As a local from Antwerp, I had so much fun putting this post together. It’s wonderful to see my own city through a fresh lens! So here you go: a complete itinerary for your city trip to Antwerp with young children. In my opinion, this plan is the perfect mix of sightseeing and lots of playtime for the kids. Enjoy your city break in Antwerp!
Hi! I’m Helena, a Belgian mom exploring the world – far and closeby – with my kids. Here you’ll find my honest, tried-and-tested tips for discovering the world as a family. Today, I’m sharing my favorite places in Antwerp — my hometown — to enjoy with young children. From culture to playgrounds to great food, I’ve got you covered. Let’s explore!
Day 1: Plopsa Station Antwerp
Are you arriving by train? Well then, when you get to Antwerp Central Station, make sure to take a moment to look around the main building. There’s so much beauty you won’t want to miss. After a long train ride, you and your kids will probably be tired, so your first activity shouldn’t be too far away. There’s one amazing place where little ones can have a blast: Plopsa Station Antwerp!
Plopsa Station is an indoor amusement park, filled with fun attractions for younger kids. Our daughters, aged 4 and 7, absolutely love it — and I suspect slightly older kids would too (the picture is from our first visit, they’re a bit bigger now 🙂 ). It’s the perfect start to your city trip because it lets the kids run around and burn off energy after traveling.
Right next to the Central Station, you’ll also find the Antwerp Zoo. It’s a lovely place with nice playgrounds, though I personally have mixed feelings about animals in captivity.
For dinner, I recommend Ellis Gourmet Burger. They offer classic and more creative burgers, which makes it a good pick for all ages. Here you can find more on my favourite restaurant in Antwerp.
Day 2: Great Food and the KMSKA
Start your second day early at Funk, a vegan bakery that recently opened in the south of Antwerp and has quickly become the hotspot. You’ll find amazing pastries and maybe even spot a celebrity or two — even Joe Jonas has been there 🙂.
Next, head to the KMSKA — the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp. I thought this was a fantastic outing, and the kids enjoyed it just as much as we did. Thanks to “The 10”, a set of interactive works where kids are allowed to touch, climb, and explore, it’s much easier to keep little hands off the rest of the art. We spent about an hour and a half there.
If you want to visit more museums (which is very probable 🙂 ), you’ll want to see our list of the best museums in Antwerp to visit with kids.
In the area, there are two great playgrounds: the large one at the quays and one at Zuidpark, which has several play zones — the one with trampolines is the absolute favourite. Head to a nearby supermarket for a picnic and you can easily spend a few hours there. Or have lunch a bit further at Barchel Nieuw-Zuid, which has great food and a nice kids’ menu. Highly recommended!
For dinner, my top pick in Antwerp Zuid is the small but amazing Vietnamese restaurant Nuoc Mam. Delicious and nutritious truly go hand in hand here. You’ll often need a bit of luck to get a table, but if you go on a weekday and arrive early (which you usually do with kids 🙂), you’ll be fine. My personal favorite is the vegetarian Bun. It might be a bit adventurous for kids, but a simple portion of fried rice is sure to please.
Still have some energy left? Take a 15-minute stroll to the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Grote Markt to get a glimpse of old Antwerp. The best dessert awaits you at Quetzal, with their amazing hot chocolate. No child — or adult — can say no to that.
Day 3: The Eilandje
At Antwerp’s Eilandje neighborhood, you’ll find a museum that really knows how to welcome kids: the Red Star Line Museum. In each gallery, there are two suitcases (for different age groups) filled with fun activity tasks. The kids learn so much while playing, and you don’t have to lift a finger to keep them entertained. Our kids thought it was the best museum ever — and I actually agree 🙂.
There’s also an honesty bar with a big play area, and the gift shop is worth a look for its inclusive range of toys and books.
Another wonderful museum to explore is the MAS (Museum Aan de Stroom). It doesn’t have as many kid-focused activities for the very youngest, so I’d suggest visiting with older children, or simply going there to admire the building itself. The MAS is beautiful inside and out, and you can even enter for free to take the escalators all the way to the rooftop for a stunning view over Antwerp.
Where to Eat on the Eilandje
Pizza fans should definitely stop by Otomat. You’ll find both classic and unique pizzas there, so there’s something for everyone.
There’s also another Ellis Gourmet Burger location near the Eilandje (just like by Central Station), perfect for die-hard burger lovers.
At the Eilandje, there’s a small but very cozy playground by the Kempisch dock. In my experience, it’s never crowded, and you’ll get an instant vacation vibe thanks to the view of the boats.
On a sunny day, I recommend heading a bit further to Park Spoor Noord. There you’ll find large water play areas for all ages. And while the kids splash around, you can relax on the terrace at Bar Noord. They have a small menu with something for everyone, including the little ones.
