Antwerp is a city that you can explore relatively easily on foot. The main sights, cozy restaurants, shopping streets, and nightlife areas are all located quite close together.
This also means that you don’t have to search endlessly for the perfect location when choosing a hotel. Nevertheless, it makes quite a difference to your stay whether you sleep amidst historic buildings, are situated right next to the Central Station, or opt for a somewhat grittier and more quirky part of the city.
For most visitors, I would undoubtedly put the Historic Centre at number one. This is the area where you experience the true Antwerp feeling most strongly. You can walk straight from your hotel to the Grote Markt, the Cathedral of Our Lady, and the many cafes and restaurants that make the old centre so charming.
Especially when visiting Antwerp for the first time, this is simply a fantastic base.
My second choice is the area around Antwerp Central. That might sound less appealing than the historic centre, but it is actually incredibly practical. If you arrive in Antwerp by train, you hardly have to drag your luggage around, and you can go almost directly from the station to your hotel.
Moreover, you can walk to the historic centre via the famous shopping street De Meir in about twenty minutes.
In third place is the Schipperskwartier. This neighbourhood might not be the most obvious choice for everyone, but it is precisely its central location and unique character that make it interesting.
The Schipperskwartier is located right next to the historic centre and has a very different atmosphere from the tourist streets around the Grote Markt. In this article, I discuss these three areas and tell you exactly what to expect from each neighborhood. This way, you can easily determine the best place to stay in Antwerp.
The best areas to stay in Antwerp first time are the Historic Centre, Antwerp Central, Het Zuid, and the Schipperskwartier.
The Historic Centre is the best choice for a first visit, with historic buildings, cozy restaurants, beer cafés, and nightlife all within walking distance. It is ideal if you want to be right in the middle of Antwerp’s atmosphere. However, you often pay top dollar for a room here. There are plenty of alternatives.
For instance, Antwerp Central is the most practical choice for train travelers, with excellent connections and the shops of De Meir right on your doorstep. You can reach the historic centre on foot in about 20 minutes. You pay significantly less for a hotel room here while being within walking distance of the historic centre.
The Schipperskwartier is a centrally located neighborhood with a grittier and more distinctive character, a short walk from the historic centre and Het Eilandje. It is especially suitable for travelers who find a less traditional side of Antwerp interesting. In recent years, this district has developed better, and you will find incredibly nice places to eat and drink, particularly around Het Eilandje.
Het Zuid (The South) is the best choice for a trendy and creative atmosphere, with museums, art galleries, restaurants, cafes, and terraces. Ideal for couples, foodies, and travelers who prefer to mingle with locals.
You can easily navigate to any area by tapping the link. Or go directly to the summary of the best areas to stay in Antwerp first time.
If you ask me where the best place to stay in Antwerp is, I would undoubtedly start with the Historic Centre.
In terms of location, this is simply the best spot.
You find yourself right in the middle of the city’s most beautiful historic buildings and hardly need to use public transport to reach the main sights.
The heart of the neighborhood is formed by the Grote Markt, with its impressive historic facades and the City Hall.
From here, you can walk within minutes to the Cathedral of Our Lady, the Groenplaats, and the charming streets surrounding the old city center.
Famous attractions such as the Plantin-Moretus Museum are also within short walking distance.
But honestly, it is not just the sheer number of sights that makes this neighborhood so attractive.
The atmosphere is actually a major reason to stay here.
Around the Grote Markt and the surrounding streets, you will find countless restaurants, cafes, and typical Belgian beer pubs. You can explore the city during the day, grab a drink somewhere in between, and simply walk back into the city from your hotel in the evening.
The location is also ideal for nightlife.
Antwerp has a pretty lively nightlife scene, and from the historic center, you don’t have to look for a taxi or tram after a fun evening.
You simply walk back to your hotel. That is especially convenient if you have been out late.
Another advantage is that Antwerp is quite compact.
From the Historic Center, you can easily walk on towards the Zuid, the Eilandje, or the shopping streets. As a result, you hardly need to plan your stay around public transport.
The main disadvantage is that this is also the most touristy part of Antwerp. On weekends and during busy periods, it can be quite lively, and some hotels here are a bit more expensive.
My verdict: for a first visit to Antwerp, the Historic Center is the best choice as far as I’m concerned. You are right in the middle of the lively atmosphere, surrounded by history and restaurants, and virtually everything is within walking distance.
Ideal for: first visit, sightseeing, couples, going out, and travelers who want to do everything on foot.
I would rank the area around Antwerp Central at number two.
Not because this is the most beautiful part of Antwerp to stay in, but because it is one of the most practical locations.
Especially when traveling to Antwerp by train, a hotel close to the station is incredibly convenient.
Moreover, Antwerp Central is not just any train station. The impressive building is a landmark in itself and serves as an important gateway to the city.
Trains depart from here to destinations including Brussels, Ghent, Bruges, and Amsterdam, making this location ideal when combining a visit to Antwerp with other Belgian cities.
You will probably notice the biggest advantage immediately upon arrival. You don’t have to walk through the city with your suitcases or look for a tram or taxi first. You simply walk out of the station and can be at your hotel almost immediately.
A hotel I personally find interesting is NH Collection Antwerp Centre. The location is particularly practical because you are situated just a few meters from the station.
This is a major advantage, especially when traveling with (a lot of) luggage. In addition, the hotel offers good value for money, making it an attractive choice if you are primarily looking for a comfortable hotel in an excellent location.
From the station, you can walk via the famous Meir, Antwerp’s main shopping street, towards the historic center.
It is about a twenty-minute walk to the Cathedral of Our Lady. Along the way, you will pass shops, cafes, and various sights.
So, you certainly won’t feel like you are “far” from the center.
The area around the station is also convenient for other attractions. Antwerp Zoo is located right next to the station, and the Diamond Quarter is situated here as well.
The main downside is the atmosphere. When you walk out of your hotel in the morning, you are not immediately surrounded by historic buildings and cozy beer cafes like in the center. For true Antwerp charm, you have to walk a bit.
My verdict: an excellent choice if you arrive by train, stay for only one or two nights, or combine a visit to Antwerp with other cities. For pure atmosphere, I like the Historic Centre better, but in terms of convenience, Antwerp Central is hard to beat.
Ideal for: train travelers, short city breaks, day trips, families, and travelers who value convenience.
The Schipperskwartier is probably the most striking choice of the four. The neighborhood is located directly north of the historic center, making its location excellent.
The Grote Markt and the Cathedral of Our Lady are within short walking distance, while on the other side, you can easily walk towards the Eilandje and the MAS.
However, I would not automatically recommend the Schipperskwartier to everyone.
The neighborhood has a very different character from the historic center.
The Schipperskwartier is known as Antwerp’s red-light district, and this is clearly reflected in certain streets. However, it concerns a relatively compact part of the district, and the rest of the area is much more of a normal urban area.
It is precisely this unique character that can be interesting for some travelers. You are not in the middle of an area entirely geared towards tourists and get a somewhat rawer and less polished view of Antwerp.
At the same time, you benefit from an excellent location. You hardly have to travel to reach the main sights.
The location between the historic center and the Eilandje is also interesting. You can easily walk from your hotel to the Grote Markt, as well as towards the MAS and the former port areas. This makes the Schipperskwartier a good base if you want to explore multiple sides of Antwerp.
Regarding safety, I wouldn’t immediately dismiss the neighborhood.
I generally consider the Schipperskwartier to be reasonably safe, although the atmosphere in the evening and at night can be different from that in the tourist center. The area can feel a bit less tidy and grittier, which simply means it doesn’t appeal to everyone.
That is why I would primarily choose a hotel here if you want a central location and don’t mind a somewhat more quirky part of the city.
For families or travelers mainly looking for romantic streets, cozy terraces, and the classic Antwerp atmosphere, I would rather choose the Historic Center.
My verdict: the Schipperskwartier is an interesting third choice. The location is excellent, and the neighborhood is certainly not one you should completely avoid because of its reputation. However, you do need to know what to expect: the atmosphere is grittier, and the red-light district is part of the streetscape.
Ideal for: travelers who want a central location, visitors who want to discover a different side of Antwerp, and people who don’t mind a grittier urban environment.
Het Zuid is one of the nicest alternatives to the historic center.
The district is located south of the inner city and is primarily known for its museums, art galleries, stylish cafes, and good restaurants.
Het Zuid is therefore regularly cited as one of the best areas to stay in Antwerp, especially for couples, art lovers, and travelers who prefer to be among locals rather than in the middle of the tourist center.
One of the biggest attractions is the KMSKA, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
But actually, the entire area is interesting to walk through.
Around Leopold de Waelplaats and Marnixplaats, you will find many restaurants, cafes, and terraces. As a result, Het Zuid has a cozy atmosphere, especially in the evenings.
What I personally find interesting about Het Zuid is that you get a slightly more modern view of Antwerp here.
The Historic Center revolves mainly around medieval buildings, beer cafes, and tourist attractions, while Het Zuid focuses more on art, design, fashion, and gastronomy. So you are still close to the main attractions, but staying in a neighborhood that feels a bit less touristy.
In terms of location, there is also little to complain about. From Het Zuid, you can walk to the historic center in about 15 to 25 minutes.
Additionally, various trams run through the district, making it easy to reach other parts of Antwerp.
The downside is that you won’t find the most famous sights right on your doorstep here.
For the Grote Markt and the Cathedral of Our Lady, you have to walk a short distance or take the tram.
If you are visiting Antwerp for the first time and mainly want to see as many historical sights as possible, I therefore consider the Historic Center a better choice.
My verdict: Het Zuid is an excellent choice if you have visited Antwerp before or if you particularly value restaurants, museums, cafes, and a trendy atmosphere. For me, it is a clearly better option than the Schipperskwartier if you are looking for a cozy, alternative neighborhood.
Ideal for: couples, art lovers, foodies, and travelers seeking a trendy and less touristy atmosphere.