Stylish, historic, and bursting with creativity, Antwerp is easy to fall for. If you're short on time, we cover the best things to see and do for your one day in Antwerp.
You’ll discover where to find the best Belgian fries, how to explore the city’s rich architectural and artistic history, and which local favourites are worth your time, from independent boutiques to buzzy plazas where Antwerp’s in-the-know crowd gathers after dark.
If you appreciate great food, bold design and local hotspots, our one day Antwerp itinerary was made for you.
How to Spend One Day in Antwerp, Belgium
Morning: Walk through Antwerp's historic centre and enjoy breakfast in the fashion district. Daytime: Shop creative fashion boutiques, eat Michelin-level fries, explore seven centuries of art, and sip afternoon drinks by the water. Evening: Dine at one of the city's hot spots, watch live jazz at an iconic bar, and finish the night at a plaza buzzing with locals. |
One Day in Antwerp for Food, Design & Culture
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9 AM: Walk through Grote Markt Square
Start your morning with a walk through the city’s historic heart at Grote Markt Square.
In the 16th century, Antwerp rose to fame as one of Europe’s biggest trade ports, and its wealth was channelled into the city’s architecture.
Surrounded by ornate 16th-century guild houses, the Renaissance-style Town Hall, and the soaring Cathedral of Our Lady (Belgium’s tallest Gothic building), you’ll be stepping straight into the city’s golden age.
Both the town hall and the cathedral are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
9:30 AM: Grab an outdoor table at Antoine for breakfast
Head 10 minutes south to Antoine for breakfast. Tucked away on a tiny side street in Antwerp's fashion district, the quirky little cafe has a cute takeaway window and a few tables outside, marked by their bright Aperol-orange chairs.
We loved grabbing a seat here to sip our coffee and soak up the scene. They also offer fresh fruit juices and smoothies.
10:30 AM: Hit up some shops in Antwerp's fashion district
Renaissance | Morobe
Antwerp is a cutting-edge fashion capital packed with creative boutiques, thanks to its iconic Antwerp Six and thriving design scene. If you're looking for a statement piece, this is the place to find it.
These were our favourite boutiques in the area:
Dries Van Noten: The flagship of one of the Antwerp Six, where bold prints and unexpected colour combinations make the whole space feel like an art gallery. It’s high-end, but even just browsing here is an experience in itself.
Morrison Shop: This relaxed boutique mixes its own knitwear label, Howlin’, with a sharp edit of other quality brands. Ari found a fun patterned shorts-and-shirt set, while I walked away with a yellow terry-cloth two-piece. Don’t miss their stash of ambient and psychedelic vinyl.
Renaissance: A haven for luxe streetwear, on-trend accessories and designer collaborations. I couldn’t resist picking up a purse, and Ari grabbed a pair of shiny silver socks.
Morobe: Known for its architectural, handcrafted shoes, this local brand is a must for shoe lovers. The shop itself is beautifully designed, and though I hadn’t planned on buying anything, I left with shiny maroon heels.
Daytime
12 PM: Devour Michelin-level fries at Atelier Frites
For lunch, treat yourself to an elevated fries experience at Frites Atelier, the brainchild of Dutch Michelin-star chef Sergio Herman.
These aren’t your average street fries - think crisp, golden frites paired with inventive sauces and toppings, all served in a design-forward space.
Keep an eye out for the rotating specials and sample as many sauces as you can. We were so hooked, we found ourselves back for round two the very next day.
1 PM: See seven centuries of art at KMSKA
After lunch, head to KMSKA (the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp) and prepare to be wowed.
After an 11-year renovation, this 19th-century neoclassical gem reopened in 2022, blending its grand historic architecture with sleek, minimalist galleries.
Inside, you’ll find seven centuries of art, from Rubens to James Ensor, plus a stunning space on the main floor for temporary exhibitions.
When we were there, a Jef Verheyen exhibition stole the spotlight - his light-filled, minimalist canvases looked incredible in the museum’s massive, beautifully lit rooms.
One of the best parts? You can wander without the crowds you’d face in places like Florence or Paris. Antwerp feels like an under-the-radar treasure for art lovers.
3:30 PM: Shop two more creative boutiques
The Menu | Anne Demeulemeester
Just a close walking distance to the museum are two more unique boutiques worth checking out:
Anne Demeulemeester: An iconic Antwerp Six designer set in a gorgeous 1880s Beaux-Arts building. Pricey, but worth a peek for the inspiring space and edgy clothing. There is also a small lifestyle section - I picked up stunning uranium-green Nick and Nora cocktail glasses.
The Menu: My favourite shop in Antwerp, with a standout selection of independent designers and beautifully curated pieces.
4:30 PM: Enjoy waterside drinks at Paniek Bar
Paniek Bar
From KMSKA, hop in an Uber to reach Paniek Bar, tucked inside a former shipyard in the far north of the city centre.
We loved the raw, industrial feel of this area, where old warehouses combine with cool hangouts.
Grab a drink by the water and soak up the relaxed, offbeat atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot to wind down before the evening, and feels like one of Antwerp’s coolest hidden corners.
After drinks, spend some downtime at your hotel to get ready for the evening.
Evening
7:30 PM Dine at one of Antwerp's hot spots
Clockwise from top left: Cobra, Misera and Bourla
Antwerp’s food scene punches well above its weight, with over 50 restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide - pretty impressive for a city this size.
Whether you’re craving Belgian classics or looking to explore the city’s creative dining scene, here are three fantastic options we tried and highly recommend:
For classic Belgian charm: Bourla
Tucked behind a neoclassical theatre, Bourla serves elegant yet relaxed Belgian classics on one of the city’s best outdoor terraces. The happening spot is full of old European charm.
For creative, Michelin-starred dining: Misera
If you’re after something more cutting-edge, Misera is a Michelin-starred gem with a cool, minimalist setting and creative French-inspired dishes. I still dream about the mussels here. Book a seat at the wraparound kitchen table to watch the chefs in action up close.
For a buzzy, design-forward scene: Cobra
Looking for great food and a see-and-be-seen atmosphere? Cobra is a fashionable, art-inspired spot with share plates, good cocktails and a buzzy crowd. Snag a table on the outdoor terrace for top-notch people-watching.
Since they are popular spots, it's best to book in advance.
9:30 PM Catch a live jazz show at De Muze
For a dose of local culture, swing by De Muze, a legendary jazz bar that’s been part of Antwerp’s music scene since the ’60s.
With its dim lighting and warm wooden-and-brick interior, it’s an atmospheric spot to enjoy live music over drinks.
We grabbed seats at the bar to watch the excellent jazz group up close and loved the bohemian atmosphere.
Hours: Live music starts at 9 pm (Tuesday–Thursday) and 10 pm (Friday–Saturday). No reservations.
11:30 PM: Keep the night going at Marnixplaats Plaza
If you’re up for more, head to Marnixplaats, a lively circular plaza that’s a favourite hangout for locals.
Lined with bars and always buzzing, it’s the perfect spot to grab a drink and soak up Antwerp’s local nightlife. Every night we passed by, it was packed with people enjoying the scene.
Where to Stay for Your One Day in Antwerp
Antwerp may be small, but it’s packed with stylish places to stay. If you base yourself west of Highway N1/N113, you’ll be within easy walking distance of most of the city’s top sights.
From chic boutique hotels to dreamy apartments, here are four standout options that combine great design and location:
Musa Antwerp ($) - Am apartment-style stay in a cool local neighbourhood. The Greenhouse ($$) - A tucked away gem with spacious rooms inside a character-filled 16th-century building. Flora ($$$) - Housed in beautiful 15th-century townhouses with interiors by acclaimed Belgian designer Gert Voorjans. Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp ($$$$) - A luxurious hotel tucked inside the walls of the city’s lush botanical gardens.Best Day to Visit Antwerp
For this itinerary, avoid visiting on Sunday, since many boutique shops, cafes and restaurants are closed in the city.
Depending on where you want to dine, note that Cobra is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Misera takes its break on Saturdays and Sundays, and Bourla is closed on Sundays.
Enjoy your 1 day in Antwerp!
Have more time to spend in Antwerp? Check out our 3 Day Itinerary.
Get started on booking your trip to Antwerp
- 🛏️ Book your accommodation: Booking.com is our go-to for finding places to stay. Sort by top reviewed.
- 🤠 Browse local tours: through GetYourGuide.
- 🚆 Book your train: compare rates with Trainline.
- 🛫 Book your flight: use Skyscanner to compare flights across different airlines (we recommend booking direct with the airline however).
Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Save and pin this 1 Day Antwerp itinerary for later:
