Antwerp Walking Routes: Alleys to Docklands
Antwerp Walking Routes: Alleys to Docklands
Four walks, each between 1.5 and 3.5 kilometres, cover most of what makes Antwerp different from every other Belgian city: a secret alley, an Art Nouveau street, a working diamond district and a harbour with serious architecture. All four are free to do on your own. Pick the one that matches the day of the week.
Walk 1: the old centre and Vlaeykensgang
About 2.5 km and two hours. Begin on the Grote Markt, slip through the Gothic porch into Vlaeykensgang, a cobbled alley from 1591 that once housed shoemakers, then come out on Oude Koornmarkt. Circle the Cathedral of Our Lady, cross Handschoenmarkt and finish near Vrijdagmarkt, the old printing quarter. Weekday mornings are quietest. The cathedral interior costs €12 and is open shorter hours on weekends.
Walk 2: Zurenborg and Cogels-Osylei
About 3 km and 2.5 hours. Start at Antwerpen-Berchem station and head down Cogels-Osylei, where Art Nouveau, Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance houses stand shoulder to shoulder. Turn onto Transvaalstraat and Waterloostraat, where tiled scenes recall the Battle of Waterloo, and end at Dageraadplaats, a square lined with cafes. The area has about 170 protected facades.
Walk 3: the diamond district
About 1.5 km and 90 minutes. Leave Antwerpen-Centraal by Pelikaanstraat, then follow Hoveniersstraat and Schupstraat past the exchanges. This is a working trading district, protected by cameras and patrols, so keep photographs to shop windows rather than people. Antwerp trades most of the world’s rough diamonds but the cutting happens elsewhere. Many businesses close from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, so go Monday to Thursday. Kleinblatt on Provinciestraat, a kosher bakery trading since 1903, is a good stop. Watch your bag near the station.
Walk 4: Eilandje docklands
About 3.5 km and two hours. Start at Falconplein, pass through the old sailors’ quarter, cross the Bonapartedok and circle the MAS tower. Follow the Kattendijkdok marina to the Port House by Zaha Hadid. The MAS rooftop is free and open Tuesday to Sunday, so end the loop with the view. See mas.be .
One more crossing
To walk under the Scheldt, take the Sint-Annatunnel, which is 572 metres long, free and open 24 hours. Tram lines do not cross the river until about March 2027, so it is a useful route as well as a curiosity. Maps and routes are on visit.antwerpen.be .
If you want a guide
Local guides run themed walks, and you can look at Antwerp walking tours on GetYourGuide before deciding. The sightseeing page lists the landmarks you pass.
Tip: do the diamond walk first on a Tuesday, then Zurenborg in the afternoon light.