A two-day trip to Antwerp allows you to see the main sights without an exhausting marathon. The best approach is to group the sights by neighbourhood, leaving time for Flemish art, the historic centre and the harbour architecture, as well as for meals, a rest after the coach journey, and the flexibility to change your plans if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Before you set off
Save your arrival address, an offline map and directions to your accommodation. If the bus arrives early, check whether you can leave your luggage somewhere. Check the official city tourism website for current opening times and tickets for paid attractions.
Day one: the historic centre
Start at the Central Station, Meir Street, the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Grote Markt. Don’t try to visit every museum: choose one main paid attraction, and spend the rest of the first day exploring on foot. That way, you’ll see more of the city and won’t be tied to a tight schedule.
The evening of the first day
Leave time for a leisurely dinner and a short stroll through the main streets. If you’ve travelled overnight, getting an early night is better than visiting yet another distant attraction. Check the last public transport service back to your accommodation before heading away from the city centre.
Day two: another side of the city
Continue your route from the MAS museum, Het Steen fortress and the neighbourhoods of the Zuid district. Alternate between indoor venues and open spaces: this helps to avoid overloading your itinerary and leaves a buffer in case of rain. Booking may be advisable for popular museums or viewing platforms, but always check the current guidelines.
Transport and budget
First, check the distances on a map: it’s often easier to walk around much of the city centre. For outlying areas, check how to pay for travel locally. A day ticket only makes sense if you’re planning several journeys, so compare it with single-journey fares on the transport operator’s official website.
Preparing for a bus journey
Tips for travelling to Belgium and checking your documents are summarised in this RedRay article. It’s a good idea to check what to pack for a long journey against the hand luggage list, and to check available journeys on RedRay.
Return journey
On the day of departure, double-check the time, the bus station address and the platform number. Set off with plenty of time to spare, especially if you need to change buses or check in luggage. Keep your ticket, passport and mobile phone with you, rather than in a large suitcase.
A quick checklist
- two groups of locations by district;
- one main paid attraction per day;
- an offline map and ticket;
- allowance for the weather and downtime;
- plenty of time before the return bus.