Travel to Antwerp

Arriving in Antwerp

Antwerp Airport (ANR) lies six kilometers southeast of the city and passengers can get into the city on bus no 16. Many visitors arrive by bus or train via Brussels (BRU) or Charleroi (CRL) Airports. Traveling to Antwerp by high-speed train from Brussels, Amsterdam, London or Paris is another option. Trains arrive at the central station (Antwerpen-Centraal or Gare Centrale d'Anvers) located in the heart of the city. Eurolines operates daily coach services from London and from multiple locations in France, Germany, Italy and Spain among others. Coaches arrive the Central Bus on Franklin Rooseveltplaats, 5 minutes walk from the train station.

Traveling around Antwerp

Antwerp is very well served with public transport with bus, tram, and pre-metro (underground tram) services running between 6:00 a.m. and 11 p.m. each day. A compact city, its is just 2 kilometers across, and the diamond, fashion and shopping districts are all close together. This makes it a great city for pedestrians. Cycling is very popular in Antwerp with many dedicated bike routes running around the city.

About Antwerp

Capital of the Belgian province of Flanders, Antwerp's strategic location near The Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany, gives the city genuine cosmopolitan pizazz. Factor in the relaxed and creative vibe that comes from its colony of Flemish artists, actors and writers, its vibrant fashion scene, and the fine dining and shopping, and you have a truly alluring tourist destination.

Quick Guide to Antwerp

Must Know: Visitors planning on using the city’s extensive public transport network can save money by getting a 10-ride card (Lijnkaart) which is valid on buses and trams.

Must See: Visitors shouldn't miss St. Andres Church on Waaistraat 5 with its unique statue of the Virgin Mary wearing haute couture garments. Another grand sight is the Antwerp Central Station. With its neo-baroque facades, is considered one of the most attractive train stations in the world.

Must Do: All visitors to Antwerp should explore the medieval heart of the city with its cobbled streets, chic cafes, and bars. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the house of the Flemish painter Rubens (Rubenshuis).

Did you Know: Antwerp has been a thriving commercial center since the Middle Ages and today handles over 70% of world diamond trade.

Best Time to Visit Antwerp

Thanks to the warm breeze from the North Sea, Antwerp maintains a moderate climate all year round. Temperatures never go into the extremes, even during peak summer and winter. Rain falls throughout the year, but less so in the summer. This is the season when most tourists like to visit the city of Antwerp. If you are interested in outdoor activities, you should travel to the city between June and August. There are countless summer events that take place in Antwerp, and some of the most popular ones include Jazz Middelheim, Rubens Market, Museum Night, Sfinks World Music Festival, and Beer Passion. The Summer nightlife is also amazing. This period is the best for visiting Antwerp, but you should remember that it is also extremely crowded with tourists. To make sure you don't suffer any inconveniences, you should book hotel rooms, flights, and event tickets early. Also, note that the costs of amenities, facilities, and events will be quite high throughout the season. Accommodation and travel in the winter can be much cheaper, but there is also not much to do during this period. Winter temperatures in the region go as low as 21 degrees Fahrenheit.