Things to do in Antwerp

Why go to Antwerp

• Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA)

  Freshly renovated temple of Flemish masters housing Rubens, Van Dyck, and Ensor in spectacular fashion.

• Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal)

  Gothic giant sheltering four authentic Rubens altarpieces, free to gaze at from the Grote Markt square.

• MAS (Museum aan de Stroom)

  Spiraling riverside tower with free rooftop panoramas and gripping exhibits on Antwerp's global trade history.

• Rubenshuis

  Step inside the Baroque mansion where Peter Paul Rubens actually lived, worked, and entertained royalty.

• Antwerp Zoo (Zoo Antwerpen)

  One of the world's oldest zoos, built inside a stunning 19th-century building right next to Central Station.

Good to know in Antwerp

• A single De Lijn/NMBS day pass (~$8) covers trams, buses, and local trains across the city, far cheaper than taxis.
• Tipping is not obligatory; rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for excellent service is perfectly generous.
• Tap water in Antwerp is clean, safe, and tastes great, carry a refillable bottle and skip bottled water entirely.
• The MAS permanent collection is free every first Wednesday evening of the month, and many city museums offer reduced entry on the first Sunday.

Trip essentials