Antwerp
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3 Days in Antwerp — Complete Itinerary

Daily Budget€35–120
Best SeasonApril–October
DestinationAntwerp
Duration3 Days
Day 1
Morning

Cathedral of Our Lady

Explore the 15th-century Gothic cathedral housing Rubens' "Raising of the Cross" (1610) and 15th-century stained glass; avoid Sunday services by arriving at 8:30 AM.

Budget tip: Free entry; skip the €12 audio guide – use the cathedral's free QR code map for self-guided tour.
Afternoon

MAS Museum

Visit the modern art museum (Museum aan de Stroom) at the Scheldt River's mouth; see the permanent collection of 19th-century Belgian art and the 360° panoramic city views from its glass tower.

Budget tip: €10 entry valid for 2 days; use the museum's free shuttle from Antwerp Central Station (line 30, 10 mins).
Evening

De Drie Wijven

Dine at this 18th-century tavern (Korte Nieuwstraat 14) for authentic Flemish stew (stoverij) and local beer; locals queue 20 mins for the €18 two-course meal.

Budget tip: Order the €5 "stoverij" (stew) with bread – cheaper than tourist menus on Grote Markt.
Day 2
Morning

Rubenshuis

Tour the 17th-century home of Peter Paul Rubens (Sint-Janssteen 13) housing 100+ paintings and his preserved garden; book timed entry online to skip 45-min queues.

Budget tip: €15 entry; free audio guide available via museum app (no extra fee).
Afternoon

Deurne Neighborhood

Wander the historic Deurne district (south of Scheldt River) for 16th-century canals, local cafes like Caffè L'Artigiano (Deurnestraat 22), and the annual Antwerp Beer Festival (Sept).

Budget tip: Walk from Rubenshuis (25 mins) – free; grab €3 beer at Caffè L'Artigiano.
Evening

Het Steen

Visit the 13th-century castle (De Steen 5) for evening river views and the "Steen" beer garden; order the €12 local beer flight with cheese board.

Budget tip: Avoid dinner at castle; drink at the beer garden (open 4 PM–midnight) for cheaper prices.
Day 3
Morning

Plantin-Moretus Museum

Tour the 16th-century printing house (Nieuwe Gracht 25) where the world's first printed Bible was made; see working antique presses and 500,000+ historical documents.

Budget tip: €12 entry; free guided tour at 10 AM (book ahead).
Afternoon

Antwerp Central Station Market

Browse the covered market (Vooruitgangstraat 7) for Belgian chocolates (€1.50 for a small box at Chocolaterie F. de Groot), fresh seafood, and artisanal cheeses.

Budget tip: Buy €3 chocolate at F. de Groot – 3x cheaper than tourist shops.
Evening

De Scheldelaan

Stroll along the Scheldt River promenade (De Scheldelaan 35) for sunset views; stop at Bierhuis De Grote Klok (De Scheldelaan 35) for €7 local beer with riverfront seating.

Budget tip: Free sunset viewing; skip the €15 bar dinner – eat at the market instead.

Local Insider Tip

Skip the Grote Markt restaurants; eat at De Drie Wijven (Korte Nieuwstraat 14) for authentic Flemish stew – locals know it’s the only place serving "stoverij" with real beef, not substitutes.

About These Attractions

Verified descriptions from Wikipedia · Last checked 2026-04-12

Museum aan de StroomMuseum in Antwerp, Belgium [Wikipedia]

The Museum aan de Stroom is a museum located along the river Scheldt in the Eilandje district of Antwerp, Belgium. It opened in May 2011 and is the largest museum in Antwerp.

RubenshuisHome of Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) in Antwerp [Wikipedia]

The Rubenshuis is the former home and workshop of Peter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) in Antwerp. Purchased in 1610, Rubens had the Flemish townhouse renovated and extended on the basis of designs by Rubens himself. After the renovations, the house and its courtyard garden had the outl

Het SteenFortress in Antwerp, Belgium [Wikipedia]

Het Steen is a medieval fortress in the old city centre of Antwerp, Belgium, one of Europe's biggest ports. The surviving structure was built between 1200 and 1225 as a gateway to a larger castle of the Dukes of Brabant which was demolished in the 19th century. As the first stone

Plantin–Moretus MuseumPrinting museum in Antwerp, Belgium [Wikipedia]

The Plantin–Moretus Museum is a printing museum in Antwerp, Belgium which focuses on the work of the 16th-century printers Christophe Plantin and Jan Moretus. It is located in their former residence and printing establishment, the Plantin Press, at the Vrijdagmarkt in Antwerp, an

Source: Wikipedia — CC BY-SA 4.0

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