Antwerp rewards an unhurried pace. The light off the Scheldt stays soft, the streets are made for walking, and art is stitched into daily life. In two days you can move from Flemish masters to sharp contemporary shows, then finish with sculpture in a park or a drink by the river.

Day 1: Het Zuid and contemporary Antwerp

Start in Het Zuid, the city's contemporary hub. The newly reopened KMSKA (Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp) is the perfect opener: Rubens, Van Dyck, and Ensor in beautifully reworked galleries where old masters meet clean modern spaces. Give yourself room to wander. This museum rewards lingering!

Until February 2026, don't miss Magritte. The Lifeline. Built around the lecture Magritte gave here in 1938, the show follows his story in his own words, pairing them with the works he cited. You move from early paintings into his world of visual riddles and sly logic: pipes that aren't pipes, windows and trees that become symbols, and Surrealism as a Belgian invention with bite.

After KMSKA, stay local. Het Zuid is ideal for gallery hopping. Begin at Tim Van Laere Gallery and catch the bright, playful Franz West presentation (on until January 2026). Then drift toward Kloosterstraat, where contemporary galleries sit shoulder-to-shoulder with Antwerp's best design shops. Barchel Zuid is an easy lunch stop: relaxed, light-filled, and perfect for either a quick reset or a long terrace sit.

After lunch, walk over to M HKA, the city's leading contemporary art museum. Expect a sharp mix of film, installation, and painting that connects local and international perspectives. This winter's highlight is The Associations of Pauline Curnier Jardin, the first major survey of the French artist, spanning twenty years of her vibrant, hybrid practice through films, drawings, sculptures, installations, and a stage for live events.

The museum's 2017 renovation added an inviting entrance library designed by Axel Vervoordt and architect Tatsuro Miki, where you can pause with a book and discover artworks tucked among the shelves, including Madonna by Koen van den Broek.

If time is tight, head straight to the upper floors for the boldest exhibitions. From there it's a short hop to FOMU, Antwerp's photography museum: compact, focused, and a great late-day shift in medium.

Round off your art-filled day with dinner at ARTE, a local favourite known for its excellent Italian cooking and effortlessly artistic atmosphere. The restaurant collaborates with nearby galleries, so its walls are always lined with works by local talent. It's no surprise that the place draws a creative crowd and you're likely to spot Antwerp designers, artists, and art lovers gathered here!

Installation view of 'La ligne de vie' René Magritte exhibition at Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA).

Day 2: History, the north, and open air

Begin in the historic centre at Museum Plantin-Moretus, a UNESCO-listed printing house that shows how image-making shaped Antwerp as industry and obsession. It's atmospheric, meticulous, and leaves you seeing the city's visual culture differently.

Next, go to Rubenshuis for Baroque context. Even a short visit helps explain why Antwerp still feels so visually confident. Check opening details before you go—parts have been under renovation in recent years.

In the afternoon, head north to Het Eilandje. MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) isn't only an art museum, but it's essential for understanding Antwerp at city scale. The building alone is worth the trip. Don't skip the rooftop panorama and take in the breathtaking views. Nearby, Kunsthal Extra City (a former church turned kunsthal) adds a powerful setting to whatever's on view; the space gives each show extra charge.

If the weather cooperates, finish at Middelheim Museum, Antwerp's sculpture park. It's the ideal soft landing after two dense days: works scattered through green space, quiet paths, and looking that doesn't ask to be rushed. On the way back, keep an eye on the city's design pulse. Antwerp's fashion and objects scene runs in parallel to its art world, and the best souvenir might be a small, sharp piece you'll actually use!

Antwerp, KMSKA, Royal Museum of Fine Arts.

If you have extra time:

• Museum Mayer van den Bergh: small, intimate, and collection-driven, with Gothic and Renaissance treasures. A calm, private counterpoint to KMSKA's grandeur.
• deSingel: Antwerp's international arts centre; exhibitions alongside performance, music, and architecture. Quick but broadening.
• MoMu (Fashion Museum): a smart nod to Antwerp's fashion DNA, which sits in the same ecosystem as the galleries.