What to see in Antwerp: top ten museums in the diamond city

A city rich in history, art, where the past meets at every step, but at the same time a lively, modern and thriving metropolis. Today we go to Belgium, in Flanders, and reach Antwerp . As fascinating as it is legendary, this city has an ancient origin and a name that seems to have been born from the story of the killing of a giant who reigned here by a Roman soldier.

A place to be discovered: walking through its streets and squares, such as the Grote Markt, the main one and undoubtedly one of the most evocative settings in the city, or discovering the Diamond Square Mile, since this city is also famous for diamonds, or shopping in the fashion district.

Another thing to do in Antwerp is to discover its museums : there are so many of them and they allow you to discover more about art, history, some peculiarities of this city, many details and aspects that make it so special. The top ten museums to discover if you travel to this populous center of Flanders.

Museum at the Stroom

Just looking at it from the outside, you can't help but be enchanted by its imposing structure , which is perfectly integrated into its context: it is the Museum aan de Stroom , located along the river Scheldt and which extends 60 metres towards the sky.

What strikes you from the outside is the facade, which mixes blocks of red sandstone from India and wavy glass panels, giving the eye a futuristic and surprising building.

Inside, you can take a real journey: each floor offers a viewpoint of the city, the river, the port and the contacts with the rest of the world. The collection that belongs to the museum amounts to 600 thousand pieces and of which a small part is exhibited, which allows you to get to know Antwerp better , to which are added the exhibitions or spaces such as Portopolis, where thanks to VR glasses you can discover some aspects of the city port (the second largest in Europe ).

This museum, also known as Mas, therefore becomes the ideal starting point to discover the history and peculiarities of this center.

The building is spread over 10 floors and, as the website presentation says, inside you can experience Antwerp in the world and the world in Antwerp . In addition, from here you can enjoy a phenomenal view of the city.

Tickets are divided into the one for the permanent collection (10 euros full price) and the one that also includes the temporary exhibition (12 euros). There are reduced prices and under 18 years of age admission is free. It is not possible to pay with cash. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday: from 10 to 17.

Mayer van den Bergh Museum

The first thing to know about the Mayer van den Bergh Museum is that it is currently closed for renovations and the website states that it will be closed for a long time: until 2029, but there are alternatives to not miss the chance to see some of its riches. Starting with a video, present on the official website, which allows you to observe the treasures it holds but also the story of mother and son Mayer van den Bergh.

In addition, part of the collection will remain visible to the public : from 20 June 2025, the Maagdenhuis will host the exhibition Public Favourites. 43 personal stories from the Mayer van den Bergh collection . A number not chosen at home because 43 is the age that Fritz Mayer van den Bergh was when he died, it is the number of houses that his mother had built for disadvantaged families and it is the people or cultural communities who have chosen the objects that can be admired. It is accessible from Friday 20 June 2025 to Sunday 12 September 2027 from 10 am to 5 pm.

Museum of Dutch Art

The M HKA is the museum of contemporary art and its collection consists of about 5 thousand works and since the beginning it has concentrated on art starting from the seventies and with particular attention to the eighties and nineties. Over time the museum has also developed by focusing on research, expansion and internationalization. Today it hosts wonders from the avant-garde of the sixties up to recent years .

Open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 to 18, the last Thursday of the month it remains accessible until 21. The ticket price is 14 euros, with discounts for some people and ages and it is free for under 18s.

Royal Museum of Fine Arts: KMSKA

The KMSK is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp: it is one of the stops in the city and is also a place of scientific research on works, techniques and much more . Inside you can find the Flemish masters , works of international fame, it also houses the largest collections of James Ensor and Rik Wouters.

It is located in a beautiful building, which has recently undergone restoration and expansion work, and houses phenomenal works.

It is open every day and, with a few exceptions, these are the hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 to 17, Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10 to 18, Thursday from 10 to 22. Entrance costs 20 euros for adults and is free for children under 18.

MoMu – Fashion Museum Antwerp

Fashion is an integral part of Antwerp's soul and there could be no better place for MoMu , the museum that houses the largest collection of contemporary Belgian fashion in the world.

Inside, two temporary exhibitions are hosted each year, which have the characteristic of having an immersive scenography. Furthermore, the purpose of this reality is to "stimulate interest in fashion and make it more accessible to all", as specified on the website. The collection includes clothes, accessories and fabrics, but also tools, models and invitations to fashion shows .

It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm, ticket 12 euros and there are reductions like other city museums, for example, it is free for under 18s.

Museum De Reede

The Museum De Reede is dedicated to graphics and inside, in particular, you can also admire works by three masters: Francisco Goya, Félicien Rops and Edvard Munch . The collection is extensive and includes lithographs, engravings, etchings, woodcuts and drawings by over 87 artists, spanning the historical period from the 17th to the 21st century.

It is open on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. The ticket costs 15 euros, there are discounts based on age and profession, it is free up to 13 years old.

Rubens House

Famous Flemish painter, Rubens arrived in Antwerp when he was 12 years old and this is where his home is located. At the moment the Rubenshuis is closed to the public for renovations, but there are other activities to plan to get to know this great artist better. Specifically, there are three: the Rubens Experience, a visit to the garden and one to the library .

The first allows you to learn about the man who created such beloved paintings and does so through videos, images, immersive sounds: interesting and engaging interactive tools . The shows last from 30 to 45 minutes and you can participate from Monday to Friday from 10 to 17, Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 18 (closed on Wednesdays). You can also wander around the garden, among 22 thousand plants. The ticket is combined and costs around 12 euros. Also not to be missed is the library where you can learn more about his life, works and much more. The hours are as follows: Monday to Friday from 9.30 to 17, Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 18.

Form

For those who love photography, the Antwerp museum to visit is the Fomu, where you can admire interesting exhibitions in the large exhibition rooms. It also has a rich collection, two cinemas, a meeting room and a cafeteria. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 to 18, ticket 12 euros. In this museum there are also discounts and free admission for some categories, such as those under 18.

Chocolate Nation

It is presented as the largest Belgian chocolate museum in the world and is the Chocolate Nation which is located in the center of Antwerp. Without a doubt it is a paradise for gourmands since you can taste different flavors of chocolate. There are 14 themed rooms, the visit lasts from 60 to 90 minutes and the cost of the tickets varies according to age, it is free under three years old. Chocolate Nation is open every day from 9:30 to 18:30.

Plantin Moretus

This museum is truly special and allows visitors to travel back in time 400 years ago.

This is the Plantin Moretus , which has the distinction of being the first museum to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. It was created inside what was the home and the original printing house of the publishing family that gives it its name, and inside you can learn about the history of printing and the family .

The oldest printing presses are on display, as well as works of art and portraits by Rubens, as well as manuscripts and original prints. Temporary exhibitions are also offered.

It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 to 17, closed on Monday. The ticket costs 12 euros, but there are discounts for certain categories and under 18 years old it is free.