If you only have 1 day in Antwerp, you’ll be surprised at how much you can see and do. Just a short train ride from major European cities like Brussels or Amsterdam, Antwerp is a vibrant city known for its stunning architecture, rich history, and world-class art. Plus, this is Belgium, so expect some chocolate and beer too.
Whether you’re drawn to its famous diamond district, picturesque old town squares, or trendy cafés, Antwerp makes for the perfect day trip if you’re on a bit of a time crunch.
Here’s my guide to the best way to spend 1 day in Antwerp, and why you’ll probably want to stay longer. Unless you’re too tempted by the diamonds, and need to leave before your travel budget betrays you.
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Where Is Antwerp?
Antwerp is located in northern Belgium, a short distance from the Dutch border. The port city lies along the River Scheldt, where many European bound trade ships have arrived for centuries. Just one of the many reasons why Belgium is famous for both its diamonds and chocolate.
Antwerp is about 45 minutes by train from Brussels, making it an easy and popular day trip. The city is well connected by rail, with Antwerp-Central Station often ranked among the most beautiful in the world.
As well as Brussels, there are direct trains from other big European cities too. Paris is just over 2-hours away, Amsterdam about 90-minutes, and Rotterdam less than an hour by train.
Once you arrive in Antwerp, most of the main attractions are within walking distance which makes it really easy to explore. You can also hop on trams, rent a bike, or use public buses for quick trips across town.
Is 1 Day In Antwerp Enough?
Not really, no. Antwerp can be done in a day, but you’ll end up picking and choosing activities, and likely have to forego something really cool that you’ll wish you had time for.
But if you’re short on vacation days, and visiting from one of Europe’s larger nearby cities, you can absolutely see a lot with only 1 day in Antwerp. The key will be going in with a plan, and realizing you can’t see everything.
My top travel tip if you’ve only got 1 day to explore Antwerp is to choose one or two attractions or activities at most. Then spend the rest of the day soaking in the historic city, wandering around looking at beautiful architecture, or sipping on a hot chocolate or beer at a sidewalk cafe.
What Can You Do With Only 1 Day In Antwerp
Not one to take my own advice, I always seem to pack way too much into a day trip. My 1 day in Antwerp was no different. I got an early train, and planned to stay until later in the evening, maximizing my sightseeing potential. Here are a few things you might want to do with your day trip (or longer).
CHOCOLATE NATION MUSEUM
Want to see how chocolate as we know it is made? Or to understand how on Earth Belgium became the chocolate capital? The Chocolate Nation Museum is an awesome experience that will guide you through everything you need to know about chocolate. The best thing? There are tasting opportunities.
Self-guided tours start every 15 minutes, and your group will be led from room to room, with many interactive opportunities along the way. You can even watch the chocolatiers work their magic, or take a weekend workshop and make your own.
The ultimate experience though is the tasting room. Here you’ll be given a spoon and get to try all the liquid chocolate your heart desires. Make sure to sample them all and see which one you like the most. You’ll need this information for the amazing gift shop.
TOP TRAVEL TIP: Tickets for the regular museum experience are €20. However, a ticket including a workshop experience is just under €60. This can often be cheaper than buying a separate chocolate workshop elsewhere (mine was €55 in Brussels).
RED STAR LINE MUSEUM
No, not the Titanic company, that’s White Star Line. But this is a museum about a shipping line join founded between a company in Philadelphia, and one in (you guessed it) Antwerp.
If you find travel as interesting as me, then you’ll love this museum. Discover the history of the famous shipping line including the exciting, and heartbreaking stories, of those who boarded for a better life in America.
Much like experiencing EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin, Ireland, seeing what people go through in search of opportunity abroad is really well done here at the museum. Personally, I loved seeing all the old photos. Tickets start at €10, which is reasonable for the amount of time you could spend here.
TOP TRAVEL FACT: Did you know that once Red Star Line went out of business its assets were acquired by Holland America Line?
CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY
The Roman Catholic cathedral at the heart of Antwerp seems to have been a work in progress since it began construction in the mid-1300s. Standing at Groenplaats (Green Square), it’s a beautiful building that is absolutely worth seeing when visiting Antwerp.
You may have to decide whether you think the €12 entry fee is worth it for a peek inside. If you’ve only got 1 day in Antwerp you might be satisfied with viewing it from the outside. But either way, don’t miss this stunning church with its ornate carved entranceways.
SUNDAY FLEA MARKET
Who doesn’t love a good flea market? One man’s junk is another man’s treasure after all. And you might just find a totally unique souvenir at the Antwerp Sunday flea market.
The Sint-Jansvliet antique market might vary in size depending on the season, and the weather, but there are a few stalls worth checking out. Find ornaments, old photographs, kitchenware, and even some vintage comics and art.
TOP TRAVEL TIP: If you are here on a day the Sunday market isn’t operating, check out the nearby Ivonne Old Furniture store. It also has some interesting antiques and other items to peruse.
HET STEEN
A building in Antwerp that’s older than the cathedral is Het Steen. This 13th Century fortress is right next to the river, and in my opinion is a great stop on a day trip to Antwerp.
While I found the Antwerp Story within the fortress a little underwhelming, it was nevertheless fun to explore the old building for only a €7 entry fee. Tickets can be purchased online in advance, or from a ticket machine in Het Steen.
Other than the Antwerp Story, the Antwerp Visitor Centre is located here – find info about the city, or buy a souvenir or two. My favorite part of Het Steen though? The rooftop terrace and the top of the tower. Climb up for nice views of the city and the river.
STOCK EXCHANGE BUILDING
The only building I found that was just as beautiful and ornate as Antwerp train station is Antwerp Stock Exchange building. Carolin, from Solo Travel Story first put me onto this magical place, and I’m really glad I made the stop on my walk from the station.
It’s free to enter, and is one of the most interesting buildings in Antwerp. Checkered tile floors, carved columns, and wrought iron supports decorated with various coats of arms. The inside is so bright from all the windows. It’s a wonderful place to explore.
TOP TRAVEL TIP: The building is only open on weekends for public viewing but also keep an eye out for public events and special exhibitions which are sometimes held here.
NELLO & PATRASCHE STATUE
You may or may not have heard of the classic children’s story A Dog In Flanders, but if you’ve done any kind of research on Antwerp you’ll probably recognize its characters from their statue. Even if you don’t know who they are.
Nello is a little boy, and Patrasche is his dog. And this statue of them can be found in Green Square in front of the cathedral. The white marble characters lie sleeping under a blanket of cobble stones. Why here? Well, the Cathedral of Our Lady is part of their story in the book, which makes this a fitting place for their statue to be found.
VLAEYKENSGANG ALLEY
Go back in time with a visit to the hidden, but popular, Vlaaikensgang. This little picturesque alley instantly transports you back in the city’s history.
It has a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it entrance, but leads to old brick buildings with climbing vines and floral window boxes. Occasionally one of the restaurants housed either side might set up a couple of tables for a real ambient meal. Not so much in winter, when I was there, though.
MUSEUM AAN DE STROOM
Want to know a little more about Antwerp? Maybe something more than you found out in the Red Star Line Museum or the Antwerp Story at Het Steen? This museum (known as MAS), which is just as interesting from the outside as it is inside, is a great place to start.
Find out why the port city of Antwerp became such a major player in the global business of trade. Discover what happened to Antwerp during the war, and how the city became what it is today. The museum houses a lot of objects from other Antwerp museums that are no longer in operation, so it covers a wide range of topics – and does so in interactive ways.
Tickets are €10. If you’re between this and Het Steen’s Antwerp Story, I’d go with the MAS. There’s more to learn here about Antwerp’s history, and it also has a rooftop where you can get a good view. And it’s higher up that Het Steen.
ANTWERP STREET ART
Even if you don’t have time for museums on your 1 day in Antwerp, the city itself is a canvas you can’t ignore. Wander down any street in Antwerp and you might spot some street art. While not all of it is worthy of seeking out, there are a few pieces that are interesting enough to grab your attention.
Cartoons seem to be a big theme in Belgium (after all the country is famous for creating some of the most popular cartoons like Tin Tin and the Smurfs). So expect to see some cartoon-style murals. Much of the murals and sculptures I found were very colorful.
SAMPLE SOME BELGIAN BEER
Now we’re talking. After all that sightseeing you’re bound to need a rest. And what better way to relax than with a cold Belgian beer at a sidewalk café, or indoors looking out if it happens to be a little rainy.
The good news is you’ll have plenty of great beers to choose from. The bad news…you have too many great beers to choose from.
Try a De Koninck if you’re looking for something local to Antwerp. A Chimay if you’re interested in a Belgian Trappist (monastery) beer. Or Leffe and Hoegaarden are tasty, but more commercialized beers.
And I dare you to visit Belgium without seeing Stella Artois somewhere – always a good neutral option if you’re more of a Pilsner/lager fan, although it’s not my favorite.
TOP TRAVEL TIP: You can even take a brewery tour at De Koninck, but probably not if you’ve only got 1 day in Antwerp as it isn’t very central. If you’re here for a few days, I would recommend checking it out.
What If I Have Longer Than 1 Day In Antwerp?
If you plan right, you won’t have to smush a week’s worth of activities into one day. Take your time, enjoy the city. Having more time will allow you to see a lot more, or see it at a better pace. But what else can you do in Antwerp?
Can’t afford the real thing? See how the other half live by visiting DIVA, the diamond museum. Or just stroll through the diamond district for a little light window shopping.
Between beer, chocolate, waffles and Belgian fries there’s lots of quintessential local foods to try. Why not take a foodie walking tour around the old town area of Antwerp?
If you’re around in the summer, or when the weather is nice enough, enjoy a bike ride or a guided cycling tour around the city. Or maybe you prefer to ready your sea-legs with a boat tour around the port.
Whatever happens, you’ll need plenty of fuel for all your activities. As well as some local food, I recommend a bite in a nice people-watching spot, like La Pizza è Bella for some delicious Italian food. My cacio e pepe was really good.
Is It Worth Spending 1 Day In Antwerp?
Absolutely! Antwerp was a joy of a city to explore – and not just because I was overstimulated on chocolate and beer.
Spending 1 day in Antwerp is enough to discover why this Belgian city is such a gem – or should I say diamond? Hidden it isn’t, and not to say it isn’t popular either, but Brussels and Bruges seem to get a lot more notoriety from first time visitors to Belgium.
From its stunning medieval architecture and lively main square to interesting museums, diamond shopping (if you can afford it), and delicious Belgian food. Wrap it all together and Antwerp packs a lot into a compact area that’s easy to explore on foot.
You might have to narrow down your itinerary if you only have a day in Antwerp, but whether you’re drawn to history, art, or just soaking up the local atmosphere, Antwerp offers a perfect mix that makes it well worth a visit.
Take it from someone who packed a lot in, and wished they had more time – spend longer than a day in Antwerp if you can. You won’t regret it.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. What would you pick to do with only 1 day in Antwerp? What other gems in this city would you recommend?
You really managed to see so much in one day. Chocolate tasting would be the first thing I’d do! Ive only been to Bruges before but Antwerp looks like it would be a great alternative. I love street art so that would keep me busy for a while – the statue of Nello and Patrasche is just gorgeous. My favourite Belgian beer is kriek cherry beer so one or two of those would be in order while I was there! Adding Antwerp to my travel to do list now!
Aw thanks ever so much for taking me back to Antwerp and for your kind mention in the post. I am so thrilled you have been able to enjoy the stock exchange. It is such a unique and atmospheric venue. I see you were able to go upstairs and shoot from the balcony, I need to sneak into the stock exchange next time and find out how to get up there. Your 1 day in Antwerp has covered all the cool spots that one should see when visiting Antwerp. I will also drop some pins from your restaurant recommendations.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
You packed a lot into a day! I know I would love the chocolate museum and walking around to find the lovely street art. The statue of Nello and Patrasche would delight me. A priority for me would be the Red Star Line museum. Antwerp is definitely going on my travel list!
You crammed so much in to one day in Antwerp! I’ve done a few Belgium cities but not made it to Antwerp yet, but I’m determined to. I’ve taken some tips from this post ready for when I do.
Wow. That’s quite a lot to see in one day and all beautiful. I would love just walking around the city. It looks very unique and interesting.
We stopped in Antwerp for only one day as well. But we wished we planned more time. Hubby is really sad to miss the Chocolate Nation Museum. But we did see several churches. That status of Patrasche was so cute!
I’ve always wanted to visit Antwerp but haven’t made it there yet. It definitely sounds like I’ll want to spend more than 1 day but I love all of your suggestions and they definitely help narrow down the list of all there is to see!