

Butcher's Hall (Vleeshuis)
The Basics
The central location of Butcher's Hall, just off Grand Market Place (Grote Markt van Antwerpen), makes it a popular stop on most Antwerp sightseeing tours, which typically cover Grand Market Place, the Diamond District, and Antwerp Cathedral. Inside the museum, dedicated to the history of music, intricately painted mandolins sit beside harpsichords and pianofortes, while the lower floor houses a workshop that makes brass instruments. It’s also possible to visit the historic center of Antwerp on a day trip from Brussels or Bruges.
Things to Know Before You Go
The Vleeshuis is a must-visit for lovers of Gothic architecture and music.
There is a small admission fee to enter the museum.
Day trips from Bruges and Brussels only take around half a day.
Butcher's Hall is surrounded by buildings that epitomize the city’s Golden Age style.
How to Get There
Butcher's Hall is located at Vleeshouwersstraat 38–40, which is best reached on foot from Grand Market Place but is also accessible by tram 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 15.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
The Museum Vleeshuis is open from Thursday to Sunday between 10am and 5pm. The exterior of the building can be enjoyed at any time of day; however, the light for photography is best around sunset.
The Architecture of Antwerp
The grand buildings of central Antwerp were built during the city’s Golden Age, a period spanning the 16th and 17th centuries, when trade was expanding and Antwerp’s citizens were becoming incredibly wealthy. Grand Market Place is surrounded by opulent sandstone buildings that provide insight into the industrial history of Belgium’s second-largest city.
- Grand Market Place (Grote Markt van Antwerpen)
- Plantin-Moretus Museum
- ModeMuseum (MoMu)
- Brabo Fountain
- Museum aan de Stroom (MAS)
- Rubens House (Rubenshuis)
- Red Star Line Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA)
- Diamondland
- Het Zuid
- Aquatopia
- Diamond District
- Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA)
- Central Station
- FoMu (FotoMuseum)