Antwerp is not the cheapest city in Belgium, but it is one of the easiest to enjoy on a small budget, because many of its best sights cost nothing and the compact centre means you rarely need transport. This guide builds a full visit around the free options, then shows where a paid ticket is genuinely worth it.
Start with Central Station
Antwerp Central is a working railway hub and one of the most beautiful stations in the world, with a domed hall, a grand staircase and an iron-and-glass train shed. There is no ticket and no tour. Allow half an hour on arrival or departure, and go up to the platforms for the view of the shed.
Walk the old town
The Grote Markt, with its City Hall, guild houses and the Brabo fountain, is free to explore at any time, and the riverside by Het Steen is a short stroll away. The streets between the Meir and the cathedral are lined with architecture worth looking up at. You do not need to pay to enjoy the atmosphere of the old centre, and the squares are especially pleasant when they are lit in the evening.
Climb the MAS rooftop
The panoramic rooftop of the MAS on the Eilandje is free, and it is open into the evening, which makes it the best free view in the city. Entry to the rooftop and the escalators needs a reservation, so book a slot online in advance. The galleries inside are ticketed, and the museum is closed on Mondays, so check the day.
Walk under the Scheldt
The Sint-Annatunnel is a pedestrian tunnel under the river with long wooden escalators and a surprisingly atmospheric tiled passage. It is free, and it gives you a view of the old town skyline from the far bank. Combine it with a walk along the water.
Spend an afternoon among sculptures
The Middelheim Museum is an open-air sculpture park a short tram or bike ride from the centre, and entry is free. It is closed on Mondays, and it is best on a dry day, with a picnic. Allow around two hours to wander the main paths.
Admire the Art Nouveau streets
Zurenborg and the Cogels-Osylei are a district of extravagant late nineteenth-century and early twentieth-century houses. Walking the streets is free, and it takes two to three hours with a café stop. These are private homes, so keep voices down and stay out of gardens.
Choose your paid sights carefully
If you can only afford one museum, pick the one that matches your interests. The KMSKA is the best for art, with a Rubens hall, Van Eyck and the world’s largest Ensor collection, and it is open daily. The Cathedral of Our Lady has an entry fee but holds Rubens altarpieces that are among the finest in Belgium, so it is worth paying for. The Red Star Line Museum is the most moving history museum in the city. For a guided overview that does not cost much, a bike tour or a food tour covers a lot of ground in a few hours. Skip the add-ons you will not use, and look at whether a city pass would cover several museums for you.
Save on food
Eat your main meal at lunch, when many restaurants have cheaper set menus, and use a friture stand for fries between museums. Bakeries sell sandwiches and pastries that make a good picnic for the Stadspark or Middelheim. Water from the tap is safe to drink, so carry a bottle.
Save on getting around
Walk wherever you can. For longer trips, the De Lijn trams and the premetro are inexpensive, and the Velo bike-share scheme has stations across the city. Book train tickets in advance if you can, and ask about any discount that applies on the day you travel.
Save on a bed
Stay near Central Station or on the edge of the centre for the best value. The ibis budget by the station and the TripInn Eden are simple, low-cost bases, and the ibis Antwerpen Centrum near the Meir is a step up with a breakfast buffet and a car park. Weekdays outside December are generally cheaper than weekends, and trade fairs push prices up, so compare dates before you commit.
