Where to Stay in Antwerp 2026 | Best Areas + Hotel Map

Antwerp is Belgium's fashion and diamond capital, a port city with world-class art (Rubens was based here), cutting-edge design, and a thriving culinary scene. Smaller and less touristy than Brussels or Bruges, Antwerp rewards visitors with authentic Flemish culture, incredible architecture, and one of Europe's most beautiful train stations.

Editor's Pick for First-Timers

Historisch Centrum

Walk out your door to the Cathedral, Rubens House, and charming Flemish squares. Antwerp's compact center means everything is walkable, with excellent restaurants and bars around every corner. The historic atmosphere makes for a magical stay.

First-Timers & Art

Historisch Centrum

Modern & Museums

Het Eilandje

Transit & Practical

Centraal Station

Nightlife & Galleries

Zuid

Fashion & Design

Sint-Andries

Quick Guide: Best Areas

Historisch Centrum: Cathedral, Grote Markt, Rubens House, historic heart, shopping
Het Eilandje / MAS Area: MAS museum, waterfront dining, modern architecture, trendy atmosphere
Centraal Station Area: Diamond district, stunning station, practical base, transit hub
Zuid (South): KMSKA museum, trendy bars, local restaurants, gallery scene
Sint-Andries / Fashion District: Fashion boutiques, MoMu museum, Belgian designers, trendy cafés

Things to Know

  • • Area north of the station can feel rougher - stick to main streets
  • • Some very cheap hotels near station are in red-light areas
  • • The Seefhoek area north of Eilandje is still transitioning
  • • Rooms facing busy Meir shopping street can be noisy

Understanding Antwerp Geography

Antwerp's old town sits along the Scheldt River. The historic center clusters around the Grote Markt and Cathedral. The central station is east of the old town. Het Eilandje (docklands) is north. Zuid (south) is the artsy neighborhood. The fashion district (Sint-Andries) is southwest of center.

Main Districts Historisch Centrum (old town), Meir (shopping), Het Eilandje (docks/MAS), Zuid (art/nightlife), Sint-Andries (fashion), Station area (diamonds).

Accommodation Map

Check availability and prices across Booking.com, Vrbo, and more.

Best Neighborhoods in Antwerp

Historisch Centrum

Best for: Cathedral, Grote Markt, Rubens House, historic heart, shopping

$76+ $162+ $378+
Luxury
First-timers History Art Shopping

"Medieval city center with Flemish Renaissance architecture and world-class art"

Walk to all central attractions
Nearest Stations
Antwerpen-Centraal (15 min walk)
Attractions
Cathedral of Our Lady Grote Markt Rubens House Meir shopping
9
Transit
Moderate noise
Very safe city center.

Pros

  • Central to everything
  • Best architecture
  • Great shopping

Cons

  • Touristy
  • Expensive
  • Crowded weekends

Het Eilandje / MAS Area

Best for: MAS museum, waterfront dining, modern architecture, trendy atmosphere

$65+ $140+ $324+
Mid-range
Modern Museums Foodies Architecture

"Regenerated docklands with striking contemporary architecture"

15 min walk to old town
Nearest Stations
Tram to center
Attractions
MAS Museum Red Star Line Museum Willemdok Felix Pakhuis
8
Transit
Low noise
Safe regenerated area.

Pros

  • MAS museum
  • Trendy restaurants
  • Waterfront walks

Cons

  • Still developing
  • Far from old town
  • Quiet evenings

Centraal Station Area

Best for: Diamond district, stunning station, practical base, transit hub

$59+ $130+ $302+
Mid-range
Convenience Diamonds Transit Business

"Practical area around one of world's most beautiful train stations"

10 min walk to Grote Markt
Nearest Stations
Antwerpen-Centraal
Attractions
Antwerpen-Centraal Station Diamond District Zoo Meir shopping
10
Transit
Moderate noise
Safe but busy. Watch belongings at station.

Pros

  • Transport hub
  • Diamond shopping
  • Central location

Cons

  • Less charming
  • Busy traffic
  • Tourist groups

Zuid (South)

Best for: KMSKA museum, trendy bars, local restaurants, gallery scene

$54+ $119+ $270+
Mid-range
Art lovers Nightlife Local life Hipsters

"Artsy neighborhood with Antwerp's best nightlife and gallery scene"

15 min tram to center
Nearest Stations
Tram to center
Attractions
KMSKA (Royal Museum) Galleries Leopold de Waelplaats bars
8
Transit
Moderate noise
Safe, popular with locals.

Pros

  • Art museum
  • Best nightlife
  • Local atmosphere

Cons

  • Far from center
  • Need transport
  • Less historic

Sint-Andries / Fashion District

Best for: Fashion boutiques, MoMu museum, Belgian designers, trendy cafés

$65+ $140+ $324+
Mid-range
Fashion Shopping Design Hipsters

"Fashion capital neighborhood with Antwerp Six legacy"

5 min walk to Grote Markt
Nearest Stations
Walk to center
Attractions
MoMu Fashion Museum Nationalestraat boutiques Designer stores
8.5
Transit
Low noise
Safe, upscale area.

Pros

  • Fashion shopping
  • Designer boutiques
  • Trendy cafés

Cons

  • Expensive shops
  • Limited hotels
  • Narrow streets

Accommodation Budget in Antwerp

Budget

$43 /night
Typical Range: $38 – $49

Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities

Most Popular

Mid-Range

$100 /night
Typical Range: $86 – $113

3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations

Luxury

$206 /night
Typical Range: $173 – $238

5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities

💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.

Our Top Hotel Picks

€ Best Budget Hotels

Pulcinella Hostel

Het Eilandje

★ 8.6

Excellent hostel near MAS museum with modern facilities, bar, and social atmosphere.

Solo travelersBudget travelersSocial atmosphere
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€€ Best Mid-Range Hotels

Hotel 't Sandt

Historisch Centrum

★ 8.9

Converted neoclassical building with rococo details and central location near the cathedral.

History loversCentral locationCharacter
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Hotel Pilar

Zuid

★ 8.8

Boutique hotel in the trendy Zuid neighborhood with design-forward rooms and gallery vibe.

Art loversNightlife seekersDesign
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Hotel Indigo Antwerp

Centraal Station

★ 8.7

Stylish boutique in former department store with diamond-district character and excellent transport.

Transit convenienceDesignBusiness
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Hotel Banks

Historisch Centrum

★ 8.6

Modern boutique in converted bank building with excellent breakfast and central location.

Value luxuryCentral locationBusiness
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€€€ Best Luxury Hotels

Hotel & Residence De Witte Lelie

Historisch Centrum

★ 9.4

Stunning boutique in three 17th-century houses with courtyard garden and exceptional service.

Romantic getawaysHistory loversBoutique luxury
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Hotel Julien

Historisch Centrum

★ 9.2

Design hotel in two restored 16th-century buildings with rooftop terrace and minimalist elegance.

Design loversRooftop viewsCouples
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Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp

Near Centraal Station

★ 9.5

Ultra-luxury hotel in former botanic institute with spa, fine dining, and historic grandeur.

Ultimate luxurySpaSpecial occasions
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August Antwerp

Sint-Andries

★ 9.3

Design hotel in converted Augustinian convent with fashion district location and stunning architecture.

Fashion loversArchitectureDesign
Check Availability

Smart Booking Tips for Antwerp

  • 1 Antwerp has no extreme tourist seasons - pleasant year-round
  • 2 Fashion weeks and diamond fairs fill business hotels
  • 3 Summer weekends are popular for Belgian tourists
  • 4 Christmas markets (Dec) bring additional visitors
  • 5 Day-trippers from Brussels are common - city quieter evenings
  • 6 Museum pass (Antwerp City Card) covers transport and attractions

Why you can trust this guide

We built this guide using recent climate data, hotel price trends, and our own trips, so you can pick the right month without guesswork.

Curated locations based on walkability & safety
Real-time availability via live partner maps
Jan Krenek

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best area to stay in Antwerp?
Historisch Centrum. Walk out your door to the Cathedral, Rubens House, and charming Flemish squares. Antwerp's compact center means everything is walkable, with excellent restaurants and bars around every corner. The historic atmosphere makes for a magical stay.
How much does a hotel cost in Antwerp?
Hotels in Antwerp range from $43 per night for budget accommodation to $100 for mid-range and $206 for luxury hotels. Prices vary by season and neighborhood.
What are the main neighborhoods to stay in Antwerp?
Historisch Centrum (Cathedral, Grote Markt, Rubens House, historic heart, shopping); Het Eilandje / MAS Area (MAS museum, waterfront dining, modern architecture, trendy atmosphere); Centraal Station Area (Diamond district, stunning station, practical base, transit hub); Zuid (South) (KMSKA museum, trendy bars, local restaurants, gallery scene)
Are there areas to avoid in Antwerp?
Area north of the station can feel rougher - stick to main streets Some very cheap hotels near station are in red-light areas
When should I book a hotel in Antwerp?
Antwerp has no extreme tourist seasons - pleasant year-round

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