12 Essentials: what to see and do in Antwerp (Belgium) in 1 or 2 days

One of the alternatives when planning your first trip to Flanders en Belgium is to include or not city ​​of Antwerp.

The great tourist attraction of some of the Flemish cities, such as Witches o GhentAnd including Leuven, conditions the inclusion of Antwerp on a route in which you will surely also have Brussels as one of the objectives of the trip.

Therefore, to make the decision you should know what to see in Antwerp, although I can tell you that it is worth visiting.

Due to its population, with its 500.000 inhabitants, it is the second city of Belgium, but although it is a large city, I will tell you that the tourist visit is very concentrated in the historical Center.

Furthermore, due to its characteristics you can perfectly visit Antwerp in one dayOf course, seeing the corners and the most important monuments.

How to get to Antwerp from Brussels

Antwerp is only 55 kilometers by road from Brussels, and an hour by train from the Belgian capital.

Therefore, it is very easy to include this city in a travel route through flanders, especially taking into account the aforementioned, that a full day may be enough for your visit.

Curiosities history of Antwerp

Antwerp It is a city historically marked by its belonging to the Spanish Netherlands, which conditions many aspects of their culture,

Among them stands out the preeminence of Catolic religion, which you will be able to see when you visit its cathedral and its churches.

Its economic development began in the 15th century and it has always been one of the most important commercial cities in northern Europe, largely due to its activity as a river port.

In this regard, currently what will attract your attention the most is knowing that Antwerp is considered as the world diamond center.

You will see this during your walk through the small Jewish quarter located next to the Central Station where numerous companies and diamond stores are concentrated.

Therefore Antwerp It is now one of the European cities with the largest Jewish population, which will be very easy to see both in said neighborhood and in its surroundings, which have become the residential area of ​​said community.

Transport: how to get around Antwerp

As I mentioned, it is an easy city to visit, so you may hardly need to use public transportation.

Of course, if, for example, you are staying in a hotel near the aforementioned Central Station, although you can walk to the historic center, you will save time if you use the Metro.

Now, don't expect a suburban like that of big cities like Paris, London or Madrid.

En Antwerp called Metro trams that in the central axis of the city, which is the Meir Street, They circulate through an underground tunnel as if they were a subway, although when they leave the city center, they come to the surface.

As in other Belgian cities, you also have the option of visit Antwerp by bike.

In the underground parking lot of the Central Station, riding a Fietshaven, you can rent a bike for the whole day, which will only cost you 13 euros.

Of course, you also have the option of signing up for a guided tour of Antwerp, or if you are a group of family or friends, at a private tour of Antwerp, both made with guide in spanish.

12 places to see and things to do in Antwerp in one day

Facing your tourist day, it is easy to assume that you can start it in the same Central Station, an interesting building in itself.

Central Station 

Renovated about ten years ago, now the Antwerp train station it is also a mall with several plants.

As you leave the station through the main door, on the right you will see the entrance to the Zoo, ideal visit in a travel with children.

Diamond Quarter 

To the left extends the aforementioned diamond quarter, with numerous shops, many security measures, and where you will see that next to the Jewish community, there is a lot Hindu population who also runs this type of business.

From the station you have a large avenue, the one mentioned above Meir, which will take you directly to the historic center.

As you walk along this avenue you will see the great cosmopolitan and commercial atmosphere of the city, with a very different style from other Flemish cities such as the aforementioned Bruges and Ghent.

In this area you will see several shopping areas with numerous brand stores.

Royal Palace in Antwerp

You will also pass through old royal palace, now known as the Meir palace.

It is a renovated building, with a long history behind it, which in its time was owned by Napoleon and the King William I of the Netherlands.

Inside now is the Line chocolate shop, property of a famous chocolatier, whose production workshop is located in the room that was the kitchen of the palace.

In this commercial avenue it will be easy for you to distinguish the Boerentoren Tower. which after being built in style art decó behind the First World War, he became the first skyscraper in Europe.

Rubens House Museum 

Before you can see (and visit if you want; entrance, 10 euros) the Rubens House Museum.

This is the home that the famous artist Peter Paul Rubens He lived with his family during his 25 years of residence in the city.

Currently in this Flemish city up to 52 works of art are exhibited, both in the house and in various churches and museums. Rubens.

Groenplaats 

You will soon arrive at historical Center which has two large squares as its main axes.

First, the Groenplaats, in the center of which you will see a rubens statue, and from where, behind a beautiful front of facades, you can already see the very tall tower of the Antwerp cathedral.

Antwerp Cathedral

One of the must-sees in this Flemish city, this cathedral is considered the largest Gothic church in the Netherlands, and inside you can also see important Rubens works.

You will already be in the most touristic area of ​​the city.

Town Hall and Guild House in Plaza Mayor 

After passing through the charming square where the entrance porch of the cathedral faces, you will reach the Plaza Mayor, the real heart of the old town.

There you will see the renaissance town hall building, although without a doubt the most charming corner is the front of guild houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, with an almost twin image.

And in the center of the great Plaza Mayor, statue dedicated to Brabo, whose legend says that he was the founder of the city of Antwerp.

San Carlos Borromeo Church

Near the Plaza Mayor you have the Church of San Carlos Borromeo, a good example of the baroque in the 17th century, where you can see numerous paintings and sculptural works of Rubens.

Although if you like the baroque, you should move away from the center a little and go to the Sailors neighborhood to view St. Paul's Church.

Built in 1571, in its bright interior you will see sumptuous baroque altars with more than 200 sculptures and works of Jordaens, Rubens o Van Dyck.

Castillo T Steen 

When you reach the shore of the Scheldt River, you will find a historic monument known as T Steen (the stone), A XNUMXth century castle which was rebuilt by the Spanish during their occupation of the Netherlands.

As a curiosity, when you are in this area be sure to go down the very old and curious escalators that will allow you to see a very long Underground tunnel which leads to the area of ​​the city located on the other bank of the Scheldt River.

I will also tell you that from this area of ​​the dock they depart cruises on tourist boats that navigate through the port area.

Vlaeykensgang Alley 

In the streets surrounding the historic center you also have some other places to see, such as the alley Vlaeykensgang, whose image will take you to the 16th century atmosphere.

Plantin-Moretus Museum 

It is also worth noting the Plantin-Moretus museuma 16th century mansion where you can see what is considered as the oldest printing press in the world, from more than 400 years ago, declared Heritage awarded by the Unesco.

MAS Museum in Antwerp

I can't finish the review of the Antwerp tourist attractions not to mention the MAS, a new museum that has become a favorite attraction of tourists and residents of Antwerp.

The truth is that on my trip due to lack of time I was not able to visit it, so it is left for a new opportunity.

El MAS, whose main theme is city ​​of Antwerp and its history, is located in the new port area, in a modern building with an original design that combines reddish stone and glass.

Enjoy your visit to Antwerp!