Places to visit and activities to do as a couple in Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp is a city best enjoyed as a couple. Its cobbled streets, golden facades, and reflections on the Scheldt River provide the perfect backdrop for a romantic getaway. Here, everything seems designed for couples: inspiring museums, small restaurants with soft lighting, walks along the waterfront... Whether you come for a romantic weekend, a surprise getaway, or a honeymoon, Antwerp has plenty of great things in store for you. It's a destination that knows how to speak the language of the heart.
Why is Antwerp a good romantic destination ?
A city of artists, diamonds, and understated elegance, Antwerp appeals to couples seeking genuine emotions. Here, there is no rushing. You stroll at the pace of the cobblestones and the reflections on the Scheldt. The city has the rare gift of harmoniously combining the energy of a creative metropolis with the intimacy of a village. In the morning, you can admire Rubens in his house-studio; in the evening, you can watch the sunset on the quays of the port. Between busy squares and secret alleys, Antwerp cultivates a simple romanticism, made up of knowing glances and shared silences.
Must-see places to visit as a couple in Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp isn’t just a place to visit, it’s a place to share. Every corner of this beautiful city tells a story, and most of them are best discovered together. Between its flamboyant heritage, bold modernity, and gentle everyday life, here are the places where your bond will find its perfect backdrop.
The Grand Place (Grote Markt)
The Grote Markt is much more than just a square; it is an open-air theater where Flemish history is constantly being played out. Surrounded by colorful gabled houses and dominated by the imposing town hall, it sparkles with a thousand lights as soon as the first rays of sunshine appear. Take a seat on a terrace, order two coffees, and let yourself be lulled by the gentle bustle of the city. For couples, this place becomes magical, especially at the end of the day, when the facades light up and time seems to stand still just for you.
Notre Dame Cathedral
A masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture, Antwerp Cathedral invites you to pause and contemplate. Inside, Rubens’ monumental paintings, notably The Descent from the Cross, move visitors with their power and humanity. This is not only a place of worship, but a space where emotion flows freely. Together in the golden twilight of the stained-glass windows, you will feel that rare intensity that only art can offer. A moment of contemplation, but also of deep connection.
The South District (’t Zuid)
‘t Zuid is the beating heart of modern Antwerp, an elegant, quiet, and infinitely romantic neighborhood. Here, art galleries rub shoulders with cozy cafés, independent bookstores, and neoclassical facades. It’s the perfect place to wander aimlessly, between a coffee break and an artistic discovery. On Sunday mornings, the streets are quiet, the shop windows inviting, and the atmosphere conducive to real conversation. For couples who love authenticity with a touch of elegance, ‘t Zuid is a must.
The MAS Museum
The MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) is not just a museum, it is an invitation to see Antwerp from above. Its rooftop, free and open to all, offers one of the most beautiful views of the city, especially at sunset. Facing the river, the silhouette of the port, cranes, and rooftops is outlined in silhouette. It is here, in this golden light, that you will take the time to breathe together, far from the hustle and bustle. Even without visiting the exhibitions, this panorama is worth the detour and will undoubtedly become one of the highlights of your getaway.
The Port of Antwerp
The port of Antwerp, one of the largest in Europe, surprises visitors with its raw, contemporary beauty. Walk or cycle along the quays and marvel at the contrasts: on one side, huge ships and futuristic cranes; on the other, the sea breeze and the calm of the river. Along the Kattendijkdok promenade or the Red Star Line Museum, you will discover an unexpected side to this powerful yet strangely intimate city. Perfect for a romantic stroll off the beaten track, this industrial area is surprisingly poetic for couples.
Romantic activities to do as a couple in Antwerp, Belgium
In Antwerp, love is not only expressed in words, it is also experienced through shared experiences. Here are a few ideas to make your romantic getaway in Antwerp a success.
Download Chat&Yamo today and finally start the real story you deserve.
💕 Romantic dinner in an intimate restaurant
Take a seat in a candlelit restaurant, savor a fine wine, and let yourself be carried away by Flemish flavors. In Antwerp, gastronomy is experienced as a shared moment, a moment suspended in time where everything revolves around the pleasure of being together. Whether in a traditional brasserie in the center or a hidden table in ‘t Zuid, every meal becomes an opportunity to reconnect. The secret? Turn off your phones, look up, and savor every bite… and every glance.
🚲 Bike ride or walk along the Scheldt River
There’s nothing like a peaceful stroll along the Scheldt to slow down time. The bike paths are impeccable, the views magnificent, and the air filled with a gentle sea breeze. By bike or on foot, follow the river north or south and let the city reveal itself at your own pace. It’s a gentle, free, and intimate way to discover Antwerp differently, far from the guidebooks, close to each other. Sometimes the most beautiful conversations arise precisely in these shared moments of silence, as you drift along with the current.
🎨 Visit to art museums
Antwerp is a city that breathes art. Between the Rubenshuis (the Baroque master’s house and studio) and the daring exhibitions at the M HKA (Museum of Contemporary Art), every museum becomes a place to connect. Standing in front of a painting or an installation, you may discover a new side to your partner: their tastes, emotions, dreams. These visits are not just a cultural activity, they are an invitation to talk, to inspire each other, to dream together. And sometimes, a simple glance at a work of art says more than a long speech.
🛍️ Strolling through the diamond district
As the diamond capital of the world, Antwerp sparkles brightly, especially in the neighborhood around Pelikaanstraat and Hoveniersstraat. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s a pleasure to browse the sparkling shop windows, admire the glittering rings, and imagine together the symbol of eternal love. There is something deeply romantic about walking among these flashes of light, whispering “what if…?” It’s not so much the stone that matters, but the dream it awakens and the knowing glance it creates between you.
☕ Gourmet break in a typical café
Sit down in an old café, order a crispy waffle, a creamy hot chocolate, or a frothy cappuccino, and let the conversation flow. In Antwerp, cafés are havens of peace: weathered wood paneling, comfortable armchairs, a cozy atmosphere. It’s these simple, unpretentious moments, with no agenda, that often become the most beautiful. Because they remind you of what’s important: being there, together, with nothing else to do but savor the moment… and each other’s company.
Romantic weekend in Antwerp: our idea of the perfect getaway
Two or three days are enough to fall in love with the city, but also with those stolen moments together. Book a room in a charming hotel in the heart of the historic center, where the walls tell centuries of history. The rest? Leave it to chance. A coffee near the flower market in the morning, a stroll along the Scheldt in the afternoon, dinner on a terrace under the soft evening lights… Antwerp lends itself to spontaneity. And to end the day on a high note, climb to the roof of the MAS: the city falls asleep in a soft golden light, just for you.
Download Chat&Yamo today, and let the right person into your life through a serious meeting that counts.
5 original ideas for a romantic getaway in Antwerp
Above all, remember: romance is not about perfection, but about the sincerity of the moment. Here are five unique experiences to enrich your getaway… five simple, unforgettable, and deeply human ideas.
1. Attend a concert or opera at the Royal Theater in Antwerp
The Koninklijke Opera Antwerpen (Royal Theater of Antwerp) immerses you in a refined and timeless atmosphere. Whether for an opera, ballet, or classical concert, every performance here becomes a sensory experience to enjoy as a couple. Under the golden chandeliers and 19th-century frescoes, the music takes on an almost intimate dimension. It’s the perfect opportunity to reconnect, far from screens, in the midst of shared emotion. After the show, stroll through the peaceful streets—the night in Antwerp has never been so elegant.
2. Take a nighttime stroll through the illuminated alleyways
When night falls, Antwerp transforms. The old facades gently light up, the cobblestones shine under the streetlights, and the Scheldt becomes a golden mirror. Walk quietly, without a specific destination, and let your steps guide you through the historic center or along the river. The silence of the night, punctuated only by the sound of your footsteps or muffled laughter, creates an intimate bubble. It is in these quiet moments, far from the crowds of the day, that the city reveals its most romantic soul and you find yourselves, simply, side by side.
3. Participate in a chocolate workshop for two
Step into an artisanal chocolate shop and learn how to make your own pralines together. It’s a fun, delicious activity that’s perfect for laughing, getting your hands dirty, and tasting your creations (with a little chocolate on your nose, perhaps). Beyond the sweet pleasure, it’s a moment of shared creativity, where every gesture becomes tender. And later, when you find these chocolates at home, you’ll relive the sweetness of the day. Because in Antwerp, even chocolate speaks of love.
4. Cruise on the Scheldt
A dinner cruise or a simple boat trip offers a magical perspective on Antwerp. From the water, the city reveals itself from a different angle: the cranes in the port become sculptural, the facades are reflected in the current, and the bridges form arches of light. When the sun sinks below the horizon, everything seems suspended in a gentle golden torpor. Snuggled up together on the deck, you will share a moment of rare calm, lulled by the lapping of the Scheldt. A simple but unforgettable experience.
5. Stroll through the antique market at Place du Marché
Every Sunday morning, the Grote Markt hosts an antique market where the past comes to life. Browse the stalls together, discover antique objects—a watch, a mirror, an engraving—and imagine the stories they tell. You don’t have to buy anything: the pleasure lies in searching, chatting, and reminiscing. But if you find a little treasure, it will become much more than a souvenir: a tangible symbol of this moment together, in a city that knows so well how to blend past and present.
Ready to use the best dating app for serious relationship?
Install Chat&Yamo now, add your most beautiful photos and start chatting with singles near you. Every match, every message can be the beginning of a beautiful story.
FAQ
Spring (April to June) and fall (September to October) are perfect. The weather is mild, the streets are less crowded, and the light envelops the city in a soft glow. In spring, the terraces come alive and flowers color the balconies; in fall, golden leaves add a poetic touch to every walk. Even winter can be charming, with its Christmas markets and cozy cafés. The most important thing? Being there, together… the season is just a backdrop to your bond.
Two or three days are more than enough for a romantic getaway without rushing. You can stroll through the historic center, visit some must-see attractions such as the cathedral or the Rubenshuis, dine on a terrace, and even treat yourself to a cruise on the Scheldt. The advantage of Antwerp is that it can be explored at a leisurely pace. There’s no need to see everything: the most important thing is to take the time to share moments together, sit on a bench, laugh in front of a shop window… Because a real romantic weekend is one where you forget the time.
Not necessarily. If you want, you can enjoy a romantic getaway without breaking the bank. Antwerp is full of affordable boutique hotels, charming cafés where a hot chocolate costs just a few euros, and accessible museums (some are even free on the first Sunday of the month). A walk together, a picnic on the banks of the Scheldt, or watching the sunset from the roof of the MAS cost nothing and are worth more than any luxury. True romance lies in being together, not in the price tag.
Yes, absolutely. Antwerp’s city center is compact, largely pedestrianized, and particularly pleasant to explore on foot or by bike. In about 20 minutes of leisurely walking, you can go from the Grote Markt to the South district, from the port to the Rubenshuis. This is also the best way to capture the charm of the city: feel the cobblestones under your feet, smell the scent of chocolate in the alleys, meet street musicians… As a couple, every step becomes an invitation to slow down, look, listen, and simply be together.
The most beautiful memories often come from the simplest moments. Dinner on a boat on the Scheldt at sunset, a nighttime stroll under the streetlights of the historic center, a coffee break in an old Flemish house, or a quiet moment on the rooftop of the MAS: this is what makes Antwerp so special for lovers. Add to that a chocolate workshop for two or a stroll through the antique market, and you have everything you need for an unforgettable getaway.