Important information:
Am 10. April 2024 wurden das Kundenportal sowie der Web-Zugriff auf das Kartenkonto eingestellt. Bitte laden Sie die Swiss Bankers App herunter, um weiterhin uneingeschränkten Zugriff auf alle Dienste zu haben.
Are you a Swiss Bankers sales partner?
Hier geht es zum Partnerportal.
Antwerp combines historic splendour with modern creativity like almost no other city. With its imposing guildhalls, significant art collections, avant-garde fashion and lively harbour atmosphere, this Belgian metropolis reveals itself to be surprisingly diverse. This guide highlights the most beautiful sights, museums, neighbourhoods and personal recommendations for a varied city break in Antwerp.
21.07.2026
Miryana
Photo: The magnificent historic concourse at Antwerp-Centraal, with its imposing domed architecture.
Even your arrival in Antwerp is impressive: Antwerp-Centraal station, which opened in 1905, looks like a palace with its monumental dome, elegant staircases and combination of stone, marble, glass and iron. It’s no wonder it’s often referred to as the ‘railway cathedral’.
Right next to it lies the famous Diamond District. Behind unassuming façades, secure entrances and understated shop windows, precious gemstones are traded here. It is precisely this contrast that makes the district particularly fascinating. The route then continues along the bustling De Keyserlei and the Meir towards the Old Town.
The Grote Markt forms the heart of Antwerp’s old town. Magnificent guild houses, the imposing town hall and the Brabo Fountain create a striking backdrop. In the surrounding alleyways, cafés, restaurants and small shops invite you to explore.
Just a few steps away, the Cathedral of Our Lady rises above the city’s rooftops. Its delicate Gothic tower dominates Antwerp’s skyline and is one of the Old Town’s most important landmarks. A hidden gem is the Vlaeykensgang. This narrow passageway, lined with historic houses and quiet courtyards, lies right in the heart of the city centre, yet feels like a little journey back in time.
Video: The magnificent Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp (KMSKA).
Antwerp is one of Belgium’s most exciting cities for art. The KMSKA – Royal Museum of Fine Arts – offers an ideal introduction, showcasing works by Rubens, Van Dyck and James Ensor within a stunning architectural setting. Equally unique is the Plantin-Moretus Museum: this UNESCO World Heritage Site combines a magnificent residence with a historic 16th-century printing works.
The M HKA in the Zuid district showcases modern and contemporary art. Anyone wishing to explore Antwerp’s vibrant art scene should also take a look at the changing exhibitions at the Tim Van Laere Gallery and the Axel Vervoordt Gallery. The latter is located in the extraordinary Kanaal art and architecture complex, just outside the city centre.
<meta charset="UTF-8">Those interested in architecture can also visit the Veldstraat sports complex. This historic swimming and bathing complex from the 1930s combines Art Deco elements with modernist architecture and is still used as a public swimming pool today.
Photo: A tour of the MoMu – one of the most fascinating fashion museums in the world.
Antwerp owes its reputation as a fashion capital primarily to the renowned fashion department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. The city gained international renown through the ‘Antwerp Six’, including Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck and Dirk Bikkembergs.
The heart of the fashion scene lies in the Sint-Andries district, centred around Nationalestraat and Kammenstraat. Here you’ll find the MoMu, unique boutiques and vintage shops. Also worth a visit is Het Modepaleis, Dries Van Noten’s magnificent flagship store.
Our personal shopping tips include Ensō – Curated Vintage for selected designer and upcycled fashion, the second-hand shop Lucky Bastard, and the Antwerp-based label AVDW. The independent bookshop Boekhandel Stad Leest brings together books, records and coffee under one roof. For well-known brands and impressive architecture, the Meir is the place to go, featuring the gold-adorned Stadsfeestzaal.
Old warehouses, wide harbour basins and modern architecture characterise the Eilandje, one of Antwerp’s most exciting neighbourhoods. Along the waterfront, cafés, restaurants and promenades invite you to take a leisurely stroll. The neighbourhood’s landmark is the striking MAS – Museum aan de Stroom, which is dedicated to the history of Antwerp, the port and the city’s global connections. From the roof terrace, there is a breathtaking view over the city, the Scheldt and the harbour area. Nearby, the Red Star Line Museum tells the stories of the people who emigrated from Antwerp to America.
A little further north, Zaha Hadid’s futuristic Port House provides a striking architectural contrast to the historic port facilities.
There is plenty to discover in Antwerp beyond the well-known sights. In the Zurenborg district, the Cogels-Osylei is particularly impressive, with its magnificent Art Nouveau villas, turrets and whimsical façades. The historic Beguinage, with its small garden, is a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city.
The Ruien, Antwerp’s underground waterways, and the Sint-Anna Tunnel with its historic wooden escalators offer unusual perspectives. On the other side of the Scheldt, a beautiful view of the skyline awaits. In front of the Cathedral of Our Lady, the sculpture of Nello and his dog Patrasche serves as a reminder of the touching story from the novel *A Dog of Flanders*.
For a break in green surroundings, the Middelheim Museum is highly recommended, where modern sculptures are set within a spacious parkland setting. The Spoor Noord Park, situated on a former railway site, has a more urban feel. You can reach the Eilandje on foot or by bike via the striking Parkbrug.
Photo: A bustling scene outside the popular Frites Atelier in Antwerp’s old town.
Antwerp also impresses on the culinary front with a varied mix of creative cafés, modern restaurants and classic Belgian fare.
For good coffee, we recommend Andy Roasters and Rush Rush Coffee. Matcha fans should pop into Kiku – for us, this is where you’ll find the best matcha in town. A relaxed breakfast is best enjoyed at Funk, Tinsel or Delafaille Eilandje.
Belgian chips are a must on any visit to Antwerp. They’re served particularly crispy and to a high standard at Frites Atelier. The Tango Bar is the perfect spot for an evening drink. Beer lovers can also visit the De Koninck brewery and sample the traditional Antwerp ‘Bolleke’ right where it’s made.
For dinner, Osaka, Nectar, Picniq, And/Or and Caos are among our personal favourites. These restaurants showcase just how diverse and creative Antwerp’s dining scene is – from modern sharing concepts to surprising international cuisine.
Antwerp combines history, art, fashion and harbour charm within a surprisingly compact area. In the morning, you can admire the guild houses on the Grote Markt; in the afternoon, discover modern art and Belgian fashion; and in the evening, enjoy restaurants by the water. It is precisely this mix that makes a city break to Antwerp so varied. The city is big enough to offer new discoveries, yet remains compact, relaxed and ideal for a weekend away.
© Swiss Bankers 2026
Compare cards and conditions
