The Cathedral of Our Lady is the landmark you see from everywhere in Antwerp. Its white stone spire, finished in the early sixteenth century and still the tallest church tower in the Low Countries, rises over the medieval streets between the Grote Markt and the Groenplaats, and the cathedral’s belfry is part of the UNESCO listing of the belfries of Belgium and France. Inside, the seven-aisled Gothic nave is vast and full of light, and it holds one of the great concentrations of Baroque art in Europe. The headline works are by Peter Paul Rubens, who lived a few streets away: the dramatic Raising of the Cross and the Descent from the Cross, painted as triptychs for the cathedral in the early 1610s, and the Assumption of the Virgin over the high altar. Add carved pulpits, chapels, stained glass and changing exhibitions, and it is easily the most rewarding hour in the old town.
How it works: the cathedral is open every day except 1 January, from 10:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, 10:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays and 13:00 to 17:00 on Sundays, with some holiday exceptions in November and December, so check the visit page before you go. Admission is paid for adults, with reductions for students, seniors and visitors with disabilities, and it is free for under-18s and for residents of the Province of Antwerp. Simply buy your ticket at the entrance on the Groenplaats side.
What to expect: a self-guided visit through the nave, the ambulatory and the side chapels, with information panels and QR-code audio descriptions at the highlights. In January 2026 the cathedral announced that one of its Rubens works, an epitaph triptych, had gone away for restoration, so not every painting may be on display. Masses still take place, so keep voices low and expect some areas to close briefly during services. The nave and chapels are wheelchair accessible via a ramp, but the high altar, crypt, garden and tower are not.
Making the most of it: arrive at opening time on a weekday for the quietest nave, and stand back in the crossing to see the Rubens triptychs together. Afterwards, walk two minutes to the Grote Markt for the City Hall and the Brabo fountain, and look back at the spire from the Handschoenmarkt.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit of the Gothic nave, chapels and ambulatory, with QR-code audio descriptions at the Rubens altarpieces and other highlights.
Best time
Weekday mornings at opening time are calmest, and Sunday visits only start in the afternoon after the morning services.
How long
Allow about an hour to see the Rubens triptychs, the high altar and the side chapels without rushing.
Tips
Check the visit page for holiday hours, bring a card for the ticket desk and keep your voice down if a service is under way.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors and art lovers who want to see Rubens in the church he painted for.
- Families
- Children and teenagers under eighteen get in free, and the sheer size of the nave impresses even young visitors.
- Couples
- Visit late on a weekday afternoon, then wander the lit Grote Markt and the Vlaaikensgang alley nearby.
- Pair with
- The Grote Markt and City Hall two minutes away, then the Rubens Experience or KMSKA for more Rubens.
- Time needed
- About an hour inside, plus time to admire the spire from the surrounding squares.
Good questions
What are the opening hours of Antwerp Cathedral?+
The cathedral opens from 10:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, 10:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays and 13:00 to 17:00 on Sundays. It is closed on 1 January and has some holiday exceptions, so check the official visit page.
Which Rubens paintings can I see in the cathedral?+
The best known are the Raising of the Cross, the Descent from the Cross and the Assumption of the Virgin on the high altar. One Rubens epitaph triptych has been away for restoration since early 2026, so not every work may be on view.
Is the cathedral free to enter?+
No, adults pay an entrance fee, with reduced rates for students, seniors and visitors with disabilities. Children and young people under eighteen and residents of the Province of Antwerp get in free.
Is the cathedral wheelchair accessible?+
Yes, the nave, ambulatory and chapels are reachable via a ramp, and wheelchairs can be borrowed from staff. The high altar, crypt, garden and tower are not wheelchair accessible.
Can I visit during Mass?+
Services continue in the cathedral, and some areas may close briefly while they take place. Plan your visit for weekday mornings or afternoons to avoid them.
