The second popular city in Belgium, Antwerp works perfectly for a one-day trip from places like Amsterdam or Brussels.
Last updated: June 11, 2025
Day Trip to Antwerp from Amsterdam
People choose to travel to Antwerp for different reasons. While the name of the city didn’t sound entirely new to me, I didn’t know what to expect from it. The reason I decided to spend one day in Antwerp was as simple as it could be. I had never been to Belgium before. And since it was just a stone’s throw away from Amsterdam where I stayed for nearly a week, I spared one day for a trip to Antwerp.
Interesting Things to Know about Antwerp
Language: While my curiosity motivated me to spend one day in Antwerp, its beauty and history inspired me to research more about the city. And the first place to start was the official language. Antwerp’s close proximity to the Netherlands didn’t just stop at enabling visitors to travel to the city on a one-day trip from Amsterdam. Located in the Flemish Region, Antwerp inherited Dutch as its official language.
Name: Even the name “Antwerp” derives from a Dutch phrase that means “to throw a hand”. According to an old tale, the city was set on the Scheldt River, in a place where a young warrior defeated a mythical giant by cutting off his hands and throwing them into the river.
Landmarks: Yet putting all tales aside, Antwerp is the owner of one of the oldest zoos in the world.
Interesting Fact: Despite its rather artistic incline, in 1920 Antwerp hosted the first Summer Olympics after World War I.
How to Get to Antwerp
The favorable location and reliable transportation make it not only possible, but also encouraging to visit Antwerp. One of the most popular ways to get to the city from the Netherlands is by train that arrives at the Central Station. There are dozens of routes and trains that connect Antwerp with other cities in and outside Belgium.
Buses also run frequently to and from Antwerp. In fact, it took me about two hours and twenty minutes to get from Amsterdam Sloterdijk to Antwerp Plantinkaai by bus. You need approximately the same amount of time to get to the city by train.
Is One Day Enough to Explore Antwerp?
Despite its popularity, Antwerp is a small and walkable city. It doesn’t take long to see its major attractions and eat your weight in world-famous Belgian chocolate. So, one day is enough for a decent introduction to the city.
READ MORE: 8 Things to Know before Visiting Antwerp, Belgium
THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN ANTWERP IN ONE DAY
1. Explore Grote Markt
If your one adventure starts at Antwerp Plantinkaai, the Grote Markt will be your first destination by default. Located across the street from the bus station, the bustling town square is a symbol of the city.
The Grote Markt is famous for its fairytale-like buildings, centuries-old houses, and many cafes and restaurants that depict the spirit of the city. The place sets your expectations for the rest of the city high. The square is especially beautiful during Christmas when it hosts a Christmas market and ice rink.
Other things to admire at the Grote Markt include the 16th-century City Hall, or the Stadhuis, and the Brabo Fountain. Located in the heart of the square, the fountain depicts Silvius Brabo, the young hero who fought the mythical giant.
2. Check out the Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp
You don’t need a guide to find the next destination. The towering peaks of the Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal) point you in the right direction. The tallest church tower in Belgium, the cathedral’s 123 meter-high spire has been dominating the city’s skyline since the 14th century.
Unfortunately, due to numerous fires, much of the original interior was destroyed. It was replaced by the 19th-century replicas.
3. Visit the Rubens House
A one-day trip to Antwerp can’t be complete without a visit to the former home of one of its most prominent residents. The Rubens House, or the Rubenshuis, is a place where Peter Paul Rubens lived and created his masterpieces.
The artist purchased the house in 1610 and renovated it himself. The end result resembled an Italian villa. In 1946 the house opened its doors as a museum. Its permanent collections contain many works of the famous artist and his contemporaries.
4. Stop at St. Charles Borromeo Church
Hendrik Conscience Square in front of St. Charles Borromeo Church became one of my favorite places to walk during this one-day adventure in Antwerp.
St. Charles Borromeo Church was built between 1615 and 1621 as the Jesuit church. After the pope disbanded the Jesuit order, it became a parish church and eventually received its present name.
In the old days, the church presented 39 ceiling paintings by Rubens. Unfortunately, they along with other artworks were destroyed in a fire in 1718. Nevertheless, this loss didn’t break the spirit of St. Charles Borromeo Church. Today its stunning facade, tower, the High Altar, and the Lady Chapel make it stand out from other churches of this kind.
5. Take a Walk along the Riverbank
The last activity on my one-day Antwerp itinerary came as a surprise. Fired by the unknown and eager to explore the city, I completely ignored the riverbank near the bus station upon my arrival. Only hours later, when I was waiting for my return bus to Amsterdam, I got to appreciate this place with its beautiful views.
Indeed, you can’t imagine a better way to finish your day in Antwerp. Strolling along the riverbank, watching ships passing by, and soaking in the views of the city… It was the perfect finale of a short excursion!
READ MORE: 10 Incredible Things to Do in Antwerp, Belgium
