14 Best Museums in Antwerp

Among the best places to visit in Antwerp are its grand museums. From Rubenshuis, home of the famous Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, to the cutting-edge Museum aan de Stroom (MAS), there’s something to satisfy every taste.   

Among the most well-known museums include the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Museum Plantin-Moretus.

In these museums, famous works by Erasmus and Shakespeare are displayed. If you are a follower of artists like Montaigne, then these museums will certainly serve your fancy.   

The Red Star Line Museum offers a nostalgic feeling of knowing how three million people journeyed through the ocean from Antwerp to America.

This interesting section of the museum gives visitors a feel of the historical value of Antwerp and how it ties the past with the current living conditions of the people in Antwerp.   

Best Museums in Antwerp

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1. The Rubenshuis (closed until 2027)

Solely dedicated to the life history of Peter Paul Rubens, the Rubenshuis presents an extensive collection of his finest works.   

From different landscapes to life-like portraits, the collection of Rubens’ works highlighted the social condition in Antwerp when worked on the different pieces shown in the museum.   

 Another great feature of the museum is its structure. It was once the residence and studio of the artist which then created a great impact on how it offers a nostalgic feel for the visitors.   

🚶🏻 Hear some secrets behind the artist’s success by joining a HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR that will stroll past the former home of painter Rubens!

2. The Middelheim Open Air Museum

Experience art in nature with sculptures from renowned artists.

The Middelheim Open Air Museum is not your ordinary art museum.   

What makes this museum exceptional from the others is that it is set outside in a beautiful park. This special feature allows visitors to practically embrace nature’s beauty as they look into the different features of the art displays in the area.   

With more than a hundred sculptures, this park gives the classic feel of being amid artistic creations from creators all around the world.   

From human depictions to animal sculptures, the art displayed in this museum gives everyone a feel of what it means to be creative.

With a natural environment surrounding all the sculpted works, visitors to this outdoor museum are both relaxed and pleased with awe as they go from one sculpture to another.   

3. Red Star Line Museum

Featuring the story and the journey of immigrants who left Europe to go to North America, the Red Star Line Museum offers an exceptional way to revisit the history of Antwerp, Belgium.

From the harrowing experiences to the victories of the immigrants, the museum features the brave ones who tried to face the impossible.

The impact of this social movement in the history of Antwerp certainly identifies the strength of its people.   

While in the museum, visitors can explore the cabins and look through the photographs to enhance their experience in embracing one of Antwerp’s most cherished histories.   

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4. MAS | Museum aan de Stroom

Discover stories about Antwerp and its people through exhibitions, interactive experiences, and more. 

Museum aan de Stroom is a museum of Antwerp’s history and unique culture. Apart from the regular displays, interactive presentations are also offered to get the visitors interested in history.

MAS will certainly give you that feel of the natural culture of Antwerp and a sense of realization that the living conditions of the people in the city now have so much to do with what they have gone through in the past.   

5. Plantin Moretus Museum

The Plantin-Moretus Museum is an iconic cultural destination in Antwerp, Belgium. In this museum, visitors are presented with three centuries of world history and how the evolution of printing technology has evolved.   

The Plantin Moretus Museum is located within Antwerp’s historic downtown. From the 16th century, visiting this museum will allow you to see through the three centuries of history as they go from one room to the next.  

Visitors can also choose to get a guided visit. Through the help of a tour guide.  

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6. FOMU

For those who love photography, Antwerp has the FOMU or Fotomuseum Antwerpen.   

In this museum, the evolution of the country’s past and present culture of photography is represented through a series of connected galleries.   

From older prints to digitally developed pictures, the displays showcase the skills of every featured photographer to represent real live captures and the story that surrounds them.   

Among those featured in the museum include Ansel Adams and Henry Carter-Bresson.   

To get the most out of your visits, it is best to get a schedule for when there would be lectures and workshops to be held by guest photographers in the museum.   

7. Vleeshuis Museum

The Vleeshuis Museum, or Meat House Museum, is a unique cultural destination in Antwerp.

Located within the historic Grote Markt of the city centre, this museum provides visitors with an immersive experience that explores the history and traditions of meat production in Belgium.

From interactive exhibits to multimedia displays, guests can explore centuries-worth of history and discover the importance of butchery in the region. With a variety of activities and events.

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8. Royal Museum of Fine Arts

Known as the Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts is an art museum that boasts several impressive paintings from the most celebrated Belgian artists.   

Some of the artists’ works added to the museum’s gallery include Rubens and Van Dyck.   

From Renaissance to Contemporary art, the collection in the museum certainly highlights some of the best works that are worth a second look at, especially since they represent certain highlights of human history given life through art.   

To enhance the experience of visitors, The Royal Museum of Fine Arts also holds educational tours and events that feature some of the most important displays in the gallery.

Visiting the museum will surely give you a great experience that makes you realize how Belgian art defines the overall elements that make the culture and traditions of the people.   

9. De Koninck Brewery

De Koninck Brewery is a popular attraction in Antwerp.

This historic brewery offers visitors the chance to explore its production process, from malt and hop selection to fermentation and bottling.

Guests can also learn about the history of Belgian beer craftsmanship as they tour this local institution.

The brewery also offers beer tastings, allowing guests to sample a variety of its renowned ales, lagers, and stouts.

Check out our article about the Best Belgian Beer that you should try on your next visit to Belgium! 🍺

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10. Hendrik Conscience – Nottebohmzaal

The Hendrik Conscience – Nottebohmzaal is a cultural landmark in Antwerp’s historical centre.  

The works of Hendrick Conscience as a writer and a journalist certainly highlight the basic culture recognized by those in Belgium.

His works primarily highlight some of the most important factors that make up the Jewish community’s culture in the country.  

To make every visit to the museum more culturally and educationally valuable and enticing, the museum offers a variety of lecturers and events for locals and visitors who come from different places, all wanting to know more about the background of Belgium and its people.   

11. Museum Mayer van den Bergh

The Museum Mayer van den Bergh is an art museum in Antwerp, located near the city’s iconic Cathedral of Our Lady.

Founded in 1898 by collector Fritz Mayer van den Bergh, this institution houses a vast collection of European Renaissance and Baroque paintings.  

Artists whose works are featured in the museum include Bosch, Rubens, and Brueghel.

In this museum, visitor engagement is critical to the process of helping every individual be more interested in art even after their visit.   

12. Chocolate Nation

Chocolate Nation is an interactive chocolate museum in Antwerp.   

More than just the taste, this museum tells an interactive story of how the famous Belgian chocolate culture came to be.

From the traditional way of carefully producing chocolates to the more modern options of concocting ingredients to mass produce the chocolate choices loved by the people both in Belgium and in the international market.   

13. Diamond Museum DIVA

The Diamond Museum DIVA is a unique museum in Antwerp dedicated to the history and craft of diamond cutting.  

There is so much more that goes into the production of the diamond pieces of jewellery that are sold in the market.

This museum shows what these processes are and gives the visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the act of sourcing, refining, and crafting the diamond ready for the actual jewellery-making process.   

Because of the interactive nature of presentations in the museum, visitors’ experience is certainly assured.   

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14. Het Steen Museum

The Het Steen Museum could be found right within the cultural centre of Belgium.

Featuring some of the best artworks from around Europe are placed in this museum.

Although not following a specific theme like the other museums in his list, the Het Steen museum’s display is something that ought to be highlighted as it creates a full picture of Europe’s past and how Antwerp fits in the picture.   

Visiting Het Steen Museum is certainly one of the best highlights of any Antwerp visiting list.   

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Tips & Tricks When Visting Museums in Antwerp

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💡 If you want to get the best of Antwerp City on a budget, it is best to get your Antwerp City Pass. This pass gives you access to free public transport. It also gives you free access to special events and special discounts when you visit Antwerp during the holidays.

💡 Antwerp Museum App is another great way to explore Antwerp’s museums by downloading the official Antwerp Museum App. This app gives you specific details on the best museums you can visit, their operating hours, and what special events they offer for the day.

💡 The Museum Pass is an excellent option for travellers planning to explore multiple cities in Belgium. There are 225 museums added to this pass and at least 226 expos you can join for a whole year.

💡 Avail the FREE day museum visits. Check the website of your target museum and find out about their free day visits each week. Often, these free day visits also include special occasions and presentations.

💡 When visiting museums, it’s always best to plan and book tickets whenever possible. Many popular attractions have limited capacity and get crowded quickly, so it’s important to be organized and book tickets ahead of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Final Thoughts: Best Museums in Antwerp

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From incredible sceneries to friendly individuals who will welcome you to the city, Antwerp, Belgium also offers you a robust choice of museums that will make you wonder in awe of what the city and the entirety of European artists could offer.   

From ancient history to the modern digital age, the museums at Antwerp, Belgium give everyone the option to enjoy added knowledge as highlighted during special events, workshops, and educational seminars held right at the museums.   

Enjoy everything for free when you plan your visit to Antwerp weeks or at least months beforehand.

You can also check our article about the best things to do in Antwerp for more ideas. You will surely enjoy your visit, even when you are on a budget. 

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