Central Station
The Basics
Central Station’s status as one of Antwerp’s architectural symbols ensures that it is included on the itinerary of almost all sightseeing tours. Options for exploring are plentiful: Travelers can take a bike tour around the cycle-friendly city, or opt for a more intimate glimpse into the historic center during a walking tour. Hop-on hop-off bus tours also stop at Central Station and offer the freedom to customize a sightseeing schedule.
Things to Know Before You Go
Central Station is a must-see for first-time visitors to Antwerp.
Browse designer boutiques and sample Belgian dishes inside the station.
Central Station was voted one of the most beautiful stations in the world in a poll by Newsweek.
Central Station is wheelchair-accessible.
How to Get There
Central Station is used daily by 50,000 passengers traveling to and from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, and all stations in between. The station is within walking distance of the historic center and serves as the starting point of many sightseeing tours.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
Central Station is at its busiest during the daily commute hours of 7am–9am and 5pm–7pm. Head to the station around noon to enjoy architectural details without having to jostle large crowds.
Day Trips from Antwerp Central Station
Travelers use Central Station as a launchpad for visiting other parts of Europe. Railway lines go directly to the Dutch cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam in less than two hours and to popular Belgian cities such as Ghent and Brussels in about an hour. Paris is also reachable in five hours.
- Diamond District
- Aquatopia
- Antwerp Zoo (Dierentuin)
- Diamondland
- Rubens House (Rubenshuis)
- ModeMuseum (MoMu)
- Grand Market Place (Grote Markt van Antwerpen)
- Plantin-Moretus Museum
- Butcher's Hall (Vleeshuis)
- Museum aan de Stroom (MAS)
- Brabo Fountain
- De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery
- Het Zuid
- Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA)
- Red Star Line Museum