Relaxing Things to Do In Antwerp

Overview of Antwerp

Antwerp is a large, compact and dynamic city famous fashion scene and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. The city is named for a famed myth following a story regarding an evil giant, a severed hand an an unlikely hero (often portrayed as a dwarf or Roman soldier). The city itself is home to one of Europe’s largest harbors and has a reputation as the diamond trading capital of the world. Due to the city’s scenic water access points, numerous museums and easy walkability, there are many relaxing things to do in Antwerp.

Relaxing Things to Do In Antwerp

Grote Markt

This is a stunningly picturesque portion of Antwerp; a cobblestone town square hosting the Brabo Fountain and views of the city’s most iconic architecture. The central plaza is surrounded by small shops, restaurants and pastry bakeries which serve the famous Antwerp “Thrown-Hand” candy, chocolates and cookies.

St. Anna Tunnel

The underground walking route that extends beneath Antwerp’s waterways.  It functions through a rare series of wooden escalators. The long tunnel makes it easy to cross the river from Antwerp’s city center on foot, making it easy to visit the museum and river walking trails on the west bank.

De Ruien

There are an underground series of long and well-lit tunnels and sewer systems located beneath the cobbled streets of Antwerp. They are the historical foundations of the city and filled with still waters and old curving walkways. The modern city uses much more compact pipes, which handle the city’s actual plumbing. Meanwhile, De Ruien is a cleaner, strangely peaceful way to explore Antwerp’s underground. Exploring the strange, beautifully displayed system of tunnels are surprisingly relaxing things to do in Antwerp.

Brabo Fountain

Following the notorious legend of Amsterdam’s mythical founding, this dynamic statue figure stands atop a fountain throwing a severed hand. Brabo refers to a local legend involving an evil giant who guarded a bridge leading to Antwerp. In some variations of the story, Brabo is a dwarf who cuts off the giant’s hand, thus ending his plunder. In other popular tales, the hero Brabo is a Roman solider.

Elfde Gebod

This is a small bar standing since 1425, previously owned by the church. The bar espouses the 11th Commandment on an enshrined sign, provided exclusively to Amsterdam. The 11th Commandment is clear and concise: “Thou shalt drink beer and enjoy life.”

Antwerp Central Station

The primary train station in Antwerp is a Gothic artistic structure of popular beauty Visitors can enjoy the unique lighting and colors, glass ceilings, marbled walkways and elegant station clocks while passing through.

Hand of Druon Antigoon

This is an enormous statue of Druon Antigoon’s severed hand, the evil giant in Antwerp’s origin mythos.  The giant’s hand was severed by (in some stories) a young Roman champion who tossed the hand into the river. The statue is a stone replica of an enormous palm, tucked way on one of Antwerp’s walking streets.

Stadsfeestzaal Shopping Center

This is a stylish shopping center with arching domes, pristine white pillars, marble staircases and mosaic floor tiles. The rather beautiful interior creates a nice ambiance for visitors, patrons and window shoppers.

Cathedral of Our Lady

This is a striking cathedral overviewing Antwerp, starkly visible from the central plaza area. While the building is gorgeous and over six-hundred years old, the original designs were never fully implemented, making the stunning structure officially “incomplete.”

Het Steen

A small picturesque castle on the far side of Antwerp’s river.  There is an entertaining statue of a peeping tom exposing his codpiece to visitors. The medieval fortress has grey-white walls and sharp towers. Het Steen was originally created in the 1200’s as a gateway defense to the larger castle of the “Duckes of Brabant” which was sadly demolished in the 19th century.

MAS Museum

This is a modern history museum of Antwerp. It includes a series of temporary exhibits displaying novelty artwork and cultural influences regarding the city. The museum covers many facets of Antwerp, but specializes in the city’s vital maritime history.

Red Star Line Museum

This is a unique museum regarding passengers from Belgium leaving the country, mostly to the United States.  The Museum tells the stories of the travelers through use of old photographs and personal items left behind before making the journey.

Read more about relaxing things to do in Antwerp and seeing the world by visiting Leftfade Trails Travel Blog.

Affiliate Disclosure: Leftfade Trails contains affiliate links, so using services or products through these links supports the website, at no extra cost to the user. All links are to tested services and products designed to aid travelers on their journeys. Some links specifically connect to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate this website earns from qualifying purchases.