Traveling to Antwerp in Belgium for a few days and wondering what’s the best area to stay on your first visit? As locals who know the city very well, in this guide, we’re sharing our experience-based tips and recommendations for the very best places to stay in Antwerp.
For each area, we also include hotel recommendations for all budgets.
Whether you are interested in the top sights, hidden gems, shopping, or dining, this guide will help you choose the best places to stay in Antwerp close to everything.
For a complete resource on where to stay in Antwerp, a neighborhood guide, and our top hotel picks in each area, check out the detailed article below. But first – my personal recommendations for first-time visitors.
My Favorite Hotels in Antwerp
If you don’t have the time to read the entire article or do extensive research and are looking for insider tips on the very best places to stay in Antwerp, here are my personal favorite hotels.
Simply click on the hotel name for more details and rates:
- Near the Central Station: Hampton By Hilton. This popular hotel is conveniently located right next to the station and the Diamond District. Perfect location for a first visit to the city and day trips.
- Very central, between the station and the old town: B&B HOTEL Antwerpen Centrum. This simple modern hotel offers good value and is one of the most popular choices in the city center.
- In the heart of the old town: Hotel Rubens. This is the best-rated hotel in the historic old town, super close to the Cathedral and the Market Square, yet in a quieter street.
- Motel One Antwerp. Conveniently located near the city’s top museums and just on the edge of the old town, this contemporary mid-budget design hotel offers fantastic value in the heart of Antwerp. Just recently opened, it’s quickly becoming a favorite among travelers.
- Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp – The Leading Hotels of the World. For an unforgettable 5-star experience in Antwerp, this is the place to be. Set within a meticulously restored 15th-century monastery complex, this elegant hotel blends historic charm with modern luxury. Indulge in unparalleled comfort and savor world-class cuisine crafted by Michelin-starred chefs. You may never want to leave.
Good to know: While Antwerp is a fairly large city, its center is compact enough to explore on foot. You can walk between the Central Station and the old town in just 20–30 minutes. For longer distances or when carrying luggage, the city’s public transport system is efficient and easy to use.
Finding a great place to stay in Antwerp is relatively simple, but the city’s different neighborhoods each have their own charm. Choosing the right location can make your visit so much more enjoyable.
In this guide, we’ve handpicked the best neighborhoods for tourists, perfect for experiencing the highlights of Antwerp in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
Also, all of these areas are really safe. We live nearby and go to the city center all the time and have never experienced any problems.
Here are the best areas to stay in Antwerp:
1. Central Station
Best for a short visit and day trips outside the city. Good dining options. There are many big, modern hotels here, some offering very good price/quality compared to more central locations.
Antwerp’s Central Station is your gateway to the city. Whether you’re traveling within Belgium or arriving directly from Paris or Amsterdam, this is likely where your journey begins.
If you’re only staying in Antwerp for a night and want to avoid the hassle of transportation or carrying your luggage too far, consider booking a hotel near the station. This area is also an excellent choice if you’re using Antwerp as a base for exploring the rest of Belgium—easy train connections make day trips a breeze.
While the station is centrally located, most of Antwerp’s main tourist attractions lie in the old town, about a 20-30 minute walk from here. That said, there are a few great sights close by. The historic Antwerp Zoo is right next to the station, the Chocolate Museum is just across the square, and the Diamond District is just steps away.
The area also offers plenty of dining options. De Keyserlei, the main boulevard leading toward the old town, is lined with cafes, bars, and restaurants. For a less touristy vibe, venture off the main streets. Chinatown, just a short walk away, also has some fantastic and affordable dining options.
Here are some of the most popular highly-rated hotels near the station:
€€€€ NH Collection Antwerp Centre (the best rated).
€€€ Hampton By Hilton (the most popular).
€€ A-STAY Antwerp (best value).
€ ibis budget (a bit further away from everything (+-10min extra walk), but this is one of the best-rated budget options).
READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Antwerp
2. Historic Old Town
Best for sightseeing and dining. Most hotels here are smaller, and you can find some charming, boutique-style accommodations.
The historic old town is another great area to stay in Antwerp. This is the most charming part of the city, where you’ll find the majority of the main landmarks of Antwerp such as the Grote Markt (the main square), the Town Hall, the Cathedral, Het Steen Castle, and many others.
Most events and celebrations also take place here. For example, the Antwerp Christmas Market in winter, Bollekesfeesten in August, and many others.
You’ll find tons of cafes and restaurants in the old town. There is truly something for every taste and budget – from some of the most luxurious, gourmet experiences to lower-budget options such as the famous Belgian fritkots where you can try our most popular street food – Belgian fries.
Here are some of the best-rated hotels in the old town:
€€€€€ Hotel Julien.
€€€€ Hotel Rubens (the most popular).
€€€ HotelO Kathedral.
€€ Motel One Antwerp (excellent price/quality).
READ ALSO: Hidden Gems of Antwerp
3. Opera
The most central location to stay in Antwerp, close to everything. Perfect for shopping and sightseeing, but also within easy walking distance from the station.
Antwerp’s Opera Square is perfectly positioned between the Central Station and the old town, making it an ideal location if you’re torn between the two areas mentioned above.
From Opera Square, you can reach the Central Station in just 5 minutes and the Cathedral in the old town in about 15 minutes. Most tourist attractions are within a 10-15 minute walk, and even areas slightly further away, like the Het Eilandje district with its iconic MAS Museum, are only about a 20-25 minute stroll. It’s a super convenient base for exploring the city.
If shopping is on your itinerary, this is the place to be. The main shopping street, De Meir, runs right through this area, and high-end luxury boutiques in the nearby theater district are just a 10-minute walk away.
This area is also an excellent choice for families since it’s close to many kid-friendly attractions.
Good to know: Just like the area near the station, this neighborhood features mostly large, modern chain hotels. Many are situated along the busy Frankrijklei boulevard, which can be a bit noisy if you prefer to sleep with the windows open. To ensure a quieter stay, consider requesting a room at the back of the hotel or simply keeping the windows closed. Overall, the hotels in this area are highly rated and provide excellent value for your stay.
Here are the best-rated hotels in this area:
€€€+ YAYS Antwerp Opera (best rated).
€€€ B&B HOTEL Antwerpen Centrum (great price/quality).
€€ Citybox Antwerp (most popular and quieter, just off the main street).
READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Antwerp with Kids
4. Theater Neighborhood
Close to everything, but away from the hustle and bustle. Perfect for shopping and sightseeing, and for luxury or romantic stays.
Antwerp’s Theater Neighborhood is located in the southern part of the old town. It’s just a few minutes walk from the main shopping street and Rubens House, and just 10-15 minutes from the main landmarks in the old town. However, it’s incomparably quieter and more ‘local’ than the main areas of the historic city center.
Just as the name suggests, there are quite a few theaters and concert halls in this neighborhood, the main one being Stadsschouwburg (City Theater). By the way, you can find a wonderful food market in front of this theater on Saturdays.
If you like shopping, you’ll be glad to know that Antwerp’s fashion district is also located just nearby. You will find countless flagship stores of some of the most expensive fashion brands in the world, but also smaller boutiques featuring local designers, etc.
One of Antwerp’s hidden gems – the Botanical Garden – is also located in this area.
Here are the best hotels in this part of Antwerp:
€€€€€+ Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp (This is the nicest luxury hotel in Antwerp. It’s a favorite among celebrities and music stars when they’re in town for concerts (think Harry Styles, Madonna, and more), but also not out of reach for ‘regular’ people).
€€€€ Hotel Les Nuits (good price/quality for the location).
€€€ Theater Hotel (most popular and best value in this area).
So, there you have it—our guide to the very best places to stay in Antwerp. Hopefully, this helps you get a clearer idea of what to expect and helps you find the perfect place for your stay.
And since we often hear this question: Is Antwerp worth visiting (or staying for a few nights)? Absolutely! Check out our article highlighting the top reasons to visit Antwerp if you need more convincing.
Here’s another great reason to stay in Antwerp: the value for money. Hotels here offer some of the best price-to-quality ratios you’ll find in any major tourist destination in this part of Europe. Compared to hotels in Amsterdam, London, or Paris, staying in Antwerp is a real bargain.
Plus, Antwerp’s central location makes it an ideal stopover. With direct high-speed trains to Paris and Amsterdam, it’s easy to include Antwerp in your European travel plans—and trust us, it’s worth it!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO READ: How to Plan a Trip to Europe (Step-by-step guide and tips)
More travel inspiration for visiting Belgium:
- Belgium Itinerary – how to see the best of Belgium in 3-4 days
- Interesting to know: Belgium Facts
- Brussels:
- Bruges:
- WWI sites: Ypres & WWI Battlefields
- WWII sites: Bastogne War Museum
- Winter: Best Christmas Markets in Belgium & What to Expect if Visiting Belgium in Winter
- Summer: Discover Antwerp by Bike & Best Theme Parks in Belgium
If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!
