Antwerp is easy to stay in. The main sights run in a line from Antwerp Central Station in the east, along the De Keyserlei and the Meir shopping street, to the cathedral and the Grote Markt near the river, with the Eilandje docks to the north and the Zuid district to the south. Anywhere along that line is walkable, and trams and the premetro fill the gaps. The real choice is between the atmosphere of the old town, the convenience of the station and the calm of the streets around the Meir, and whether you need parking.
The old town: for first-timers
Staying in the historic centre puts the cathedral, the Grote Markt, Het Steen and the riverside on your doorstep, and the evenings are lovely when the squares are lit. The downsides are higher prices, limited parking and some noise from the squares. Hilton Antwerp Old Town sits right on the Groenplaats facing the cathedral, with a fitness centre, a restaurant with a terrace and, crucially, covered parking with EV charging, which makes it the best old-town choice for drivers and families. For something more intimate, Hotel Julien is a boutique hotel in historic townhouses on the Korte Nieuwstraat, three minutes from the cathedral, with a spa, a hammam and a rooftop terrace. It is our romantic pick.
Around the Meir and the Botanical Garden: for luxury and shopping
The streets around the Meir are central but calmer at night, with the Rubens Experience, the shops and the KMSKA within reach. This is where you find our featured hotel, Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, a five-star Leading Hotels of the World property beside the Botanical Garden, with 108 rooms, a spa, an indoor pool and Hertog Jan dining on its doorstep. It is the splurge for a special occasion. Close by on the Meistraat, the ibis Antwerpen Centrum is the budget pick: simple, clean rooms, a breakfast buffet, a bar and a car park, a few minutes from the Rubens House.
Central Station: for rail travellers and families
The Koningin Astridplein in front of the station is less charming than the old town, but it is hard to beat for convenience. You can step off the train and into your hotel, the zoo and Chocolate Nation are on the same square, and day trips to Brussels, Ghent and Bruges are easy. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Antwerp City Centre faces the station, with 253 rooms, family rooms and apartments, an indoor pool, a sauna and on-site parking. It is our pick for families and for anyone using Antwerp as a base for day trips.
The Eilandje and the Zuid: for repeat visitors
The old docks of the Eilandje, around the MAS and the Red Star Line Museum, and the Zuid district around the KMSKA both have restaurants, bars and a local feel. They suit second visits, when you know the old town already.
When to book
Antwerp is busy at weekends, during big trade fairs and in December, when the winter events fill the centre. Book early for those periods, and compare rates that include breakfast, as it is not always part of the price. If you drive, check each hotel’s parking and remember the low emission zone registration for foreign cars.
