Are you visiting Belgium on a budget? Then you may be looking for the best free things to do in Antwerp. Fear not: a local — yours truly — is here to help. Antwerp is probably my favourite city in Belgium. Granted, I live here, so I may be a bit biased. But still: it’s undeniably an amazing city with great culture, history, nightlife, and restaurants. Are you ready to discover why I recommend visiting Antwerp to all my friends? Let’s jump in!
What to know before travelling to Antwerp
Before you start booking your train tickets or hostel rooms, there are a few things you should know about travelling to Antwerp.
First and foremost: if you intend to stay in Antwerp for two or more days, get an Antwerp City Card. It might seem a bit pricey, but this card will give you free entry to 16 major museums and plenty of other attractions worth your time. You’ll also get discounts all around the city and free access to public transport.
Buy the Antwerp City Card here.
Secondly: if you’re coming to Antwerp by train — and even if you’re not — don’t forget to admire Antwerp Central Station. It’s often mentioned in “Most beautiful train stations in the world” lists, and for good reason.
Lastly: Antwerp is one of the culinary hotspots in Belgium. Don’t let the extensive list of amazing restaurants in Antwerp pass you by.
Are you a visual learner? You’ll find each of my favourite free things to do in Antwerp on this interactive map.
(Is the map not loading properly? Try this link.)
The best free things to do in Antwerp
1. Stroll around independent bookstores
Whether you’re looking for a new coffee table book, a present for your sister’s birthday, or a fun way to spend a few hours — there are plenty of independent bookstores in Antwerp worth your time.
Some of my personal favourites:
- Demian: A charming bookstore owned by an equally charming man with a passion for all things literature and poetry;
- Luddites: A bookstore-slash-winery in the city centre, and one of the most gorgeous homes of floor-to-ceiling shelves I’ve ever seen;
- Stad Leest: A massive bookstore with a great selection of English fiction and non-fiction.
If you’re as much of a literary nerd as I am, you’ll appreciate this article about the best independent bookstores in Antwerp.
2. Take a free walking tour
Joining a free walking tour is one of the best ways to get to know a city. That’s no different in Antwerp.
Legends Tours organises tours with knowledgeable, English-speaking guides every day at 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 8 PM. They’re rated #1 on TripAdvisor, and for good reason.
If you’re looking to join a tour, just book a spot on their website and come to the Grote Markt at your designated time slot.
3. Bask in the sun at Conscienceplein
After wandering through a narrow, cobbled alley, you’ll find yourself at the beautiful Hendrik Conscienceplein — unsurprisingly named after Flemish 19th-century writer Hendrik Conscience.
This square is home to St. Charles Borromeo Church, which is often called the most important baroque church in the Low Countries.
Thanks to the many cafés and restaurants and the street performers who also frequent the square, it’s one of the locals’ favourite places to hang out on sunny afternoons.
My personal favourite bar around this square is called De Zwaan — just so you know.
4. Visit five historic churches
Antwerp is not only home to the second-largest seaport in Europe, but it’s also where you’ll find five monumental churches within walking distance.
- Cathedral of Our Lady* (Yes, our cathedral has an Instagram page!);
- St. Andrew’s Church;
- St. Charles Borromeo Church;
- St. James’ Church;
- St. Paul’s Church*.
*: Admission to the Cathedral of Our Lady is €8 (€6 for students and over-60s). Admission to St. Paul’s Church is €5 (€3 for students), but free every first Tuesday of the month. Both churches are free if you have an Antwerp City Card.
Each of these churches has a unique personality and story. And, perhaps more impressively in this day and age, they all still host vibrant Catholic communities.
5. Stroll through the Kloosterstraat
One of the first things I discovered when I moved to Antwerp was the Kloosterstraat, and I still love it.
Let me explain: this street has the perfect mix of vintage interior stores, trendy boutiques, and impressive art galleries. And, best of all, almost all these shops are open on Sunday.
The vibes are immaculate, and you’ll be sure to find a few gems in the window displays. To this day, heading to this street on the weekend is one of my favourite free things to do in Antwerp.
6. Get lost in an urban nature oasis
While travelling to the big city — yes, Antwerp is a big city in Belgium — little spots of nature can be a godsend. If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air and some greenery, take a look at the following parks:
7. Visit free Antwerp must-sees
There’s no way you’re travelling to Antwerp without visiting the Antwerp essentials, right? You can cross the following sights off your bucket list in about 30 minutes, so you might as well give them a go.
- Grote Markt;
- City Hall;
- Statue of Brabo;
- Groenplaats.
8. Travel back in time
Cities in Belgium and the Netherlands are often said to transport first-time visitors and long-time residents alike back in time.
Whether that’s also the case in Antwerp, you ask? Why don’t you head down to the Beguinage, the Vlaeykensgang, and Het Steen* and find out for yourself? Or discover the secrets that the city’s sewers (also known as De Ruien*) have held since the Middle Ages?
Spoiler alert: it is, in fact, also the case in Antwerp.
*: Het Steen and De Ruien are not free to visit unless you have an Antwerp City Card.
9. Take a breather on the riverside
Down by the river, by the boats …
Well, if you’re looking for boats, there are better places to look than the riverside in Antwerp, but there’s still a great time to be had.
Start your afternoon at Het Steen with a walk along the river.
Gather your friends, get some snacks and cheap wine (or a non-alcoholic alternative) at the supermarket, and plump yourself down at the Scheldt Quays. Don’t get up before the sun sets — trust me.
10. Find the best places for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Het Zuid
I’ve been living in Antwerp for nine months at the time of writing this. That’s great news for me, because I love living here. But it’s also great for you. After all, I can now tell you all about the best restaurants around the city.
Vegetarian, Italian, Asian, or brunch — whatever you’re looking for, Antwerp has got you covered.
Most of my favourite places to eat and drink are in Het Zuid — the trendy neighbourhood in the south.
Discover the best places to get breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks around Antwerp:
Free things to do in Antwerp: honourable mentions
When making a top-10 list of free things to do in Antwerp, there are bound to be some things that just don’t make the cut.
These are my honourable mentions — or, in other words, free things to do in the city if you have some time left over.
- Enjoy the panoramic view atop the MAS Museum;
- Admire the stately mansions and art-nouveau facades in the Cogels-Osylei;
- Walk across/under the river Scheldt in the tiled St. Anna’s Tunnel — ominously known among locals as “The Underpass”;
- Head to the other side of the river for a relaxing afternoon at the city beach, Saint Anneke;
- Take a walk in the “Diamond Square Mile“;
- Discover the history of the “Handelsbeurs” (New Exchange) (open to the public during the weekends).
These were a few of my favourite free things to do in Antwerp — thanks for reading! Did I miss anything? Be sure to let me know in a comment.
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December 8, 2022 at 1:27 pmKind of remarkable how few of the things in this list are free…