Which area to stay in Antwerp? And other things to do

During several visits to Antwerp, I found staying in the historic neighborhood by the Cathedral of Our Lady to be the most convenient location to visit many of Antwerp’s attractions. Staying on the Grote Markt was a close second.

If you’re a big fan of James Ensor, you could take a day trip to Ostend.
By train, it’s a journey of just under 2 hours (one way).

There, visit the James Ensor House, the master’s former home and studio. In the interactive visitor centre and the charming terraced house with its green façade (where he lived from 1917 until his death), you can soak up the authentic atmosphere of days gone by.
You can also download the app and do the Ensor Walk.

https://www.ensorhuis.be/en

In Ostend too, at the Dominican Church on Christinastraat, you can experience an immersive audiovisual exhibition between 2 July and 30 August. The church is transformed into a living canvas in which Ensor’s work and life story are brought to life in a modern, enchanting way.
(I have no idea to what extent spoken language is used during the performance. If so, I fear it will be in Dutch only. You can contact the organisers for more information.)

https://dominicanenkerk.be/#info

I like your hotel location. While you are in the vicinity, be sure to look up, down, and all around in the train station, which is an awesome structure. I'll just comment that both KMSKA and Plantin-Moretus were highlights of my multi-city trip of 50 or more nights in 2023. Since I was hobbling by that time, I didn't get around as much as I would have liked, so I missed the Grote Market and Cathedral. Based on your choices thus far, I predict you will really enjoy Antwerp.

Just a few other 'things' to do in Antwerp

• As well as the cathedral, there are four other monumental historic churches https://mkantwerpen.be/en/home-4/

• The Exotic Market, known locally as the 'Vreemdelingenmarkt', is a vibrant weekly market held every Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Theaterplein in Antwerp. This bustling marketplace offers a diverse array of products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, cheeses, and prepared foods from various cultures, notably Mediterranean and North African.The market also features stalls selling flowers, clothing, and household items, creating a lively atmosphere that attracts both locals and tourists.

• Crossing the Scheldt river on foot via the St Annatunnel and return on the ferry https://fromplacetoplace.travel/belgium/antwerp/sint-annatunnel/

• Visit Brewery De Koninck https://www.dekoninck.be/en/

Your hotel near the train station should work out fine, it's walkable to the center, and the station itself is stunning inside, so worth a slow look on your way in or out.

A few additions to what others have mentioned:

• The Sint-Annatunnel pedestrian crossing under the Scheldt is a classic Antwerp experience, walk across, come back by ferry.
• If you're there on a Saturday, the Exotic Market at Theaterplein (8am–4pm) is a great local scene with food, spices, and produce.
• Brewery De Koninck is worth a stop for a local beer.
• For Ensor fans, Ostend is an easy day trip (2 hrs by train) to visit his former home and studio.

Enjoy Antwerp is a fantastic city!

I have stayed in a variety of areas over the years, from around the station to closer to the old center. All work fine, about the only difference is if a more modern hotel.likely a chain hotel is fine (then near the station) or you want something more quaint, historic, or a B&B type place (then the old center).

The areas between the station and the old center is mostly pedestrian, not a bad walk.

I visited the renovated KMSKA in March, 2026. I'm sorry to say that there are very few Ensor paintings on show. There seems to be much less Rubens than there used to be on show as well. Having been there many times before the renovation, I found the whole thing disappointing. Did not check for possible loans to MAS, however-not enough time. MAS, Momu, and Photo museum are all good. If open, Mayer van den Bergh museum is a smaller must. Good antique interiors at Magdenhuis if Van den Bergh closed. Superb (exterior only) 100 townhouses at Cogels-Osylei, near Berchem.

There are virtually no Ensor paintings in Ostend. Maybe some drawings at the Modern Art Museum. I was not sorry I went to Ostend off-beach-season, because the Ensor family church (via costal tram) was so good. His tomb, outdoors, faces the church. The "family store" was underwhelming, with a lot of cropped, pixelated, huge enlargements. A few borrowed drawings, maybe.

I also hoped to see the life size bronze of the late Marvin Gaye (!) in the Ostend Casino, but it's not always open.

In March 2026, a lot of the Antwerp subway/tram escalators were broken. The zoo is pretty good, but I wouldn't bother with a chocolate museum. Instead, visit the artisanal Goosen's bakery, Desiré de Lille waffles and smooutebollen. Has Burie chocolatier moved? Didn't see it.

Has Burie chocolatier moved? Didn't see it.

Yes, he moved to Hoevenen (Stabroek) where he opened his new shop in July 2021
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2eASWBQfQkDtqBYz9

Just one year later, 4 August 2022, the business went bankrupt.

Fantastic replies and suggestions, wish I was going tomorrow! Also wish I was there on a Saturday but alas we are not. Thank you all. If anyone is still reading this and wants to offer some food suggestions, I would love that. I will report on the trip when we return. Many thanks to all!

Fantastic replies and suggestions, wish I was going tomorrow!

I don't think so. With temperatures touching 40°C (104°F), it's not really funny to be in Antwerp now 😉

Food suggestions

That won't really be necessary ... As the city with the second-largest port in Europe, Antwerp has undeniably emerged since the 16th century as a melting pot of cultures, ideas, heritage, food, drink and spices from all over the world. That is what makes the city’s gastronomic DNA so unique. Every neighbourhood in Antwerp has its own character. Each one is lively, yet each has a different, distinctive energy. With a little bit of research, you’ll discover all these hidden gems. It’s hard to find anywhere where the food isn’t delicious.

But perhaps I should mention that the best Thai restaurant in town is inside the shopping centre next to your hotel... Kannika Thaibistro
https://maps.app.goo.gl/a6iDgdieRYAeMzea6

And two good Italians close to your hotel

La Fontanella https://maps.app.goo.gl/VGg3zfDvjNAfZpFMA

and Roma https://maps.app.goo.gl/JJS4Nj1iiaUvxJSt7

People from all over Flanders flock to the Chinatown district for a wide variety of Chinese specialities (+ Filippijnse, Nepalese, Vietnamese)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qaZ91jcqT9bVPdog6

The trendy WOLF food market, featuring ten carefully curated street food restaurants, three bars and a spacious event venue, is another must-see destination for foodies, where gastronomy, hospitality and a convivial atmosphere come together.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ck6pG9xXMGmGGzdP7

A super small place with fantastic sicilian kitchen at Cannolo https://maps.app.goo.gl/TbwbCnUrFhNPBpnC6

Fish and fingerfood at Fiskeskur https://maps.app.goo.gl/hEeanMkyKdAUxdN57

Hoffy’s is Belgium's best-known kosher restaurant for traditional Jewish dishes https://maps.app.goo.gl/ksy2Dv74gZwm5wHG9

And I certainly mustn’t forget our own Belgian cuisine

De 7 Schaken https://maps.app.goo.gl/8hbSSBbUwTDktgQA9

Frituur N°1 https://maps.app.goo.gl/fHGxkjYGZJQ6kduT8

't Putke https://maps.app.goo.gl/PWH2dJadrtQpuh6r5

De Pottekijker https://maps.app.goo.gl/xPPX9CEHBwtzBuhs9

De Reddende Engel https://maps.app.goo.gl/RKkeaTdd2pGngha78

Elfde Gebod https://maps.app.goo.gl/4vMch3TBNu5cKiqHA

Bourla https://maps.app.goo.gl/7eYD1DbNveHuSQvB7

De Mezzanine https://maps.app.goo.gl/YFrECDtcvNdmJMRB6

But there are so many more ...
Just be sure, if on a budget, to check prices as Antwerp also has his luxury, thus more expensive treasures

French style at Au Vieux Port https://maps.app.goo.gl/QX5UbjPRgCf2m2u2A

Japanese style at HIRO https://maps.app.goo.gl/2yQMtUVYTGteczL27

The blend of Japanese, French and Italian flavours at Pazzo https://maps.app.goo.gl/Sawc9VTrnio1Ywk59

Sicilian style at ArriKiiati https://maps.app.goo.gl/mVzHKDme5ogN1Lv56

... And that’s not even mentioning the 15 Michelin-starred restaurants in Antwerp (connoisseurs will know where to find them).

Smakelijk!

Wow, thanks Wendyram, what a list! I vowed for once going on a trip to actually have some restaurants in mind instead of stumbling about trying to find non-touristy gems, thanks so much for this. We will lean towards the local cuisine, we have a lot of non-American restaurants where we live. And yes, everything is in a budget for us. Appreciate the time you took to list these, we will write after our trip and let you know where we go!

I recommend Sint-Pauluskerk. It is stunning. https://maps.app.goo.gl/uMy4c8h4i5MZ7M7SA

and

Museum Mayer van den Bergh https://maps.app.goo.gl/NyoxiCjy9ugq2BxJA

Museum Mayer van den Bergh is closed for renovation.
You can admire the most important works at the nearby Maagdenhuis, 100 metres away.

I saw that it was closed. We will definitely visit the church.