antwerp walking tours

Free walking tour near Antwerp

Others cities to visit after antwerp, where are you traveling to.

THE 10 BEST Antwerp Walking Tours

Walking tours in antwerp.

  • Historical & Heritage Tours
  • Cultural Tours
  • Sightseeing Tours
  • Walking Tours
  • Up to 1 hour
  • 1 to 4 hours
  • 4 hours to 1 day
  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • Likely to Sell Out
  • Special Offers

antwerp walking tours

  • The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

antwerp walking tours

1. Antwerp BeerWalk with English Guide

antwerp walking tours

2. Private Tour in Antwerp, Belgium with a Local Guide

antwerp walking tours

3. Private Antwerp's Diamonds and Jewellery Old City Center Historic Tour

antwerp walking tours

4. Antwerp Sightseeing Tour from Brussels

antwerp walking tours

5. Private Historical Walking Tour in Antwerp City

antwerp walking tours

6. Antwerp: 2-Hour Food Tour with 5 Tastings

antwerp walking tours

7. e-Scavenger hunt Antwerp: Explore the city at your own pace

antwerp walking tours

8. Private Tour: The Dark Side of Antwerp

antwerp walking tours

9. Legends of Antwerp Private Walking Tour

antwerp walking tours

10. Antwerp: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App

antwerp walking tours

11. 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Antwerp

antwerp walking tours

12. Photography Tour Discovering Secret Locations and get helpful tips

antwerp walking tours

13. Antwerp Pub Crawl Walking Tour

antwerp walking tours

14. 3-Hour Private Tour in Antwerp

antwerp walking tours

15. Explore the Instaworthy Spots of Antwerp with a Local

antwerp walking tours

16. Evening Walking Tour: The Dark Side of Antwerp

antwerp walking tours

17. Private day trip to Antwerp from Amsterdam

antwerp walking tours

18. Surprise Walk of Antwerp with a Local

antwerp walking tours

19. Antwerp by Night Private Walking Tour

antwerp walking tours

20. Private Jewellery Walking Tour in the Fashion district

antwerp walking tours

21. 7-Day Sightseeing Tour to Belgium — Netherlands from Brussels by Minivan

antwerp walking tours

22. Antwerp Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game

antwerp walking tours

23. Antwerp : Private Custom Walking Tour with Local Guide

antwerp walking tours

24. Antwerp: 2-Hour Jewish Quarter Walking Tour

antwerp walking tours

25. Private tour : City of Rubens Antwerp Half-Day from Brussels

antwerp walking tours

26. Antwerp Private Walking Tour

antwerp walking tours

27. Private tour : Antwerp City of Rubens From Cruise port Zeebrugge or Bruges

antwerp walking tours

28. Walking Tour Big five Rubens' churches (audio)

antwerp walking tours

29. Explore Antwerp in 1 hour with a Local

antwerp walking tours

30. Self Guided The Antwerp Syndicate City Escape Game

What travelers are saying.

bambergfan

  • Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Antwerp
  • Private tour: Highlights & History of Antwerp
  • Antwerp Sightseeing Tour from Brussels
  • Evening Walking Tour: The Dark Side of Antwerp
  • Antwerp: Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App
  • Legends Tours & Activities
  • Walking in Antwerp
  • De gouden straatjes
  • Walk Antwerp
  • UrbanPhotos
  • Viva's Antwerp Free Tours
  • Antwerpen a la Carte

My Itchy Travel Feet

My Itchy Travel Feet

The Baby Boomer's Guide To Travel

How to Take a Self-Guided Antwerp Walking Tour

This article may contain referral links. Read our DISCLOSURE

Are you looking for Antwerp walking tour tips? We’ve got a treat for you so keep reading!

When it comes to exploring Europe , sometimes there’s just not enough time. Between the bustling capital cities and small, off-the-beaten-path villages, it takes years to fully see everything worth seeing.

A charming city like Antwerp, for example, needs at least a few days to really get a feel for just how wonderful the city is. And of course you’ll want to take a city walking tour . Guest contributor David Johnston from Travelsewhere , tells us how to take a self-guided Antwerp walking tour.

Belgium and its region of Flanders has no shortage of endearing destinations to visit. The northern city of Antwerp, while less popular than the nation’s capital, Brussels , or perennial favorite Bruges , is certainly proof of that.

A cultural powerhouse , Antwerp’s most interesting elements are often found indoors or secluded within its modern outer shell.

Rather than presenting a single image of a bygone era, Antwerp shows off fragments from various times throughout its prosperous past. As a major Belgian city, there are plenty of attractions to visit and things to see in Antwerp.

Table of Contents

Free Antwerp walking tour itinerary

Belgium’s contained nature means a day trip to Antwerp is easily manageable but don’t discount spending the night in the city either ( read reviews about where to stay ). It’s definitely worth more of your time. Come along as I take you on a self-guided Antwerp walking tour.

Start at Grote Markt

an european square with a statue in the middle of the street as seen on an Antwerp walking tour.

Antwerp may be a big city, the second largest metro area in Belgium actually, but the sights of the old town are easily navigated on foot. There’s no better place to start your time exploring Antwerp on foot than with the city’s central square, Grote Markt .

This magnificent square is where you’ll find the quintessential Flemish architecture that enchants many visitors to Belgium. The city’s looming City Hall makes quite the impression, as does the masterful Brabo Fountain before it, relating the fable of Brabo freeing the city from a menacing giant.

Explore Vlaeykensgang Alley

an alleyway with tables and chairs lining the walls

Just a block away, try and uncover the hidden and painfully photogenic Vlaeykensgang Alley. An intimate alley that weaves through the middle of historic buildings, it also takes you past cafes you’d never know about otherwise. You’ll find the entrance next to 18 Koornmarkt, although it is only open during the day.

Visit Handschoenmarkt

large cathedral at the end of a street

Next it’s best to work your way back around to another charming square Handschoenmarkt, full of more classic Flemish buildings, and Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady. It pays to visit inside the cathedral as you’ll be treated to masterpieces by famed artists Quentin Massys and Peter Paul Rubens, plus a modern gleaming sculpture by Jan Fabre.

Tour the Rubenshuis Museum

A city of culture, it’s hard to avoid museums and artists when visiting Antwerp. Combining the two is the Rubenshuis Museum , dedicated to everything Peter Paul Rubens and actually housed within the family home of Rubens.

This way you not only get to see much of his artwork, but gain an understanding of his home life as well. The museum shows off Rubens’ works but also those by students that worked in his renowned studio.

Tour Plantin-Moretus Museum

interior shot with wooden tables

Alternatively, what about visiting the only UNESCO heritage-listed museum in the world ? Yes, Antwerp is home to the truly unique Plantin-Moretus Museum that highlights the history of the printing press inside a 16th century mansion. The museum holds not only some of the oldest remaining printing presses, but antique books and documents as well.

Where to eat during a walking tour of Antwerp

Along the sides of each of Antwerp’s main squares, as well as along streets like Koornmarkt you’ll find umpteen varied possibilities for a quick bite or more substantial hot lunch. Of course, this is a perfect chance to indulge in a classic Belgian treat such as waffles or frites from a cart or frituur.

Touring Antwerp’s architecture

old building with ornate detail

While picturesque, the buildings around Grote Markt and Handschoenmarkt aren’t really a fair representation of Antwerp’s look. In reality, the city has quite an eclectic mix of looks and it’s worth a little walk to see how mixed it can get. If you simply walk the blocks between the city’s cathedral and Rubenshuis Museum, you’re sure to see exactly what I mean.

There’s the grandeur of the Paleis op de Meir balanced against the colder, functional Art Deco style of the Boerentoren high-rise. It’s hard not to be impressed by the neoclassical charm of the Bourla Theater nearby as well.

A round theater with statues

If you’re not interested in walking too much more and are keen to see another, equally striking church, then head for the Saint Carolus Borromeus Church. Featuring a wildly different interior to the Antwerp Cathedral and incredible woodwork, the church is sure to leave an impression.

Visit the MAS Museum

large building clad in brick and glass on a waterfront

Possibly Antwerp’s greatest modern architectural addition, the  Museum aan de Stroom by the docks is already an icon. Opened in 2011, the MAS as its known, is more than just an intricately designed building though.

Inside, the museum hosts a whopping 9 floors packed with temporary and permanent exhibits that hit upon some pretty unlikely topics. Although a look at the Port of Antwerp is to be expected, less so is the exhibit dedicated to the art of Pre-Colombian America.

Even if you’re not interested in taking in the museum’s exhibits, seeing the museum’s architecture and the free rooftop views are well worth the trip out there.

Go window shopping in the Diamond District

Once you’ve seen the panorama, instead why not go window shopping (or shopping-shopping) in Antwerp’s Diamond district? After all, the city is known as the “diamond capital of the world”. The district is found on the western side of the Antwerp Central Station, which by the by, is also well worth a quick look around.

Belgian beer time

Surely when in Belgium, one must taste some Belgian beer! The biggest challenge though with trying Belgian beer isn’t finding a good beer cafe or pub in Antwerp’s city centre. No, the challenge is usually navigating the lengthy list of beers available to you.

One of the easiest ways to cull the herd is to seek out local beers, which in Antwerp includes De Koninck as it’s brewed in the city. Seefbier is another high profile local drop, although you can always go for a national classic like Westmalle or Chimay.

International dining options in Antwerp

After a drink or two, it’s time to explore Antwerp’s culinary scene. Given that it is the world’s 2nd most multi-cultural city, it should be no surprise that you can taste all sorts of cuisine in the city.

If you’re after a truly memorable evening, then seek out  The Jane , a refined restaurant with 2 Michelin stars set inside a chapel. Maybe a little more accessible price-wise are restaurants like Bún for Vietnamese and Middle Eats for Israeli cuisine.

Foodies will enjoy an evening stroll on a self-guided city and food tour . Plan ahead by purchasing your ticket in advance.

Scratch those itchy travel feet!

Boomer travelers rely on our weekly email newsletter for fresh travel inspiration, tips, and advice. It's free! No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

You may also like

cambridge-river-view

Happy to Wander

Diamonds, Tunnels & Hand-Shaped Chocolate: A Mildly Entertaining Tour Through Antwerp, Belgium

Last Updated: October 17, 2023

*FYI - this post may contain affiliate links, which means we earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase from them. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out our Privacy Policy and Disclosure. for more info.

antwerp walking tours

Take a quick walking tour of Antwerp and you’ll quickly learn a series of truths about this woefully underrated Belgian city.

For one, it’s the world’s largest diamond hub , with an unfathomable amount of bling moving through its streets to the tune of 40 billion dollars a year.

It’s also a place where chocolates shaped like severed hands are a chief commodity, and, rather importantly, it’s the humble home of the world’s prettiest train station.

Sure, it may not be Instagrammed as often as Bruges or Brussels , but Antwerp is by far one of the most interesting cities you can visit in Belgium.

I first visited Antwerp on a chilly January day in 2019, and had such a great time, I decided to share my exact walking route with you.

So without further ado, let’s go on a wonderful walking tour of Antwerp together.

antwerp walking tours

Save this free walking tour of Antwerp for later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

A Brief Summary Of Today’s Antwerp Walking Tour

The following post will bring you along on a whirlwind tour through  Antwerp, Belgium , designed to make you feel like you’ve stepped right into the action yourself.

It’s modelled after my exact 1 day Antwerp itinerary I followed, and was designed to give you a taste of all the best sights in the city.

Of course, it doesn’t leave much room for visiting Antwerp’s many cool museums (of which there’s many), but it’s a start… and you can always come back!

This free Antwerp tour can be enjoyed both virtually, or followed in-person for a DIY walking tour that you can use yourself. Either way, I hope you like it!

Now, onto the tour…

Guildhall buildings in Antwerp's Main Square Grote Markt

1. Twirl and gawk at the Antwerp Central Station

We’ll start your DIY Antwerp walking tour at the Antwerp Central Station.

Assuming you’ve arrived by train, congratulations! You’ve already checked off a major bucket list item – the Antwerp Central Station, hailed by many as THE most beautiful train station in the world.

The Grand Hall of the Antwerpen-Centraal is a stone-clad masterpiece of archways, columns, and lovely Art Nouveau flourishes. Little wonder why it’s locally known as the Spoorwegkathedraal, AKA the Railway Cathedral.

And while such a grand title feels a bit… dramatic for a mere transport hub, one look at its 75m monumental dome and you’ll see why it’s considered veritable place of worship for train geeks and starry-eyed travel bloggers alike.

The Main Hall of Antwerp's Central Train Station

Of course, this gloriously elegant station didn’t always look so glamorous.

Just over 100 years ago, Antwerp’s railway station was little more than a humble construction of wood and practicality. At the behest of (highly controversial) King Leopold II however, some of the country’s brightest architectural masterminds were recruited to turn the station into something wow-worthy.

Safe to say they succeeded.

After you’ve finished oohing and ahh-ing, take a step outside so we can continue our Antwerp walking tour!

Antwerp Central Train Station from the outside

2. Skip two of Antwerp’s Best known “attractions”

Straight outside of Antwerp Central Station, you’ll find two of Antwerp’s most well known hotspots on either side of you: 1) the Antwerp Zoo and 2) the Diamond District.

For this special version of Christina’s Antwerp walking tour, I want you to skip both.

I’m not a big supporter of zoos, and to be honest there are much more worthwhile things to do in Antwerp than visiting it.

Colourful dragon installation at the Antwerp Zoo

Likewise with the diamond district, it is a LOT less glamorous than it sounds, and unless you’re here to like, ball out and shower yourself with diamonds, then I wouldn’t waste time exploring it…

It’s literally stall after stall of not-fancy-looking jewelry shops, and perhaps it was the grey January gloom that got to me, but I found the whole area rather depressing to look at.

It’s worth noting though (as you pass) that diamonds are to Antwerp as waffles are to Liège… If you haven’t had a Liège waffle before, what I’m trying to say is they’re delicious. Sorry – I meant important.

Antwerp is the undisputed diamond capital of the world, a status it has rocked for centuries, dating back to when the world’s first stock exchange was created here.

It is said that 84% of all rough diamonds and half of all cut diamonds in the world are traded here, which if you ask me, is a LOT of bling.

Diamond shaped chocolates being sold in an Antwerp chocolate shop

Why Antwerp? Well, many factors over the years have gone into why Antwerp has become the world’s diamond capital, but perhaps most importantly, it was here in Antwerp (back in the 16th century) that diamond cutter bad boy Lodewyk van Bercken invented a diamond polishing wheel called a scaif.

This scaif is what made the multi-faceted diamond we revere today possible – an invention so game-changing that the industry itself was revolutionized, with Antwerp at the heart of all the action.

Today, the Diamond District is a fairly average looking square mile crammed with over 1500 traders that deal with over 30 billion dollars worth of diamonds annually (and that’s considered a “bad year” ).

But again, you wouldn’t know it from its fairly drab aesthetic.

Street on Antwerp Diamond District

3. Start walking down De Keyserlei

If you’ve exited the Antwerp Central Station from its main entrance (you know, where the whole fancy looking façade is), then you should be on De Keyserlei.

Besides sounding like an evil character off Game of Thrones, this is the street you should walk down to eventually hit Antwerp’s main shopping area.

That said, if your priorities are anything like mine, you should first…

4. Get yourself a hot chocolate for strolling at Chocolatier Del Rey

A quick detour onto Lange Herentalsestraat (literally the first street when you turn left while walking down De Keyserlei) and you’ll find yourself at one of Antwerp’s most beloved chocolate spots.

At the Chocolatier del Rey, a sign that simply says “THE BEST HOT CHOCOLATE IN THE WORLD” beckons from afar.

Getting a treat here is a more than just an indulgence – it’s an experience. Order a hot chocolate and they’ll retrieve your desired cacao level from a chocolate-filled bulb of glass before plunking it in some hot milk for your eager consumption.

And while you wait for your choco-magic to be made, you can entertain yourself with the stunning pastry creations and whimsical chocolate shapes like diamonds (of course) and…. hands. More on the hand chocolates later.

Once you’ve got your sipping chocolate, walk back onto De Keyserlei to continue this tour.

That’s right, we couldn’t even walk 100m without a chocolate stop. Welcome to my tour, where I make the rules.

Chocolate del Rey shop in Antwerp with chocolate treats on display

5. Continue on De Keyserlei until you hit the Meir

There’s nothing super notable about De Keyserlei – a few regular shops, restaurants – there’s a Five Guys too if you want to get excited about that… but it’ll lead somewhere great – I promise!

My tip: Don’t forget to turn around for another glimpse of Antwerp Central Station. From afar you can really appreciate its beauty (and capture a cool shot of the street leading down towards it).

After some walking, you’ll soon reach the Statue of David Teniers (a renowned Flemish artist), framed with a nice backdrop of gorgeous Antwerp architecture. Soak it all in. Mmm mmm.

Continuing straight, you’ll soon hit the Meir, Antwerp’s most well-known shopping street. Whip out those wallets folks!

The Muir, the main shopping street in Antwerp Belgium

6. Step into a stunning shopping mall and an even more stunning chocolate shop

Honestly, the Meir is okay but it’s not my favourite place in Antwerp… not even for shopping.

It’s that typical street you see in every major city with the exact same chain shops like H&M, Zara and Uniqlo.

If you’re on a time crunch, I wouldn’t bother shopping at these places you would probably have back home.

The Meir is still worth visiting though because of two exceptional stops.

Firstly – be sure to step into the Shopping Stadsfeestzaal.

Yes it’s a mall but it’s a ridiculously pretty one that’s all golden and majestic, a big step up from the malls I grew up with, where the most cultured thing was a Jamba Juice.

This former festival hall is a striking piece of neoclassical architecture to behold… especially when you consider much of it was destroyed in a fiery blaze in the year 2000.

Nonetheless, extensive restorations came to the rescue and today, the Shopping Stadsfeestzaal is looking just as fine as in her glory days…. except now there’s an Urban Outfitters.

Inside of the Shopping Stadsfeestzaal in Antwerp, Belgium

A few minutes from here, you’ll find The Chocolate Line, the prettiest chocolate shop you’ll see in Antwerp.

At this shop, you’ll find pretty floral wallpaper, chandeliers, etc. all touting the products of Belgium’s chief choco-bad boy, Dominique Persoone.

If the name rings no bells, let me catch you up to speed: this is a guy that once called himself a “shock-olatier” and (for a special Rolling Stones party) invented a catapault that throws cocoa-herb directly into your nose like a whimsical choco-cocaine. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.

Of course, if you’re feeling daring, it’s no surprise that wacky flavours are a starring attraction at the Chocolate Line, whether you want some almond praline with deep fried onions (the “Cebolla”), ganache and marzipan with wasabi (the “Green Tokyo”) or of course, a praline with hemp seeds and a cute lil marijuana leaf decoration (the “Hennep”).

The service is a little snobby and the prices are pretty high, but what else would you expect? It’s a gorgeous little shop and you can even walk in to a demo room where you can watch the chocolate masters at work!

NOTE: Just before the Chocolate Line is the famous Rubens House. I’ve heard this is a great museum but I didn’t have time to visit.

Inside the Chocolate Line shop in Antwerp Belgium

7. Turn right on Sint-Katelijnevest and make your way to Hendrik Conscienceplein

If you haven’t blown your entire trip budget on mariju-ocolate, let’s continue.

We’re going to take a quick detour before we reach the goodness of Antwerp’s main square… why?

I think Antwerp is a city best explored through bouts of wistful wandering, and the best parts of the city are the ones you discover while taking side streets and wrong turns.

This is a right turn though (ha literally), take a right onto Sint-Katelijnevest.

Walk down this pretty unremarkable street until you hit Wijngaardbrug at which point you should take a left.

A left turn will lead you into what I think is one of the prettiest squares in Antwerp: Hendrik Conscienceplein.

Hendrik Conscienceplein square in Antwerp, Belgium

It’s a stunning little square with perfect facades, including the Saint Carolus Borromeus Church. On that note…

8. If you can, step inside the Saint Carolus Borromeus Church

This might be tough because the church has very random opening hours, but if it’s open, be sure to scope it out. Visiting is free, and wow does this place have a story.

Saint Carolus Borromeus Church exterior in Antwerp, Belgium

The year was 1718, and Antwerp’s Carolus Borromeus Church was the talk of the town.

About a hundred years prior, local Jesuits had begun work on this effortlessly grand Baroque church, which was built quickly and with grandiose contributions from some seriously famous names… specifically 39 ceiling paintings from Peter Paul Rubens himself, only THE most influential artist of the period. People were stoked.

And while for decades, people came from near and far to admire the work of Rubens (and the beautiful church itself), everything changed on a fateful day in 1718, when a blaze of lightning struck struck the church, creating a devastating fire that resulted in the loss of Rubens’ glorious paintings.

Meaning yes, they are sadly gone.

Nonetheless, the church is worthwhile sight to behold (if you manage to catch it open to the public). After all, it still does look like this:

Interior of the Saint Carolus Borromeus Church in Antwerp, Belgium

9. If you can, visit the Heritage Library Hendrik Conscience, specifically the Nottebohm Room

Another gem can be found in the Hendrik Conscienceplein.- in fact, one of the prettiest libraries I’ve ever set foot in.

Again, visiting might be tough because the room is only open for special exhibitons and events, but I happened to be in town for one so I threw 5 euros at the woman and enthusiastically leaped up the stairs to one of the best kept secrets of Antwerp: the Nottebohm Room , a book-sniffer’s dream stacked with old books, dark wood and celestial globes.

Originally built in 1936, today this room houses 150,000 items from the deepest depths of the library’s archive. Seriously, if you have the chance, go inside!

Inside the Nottebohm Room at the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library in Antwerp Belgium

10. Continue onto Wijngaardbrug

After you’ve had enough of this ridiculously good-looking square (and its equally good looking/historical inhabitants), continue down Wijngaardbrug to enjoy a slice of cozy, pretty Antwerp.

In the winter, this street was decked out in pretty twinkly lights, with adorable shops like the Poppins Bolemen en Verbeelding flower shop (pink IG bench included!) providing picturesque perfection.

Picturesque Wijngaardbrug street in Antwerp, Belgium

11. Keep going straight and you’ll hit Grote Markt, Antwerp’s main square

We definitely took the scenic route, but we now find ourselves in Antwerp’s main square, Grote Markt.

And yes, it’s seriously stunning.

Grote Markt, the main square in Antwerp, Belgium

Maybe it was the lack of crowds but I actually prefer it to Brussels’ Grand Place. Here, you’ll find stacks of glorious 16th century guildhalls squeezed together like dominos, Antwerp’s illustrious city hall, and the fascinating Brabo Fountain, which depicts a local legend that today is connected to one of the city’s most famous treats…

Take a peek in any Antwerp chocolate shop and you’ll likely see a delicious take on a not-so-delicious object: severed hands!

Chocolate hands being sold in an Antwerp chocolate shop

These chocolate hands are an Antwerp staple thanks to the tale of Brabo (the delightful naked guy seen in the fountain) who, according to local legend, saved dwellers of the Schledt River by defeating an evil giant who used to cut off the hands of sailors that refused to pay his toll.

In defeating the giant, Brabo (poetically) sliced off its hand and hurled it into the river, a legend immortalized in this bizarre statue (which I like to call ‘Naked man yeeting dismembered hand into abyss’), along with the hand-shaped chocolates now sold in every shop of the city.

Budget lots of time here for gratuitous photo opps! And reading Christina’s long stories!

The Brabo fountain in Antwerp's Grote Markt Square

12. Eat… lunch… maybe?

This is a quick break in our DIY Antwerp Walking Tour to remind you to eat something. I had minimal time in the city so I settled for a quick take-out meal which I wolfed down in approximately 2.5 seconds.

For tips on where to eat in Antwerp, this article has plenty of local recommendations.

13. Spend some time wandering around the area

After lunch (or perhaps just a giant coffee), it’s time to indulge in one of my favouite past times: getting lost in the name of fun and photo opps!

Street near Grote Markt in Antwerp, Belgium

Vague, I know, but like I said, Antwerp is so much more magical when you’re just wandering around and discovering little nooks and crannies for yourself.

If you need a little nudge, here are some spots I really enjoyed.

Vlaaikensgang: This medieval alley dates back to 1591. There’s not much to do here, but it’s a pretty escape and one of the most photogenic spots in the city.

The entrance to Vlaaikensgang in Antwerp, Belgium

Plantin Moretus Museum: This creaky UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to some of the world’s oldest printing presses, and offers insight into the lives and work of legendary 16th-century printers Christophe Plantin and Jan Moretus.

Vrijdagmarkt: This historic square has hosted bustling markets since the 16th century. Even today, a famous flea market takes place every Friday in this square. While it’s quite a chaotic market and there’s otherwise not much else to see in the square, it’s a nice spot to peek at if you’re in the area.

Flea market in Antwerp, Belgium

Chocolatier and Confiserie Burie: This family-run Antwerp chocolate shop is a must-see even if you’re not hankering for chocolate, because every month they display a new chocolate sculpture in their window for customers to gape at. During my visit, there was a giant chocolate snowman! FYI, their hot chocolate is also excellent.

Chocolatier and Confiserie Burie in Antwerp, Belgium

Melkmarkt and Lijnwaadmarkt: Some nice streets to explore in Antwerp for scenic views.

14. Travel to St Anna’s Pedestrian Tunnel

After enjoying your afternoon exploring some of the spots above, it’s time to venture off to one of Antwerp’s lesser frequented spots.

The St Anna’s Pedestrian Tunnel is an awesome old-school underpass below the Scheldt River (again, giant and toll free thanks to Brabo and his choppy chop ways).

It was built in 1933 as a way to traverse the river without needing a ferry. While the tunnel is largely (and monotonously) covered in plain tiles, what makes it unique and interesting is that it transports you underground via a series of wooden escalators.

St Anna Pedestrian tunnel in Antwerp

The walk across to the other side is a bit spooky and takes just under 10 minutes, with ‘accidental Wes Anderson vibes’ guaranteed.

And while the tunnel itself isn’t anything special, once you get to the other side, there’s a wonderful surprise that awaits.

Wooden escalators in the Saint anna tunnel in Antwerp, Belgium

15. Admire the view of the Antwerp skyline from across the water

While it’s a bit of a detour/trek to go through the St Anna’s Tunnel (it’s much quicker by bike of course), I do recommend this little trip if you have get an excellent view of the Antwerp skyline and there’s a nice park to boot (a perfect picnic spot on a warm sunny day!)

I mean, look at it!

… Then retreat back into the (mildly) creepy tunnel I just made you walk through, because we’re headed back to the other side for more sightseeing.

View of the Antwerp skyline from across the water

16. Stop by Het steen Castle

If it’s not completely covered in scaffolding for restorations (like it was during my visit), a short walk from the St Anna’s tunnel is the Het Steen Castle, which is mostly just a nice spot for a photo.

At the moment, you can’t tour the castle nor is there something inside, but it’s quite pretty to look at… while letting your imagination run wild.

After all, this is Antwerp’s oldest structure, an epic stone fortress that has over the years been all of the following: protection from intruders, an actual prison, a museum of archeology, a museum of maritime history and today, a photo stop on Christina’s Antwerp Walking Tour.

Fun fact: Het Steen is Flemish for “The Rock”, as in Dwayne “Het Steen” Johnson.

Het Steen Castle in Antwerp

17. Visit the oldest house in Antwerp

Continuing our little Antwerp walking tour, let’s go from the oldest building in Antwerp to Antwerp’s oldest house.

Walking along the water is pretty boring (I tried it) so I would advise you squeeze in a few cool stops while en route to MAS (which is our next main stop).

On Stoelstraat 11, you’ll find the oldest house in Antwerp, a cool, wooden façade that you can easily visit en route. Built in 1500, this wooden house is a truly badass sight when you consider it has survived the horrors of six major wars. Not bad for a simple wooden house.

500 year old wooden house in Antwerp, Belgium

18. Stop by St. Paul’s Church

From here, you’re not far from another one of Antwerp’s most iconic churches, so be sure to schedule a stop at Saint Paul’s Church if you want to peek at dozens of paintings and hundreds of statues from some of the country’s most renowned masters.

The church you see before you was completed in 1639, and is known best for its splendid Baroque altars. Sadly, I can’t tell you more than that as the church was closed during my visit, but please take a look inside so I can live vicariously through you. I’ve heard it’s beautiful!

Exterior of Saint Paul Church in Antwerp, Belgium

19. Walk through (or avoid) the Antwerp Red Light District

Now from a splendid church to… something entirely different.

In Antwerp, there are only three streets now (Verversrui, Vingerlingstraat and Schippersstraat) where prostitution is openly flaunted à la Amsterdam, with women in windows beckoning the attention of potential clients.

Guess who accidentally waltzed into this area during her wistful wanders?

That’s right – meeee!!

And guess who spent a solid few blocks dodging eye contact while waltzing through said district?

That’s right – also meeee!

This is definitely not the touristy affair that it is in Amsterdam, but if curiosity calls, feel free to peruse Verversrui, Vingerlingstraat and Schippersstraat, or otherwise avoid them to keep your trip PG.

The Red Light District in Antwerp, Belgium

20. Grab an incredible free view at MAS

At last, the final stop of our Antwerp walking tour… and I’ve certainly saved the best for last – with a sweeping view over the city. Best of all, it’s completely free!

The Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) is a modern riverside museum that houses hundreds of thousands of artifacts related to Antwerp.

MAS Museum in Antwerp

Besides being Antwerp’s largest museum, it’s also uniquely covered in… you guessed it: hands! Tiny little silver hands that pay tribute to the legend of Brabo, and also patrons of the museum during its construction phase.

At ten stories tall, MAS is a giant museum that’s beyond the scope of our short Antwerp walking tour today, but the view up top is free, so let’s go check it out.

Not gonna lie, taking 10 floors worth of escalators gets tedious, but the view from up top is worth it:

Antwerp skyline as seen from the MAS museum

And with that, you’ve completed your walking tour of Antwerp with yours truly!

On your way back to the train station, feel free to swing by the Begijnhof Antwerpen and Antwerp’s Chinatown ( Van Wesenbekestraat ). Both can be visited en route and have interesting stories of their own.

The Begijnhof Antwerpen is one of the most peaceful pockets of the city, originally built centuries ago for Beguines, devout women who lived in semi-monastic communities (but never took official religious vows).

Today, the space is still residential, but open to the public, and oh so pretty to see:

Beguinage in Antwerp

Antwerp’s Chinatown on the other hand is far less quiet.

This bustling piece of the city near Antwerp Central Station is packed with Chinese restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, and even kung fu schools. It’s the only officially recognized Chinatown in all of Belgium, and even has its entrance gate flanked with marble lions.

Luckily, the lions’ hands are all in tact.

Chinese gate at Chinatown in Antwerp, Belgium

I hope you enjoyed this DIY Walking Tour of Antwerp!

Antwerp is a wonderful city with gorgeous sights and fascinating stories. I hope you enjoyed taking this walk with me, whether in person or virtually. Thanks for reading!

Enjoy this virtual walking tour format? Here are all the ones I’ve written:

  • Hallstatt Walking Tour
  • Antwerp Walking Tour

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. *

Antwerp walking tours

Explore Antwerp at your own pace with the Around audio tours made by expert guides

Browse Antwerp walking tours 📍

antwerp walking tours

Highlights of Historical Antwerp, a City of All Times

antwerp walking tours

Voted top 20 best experiences in Western Europe

by Viator in 2023.

antwerp walking tours

A legendary city requires a legendary tour!

Book online to secure your spot now, choose your favourite free tour, to begin your exploration of antwerp.

antwerp walking tours

Discover the Main Monuments of Antwerp

The essential historical tour of Antwerp

🎤 In English

⏰ 10:30 - 13:30

🏷️ Pay what you like

antwerp walking tours

Visit the Dark Side of Antwerp

A fascinating mix of history and mystery

⏰ 20:00 (Fri-Sat)

Do you prefer the VIP experience?

Book a legendary guide for your private tour.

antwerp walking tours

Explore the Historical Highlights like a VIP

An exclusive visit of the main monuments of Antwerp with a private guide

⏰ Choose your time

🏷️  From €165

antwerp walking tours

Uncover the History & Mystery like a VIP

An exclusive tour of the dark side of Antwerp with a private guide

Meeting Point

We meet by the central statue on the Grote Markt (main square) of Antwerp.

Look for the red umbrella .

Grote Markt,

2000 Antwerpen

[email protected]

antwerp walking tours

Luc was a very dynamic and knowledgeable tourist guide. He made the experience cool and very interesting. I definitively would recommend this tour.

  More Guruwalk reviews

antwerp walking tours

Very recommended. Although it was rainy, our tour guide did a very good job! We went through the whole city and he told us a lot of interesting stories and facts. I really enjoyed it!

More TripAdvisor reviews

antwerp walking tours

Luc was an amazing guide! The tour took us to parts of the city we would’ve glossed over and walked by without thinking. I would definitely recommend booking at the start of your trip because he gave great tips on others things to see in the city.

More Facebook reviews

antwerp walking tours

We did the free walking tour with Beren in Antwerp and it was amazing! We got a lot of information and had lots of fun! Can recommend it a 100% to everyone who wants to discover Antwerp!

More Google reviews

antwerp walking tours

Tours by legends for legends

Legends vzw - Legends Experiences bv, Sasplein 12, 8000 Brugge

VAT: BE0607.943.144 - BE0800.649.183

Walking in Antwerp

Discover Antwerp with the best guides in town!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ antwerp guided tours with a rating of 4.8/5 on google.

antwerp walking tours

Explore Antwerp with the best local guides in town

Discover antwerp’s highlights and hidden gems, choose from a variety of themed tours.

Book a private or custom tour for your group

Join one of our scheduled tours

Our walking tours

antwerp walking tours

Highlights of Antwerp

antwerp walking tours

Jewish neighborhood

Guide Poll walking with a group in Chinatown Antwerp

Multicultural Antwerp

Close-up of the facade of the KMSKA in Antwerp

The South of Antwerp

visitors stroll through 't green quarter in antwerp during guided tour of Zurenborg and Groen Kwartier.

Antwerp’s Groen Kwartier and Zurenborg

antwerp walking tours

Antwerp’s ‘Little Island’

Why choose walking in antwerp, 40 enthusiastic top guides, 2 themed walking tours, 10 years of experience, thousends of satisfied customers, what others say about our antwerp guided walking tours.

antwerp walking tours

The tour of historic Antwerp was 100 percent worth it. The tour guide told very interestingly and showed us great buildings and corners. His English was very easy to understand and he was very committed. I can only recommend this tour to everyone. By the way, we signed up with a group of 9 people, 4 more were added. The group size was good. ( translated from German )

Guide Marc showing people around in the gardens at Handschoenmarkt

Leo was a great guide to Antwerp, providing a lot of history and local anecdotes. We saw most of the highlights of Antwerp, but highly recommend leaving time to explore the print museum, cathedral and Rubens’ house on your own.

Other things you may like

' title=

Tours for school groups

Choose one of three thematic walking tours for schools groups. We adjust the level of the walking tour to the age and orientation of the students.

' title=

Give an original gift

Our giftcards are a success at any party. An unforgettable gift for friends or family that they will talk about for years to come.

People cycling during bike tour

Take a bike tour with Antwerp by Bike

On the world-famous bike tours of Antwerp by Bike you’ll discover places that are too far to reach on foot or too difficult to reach by car.  

  • Walking tours
  • Giftvoucher
  • Practical information
  • Cookie Policy (EU)
  • Privacy Statement (EU)

Mensen kijken naar schitterende herenhuizen in Zurenbrog tijdens gegidste wandeling door Zurenborg en het Groen Kwartier

Cycle along with Antwerp by Bike

On our world-famous bike tours you discover places that are too far to go on foot or difficult to reach by car.

> Visit the website of Antwerp by Bike

  • Destinations

Free tours in Antwerp

  • Tours in Antwerp

Evening Free Tour Antwerp | By Local Legends Provided by Legends Free Walking Tours

Discover the history of Antwerp

Antwerp has a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. It’s a port city on Belgium’s Scheldt Riverbank where the Hat Steen castle sits. Ride a bike through the centre to reach Cathedral of Our Lady, a gothic church still active in worship, and never completed with only one finished spire. Or check out Antwerp Central Station with a neo-Gothic façade listed as one of the most beautiful train stations.

Tour Paleis op de Meir is a grand palace and 18th century building, which housed Napolean Bonaparte and the Belgian Royal House, and then wander over to Ruben’s House, a museum inside the genuine home of prevalent 17th century painter Pieter Paul Ruben. Finally, Museum Plantin-Moretus, dedicated to printers Christophe Planitn and Jan Moretus, is a unique UNESCO World Heritage Centre celebrating the most influential print and publishing house of the 16th century.

The food and local beer are amazing in Antwerp with restaurants on the main streets, but the local favourites can be found a little off the beaten path. Bars and nightlife are popular and pop-up parties in changing locations are a unique way to experience them. On a sunny day, take your pick at the local flea markets to find the best bargains and reward yourself with some fries. Let local guides show you around their charming city with free walking tours at Freetour.com.

trusted

  • Join Freetour
  • Provider Sign In
  • Affiliate Program
  • Security & Privacy
  • Terms & Legal
  • Cookie policy
  • Freetour Awards
  • Ratings & Reviews powered by

Best Antwerp Tours

Antwerp Walking Tour

Best of antwerp private, visit the highlights of antwerp.

We welcome you to ANTWERP! A city that is becoming a favorite amongst travelers who are looking for a destination that has it all. A walkable historic center, great atmosphere and a delicious local cuisine! Behold cobbled stoned streets dotted with 17th century warehouses, hidden districts packed with beautiful architecture, shops and museums. During this 2-Hour Private Walking Tour you will explore the best sites of Antwerp's Historic center, like: Our Dear Lady Cathedral, the Steen, the Market Square, Carolus Borromeus Church and more!

Pricing Chart

If your group is larger than 12 guests, please get in touch.

During the walking Tour you will visit the Antwerp Train Station and it's beautiful clock

Hotel pick-up

To enhance your convenience, we offer the option of a complimentary hotel pick-up—a little extra touch of service to make your experience even more enjoyable.

Small Treat

We take pleasure in providing you with a small treat during the tour, allowing you to savor one of our local delicacies and forge a meaningful connection with the city.

Flexible Itinerary

Our itinerary is not set in stone and we are happy to adjust according to your wishes. Our Tours are always changing depending on daily news, weather and local events.

Expert Guide

Our expert guide will accompany you at every step, offering valuable insights, and effortlessly bridging the gap between you and the local culture.

antwerp walking tours

Type to search

Backpack & Explore

One Day Itinerary of Antwerp – With Free Walking Tour Map

' src=

Last Updated on February 18, 2024

Antwerp in one day itinerary

A Quick Outline

How to Explore Antwerp in One Day?

Antwerp is a very well-planned city seeped in history. It’s best explored through thematic walking tours. For a first-time visitor I recommend you visit the museums and markets in the day and book a free walking tour in the evening .

However, we visited Antwerp on our first trip to Europe and didn’t know much about these free walking tours back then. We picked up an amazing walking map in our hostel and started off to explore on our own.

Where we stayed in Antwerp?

One day in antwerp – the world’s diamond capital.

Woman in maroon woolens and black denims enjoying in the park in Antwer

Our hostel was in a surprisingly peaceful complex near the throbbing fashion district. We loved the hostel. What we cherished the most was the free pocket maps from the UseIt series that were made available on the rack for tourists.

These maps had a host of local tips and some history lesson of the city. Not only did it guide us through our walking tour of the city but it also helped me recollect the tidbits while writing the blog. This is in fact, the only souvenir I could bring from Antwerp (keep reading to know why).

So after taking some time to freshen up, we set off for exploring the city on foot. Here are a few things that are hard to not notice when you walk on the streets of Antwerp.

  • Lots of under-construction stuff going on. The skyline full of building cranes, with the roads connecting one construction site to another. According to the map, the construction work included a renovation of old monuments, raising skyscrapers, constructing tram lines and some big plan of building a whole new green district on top of the ringway around the city (“ Ringland “).
  • The formal, classy dressing style. When it comes to fashion, we mostly think of Paris, but just a walk down the Fashion District and looking at the well-dressed men and women you’d know Antwerp is not behind. Honestly, I don’t understand fashion, but even for a fashion agnostic person, it was not difficult to appreciate their stylish outfits. If you are into fashion, an Antwerp Fashion shopping tour is a must.
  • It is a well-planned city with one dedicated block for each purpose. On our way from hostel to the Stadspark, we walked through the fashion district with the designer boutiques, big brand outlets and then the shopping malls. Then we came to the Cathedral around which there are the souvenir shop and those mouth-watering Belgian Chocolate shops.
  • After that, we walked into the world’s largest Diamond District, with diamond shops, the Diamond trade center, and few offices and banks within or adjacent to the diamond district. Then we entered the foodie’s street with lots of pop-up bars, restaurants, pizzeria and cafes.
  • You will see pop-up bars and cafes everywhere in the city, but there is this one block where you can just reach and have all the options for food within a small radius.
  • Overall, Antwerp seems to be a very walkable city – even without any background we could follow along with the city map and explore the highlights on foot.

Visiting Europe soon? Do check out the best packing list for Europe .

Our Antwerp Itinerary

Our first stop was at the Central Station from where we walked 2km to our hostel. So by the time we started on our self-guided walking tour, we had already got an orientation of the neighborhood.

Antwerp itinerary | Stadspark – The City Park

Antwerp Itinerary - City Park

We had a delicious bacon and prawn pizza at a local pizzeria and then we went to the city park, called Stadspark. The remains of a 16th-century Spanish fortress were re-engineered into this beautiful open park in the 19th century, in a classical English landscape style.

“On summer days it’s full of skaters, girls in bikinis next to women in veils,” said our pocket local guide. But on a relatively cold, somber day it just looked like a page out of Tom Sawyer or Great Expectations. There was a lovely children’s park where parents were watching the kids play after school-time.

 Del Popolo Pizza - a pizza with mushrooms, ham and boiled eggs in Antwerp

The pizza that we had at Del Popolo

Antwerp Central Station

Antwerp in one day - Central Station

Often ranked among the world’s 10 most beautiful train stations (even at no.1 by some surveys), this grand monument is a masterpiece and could easily be mistaken for a museum. The large dome with beautifully decorated exteriors is just a teaser of what’s inside.

Look up at the glass dome above and the details on the arches with tainted glasses when you go up the escalators. It indeed looks like a cathedral inside but like many historic monuments it has a dark history. According to our pocket guide, the original building was built under the command of Leopard II with blood money from inhumane rubber harvest in the then colonies of Belgium.

Antwerp in a Day - Central Station

Diamond District of Antwerp – The Jews and the Indians

One day in Antwerp- Free things to do in the Diamond Capital

Did you know? 84% of the world’s rough diamond passes through Antwerp!

Antwerp is the heart of diamond trading for over five centuries. With 220 million-dollars-worth of diamonds traded daily in the diamond district of Antwerp, you’d know why there are so many men in uniform around in the city.

The highly secured Diamond quarter is home to the diamond trading center, a large number of jewelry shops, diamond traders, wholesalers, cutters and guess what, a branch of “Bank of India”!

Orthodox Jews have dominated the closed world of diamond trading in Antwerp for centuries, but Indians are taking over steadily. The rising prominence of the (mostly Jain) Indian community is seen in the cuisine as well, with special mention of vegetarian Indian restaurants on our map.

You’d see a large number of formally clad Jain Indians and orthodox Jews identified by the head -wears (kippah) and long beard walking on the street.

There are around 20,000 Jews in Antwerp, most of whom are orthodox and these families have inherited the diamond business from their ancestors from as early as the 15th century. The Jewish neighborhood near the diamond district has beautiful old buildings and synagogues.

You’d find most of my pictures of the city roads are sort of photo-bombed by an unusually large number of wires – I first thought these were only for the tramlines, some of them are, but mostly it is the Eruv – a holy wire that symbolically encloses a certain area (a larger home).

One day in Antwerp- Free things to do in the Diamond Capital

Read up a little about this on the internet and found out that Eruv runs almost throughout the central city enclosing the station and diamond district, to allow the orthodox Jews to move around as usual during a religious observation called Shabbat, in which they are forbidden to leave their home.

Antwerp in one day | Meir Market

Antwerp Walking Tour Map

I spotted the Scheldt River on our map and decided to go there no matter what. So, we just kept walking from the Diamond District towards the river. On our way, we crossed the Meir shopping center of Antwerp.

We had walked through this place earlier on our way to the hostel. Yes, the place that made me aware of the great sense of fashion in the Antwerpeans.

Meir is the main shopping destination in the city. I also noticed that there was a sale starting in a few days, but we were out of luck. You would love looking at those gorgeous buildings and window-shopping like we did.

While we headed straight to the Grote Market from here, a slight left turn could have taken us to Ruben’s house . As the name suggests, this is the house of the great artist Ruben and it has been transformed into a museum. The museum has a great collection of his paintings. I didn’t know about it then, so we missed it. But you know now, so don’t miss it on your walking tour.

The Grote Markt – The Great Market of Antwerp

One day in Antwerp - free things to do in the diamond capital

This is the central square of Antwerp is famous not only for a large number of shopping options and cafes but also for the architectural wonders around.

Each building- be it a shopping mall or a bank has a medieval design lending the place its old-world charm. The Brabo’s fountain stands at the center, (recall the story I began with?) depicting the city’s hero.

This is where we also saw the chocolate shops I mentioned and the stunning OLV Cathedral.

It has a 123-meter tall tower, which we could see from various parts of the city on our walking tour. This Gothic masterpiece was completed in an early 16th century and has been robbed several times since then.

From here we followed the direction of Brabo’s hand towards the river Scheldt. Just kidding, we followed the map and walked towards the river.

The Steen Castle –  My favorite place of one day in Antwerp

antwerp walking tours

The Antwerp Harbour

Windmills and ships at Antwerpen port

Since the castle was closed for restoration activities we spent a great time at the banks of the river taking watching the ships and the windmills. A walk along the Antwerp Harbour is almost a mandatory free thing to do in Antwerp. But we missed something.

The underpass connecting to the left bank of the Scheldt River leads you to the best Panoramic viewpoint of the city. We missed that unknowingly.

Antwerp Itinerary

Nightlife at Antwerp

Illuminated buildings at night in Antwerp with pop-up restaurants

Other places to visit in Antwerp in one day

antwerp walking tours

This was our itinerary which comprised only the free things to do in Antwerp. The things we missed? Well, there are some, as always when you have such a short stall in the city. Here are a few which you can add to your list even if you have only one day in Antwerp.

  • Plantin – Moretus Museum. This is a museum and a UNESCO world heritage site. It is also a 16th-century printing workshop, the only remaining one in the world.
  • Antwerp Zoo. If you are visiting with family don’t forget to peek into the AntwerpZoo, which is right behind the Antwerp Central station.
  • New Port House of Antwerp. This is another free attraction in Antwerp’s skyline but we missed it.

However it is 7.2 km away from the Steen castle, so it’s better to take a bus or bike to it. We could not include it on our walking tour.

Roadmap for our one-day Antwerp Itinerary

antwerp walking tours

Here’s another photo you can pin!

One Day in Antwerp, (Belgium) - Click to get a perfect Antwerp Itinerary with loads of free things to do in the world's Diamond Capital. Did you know70% of the world's diamonds pass through this city in Belgium? Amazing architecture, Belgian chocolates, castle and a station that looks like a cathedral. #Belgium #Antwerp

Just 1.5 hours from Antwerp (by train) lies the fairytale medieval city of Bruges. I missed it and went to DeHaan instead. You can also check out what to see in Brussels which is less than 1-hour drive from Antwerp.

Read how we planned our first Europe trip here . You can also check out the most walkable cities of Europe in this post .

Here are some handy guides to other European cities well connected with Antwerp.

Amsterdam in 3 days

Paris in 4 days

  • Our Euro Trip

antwerp walking tours

Author Alice is a full-time business professional with a penchant for writing and travel planning. She shares her travel stories and exclusive practical tips on Backpack & Explore, that you won't find anywhere else.

16 Comments

antwerp walking tours

Antwerp looks amazing. Now on my bucket list.

Antwerp looks great. The railway station, Jewish Quarter, Diamond district. Will have to get there. Thanks for the post.

Antwerp is awesome place to visit. Your detailed and informative post brought me back my memories of my visit. Thanks for sharing!

I've never actually heard of Antwerp so I enjoyed reading about it. How interesting that they have a different purpose for each street, great idea!

You squeezed in a lot into your time in Antwerp, looks like I could happily spend a couple of nights there I think. We want to see more of Belgium, as we recently spend a wonderful few days in Ghent and loved it. Looks like Antwerp shares the beautiful historical architecture, old town squares and cool tram network of Ghent too! And wow to that central station building!

I've heard about Antwerp before but never thought I will find so many cool things to do here. I loved your pictures of the historical architecture and the old town squares. I definitely have to visit it after reading your article!

What a beautiful post about an equally beautiful city Antwerp and it only makes it better with your tips to visit free places. I must say there is a lot to see in the city with the splendid architecture itself which is free. Would love a visit to the city park, called Stadspark which will be great in the summer. The other one which appeals to me is The Steen. Thinks for sharing this post .

I remember visiting Antwerp many years ago, and it's a great city to do a lot of walking. I also remember the Steen, and it's very cool inside too. I think I went to the Great Market, and probably had a beer there too! Not sure about the bacon and prawn pizza, but then again, I live half the year in Italy and we never eat that here!

I absolutely loved this walking tour seeped in history. I never knew the origin of the name Antwerp, that is so interesting! And the prawn pizza you had sounds so good – I've never had shrimp on pizza before. What was the name of the restaurant you visited?

Antwerp looks amazing as it has lots of beautiful things that can be done for free. I love your hostel location in fashion district, as it must be great to see something new trendy stuff there. Also detailed free maps by Useit series sounds useful as they have many local details. Thanks for sharing.

Antwerp looks really pretty! The central station is stunning and I bet that the Stadspark is a great place to enjoy the sunshine in the warmer months!

You should check out the huge street art scene in Antwerp, with the free Street Art Cities app you can wander in the open air gallery

antwerp walking tours

We visited Antwerp a few years ago and whilst walking around the city popped into Centraal Station. We didn’t know anything about the station so was totally amazed by what we found when we wandered in! In 2009 Newsweek judged the station the world’s fourth greatest train station. Then in 2014 Mashable awarded it the first place for the most beautiful railway station in the world. It’s seriously impressive & grand – you really must visit if you’re ever in Antwerp!

antwerp walking tours

Antwerp sounds great and not somewhere I had considered before. Nice to know how it got its name.

antwerp walking tours

We were due to got to Belgium next week and was confused about whether to go to Ghent or Antwerp after Bruges. I ended up opting for Antwerp and was really looking forward to my stay there, but then we had to leave the EU quickly before travel restrictions came into play. But I’m still planning on going there one day.

antwerp walking tours

What an interesting city. I had no idea there was such a huge diamond market there and that it was run by Orthodox Jews. Funny how they get around the Shabbat restrictions. Thanks for sharing all this great info.

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Copyright Disclaimer

All images and content in the blog Backpack & Explore are copyrighted. Using these anywhere without permission of the blog admin can lead to legal action.

Affiliate Disclaimer

The site is mainly monetized through affiliates. This means when I recommend a hotel or service or any product, they are likely affiliate links. If you buy something by clicking on these links, we get a small commission for referring you, WITHOUT any additional cost to you.

We are affiliate partners of Amazon , Booking.com , and GetYourGuide , among others.   All product or service recommendations on our blog are based on personal experience and research. It is not influenced by any brands or affiliate partnership.

Feature of the Month - Europe Trip Planning

  • Is Keukenhof worth visiting? A guide to Holland's Tulip Landscape
  • Most Walkable Cities in Europe
  • How To Plan a Europe Trip on Budget
  • Best of Madrid in 3 Days
  • Best of Amsterdam in 3 Days
  • Best of Paris in 4 Days

Join India Travel Community

Popular posts on blog.

  • 23 Beautiful Hill Stations near Bangalore to visit in 2023
  • Road Trip Essentials - Checklist
  • Road Trip with Baby- Checklist
  • Best Cameras in India - 2023
  • Best Resorts for Affordable Luxury

Dig Into Archives

  • Private offer
  • About & Partnership
  • Alicante Spain
  • Antwerp Belgium
  • Barcelona Spain
  • Belfast Northern Ireland
  • Berlin Germany
  • Bratislava Slovakia
  • Bruges Belgium
  • Brussels Belgium
  • Bucharest Romania
  • Budapest Hungary
  • Bydgoszcz Poland
  • Cadiz Spain
  • Cordoba Spain
  • Cork Ireland
  • Dresden Germany
  • Dublin Ireland
  • Dubrovnik Croatia
  • Edinburgh Scotland
  • Galway Ireland
  • Gdańsk Poland
  • Ghent Belgium
  • Glasgow Scotland
  • Granada Spain
  • Istanbul Turkey
  • Jerusalem Israel
  • Krakow Poland
  • Leipzig Germany
  • Lisbon Portugal
  • Liverpool England
  • Lodz Poland
  • London England
  • Lublin Poland
  • Lviv Ukraine
  • Madrid Spain
  • Malaga Spain
  • Mostar Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Munich Germany
  • Naples Italy
  • Nice France
  • Paris France
  • Porto Portugal
  • Poznan Poland
  • Prague Czechia
  • Pula Croatia
  • Riga Latvia
  • Sarajevo Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Seville Spain
  • Sibenik Croatia
  • Sintra Portugal
  • Sopot Poland
  • Split Croatia
  • Tel Aviv Israel
  • Tirana Albania
  • Torun Poland
  • Valletta Malta
  • Warsaw Poland
  • Wroclaw Poland
  • Zadar Croatia
  • Zagreb Croatia
  • Zakopane Poland

The best free walking tours and paid tours in Antwerp. Personally verified by Walkative team.

Tours in antwerp pay what you wish tours.

antwerp walking tours

What are the highlights of Antwerp?

Located in northern Belgium, Antwerp is a city with the second-largest port in Europe (just after the Dutch city of Rotterdam). In the Middle Ages, it was a thriving European scientific, cultural and economic centre, which changed during the wars with the Spaniards – many residents decided then to move to Amsterdam. Today, Antwerp is popular with tourists from all over the world for its many attractions – its religious buildings, beautiful Market Square, mediaeval castle and excellent museums. Find out what Antwerp has to offer and which places are worth visiting.

Antwerp – what is worth seeing during a trip?

In the very centre of the city lies the Grote Markt, or Antwerp Market Square, with its 16th-century townhouses and Renaissance Town Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the Market Square you will also find the famous Brabo Fountain, which depicts the Roman soldier Silvius Brabo throwing out the hand he chopped off the giant Druon Antigonus. Near the Grote Markt is the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary, built between the 14th and 16th centuries – it is 123 metres high which makes it one of the tallest religious buildings in the world. The Cathedral houses Rubens’ famous works: “Elevation of the Cross”, “Resurrection of Jesus” and “Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary”. Among Antwerp’s well-known religious buildings, we can also include St Paul’s Church and Charles Borromeo Church.

The oldest building in Antwerp is the mediaeval Het Steen Castle, built between 1200 and 1225, which is where the legendary giant Druon Antigoon, killed by Silvius Brabo, is said to have resided. From the 16th to the 19th century it housed a prison and today Het Steen is the cultural centre of the city. In Antwerp you will also find one of Europe’s most beautiful railway stations. Antwerpen-Centraal is a turn-of-the-century building that is sometimes referred to as the Railway Cathedral because of its appearance. Definitely a place to see!

Antwerp is also a paradise for painting lovers. If you are one of them, be sure to visit the Rubens Museum, located in the famous painter’s house, which he himself designed. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts is also worth a visit – its collection includes works by Peter Paul Rubens, Frans Hals, Antoine van Dyck, Jan Brueghel the Elder and many other artists. Another important object in Antwerp is the Museum Mayer van den Bergh, where we can admire, among others, Peter Brueghel the elder’s ‘Dulle Griet’, the ‘Bruges Madonna’ or the ‘Breviary of Mayer van den Bergh’.

Free walking tour – Antwerp with a professional guide

Want to explore one of Belgium’s most popular cities? Take a free walking tour of Antwerp with Walkative! Wondering how much it costs? A free walking tour has no predetermined price – it is you who price the work, passion and commitment of our guide. All you have to do is book through our website and turn up at the meeting place on the date of your choice. Free tour is a great offer for couples, families, small groups of friends and individual tourists who want to explore Antwerp with an experienced local guide . If you value first-hand knowledge, come along on our free walking tour! Antwerp is just one of several Belgian cities that you can explore together with Walkative! Our guides are also active in places like Ghent, Bruges and Brussels.

We had just one day in Wroclaw and a decision to join Walkative tours was the right one! These guys are amazing! Their stories are very informative, full of history, legends, funny jokes! They took us to all astonishing places of Wroclaw. Perfect for a day trip to this lovely city! Thank you, Lukasz and Matt for the brilliant tours!

Dawie’s tour was the best theatre in Paris as well as informative!!!! He is great – even in the rain. Do it.

My group really enjoyed the amount of history explained in the tour, it was a nice way to get a lot of information on several of the key sites in the center of Paris in a compact amount of time. Excellent for orientation and background. I would certainly do other tours in the future.

To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

Belgo Tours

FREE TOUR ANTWERP

What to see in antwerp in one day discover monuments and squares of this beautiful city, with our passionate guides., for culture.

The tour starts at Antwerp’s impressive train station , a temple of marble, considered one of the most beautiful in the world. We will dive into its narrow streets to reach the diamond quarter , which, although it goes unnoticed, will allow us to appreciate what are probably the most expensive shop windows in Europe.  We will head towards the Antwerp Cathedral , the largest in Belgium, which has surprisingly withstood the devastation of the city in the Second World War . We will stroll down to Meir Street , to leave the past behind us for a moment and enter the atmosphere of shops of all kinds, art, fashion and chocolate, and gradually approach the Great Square (Grote Markt) where you will find the Town Hall , the magnificent sculpture of Silvio Brabo and the amazing guild houses of antiquity. Finally; we’ll end with the exciting story of the warrior who beheaded a Roman centaur in the river of Antwerp and you will freak out when you learn the origin of the city’s name.

Tour Highlights

  • Antwerp Central Station
  • Meir Street
  • “Stadsfeestzaal” or the city’s Festival Hall
  •  Rubenshuis
  • Meir Palace
  • Boerentoren or Peasants’ Tower
  • St. Charles Borromeo Church
  • Grote Markt
  • Castle ‘Het Steen

FREETOUR The FREE TOUR is an innovative form of guided visit whereby customers decide the price they will pay the guide at the end of the experience. You are free to choose based on your satisfaction. There are some travelers that pay 10€ per person, others 50€ but it’s really up to you.

Meeting point

The guide will be waiting for you just outside the Antwerp Train Station , right outside the gate of the Antwerp Zoo , a well known and easy to find landmark.

antwerp walking tours

antwerp walking tours

We are a community of tour guides who love history and want you to have the best experience during your trip to Belgium. Our tours aim to show you the different cities in an original and authentic way. Our background as artists and social scientists has allowed us to enrich the way we understand and tell the stories of the city. We are a project committed to social responsibility. We are moved by values such as respect for diversity, environmental awareness and social justice.

  • TEMPERATURE °C | °C
  • CLOUDINESS %
  • FRI 26 °C | °C Cloudiness % Humidity %
  • SAT 27 °C | °C Cloudiness % Humidity %
  • SUN 28 °C | °C Cloudiness % Humidity %
  • MON 29 °C | °C Cloudiness % Humidity %
  • TUE 30 °C | °C Cloudiness % Humidity %
  • WED 1 °C | °C Cloudiness % Humidity %
  • tripadvisor

Email: [email protected] Wsp: +32494463959

antwerp walking tours

Attention: since August 1st 2023, the parking policy in the City of Antwerp has changed.

Read more on Parking on the street | Smart ways to Antwerp or Transport in and to Antwerp .

antwerp walking tours

Experience Antwerp and get started right away!

antwerp walking tours

Discover all that’s on offer

Would you like to admire a Rubens through the eyes of the curator, get a glimpse of Antwerp’s history during a guided city walk or visit one of the beautiful churches or inspiring museums? Our offerings are just as vibrant as the city itself. What are you waiting for? Discover, book and experience Antwerp!

In the picture

School offers, 2024: the year of james ensor, most popular activities, most popular city walks, most popular museum tours, individual tickets for a guided activity, a practical overview of all antwerp museums, discover the most beautiful antwerp districts, locations that are definitely worth a visit, city by the water, trendy antwerp, don’t just visit. experience antwerp..

You are about to visit a city, but how do you start planning your visit? Often you will find a scattered offering online or you will find some things to do that are not really your cup of tea. That won’t be the case in Antwerp! Experience Antwerp is your reliable partner for golden tips and tickets. Experience Antwerp helps you to not only visit our city, but to really experience it. Check it out!

  • Official partner Experience Antwerp is the official partner of the city of Antwerp for tickets and tips. We unite the most diverse experiences in one place, so that you can experience our city to the fullest.
  • Simple and intuitive Experience Antwerp is a reliable, user-friendly and intuitive one-stop shop. Think of it as a free and personal guide that escorts you through all of the beauty that Antwerp has to offer. Discover, book and experience!
  • Tested and approved Our offerings have been tested and approved by real Antwerp locals. We give you a taste of the local heartbeat of our city and make your visit to Antwerp truly worthwhile.

Looking for the hippest hotspots, must-taste culinary delights, best activities for young and old or the hidden gems that even a true local doesn’t know about? Experience even more of Antwerp thanks to insider tips from born and raised Antwerp locals. Check it out and make the most of your visit to this beautiful city!

A culinary walk through the city: discover the typical Antwerp delicacies

We use cookies to optimize our website and our service.

Free Tours in Your Language

Free Walking Tour › Antwerp

Highlights of your trip!

Your guides in antwerp, free tours antwerp.

Free Myths & Legends Tour Antwerp Banner Small

Tour Calendar

Antwerp Skyline

Free Walking Tour Antwerp

Pick a Date!

Free Tours in More Cities

Madrid Skyline

Best Free Tours in Antwerp

Highlights of a free tour in antwerp, things to do in antwerp, free tour - what does it mean, latest reviews.

IMAGES

  1. Antwerp, Belgium Walking tour [4K]. The beautiful city of Flanders

    antwerp walking tours

  2. Antwerp Walking Tour, Antwerp

    antwerp walking tours

  3. Antwerp: Walking Tour from Steen to Central Station

    antwerp walking tours

  4. Antwerp Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Antwerp, Belgium

    antwerp walking tours

  5. Antwerp Sightseeing Tours

    antwerp walking tours

  6. Walking Tours: ‘Antwerp

    antwerp walking tours

VIDEO

  1. WALKING TOUR ANTWERP BELGIUM 🇧🇪

  2. 8 jan Antwerp walking tour 4K 1/3

  3. Antwerp/Anvers/Antwerpen Belgium 🇧🇪 4K Walking Tour

  4. Virtual Antwerp walking tour

  5. Walking round Antwerp, Belgium

  6. Antwerp Brabo's Fountein square and view of Cathedral of Our Lady

COMMENTS

  1. The best 10 Free Walking Tours at Antwerp

    Antwerp Free Walking Tour 261 ratings. 4.4 Duration: 2h Starts at: 11:00, 12:00 and 1 more sun 21. mon 22. tue 23. wed 24. thu 25. fri 26. sat 27. sun 28. mon 29. Guru: Hispano Tours PRO Free walking tours Belgium Free walking tours in Antwerp 2,100 opinions from other walkers about Antwerp tours 4.69

  2. THE 10 BEST Antwerp Walking Tours (Updated 2024)

    Antwerp Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery Game. Explore the city at your own pace while playing the Sherlock Holmes City Game, a self-guided tour that offers a lot of freedom…. 24. Antwerp: 2-Hour Jewish Quarter Walking Tour. Explore the way of life of the Jewish community in Antwerp on a 2-hour walking tour.

  3. How to Take a Self-Guided Antwerp Walking Tour

    Start at Grote Markt. Explore Vlaeykensgang Alley. Visit Handschoenmarkt. Tour the Rubenshuis Museum. Tour Plantin-Moretus Museum. Where to eat during a walking tour of Antwerp. Touring Antwerp's architecture. Visit the MAS Museum. Go window shopping in the Diamond District.

  4. [FREE] Antwerp Tour: A Virtual, DIY Walking Tour of Antwerp, Belgium!

    Take a quick walking tour of Antwerp and you'll quickly learn a series of truths about this woefully underrated Belgian city. For one, it's the world's largest diamond hub, with an unfathomable amount of bling moving through its streets to the tune of 40 billion dollars a year.. It's also a place where chocolates shaped like severed hands are a chief commodity, and, rather importantly ...

  5. Antwerp Walking Tours

    Best Antwerp Tours . Embark on unforgettable journeys with our Antwerp walking tours, led by passionate local guides who bring every corner of the city to life. Immerse yourself in the charm of small-group settings, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.Explore the heartbeat of everyday life, and for a truly exclusive adventure, or choose to book a private tour tailored to your ...

  6. Antwerp Walking Tours

    Discover these spots in our walking tours of Antwerp Het Steen Among the most popular landmarks of the city is the Het Steen, Antwerp's oldest building, whose construction started in the 13th century.

  7. The BEST Antwerp Walking tours 2023

    8. Antwerp: Express Walking Tour with a Local Guide. This experience is provided by an independent Local. You will be part of a small, 2 to 6 people group. Discover Antwerp on a guided walking tour with a local and learn about the history and contemporary transformation of the city.

  8. Walking tours * Walking in Antwerp

    Our walking tours are suitable for everyone. Whether you are visiting Antwerp for the first time or you know the city from the back of your hand, our guides always have a fascinating story to tell. Whichever theme you choose, you'll discover both the main tourist attractions and the hidden gems of Antwerp. walking tour of 2 or 3 hours.

  9. ANTWERP

    We did the free walking tour with Beren in Antwerp and it was amazing! We got a lot of information and had lots of fun! Can recommend it a 100% to everyone who wants to discover Antwerp! More Google reviews. Tours by legends for legends. Home; Choose your city; All tours; Private tours;

  10. Discover Antwerp with the best guides in town! * Walking in Antwerp

    The tour of historic Antwerp was 100 percent worth it. The tour guide told very interestingly and showed us great buildings and corners. His English was very easy to understand and he was very committed. I can only recommend this tour to everyone. By the way, we signed up with a group of 9 people, 4 more were added. The group size was good.

  11. Guided Tours

    Discover all the guided tours Experience Antwerp has to offer. Plan your guided tour and discover Antwerp up close. Attention: since August 1st 2023, the parking policy in the City of Antwerp has changed. ... Many of the sights are within walking distance, so there is plenty of time to admire everything. You can opt for a themed tour of Antwerp ...

  12. Free Tours in Antwerp, Belgium

    Daily Free Historical Tour Antwerp | By Local Legends. Provided by Legends Free Walking Tours. Rating: 9.4. (Reviews: 3015) from €0 Tip based. Join our daily free walking tours for a complete introduction into the fascinating history and legendary stories of Antwerp. Look out for the guide with the red umbrella.

  13. Antwerp Walking Tour

    A walkable historic center, great atmosphere and a delicious local cuisine! Behold cobbled stoned streets dotted with 17th century warehouses, hidden districts packed with beautiful architecture, shops and museums. During this 2-Hour Private Walking Tour you will explore the best sites of Antwerp's Historic center, like: Our Dear Lady Cathedral ...

  14. 4 Self-Guided Walking Tours in Antwerp, Belgium + Maps

    Custom Walk: Create Your Own Walking Tour. Sightseeing Walk: Antwerp Introduction Walking Tour. Sightseeing Walk: Antwerp's Historical Churches Tour. Sightseeing Walk: Antwerp Historic Center Walk. Discovery Walk: Downtown & Fashion District Shopping. Article (B): Discovering the Medieval Traces of Antwerp.

  15. One Day Itinerary Of Antwerp

    How to Explore Antwerp in One Day? Antwerp is a very well-planned city seeped in history. It's best explored through thematic walking tours. For a first-time visitor I recommend you visit the museums and markets in the day and book a free walking tour in the evening.. However, we visited Antwerp on our first trip to Europe and didn't know much about these free walking tours back then.

  16. Antwerp: 2 hour Highlights Walking Tour

    1 Brussels. 2 Bruges. 3 Ghent. 4 Liège. 5 De Panne. 6 Ypres. 7 Tervuren. 8 Ostend. Explore the historic center of Antwerp on a 2-hour walking tour and see old churches, the 16th-century guild houses of the Grote Markt, and much more.

  17. The BEST Antwerp Tours and Things to Do in 2024

    Antwerp: 2 hour Highlights Walking Tour. See the historical sights of Antwerp on a guided walking tour in English or Dutch, and marvel at the main monuments of the main square of Groenplaats, such as the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal cathedral and statue of the artist Rubens. Venture down small alleys to find charming courtyards and Gothic ...

  18. Free Walking Tour Antwerp

    Free tour is a great offer for couples, families, small groups of friends and individual tourists who want to explore Antwerp with an experienced local guide. If you value first-hand knowledge, come along on our free walking tour! Antwerp is just one of several Belgian cities that you can explore together with Walkative! Our guides are also ...

  19. Free walking tour of Antwerp

    The tour starts at Antwerp's impressive train station, a temple of marble, considered one of the most beautiful in the world.We will dive into its narrow streets to reach the diamond quarter, which, although it goes unnoticed, will allow us to appreciate what are probably the most expensive shop windows in Europe. We will head towards the Antwerp Cathedral, the largest in Belgium, which has ...

  20. Experience Antwerp

    Historic walking routes in Antwerp: immerse yourself in the city's history 17 February 2023 Get more from your visit to Antwerp's museums with our master storytellers 1 June 2022

  21. Antwerp Exploring City Centre

    Walking on a sunny November afternoon in Antwerp city center, Belgium. Click here to see highlights and guide. Antwerp is situated on the Schelde (Scheldt)...

  22. Free Walking Tour Antwerp

    Join Free Tours in Antwerp to hear fascinating stories of the city's early settlements, struggles, and growth while learning about Renaissance art, Gothic architecture, and worldwide-known painters such as Van Dyck and Rubens. Free Walking Tours in Antwerp offer a comfortable, fun, and educational closeness to the city's everyday life. On ...