Similar to the majority of big cities in Western Europe, Antwerp, Belgium doesn’t ask for a lot of preparation prior to your trip. The city is pretty advanced and tolerant of all customs and traditions. Yet knowing a few things about Antwerp beforehand helps better understand the city and make the most of your visit.
Last updated: May 8, 2025
Day Trip to Antwerp
I visited Antwerp during a day-trip excursion from Amsterdam. Knowing how close the city is to the capital of the Netherlands, I didn’t expect to find anything way too different here. That was one of the reasons why I also didn’t bother with doing a thorough research and creating a detailed itinerary before visiting Antwerp. All I really expected to find in one of the main artistic hubs of Belgium was the world-famous Belgian chocolate galore.
Antwerp surprised me. The city charms you with its remarkable sites, beautiful architecture, and unique customs. Wandering the streets of Antwerp, I only wished I knew more about the city before my visit. With that in mind and seeing the city from within, I decided to compile the list of things one should know and consider before visiting Antwerp.
8 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE VISITING ANTWERP
1. One Day Is Enough to Explore Antwerp
Although one of the largest cities in Belgium, Antwerp doesn’t ask for a lot of time. The city is compact and very walkable. If walking gets tiresome, you can rent a bike and venture to farthest corners and see some of the hidden gems. All in all, you can explore the area and visit the major landmarks of Antwerp in one day. Yet if time permits, plan for at least a two-day visit to Antwerp to explore the areas where locals hang out.
2. Explore Antwerp on Foot or Rent a Bike
The compact size of Antwerp has another advantage. You can walk everywhere you want without spending money on a taxi. The second popular way of visiting different sections of Antwerp is riding a bike. Use the Velo app to find your two-wheeled “vehicle”.
If none of these is your cup of tea, use public transportation, which is a quite reliable and affordable way to get around Antwerp.
READ MORE: The Only 12 Apps You Need for Traveling across Europe
3. Check Out Local Cafes
A few days before my day visit to Antwerp, I met an elderly couple from California in Amsterdam. They saw Starbucks through the window of a bus and asked the driver how to get back to that coffee shop. The young man assured them that Amsterdam had Starbucks on every corner. There was no need for them to go back.
In Antwerp, however, the things are a little bit different. All Starbucks’ fans, do not worry. Antwerp also has Starbucks stores. But the city doesn’t let the world-famous brand to oversaturate its coffee arena. Antwerp supports smaller businesses and gives you plenty of chances to check out local cafes and tea houses.
TIP: If you are a devoted Starbucks coffee lover, buy your favorite drink as soon as you see a Starbucks cafe. The next one may be several blocks or miles away.
4. Indulge in Belgian Chocolate
Eat a lot of chocolate. Drink several cups of hot chocolate. Belgian chocolate as well as Belgian waffles are a few things you must eat when visiting Antwerp. “Life is too short, make it sweet” is a trademark and mission of many of the local businesses.
5. Restrooms Are not Free
Public restrooms in Antwerp, including in some fast-food restaurants, are not free. Some locations charge a small fee for toilet use for both customers and non-customers. On the flip side, restrooms in Antwerp are almost always clean, and there are no lines (compared to women’s restrooms in the US).
6. Italian Waiters Are not Rude. They just Do Their Job
As I was exploring Antwerp without a care in the world, I overheard two women discussing “rude Italians”. They were passing by an Italian restaurant and pizzeria, when two young waiters started loudly inviting them to dine inside. Their “unprofessionalism” startled the passersby.
I witnessed the entire scene and didn’t find anything appalling here. Yes, the men were loud. And yes, they didn’t want the women to pass by without stepping inside. But they were just doing their job. No offense here. Yet keep in mind that something like this may happen when you visit Antwerp and least expect to hear a piercing “invitation”.
7. Visit Antwerp on Sunday to Escape Crowds
If you like to sleep in, but still want to explore the city with fewer people on the streets, visit Antwerp on a Sunday. The last day of the week is usually slow. Many places are closed or open only later in the day. So, you can have the almost entirely city all to yourself until nearly noon. Locals and visitors of Antwerp file out in the streets normally only in the afternoon.
8. Don’t Visit Meir Street on an Empty Stomach
They say you can forget about diets when on vacation. Yes and no, especially when you visit Meir, the main shopping street in Antwerp. The entire place smells like freshly baked pastries and waffles. Your mouth starts watering even if you just ate a good lunch.
If you stumble upon this section of Antwerp on an empty stomach, you are in trouble. You feel like you are starving to death and must have one Belgian goodie, then another one, and one more… If you are watching your weight, brace yourself for some serious temptation.
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