An Antwerp day trip from Ghent, from the station to the Scheldt
Arrive at Antwerp Central and make the station part of the visit before walking west toward the river. The route links the Meir shopping street with the cathedral quarter and Grote Markt. Keep fashion browsing or a museum as a deliberate choice, since the walk across the center already fills a good part of the day.
At a glance
- Getting there
- Train, under an hour on suitable direct services
- Book ahead
- Any museum or guided visit you choose
- Tours
- Day trips on Viator
How to get to Antwerp from Ghent
Train, under an hour on suitable direct services
Search from Gent-Sint-Pieters to Antwerpen-Centraal and compare the direct services available for your day. Check the arrival station carefully because Antwerp has several stops. Begin sightseeing inside Central before walking toward the Meir and the old center.
Car, roughly an hour or longer, plus parking
Check Antwerp's vehicle access requirements and choose parking before departure. Leave the car parked while exploring the center on foot. Road traffic and parking location make the total journey less predictable than the rail journey.
What to see in Antwerp
Antwerp Central station
Allow time to look at the main hall and the different railway levels before leaving. Keep bags close and stand clear of passengers moving between trains.
Meir and the Rubenshuis area
Walk along the Meir and turn toward Wapper for the Rubenshuis area. Check the official site for current access and visitor arrangements before making any interior visit central to your plan.
Cathedral of Our Lady
Approach through the lanes around Groenplaats and check visitor hours if you want to go inside. Religious services can affect access, so keep the timing flexible.
Grote Markt and the Scheldt
Continue through Grote Markt, then walk toward the river for a wider view and a change from narrow streets. Allow enough time to return across the center to the station.
Nationalestraat and the fashion quarter
Add the streets around Nationalestraat if fashion interests you more than another historic interior. Check MoMu's current exhibitions before deciding whether to turn the detour into a museum visit.
Go on your own, or take a tour?
Go independently for architecture, shopping and a flexible walk from the station to the river. Choose a guided visit if Rubens, fashion or the city's trading history is your main interest. A specialist tour can justify dropping several general stops, but confirm its meeting point before selecting your train.
Tips for the day
- Check that your chosen train reaches Antwerpen-Centraal, especially when comparing different journey options.
- Choose a fashion detour or a longer museum visit instead of trying to fit both around the river walk.
- Allow extra time inside the station on arrival so sightseeing does not interfere with catching your return train.
Questions people ask
Is Antwerp Central close to the historic center?
The station is a walk from the cathedral and Grote Markt. Allow roughly half an hour without stops, and longer if you browse along the Meir.
Can I visit the Rubenshuis?
Check the official site for current access and the parts open to visitors. Plan an alternative nearby so changing arrangements do not disrupt the whole day.
Should I choose Antwerp or Bruges?
Choose Antwerp for a larger city, fashion and the station-to-river walk. Choose Bruges for a more compact day centered on canals and medieval squares.