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The concourse ceiling of Antwerp Central Station beneath the domeTrougnouf · CC BY 4.0

What to do · Antwerp

Antwerp Central Station

Monument · 20 min · free · the great 1905 station, with a dome and marble concourse

InformationFree
Price
Free
Duration
20 min
Season
All year
Who it's for
All ages

The first sight in Antwerp begins as you step off the train. The central station, opened in 1905, has a marble concourse with a stone dome and an iron and glass hall above the platforms, which are now spread across three levels. It is one of the most spectacular stations in Europe.

What to see

Go up to the concourse gallery to see the dome and the staircase up close. Next door is Antwerp Zoo, and from the door starts the Keyserlei, the avenue that leads to the Meir, the shopping street, and the historic centre, about twenty minutes on foot.

Tips

  • Look up as you leave The main facade, facing the square, is best appreciated from the opposite pavement.

Frequently asked questions

Is Antwerp station worth seeing?

Yes, it is one of the most beautiful in Europe and can be seen in a quarter of an hour, free.

Is it far from the centre?

About twenty minutes on foot to the Grote Markt, or a few minutes by tram.

With young childrenAs a familyWith teenagers

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The Frites Atelier venue in Antwerp© Frites AtelierChef's chips

Frites Atelier

Takeaway · Antwerp · fashion district · €€€€

What to order: a cone of chips with Flemish stew on top, or with the house sauce of your choice

Open every day from 11:30 to 20:00
The Amadeus dining room on the Suikerrui© AmadeusAll-you-can-eat ribs between the Grote Markt and the river

Amadeus Antwerpen 2

Restaurant · Antwerp · Suikerrui · €€€€

What to order: the all-you-can-eat ribs and an Irish coffee for dessert

Dinner only, every day: Saturday and Sunday from 17:00

To stay nearby

The inner courtyard with a Japanese maple, seen from the lounge© Hotel JulienSmall hotel

Hotel Julien

Two sixteenth-century houses · 20 rooms and one suite · Private spa and roof terrace

Why we like it: Boutique hotel in two renovated sixteenth-century houses, in the very centre, with 20 rooms and one suite, a bar with a roof terrace and a private spa area.

The hotel facade on the Oude Beurs street© Hotel RubensHotel

Hotel Rubens - Grote Markt

A minute from the Grote Markt · Courtyard with a sixteenth-century tower · Parking with booking

Why we like it: Hotel on a quiet street a minute from the Grote Markt, with garden-facing rooms and suites with terraces, a courtyard beside a sixteenth-century tower and covered parking.

Itineraries

Features in these plans