It’s super easy to take an Antwerp day trip from Brussels, Belgium.
I spent time in both Brussels and Antwerp on multiple trips to Belgium. My first visit to Antwerp was on a day trip from Brussels.
The train ride from Brussels to Antwerp is short and Antwerp is a lovely city worth visiting. It’s compact and walkable, making it ideal for seeing a lot in one day.
On my second visit to Antwerp, I stayed for much longer and really got to know the city.
In this guide, I’ll explain how you can plan a day trip from Brussels to Antwerp , either by public transport or on a guided tour.
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Brussels – Antwerp day trip with a guided tour
To save time and hassle, it’s easy to take an Antwerp day trip from Brussels by joining a guided tour.
Antwerp day trip guided tour
Instead of public transport, you can take a guided day trip, and have everything organised for you.
It includes transportation to and from Antwerp and a guide who’ll take you around the city.
A guided tour is the most convenient option if you don’t want to (or don’t have time to) do the planning yourself, so bear that option in mind when you’re preparing for your trip.
The tour duration is about 7.5 hours, from the morning till the late afternoon.
You’ll travel by coach and have a guided tour of the city. You’ll also have some free time to explore by yourself, get some food, take pictures, etc.
Antwerp and Ghent day trip from Brussels
You can see both Antwerp and Ghent on one long day trip from Brussels.
Ghent is a beautiful place to visit in Belgium that’s definitely worth visiting. It’s not too far from Antwerp, so this multiple city day trip is doable.
I think that’s a good idea only if you’re really short on time. If you do have time though, it’s best not to rush it and give each city a full day at least.
The tour duration is about 10 hours. You’ll travel by coach between the cities and have a guided tour followed by free time in each city.
Brussels – Antwerp day trip by public transport
How to go to Antwerp from Brussels by train
There are frequent direct trains from Brussels to Antwerp.
It’s an easy, smooth ride that takes about 50 minutes.
It’s best to book your tickets in advance, so you don’t have to queue for tickets on the day.
You can depart from any of these railway stations in Brussels:
- Brussels Midi (Zuid/South), the main international station.
- Brussels Central in the city centre.
- Brussels Nord in the northern part of Brussels.
There are two stations in Antwerp:
- Antwerpen-Centraal, the main station.
- Antwerpen-Berchem.
For a day trip to Antwerp, you need to get off at the main station, Antwerpen-Centraal, which is in the city centre.
How to go to Antwerp from Brussels by bus
The bus ride from Brussels to Antwerp takes about 40 minutes.
There are frequent buses on this route, with some affordable options, especially if you book online a long time ahead.
Depart from Gare du Nord (North Station) in Brussels.
In Antwerp, you’ll arrive at Van Stralenstraat (near Rooseveltplaats), the main arrival stop, which is close to Antwerp’s city centre and to the central train station.
What to do on a day trip from Brussels to Antwerp
There’s plenty to do and see in Antwerp, but thanks to its size, you can cover quite a lot in one day.
Day trip from Brussels to Antwerp itinerary
Here’s an Antwerp itinerary to use if you plan an independent day trip from Brussels to Antwerp.
Depart from Brussels and arrive at Antwerp’s central station. You’ll soon notice how gorgeous it is, so take time to photograph the station.
From there, walk from the station to the main square.
You can also take a tram, but I recommend walking. It’s not too far, and the route takes you through the main streets of Antwerp and gives you a feel of the city.
Meir Street is the main shopping area and also has some great architecture.
At the main square (called Grote Markt), take your time enjoying the beauty of the old town. It’s a super Instagrammable spot with the old buildings and the odd statue in the middle of the square.
You can hear the story of that odd statue on a city tour. Many tours depart from the main square, and that’s where you can take the free walking tour.
On the tour, you’ll see the highlights in the city centre, such as the medieval fortress Het Steen, the famous Cathedral of Our Lady, and Saint Charles Borromeo Church.
You’ll be able to see a lot of the city in just a couple of hours. It’s tip-based, so tip the guide as much as you like at the end of the tour. Book your spots on the tour in advance to let the guide know how many people to expect.
I enjoyed that tour mainly because it was a nice history lesson, especially about the glory days of the city. I’d known little about the history of Antwerp beforehand and the guide had a lot of knowledge to share.
After the tour ends you’ll be in the city centre where you can find a place for lunch. If you’re vegan like me, use Happy Cow to find the nearest veg-friendly restaurant.
After lunch, check out one of the most unique museums in Antwerp.
Each of them celebrates and documents something special about the city that you won’t find elsewhere.
- Plantin-Moretus Museum is a museum about the history of print. Antwerp was home to the most prominent publishing houses in Europe.
- MoMu is a museum about fashion. Antwerp is a fashion hub, with a fashion design school and some famous fashion designers.
- Rubens House is the historic home and workshop of the famous Flemish Artist Peter Paul Rubens who used to live in Antwerp.
- MAS is a local culture museum with a panoramic viewing platform on the roof.
Many places in Antwerp close in the late afternoon, so after 6pm you’re not likely to find any shops or local attractions open.
This doesn’t mean your Antwerp day trip needs to end so soon though.
At this point, you can go out for dinner, go to a bar, or find some evening entertainment. Here are some options:
- The Het Zuid district in the south of the city is great for cool bars.
- Bourla Theatre has theatre shows, concerts, and opera.
- De Muze is a popular live jazz music bar.
Don’t forget to check the train schedule for the last train back to Brussels.
Self-guided walks in Antwerp
You can plan your day trip around Antwerp’s best cultural highlights that are unique to the city.
I’ve prepared some self-guided walks in Antwerp around specific cultural interests: art, design and architecture.
Fitting all of these walks into a day trip may be a bit of a stretch, but feel free to pick and choose what you like.
- Top art galleries in Antwerp – a walk though the Het Zuid district that has many small galleries, some great museums, and plenty of cool cafés and bars.
- Antwerp design guide – a walk around Antwerp’s unique design and vintage shops.
- Antwerp architecture tour – a walk that takes you to see the most beautiful buildings in Antwerp.
My tips for a day trip from Brussels to Antwerp
Here are some tips from my own experience travelling around Belgium.
Languages in Antwerp
Unlike French-speaking Brussels, in Antwerp the locals speak Flemish. I found it quite easy to get by in English there.
Antwerp, Antwerpen, or Anvers?
This may be a cause for confusion. The name of the city in French is Anvers, which you may notice when you book the train from Brussels.
The name in Flemish is Antwerpen and the English name is Antwerp.
Start your day trip early
It’s best to leave for Antwerp as early as you can in the morning, because many places in Antwerp close in mid-late afternoon.
Walking tours in Antwerp
I took the free walking tour in Antwerp, a group tour with a fixed timetable and a route that covers the popular highlights in the city.
You can also take a private tour, which is customisable to your own interests and preferences.
Best time to visit Belgium
It’s best to visit Belgium in the spring or summer, for a better chance of sunshine and nice weather.
Winters are cold and rainy, so not ideal for tourism.
What to avoid
I saw the red light district in Antwerp during an evening city tour. As part of a group and with a local guide, I felt relatively safe (though very uncomfortable).
I wouldn’t go anywhere near that place on my own. You never know what creepy men might follow you around.
It’s quite close to MAS, which is a great museum, so if you include MAS in your itinerary, or anything else in that area, check the map to select a route that avoids these streets: Schippersstraat, Verversrui, and Vingerlingstraat.
Staying longer in Antwerp
You can see and do a lot in one day in Antwerp, but if you have time and want to stay longer, I definitely recommend it.
It’s a good idea to spend a weekend in Antwerp. If you stay for about 3-4 days it will allow you to see more of the city at a relaxed pace.
I stayed there for a whole month, because I used it as a base for day trips in Belgium and the Netherlands (and because I love slow travel).
After that months’ stay, I wrote a detailed Antwerp city guide that you can use to plan a longer stay and also take day trips to other cities.
Where to stay in Antwerp?
For easy access to all the main spots in the city, stay near the main square.
Just about everything is within walking distance or a short tram ride from there.
Top rated hotels in a central location:
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