Top Things to Do in Antwerp, Belgium (Insider Tips)

There used to be a cruel mythical giant named Druon Antigoon who guards the bridge on the Scheldt river (he asks for a toll for anyone who wants to cross the river; whoever refuses will have their hand cut and thrown into the river). One day, a young Roman soldier named Brabo, did not only kill Antigoon but he also cut off the giant’s hand and threw it to the river. This folklore is where the name of ‘Antwerp’ or ‘Antwerpen’ had originated from which means ‘hand werpen’ in Dutch with the word ‘werpen’ being similar to the Old English ‘wearpan’ which means ‘to throw’.
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Whenever someone says ‘Historic City Center‘ or ‘Old City‘, that would be the area around the Grote Markt (Great Market Square) and the Stadhuis (City Hall).
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» Quick Travel Planning

Top Things to Do in Antwerp

1. Arrive by train to see the famed Central Station

How are you (informal): Hoe gaat het? (hoo GAHT hut?)
How are you (formal): Hoe maakt u het? (hoo MAHKT uu hut?)
Thank you (informal): Dank je (DAHNK yuh)
Thank you (formal): Dank u (DAHNK uu)
Yes: Ja (YAH)
No: Nee (NAY)
Goodbye: Tot ziens (TOT seens)
I urge you to arrive by train because once you alight your vehicle and rise to the main area, you will see the architectural beauty of the Antwerpen-Centraal (Antwerp Central Station). Dubbed as Europe’s most romantic and the world’s most beautiful train station, this ‘railway cathedral’ has breathtaking qualities that perfectly depict a mix of modern and ancient construction.

• It was constructed between 1895 and 1905 as a replacement for the original terminus of the Brussels-Mechelen-Antwerp Railway.
• It has various styles and designs incorporated and it proves to be quite difficult to assign it to a particular architectural style.
• It consists of a steel platform roof (43 meters high) and a brick station building in an eclectic style. The entrance hall is vast and often holds art exhibits.
• It has four levels (2 levels are underground) with 14 tracks.
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All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

2. Go shopping (or simply view) the renowned shopping districts

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

3. Visit the outdoor or street markets

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

4. Go on a massive Belgian food trip!

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

5. Witness the iconic cathedral of the city

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

6. Walk through the historical heart of the city

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

7. Walk through the historical heart of the city

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

8. See a panoramic view from high up for free

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

9. Explore the green areas

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

10. Cross the river to explore the ‘left bank’

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

11. Have some good ol’ fun in the city’s attractions

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

12. Experience the city’s nightlife and shows

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!

Antwerp Travel Guide

» Top Tips

• Skip taking a taxi or a car. A taxi will be too expensive, and there are not so many parking spaces in the city. Therefore, I recommend that you go around Antwerp using a bike or a tram; better yet, just walk! It’s not too big of a city anyway. (If you ever need to rent bikes, simply check this page.)
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• Summer is the best time to visit Antwerp since rain is less likely to happen and it’s also the time when the festival Zomer van Antwerpen (Summer of Antwerp) takes place. Lasting for two months, several festivities, parties, and performances would continually happen on the streets, so it will be quite a season!
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• To find out what events are going on at Antwerp, read ‘This is Antwerp‘ or Weekup. But then again, you can just walk around the city and you will quickly see posters of any upcoming event. If not, feel free to strike up a conversation with a local and they will be more than happy to let you in on any happenings.
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• Take advantage of the Antwerp City Card. It’s helpful especially if you’re a tourist because it gives you free entrances to the popular attractions, free use of public transportation, and discount vouchers on shops or bike rentals.
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• Don’t forget Tommorrowland! Though it’s technically not inside the city center of Antwerp, this world-famous electronic music festival is held on the outskirts, in a town aptly called Boom. It spans 3 days and always ends up as a quick sellout in just hours!
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• If you’re looking for good sights outside Antwerp but still within the province, visit these small yet picturesque municipalities: the castles of Schoten, the long high street of Brasschaat, the green park of Rivierenhof at Deurne, and the Trappist abbey of Malle.
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• Are you looking for a magical palace? Complete your city tour and go to Palace op de Meir [website]. It’s an 18th-century building that used to be the place of rulers such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Willem I of the Netherlands, and the Belgian Royal House. Other than the tour, you can also enjoy a luxurious meal and snack in this palace.

All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!
All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts! All in all, if you’re a shopaholic or simply a traveler that wants to get a glimpse of the local’s buying experience, come check out Antwerp’s notorious shopping districts!