Antwerp 4 Day Itinerary

Antwerp Travel Itinerary (4 Days)

Day 1: Arrival & Exploring the City Center

  • Arrival: Antwerp International Airport or Brussels Airport (BRU) is your gateway. You can reach Antwerp by train in about 30 minutes from BRU.

  • Accommodation: Consider staying at Hotel Julien (Central Station), Parkhotel Mercure Antwerpen Centrum MGR (Grote Markt), or Ibis Antwerpen Centrum St. Jaakswijk (St. James’ Church).

  • Breakfast: Start your day with a Belgian waffle at Waffles & Dinges or Café Vlockstraat.

  • Morning: Visit the iconic Grote Markt (Main Square) and the City Hall, the most famous building in Antwerp. Explore the surrounding streets like Mechelsestraat and Handschoenmarkt for boutique shops and charming cafes.

  • Lunch: Head to De Koninck, a historic brewery offering beer tastings and a restaurant with traditional dishes.

  • Afternoon: Visit the Rubens House, where the famous painter Pieter Paul Rubens lived and worked. Then, stroll along the Sint-Andrieskwartier neighborhood, known for its beautiful architecture and antique shops.

  • Dinner: Dine at Hof Van Cleve, a 2-Michelin-star restaurant offering innovative Belgian cuisine. Alternatively, try Taverne ’t Jekerke for traditional Flemish dishes.

Day 2: Museums & Diamond District

  • Breakfast: Start your day at Café Dok Noord or Brouwerij De Vlier.

  • Morning: Visit the Antwerp Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the world. Then, head to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) and the Plantin-Moretus Museum.

  • Lunch: Grab a quick bite at Masala Mombasa (Indian food) or Café Denneboom (sandwiches).

  • Afternoon: Explore the Diamond District, visit the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) to learn about Antwerp’s history and culture.

  • Dinner: Dine at Sea Grill for seafood or Brasserie Tabora for steak and fries.

Day 3: Day Trip to Brussels & Mechelen

  • Morning: Take a quick train ride (about 30 minutes) to Brussels. Visit the Grand Place, Atomium, and Manneken Pis.

  • Lunch: In Brussels, try Le Pain Quotidien or Chez Leon.

  • Afternoon: Return to Antwerp and visit the beautiful city of Mechelen (about 20 minutes by train). Explore the Stadhuis van Mechelen, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, and Sint-Romboutstoren.

  • Dinner: Back in Antwerp, dine at Café Vlissinghe for traditional Flemish dishes.

Day 4: Shopping & Departure

  • Breakfast: Have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel or try Frituur De Klamper for Belgian fries with mayonnaise.

  • Morning: Spend the morning shopping in the Kloosterstraat, Nationalestraat, and Hanswijk. Don’t forget to visit ModeMuseum (Antwerp Fashion Museum).

  • Lunch: Grab a quick lunch at Eetcafe De Munt or Dobbeltrappentje.

  • Afternoon: If time permits, visit the Red Star Line Museum, which tells the story of the immigrants who left Europe through Antwerp.

  • Departure: Depending on your flight schedule, make your way to the airport or train station for your journey home.

Tips:

  • Use the Antwerpen Card for free admission to museums and public transportation.
  • Visit during the Groenendijkfeesten (early July) or Antwerp Pride (mid-August).
  • Try the famous Belgian chocolates from Neuhaus or Godiva.
  • Learn some basic Dutch phrases, as English might not be widely spoken everywhere.