Antwerp For Less Than $25 A Day

Is Antwerp affordable?

In comparison to Amsterdam where I live at the moment, Antwerp is a very affordable city to explore. Although it is a very touristy spot, the prices are not that high, especially when it comes to food and accommodation. Moreover, Antwerp is packed with free or discounted sightseeing spots, so do not forget your student card if you have one! For example, all museums and churches were free of charge on 31st December, so I was lucky enough to see most of the city for free. 

If you want to see the best of Antwerp on the budget, the first place you should head to is the Central Station. Here you can visit the Tourist Information Center, get a free map of the city, ask any questions you want and get a great sightseeing tips.

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If you feel like cycling, there are plenty of bikes around the station. It costs approximately 13 euros a day per person.

Accommodation: VRBO

If you are not a big fan of Couchsurfing, try VRBO instead. Me and my partner booked a lovely apartment with Be-Housing and paid around 120 euros for 2 nights for 2. There were also cheaper places to stay starting from 15 euros a night. Note: I personally had a very disappointing experience with Be-Housing, so make sure to double check the company/person you are renting a place from.

Mieszkanie

Getting to Antwerp

The cheapest way for me to get from Amsterdam to Antwerp was booking an Eurolines bus. It costed only 20 euros both ways per person and after 4 hours I was there! You can also try BlaBla car or hitchhiking.

Food

As we have our own apartment for a couple of days, we went shopping to Lidl where we spent around 30 euros for our breakfasts, snacks and dinners. Me and my partner love cooking so it was a real pleasure and fun for both of us to prepare our own meals. One night we made some burgers with salad, the other day we cooked some chicken with veggies and pasta.

When we got hungry exploring the city, we headed to the foodmarket – a very healthy and affordable lunch bar. They serve pastas, various delicious salads, cakes and pastries, baguettes, soups and coffee.

A nice meal of your choice should not cost you more than 10 euros.

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Transport

Forget the trams and buses, Antwerp is just too adorable not to be explored on foot. It is also very small so you will not have a problem getting anywhere you want in just 10 minutes.

Sightseeing in Antwerp

Most of the sightseeing spots are free or cost between 4 and 8 euros.

The Rubens House

It costs 8 euros. The Rubenshuis is the former home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens in Antwerp. The museum is worth spending some time here.

Central Station

The Antwerp Central Station is one of the world’s most impressive railway stations. Dubbed the “Railway Cathedral”, it is one of the main landmarks in Antwerp.

Grote Markt

The Grote Markt of Antwerp is situated in the heart of the old city quarter. At walking distance, the Scheldt river flows alongside the city. It is a town square with many guildhalls.

Cathedral of Our Lady

It is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium. Today’s see of the Diocese of Antwerp was started in 1352 and, although the first stage of construction was ended in 1521. Free of charge and wonderful to explore.

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Christmas Market

The Christmas Markets in Belgium are very popular and offer all kinds of Christmas goodies and the festive season will again be celebrated with colorful Christmas trees.

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Town Hall (Stadhuis)

The City Hall of Antwerp, Belgium, stands on the western side of Antwerp’s Grote Markt. It is filled with cozy restaurants and cafeterias.

Antwerp’s Port

It is the economic heart of Flanders and Belgium. Merely industry you say? Nope, the port is also an ideal setting for cycling, discovering cultural and walking.

St. Anna Tunnel

It is one of the most easily overlooked attractions in Antwerp. St. Anna Tunnel is probably the oldest tunnel of this kind in the world. Apparently before the WWII the progress of the digging of the tunnel were followed everywhere in the world!

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Extra tips

If you need to leave your stuff somewhere safe, use the lockers for 3-4 euro at the Train Station.

How do you like this way of exploring Antwerp on the cheap?

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Agness Walewinder
Agness Walewinder
Travel freak, vagabond, photography passionate, blogger, life enthusiast, backpacker, adventure hunter and endless energy couchsurfer living by the rule "Pack lite, travel far and live long!"
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35 thoughts on “Antwerp For Less Than $25 A Day”

  1. Hi Agness,

    Wow!

    Stunned that a city in Belgium would be this affordable.

    Expensive as hell comes to mind when I think of the whole of Europe.

    Enlightening share!

    Ryan

  2. Oddly enough I am fascinated by the St Anna Tunnel! You know what a foodie I am, Agness, and that meal for 10 euros. Yes, please! I felt like I was there…what a terrific post! :)

  3. Sara @ Simply Sara Travel

    Beautiful photos of Antwerp! I’m going there soon so I’ll definitely have to refer back to this post. That central train station looks gorgeous! That will be a nice welcome into the city when I arrive :-)

  4. So many things to do on such a small budget in such a big city. Some beautiful pictures too, it looks like it’s definitely a good destination to see some sights and take beautiful pictures.

  5. Michelle | Lights Camera Travel

    Antwerp has never even been on my radar! Love the photos..

    Sorry you had a less than amazing experience with AirBnB though :( At the very least, you can warn others!

  6. Heather @ Ferreting Out the Fun

    I’ve just returned from a long weekend in Brussels, and now I want to return and explore more of Belgium! Antwerp looks so charming!

  7. Lovely! When I toured Europe I only got a taste of each city. I need to go back and do some more in depth traveling. Antwerp is def on the list!

  8. Hi Agness, Antwerp is so so charming. I love quaint, walking cities. To learn that it so inexpensive is a great plus. I love the location of Grote Maket. It’s looks magical. Sounds like you and you partner had a great time in the city. Good for you!

  9. Rahman @ Iran Tours

    Quick and to the point. You’ve made it so easy to learn what to do in Antwerp. BTW, does the Antwerp have a meaning? It’s little cute city with interesting historic sites.

    1. Agness Walewinder

      The legend says that the name ‘Antwerp’ comes from the Dutch “hand werpen” meaning “hand thrown” :)

  10. Great tips and photos Agness. Antwerp is most definitely in my want to go back to one day list of beautiful places. It was an accidental find on my Euro interrail trip many years ago.

    I agree it is easy to get around on foot and the sights are amazing as this place is full of beauty.

    I also love that name, BlaBla Car :-)

  11. Kathryn Burrington

    I’d love to visit Antwerp’s Christmas market one day and I never realised how lovely the railway station is! What a lovely welcome to the city that would make.

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