Local traditions, festivals, performing arts, and community events
Antwerp is a city where culture seeps into everyday life, from lively street festivals to contemporary art performances.
Antwerp’s key cultural festivals include the Zomer van Antwerpen in summer and the Winter in Antwerp festival, both offering a range of performances and activities that celebrate local arts.
Zomer van Antwerpen, held from June to August, transforms the city into an open-air stage with theatre performances and music events. In contrast, Winter in Antwerp brings festive markets and light shows from late November to early January. Both festivals are family-friendly and offer free or low-cost entry to many events.
De Roma and the Antwerp Opera House are top venues for live performances, offering everything from classical music to modern theatre and dance shows.
De Roma, located in the Borgerhout district, is a historic cinema turned concert hall that hosts a diverse array of performances. The Antwerp Opera House, on the other hand, is good for those seeking an elegant night out with its grand architecture and a schedule filled with opera and ballet. Tickets vary in price and can often be booked online in advance.
Engage with local traditions by attending events like the Rubensmarkt in the summer or the Bollekesfeest, a beer festival celebrating Antwerp’s brewing heritage.
The Rubensmarkt, held in August, reimagines 17th-century Antwerp with market stalls and performers in period costumes. Meanwhile, Bollekesfeest in August is a celebration of Antwerp’s local brews, offering tastings, music, and food stalls. These events are primarily held in the city center and are easily accessible by public transport.
In Het Zuid, indulge in a three-course meal at Café des Arts for €35, then visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, reopening in 2024 after renovations.
Antwerp's Cathedral of Our Lady, completed in 1619, stands 123 meters tall and features works by Peter Paul Rubens. Admission costs €12, while guided tours are €20. The city's historic district, with over 260 protected monuments, narrates its Golden Age from the 16th to the 17th centuries, when it became a major trade hub.
From the trendy Zurenborg area with boutique hotels starting at €90 per night to the historic center's charm just 1 km from the Cathedral of Our Lady, find your ideal stay!
The Kempen Cycling Day features a 60-kilometer route through the scenic heathlands and historic castles of Antwerp, with average summer temperatures around 22°C. Local breweries such as De Koninck offer guided tours at €10 per person, including tastings of their renowned amber beer, providing a taste of the region’s rich brewing heritage.
Berchem, a district 4 km south of Antwerp’s city center, features residential streets with homes averaging €2,800 per square meter. The area includes the historic Cogels-Osylei, built between 1880 and 1914, showcasing Art Nouveau architecture along its 800-meter-long avenue.
Savor Antwerp's best frites at Frituur No. 1, where a large portion costs just €3.50 and is just 500 meters from the Cathedral of Our Lady!
Mark your calendar for Antwerp's major events: the Antwerp Pride on August 12, 2023, and the Diamond Festival from September 15-17, 2023. Don’t miss out!
A train from Antwerp to Ghent covers 60 kilometers in about 30 minutes, with fares starting at €10. Ghent's Gravensteen Castle, dating back to 1180, charges €12 for entry. Local specialties like Waterzooi can be found for around €15 at various eateries throughout the city.
Antwerp's Port, one of the largest in Europe, spans over 120 km² and handles around 200 million tons of cargo annually. The city’s historic ship captains' houses, dating back to the 16th century, can be found along the Scheldt River, with guided tours costing approximately €10.
Antwerp's nightlife features local bars like Café d'Anvers, with entry fees starting at €10, and De Muze, where live jazz sessions occur nightly. The city experiences mild temperatures averaging 15°C in summer, while the famous Antwerp Zoo, established in 1843, remains open until 6 PM, perfect for a pre-nightlife visit.
Antwerp’s historic Zuid district features the Museum aan de Stroom, opened in 2011, located 3 km from the city center. Average rent in Antwerp ranges from €850 to €1,200 per month, with Deurne district known for its green spaces and quieter residential streets.
Antwerp's Historic Jewish Quarter features the 16th-century Synagogue of the Portuguese Jews, which still functions today. Local cafés serve traditional Jewish dishes, with meals averaging €15-25. The area is located within a 1 km radius of the city center, making it easily accessible for visitors.
Join the fun in Antwerp with the famous Carnival on February 19, 2024, and the lively Christmas Market from December 1-23, 2023, just steps from the Cathedral!
Antwerp's Cathedral of Our Lady, completed in 1611, is a prime example of Gothic architecture and stands 123 meters tall. Admission is €6 for adults, while the nearby Plantin-Moretus Museum, a UNESCO site since 2005, showcases printing history and charges €12 for entry.
Navigate Antwerp with ease using trams and buses starting at just €1.60 per ride, and learn about bike rentals available at over 30 stations since 2022.
In 't Groen Kwartier, visit the innovative urban farms sprouting since 2015, just 2 km from Antwerp’s city center, and enjoy fresh produce every Saturday!
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