Architectural Theatre: Witness the 'Railway Cathedral,' Antwerp Central Station, a breathtaking blend of stone, iron, and glass where trains arrive under a monumental dome. Then, contrast it with the Zaha Hadid-designed Port House, a diamond-like structure perched atop a old fire station, symbolizing the city's forward thrust.
The Rubens Trail: Step into the painter's world at Rubens House, his actual residence and studio, then see his monumental altarpieces in situ at St. Charles Borromeo Church and the Cathedral of Our Lady, understanding his profound impact on the city's visual identity.
Diamond Dynasty: Explore the concentrated, high-security Diamond District around Hoveniersstraat, where over 80% of the world's rough diamonds are traded. Visit DIVA, the museum dedicated to the art of diamonds, silver, and jewelry, to understand this glittering legacy.
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How much do 7 days in Antwerp cost?
Plan on roughly €511 on a budget, €1,190 mid-range or €2,191 for a comfortable trip, per person and excluding travel to Antwerp.
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | €45 | €105 | €180 |
| Food and drinks (per day) | €18 | €40 | €78 |
| Sightseeing and activities (per day) | €10 | €25 | €55 |
| Total per day | €73 | €170 | €313 |
| Total for 7 days | €511 | €1,190 | €2,191 |
Estimates exclude flights and long-distance transport. Compare daily costs across cities
Where to stay in Antwerp
Hotels close to the centre of Antwerp, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.
Budget
Mid-range
Upscale
LuxuryHotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Travel Tips
- 1Book accommodation in the city center for easy access to attractions. Antwerp is best explored by combining walking with public transport.
- 2The best time to visit Antwerp is April to October. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and pleasant weather.
- 3The local currency is Euro (€). Cards are widely accepted.
- 4A few words in Dutch go a long way with locals. Even "please" and "thank you" will earn smiles.
- 5Download offline maps and translation apps before your trip. WiFi can be spotty in historic areas.
- 6With 7 days, consider a day trip outside Antwerp to experience more of Belgium.
Must-Try Food in Antwerp
Frietjes met Mayonaise
Stoofvlees (beef stew) with beer
Mosselen met Friet (mussels)
Antwerpse Handjes cookies
💡 Dine where the chefs do: the area around Marnixplaats is packed with innovative, high-quality restaurants favored by the city's culinary insiders, like The Jane or Het Gebaar.
Neighborhoods to Explore in Antwerp
Het Eilandje & the Port
A formerly derelict dockland area transformed into a beacon of modern urban renewal.
The Fashion District (ModeKwartier) & Jewish Quarter
A dynamic, eclectic mix of high fashion, diamond trade, and orthodox Jewish life.
Day Trip Ideas
With 7 days in Antwerp, you have time for a memorable day trip. Here are some great options nearby:
Bruges (Brugge)
1 hour 20 min by train
The quintessential medieval 'Venice of the North,' a UNESCO World Heritage site of cobbled lanes, serene canals, and postcard-perfect squares.
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