3 Days in Antwerp With Kids: A Family-Friendly Travel Guide

We hadn’t planned a trip during the winter holidays at the beginning of the year… But our itchy feet got the better of us!

After a few online comparisons between several destinations, we set off for 3 days in Antwerp with the kids.

We arrived by car and chose a great apart-hotel: YAYS Antwerp Opera. The accommodation was ideally located for the program we had in mind! The equipment was super practical when traveling with children (washing machine, washer-dryer, large fridge, etc.—we loved it!).

Small downside: the parking price… but at least it exists!

Let’s start the visit! (note: the city is very stroller-friendly!)

Day 1:

• Antwerpen Centraal

We arrived around noon and headed straight to Antwerp’s central station, an architectural gem dating back to 1836, often listed among the most beautiful train stations in the world! The kids loved posing on the grand staircase leading to the platforms.

• Antwerp Zoo

We then went directly to the zoo, located just behind the central station. The country’s oldest zoo amazed us with its size and splendor! A bubble in the city, out of time. The setting is magnificent, the number of species incredible—an absolute must, with or without children...

Check the zookeeper program when you arrive to attend some animal feedings (most explanations are in Flemish, but the show is worth it).

Tip: ask your hotel if they offer discounted zoo tickets. The entrance fee is quite high, so a little discount is always welcome!

After this first busy day, we decided to have dinner at the apartment. But for those with more energy, try “The BBQ” (Frankrijklei, 27), a restaurant where every table has its own barbecue—kids love it!

Day 2:

• Historic Center, Het Steen and Fashion District: Sint-Andries

We were blessed with beautiful weather on our second day. We walked through the historic center toward the castle Het Steen, passing through the Meir, a street with stunning architecture but mostly uninteresting shops...

We continued towards the Brabo Fountain, stopping at bakker Aldo for a snack—delicious! If you want to bring back local biscuits, I recommend Philip’s, a charming shop near the fountain.

At lunchtime, we were disappointed to discover it wasn’t mussels-and-fries season! If you don’t want the same surprise, note that mussel season runs from September to December. We ended up enjoying the Lima restaurant (Nikkei food), which was excellent and highly recommended.

After a digestive walk from Het Steen Castle to Sint-Andries (skateboard for Gaspard, of course), we enjoyed shopping and visited the Fashion Museum. Antwerp is home to the world-renowned Fashion Department of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, where the famous Antwerp Six began their careers...

Don’t miss the waffles at Van Hecke (Nationalestraat 88) or the best cookies in town at Cookiele (Kloosterstraat).

To end the day, we recommend the lush, urban-jungle-style restaurant De Serre. And note: Antwerp is a serious foodie city, boasting 17 Michelin-starred restaurants as of 2024.

Day 3:

Another beautiful day! We started with a stroll through Chinatown (the gateway is pretty but that’s about it—avoid the area at night). Then we headed to the MAS museum, dedicated to ethnography, anthropology, and maritime history, built on the Bonaparte Dock (named after its creator, who once tried to turn Antwerp into a military port to invade the UK).

The museum has 10 floors. The first, about WWII, is the heaviest, but the others are lighter, including a fun, interactive floor for kids. The reward is the rooftop terrace on the 10th floor, with a 360° view of the city (and free to access without a ticket!).

We stopped for lunch at Fiskeskur, a fish restaurant in a renovated hangar with a huge glass roof—industrial setting, exquisite cuisine! In summer, the glass opens onto a large terrace by the water. A must-visit.

We continued along the waterfront to admire the striking building designed by British architect Zaha Hadid, home to the Port Authority offices. This is her only public building, and it’s worth the detour!

Back in the city center, we visited the diamond museum, DIVA. I was initially worried about bringing a 6- and a 4-year-old, but once again the museum was surprisingly kid-friendly and interactive. A great success—the kids loved it!

I hope this itinerary makes you want to discover this wonderful city, which I truly believe is underrated and deserves to be known!