Most museums and attractions are closed on Monday, but not all of them. Many attractions are also free. The shops on the famous Meir are also open obviously. Make your Monday (or indeed any other day) in Antwerp a stellar day with these top tips.

Historic city centre

Het Steen and The Antwerp Story

Start your Monday at Het Steen visitor centre, the oldest building in Antwerp. The Antwerp Story takes you on a journey through the history of the city, its neighbourhoods and famous residents. After visiting this attraction, you can walk up to the roof terrace of this 800-year old building, from where you can enjoy a view of the Scheldt and the historic city centre.

Edvard Munch & Eugeen Van Mieghem

Cross the street at Het Steen and you will find yourself in Het Redershuis, an imposing building from 1896 that is home to the Museum Eugeen Van Mieghem. Here you can admire approximately 200 works by this Antwerp “artist of the people” (closed on public holidays and in July and August).

Lovers of the graphic arts should pop in next door. Museum De Reede exhibits approximately 150 works from 3 of the greatest engravers of all time: Francisco Goya, Félicien Rops and Edvard Munch.

The cathedral and artistic churches

There are 4 monumental churches within walking distance of each other in the historic city centre, which are home to a lot of art:

St. Charles Borromeo Church: the Rubens Church par excellence and located in one of the most beautiful squares in Antwerp.
St. Paul’s Church: beautiful baroque altars and paintings by Rubens, Van Dyck and Jordaens.
St. James’s Church: where Rubens is buried. The baroque master painted the altarpiece for his tomb chapel himself.
St. Andrew’s Church: the monumental high altar and the magnificent pulpit are the eye-catchers here.

But the biggest eye-catcher - literally and figuratively - is of course the Cathedral of Our Lady, the most beautiful Lady in Antwerp! The largest Gothic structure (123 metres high) of the Low Countries is a real treasure trove, with works of art by Rubens among others.

In July and August, the city carillonneurs play a concert from the cathedral tower on several Monday evenings.

The Town Hall and its “Schoon Verdiep”

The Town Hall in Grote Markt has been the beating heart of Antwerp politics for 500 years now. Take a guided tour of this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Monument. A visit to the “Schoon Verdiep”, the most beautiful floor of the building, is a must.

A man and a woman walk smiling past the medieval castle and visitor centre Het Steen.

Two women take photos on the Grote Markt square. In the background the town hall and the statue of Brabo.

Two women walk through the cathedral with their Antwerp City Card.

Meir and surrounding area

Fashion and shopping

Antwerp largely owes its reputation as a shopping paradise to the Meir, the well-known shopping street between the historic city centre and Central Station. The biggest fashion chains in the world have a branch here. In the surrounding streets you will find leading luxury brands, independent boutiques, vintage shops and creative pop-up stores.

Beguinage and Botanical Garden

The Beguinage with its beautiful courtyard and the 200-year-old Botanical Garden are havens of peace in the busy city centre. The somewhat hidden Vlaeykensgang, which makes you feel as if you have travelled back in time to medieval Antwerp, is also ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city. Another place where you can enjoy some peace and quiet is the Stadspark.

A man and a woman stand with shopping bags on the Meir. In the background, people walk past shops and the skyscraper Boerentoren stands.

People lie on the grass in the Botanical Garden, a row of busts in the foreground and a classical building in the background.

A few people stroll down a quaint and medieval-looking street where terrace tables and chairs stand against the facades.

Station neighbourhood

Creatures and Belgian chocolate

Would you rather spot creatures with your children? The ZOO, one of the oldest and most famous zoos in Europe, is located right next to Central Station. Also fun to do with your children: Chocolate Nation. The largest Belgian chocolate museum in the world is located diagonally opposite the ZOO.

Cinema and Chinatown

Right next to Chocolate Nation you can also see the Chinese Pagoda Gate, the gateway to Van Wesenbekestraat with its many Chinese and Asian shops. A must for foodies and fans of Asia.

Want to stop for a break? There is no shortage of terraces and restaurants on De Keyserlei. Or enjoy a movie at the UGC Cinemas complex.

Flamingos in the ZOO, in the background Antwerp Central Station.

The pagoda gate in Chinatown by night. On the right, the entrance to Chocolate Nation.

People sitting on terraces at night on De Keyserlei, in the background the façade of Central Station.

Outside the city centre

Fine arts and Scheldt quays

The trendy Het Zuid district is just a 20-minute walk from Meir or the historic city centre. Here you can enjoy a breath of fresh air and aperitifs on the renovated Scheldt quays, in Museumplein, or in the park on the Gedempte Zuiderdokken. At the beautifully restored Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA), the largest and most important art museum in Flanders, you can see works by Rubens, Ensor, Modigliani, Fouquet, Rembrandt and Van Dyck, among others.

Even further south, about 15 minutes by bike from KMSKA, is the Middelheim Museum, one of the largest sculpture parks in the world. Here, where art and nature go hand in hand, you can see works by Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore, Rik Wouters, Isa Genzken, Chris Burden, Andrea Zittel, Ai Weiwei, Barbara Hepworth, Bruce Nauman, Germaine Richier and Alberto Giacometti, among others.

Suske & Wiske

Antwerp is one large comic strip museum. You will run into monumental murals of famous cartoon characters throughout the city, which have been conviently grouped in a 3.4-kilometre walk.

Pedestrian tunnel and ferry

You need to head to the other side of the Scheldt for a walk in lush green surroundings or the best view of Antwerp. Cross the river quickly and in a fun way, either underground through the Pedestrian Tunnel (with its authentic wooden escalators) or across the river with the ferry (free of charge, also with a bicycle).

Various people sit and lie among the trees and artworks of the Middelheim Museum.

People walk to and sit on the steps of the museum KMSKA.

People sit on the deck of a ferry and look at the view of Antwerp's right bank, which includes the MAS | Museum aan de Stroom in the het Eilandje district.

Transport to and from Antwerp

On foot or by bicycle

The nice thing about Antwerp is that almost everything - from monuments and museums to fashion houses and markets - is within walking distance of each other. Want to get around a bit faster? Hop on a bicycle and take one of the many cycling tours. The Touristram or tuktuk is also a fun alternative to enjoy the main sights of the city, especially with small children.

Take the train or tram

You can easily get to Antwerp by train. Are you coming by car? Then park it on a P&R on the city’s outskirts, where you can get on a tram. Check all the transport options.