Where can you see the most beautiful buildings in Antwerp, Belgium? Take an Antwerp architecture walk to find them.
Two parts of Antwerp have the best architectural gems and are perfect for self-guided walks.
I stayed in Antwerp for a month and one of the first things I noticed was the inconsistency. There’s a lot of beautiful architecture in Antwerp, but no consistent style.
Every building looks different, there’s a mix of old and new, and there’s no uniformity (of the kind you see in Parisian architecture, for example).
That’s why you never know what you might come across in Antwerp. You can suddenly see a spectacular building even on the most mundane street.
This article is a part of my series of architecture guides.
Table of contents
Where are the most beautiful buildings in Antwerp?
I created an Antwerp architecture self-guided walk to help you find the most beautiful buildings in Antwerp.
The first section of this guide covers the city centre and includes a lot of the city’s famous attractions.
The second section is about another part of the city, some gorgeous streets in the southeast of Antwerp, the main one being Cogels Osylei.
It’s a bit far from the centre but easy to reach. I think that’s a must-see if you love architecture.
I should also mention two other remarkable buildings in the north of the city – MAS Museum and Zaha Hadid Port House. MAS is especially worth visiting, not just for the architecture but also for the great exhibitions.
Antwerp architecture tour – self-guided walk
This self-guided walking tour of Antwerp architecture starts at the Antwerp Central Train Station. It’s easily one of the most beautiful stations in the world.
This station is called the “Railway Cathedral” and it really does look a bit like a cathedral with its stunning entrance and dome.
Walk around the station to see some incredibly detailed stonework and a massive iron and glass hall.
There’s an eclectic mix of architectural styles at the station. Neo-Gothic elements, Neo-Baroque influences, and Art Nouveau decorations.
The station was designed by architect Louis Delacenserie, who deliberately created this mix.
Parts of the station were constructed in the 2000s, so you’ll find contemporary design as well, but the historic part of the station is dominant and beautifully preserved.
From the station, it’s a short walk to Stadsfeestzaal on Meir Street.
Stadsfeestzaal (which translates to “City Festival Hall”) on Antwerp’s main shopping street is a former 16th-century merchants’ hall.
These days it’s a shopping centre with an incredibly lavish design.
When I walked inside I was quite amazed to see a modern shopping centre with such a dramatic glass dome roof, marble columns, and incredible gilded details.
The building you see today was restored in 2007 after a fire, a restoration that preserved the historic design.
Walk under 10 minutes to the next stop – Bourla Theatre.
Bourla Theatre is a unique building in Antwerp, designed by city architect Pierre Bourla. It’s a neoclassical gem with a curved façade.
You’ll see statues of Apollo and the nine muses at the top and below them busts of Schiller, Mozart, Molière, Shakespeare, and others.
I hope you also see inside the auditorium, it looks amazing in photos, but I didn’t get to see it unfortunately.
Again walk about 10 minutes to the next stop, the old stock exchange.
Handelsbeurs Antwerpen, the old stock exchange, was one of my favourite places in the city.
It looks a bit modest on the outside, but the interior is stunning.
You’ll enter into a massive, Renaissance-style courtyard with a glass roof and natural light. It’s surrounded by elegant arcades supported by decorated columns.
Keep an eye out for the stone arches throughout the building with their detailed carvings.
Built in the 16th century as a stock exchange, it’s now used as a multi-purpose venue for concerts and events.
About 5 minutes from there you’ll find a tall building called KBC Tower or Boerentoren. This is Antwerp’s first skyscraper.
It’s a classic example of Art Deco architecture from the 1930s. It’s minimalist but has geometric patterns with decorative elements.
Extra tip: If you really love Art Deco, check out the tunnel under the river called Sint-Annatunnel (St. Anna’s Tunnel).
Walk another 5 minutes or so to the most famous spot in Antwerp – the main square (Grote Markt).
This cobblestone medieval square is surrounded by eye-catching 16th-17th century guild houses. You can spend quite a bit of time observing the decorations on the facades.
The other local attractions in the main square are the beautiful City Hall (called Stadhuis) and the Brabo Fountain right in front of it.
A few minutes from there you’ll see Antwerp’s oldest building.
Het Steen by the river was a medieval fortress, now home to the Antwerp tourist information centre. i went up to the rooftop for a nice view of the city and the river.
Take a look at the street opposite Het Steen. That’s a good example of the mix of styles I mentioned earlier.
This is where the Antwerp architecture tour ends. At this point you’ll be in the city centre with plenty of places to eat and drink nearby.
You’re also close to many of the best design shops in Antwerp.
The remarkable architecture of Cogels Osylei
To see more beautiful buildings in Antwerp, head south to Cogels Osylei.
It’s an open-air museum of architectural gems. Every building on this street is a work of art.
Cogels-Osylei is in the Zurenborg district of Antwerp. It’s close to the Antwerpen-Berchem railway station. You can also hop on a tram, it’s about 15 minutes from the main square. I got there on foot and it took me about 30 minutes from Antwerp Central Station.
Cogels-Osylei and the streets around it (Waterloo, Transvaal, van Merlen) have a gorgeous collection of late 19th and early 20th-century architecture.
It’s an upscale neighbourhood with villas and mansions built around the Belle Epoque era, a period of prosperity and wealth. The houses on this street were designed to impress.
You’ll find a nice, eclectic mix of architectural styles on and around Cogels-Osylei, but what attracted my attention the most were the Art Nouveau buildings, which were the most flamboyant I saw in Antwerp. You’ll also see some Gothic and Renaissance Revival style houses.
They all have many small, fancy details to appreciate – beautiful doors, balconies, windows, and decorated facades.
I’ve seen this street described as a “time capsule”, but I did spot some contemporary architecture there too.
What are your favourite buildings in Antwerp? Share them in the comments.
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