Tips for Antwerp mini-bus and coach tourism

Useful tips for Antwerp bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and  ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Antwerp. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Antwerp. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Antwerp highlights.

What to see during your tour in Antwerp with a rented minibus with driver

If you would like to rent a bus for a tour in Antwerp, the following sights are recommended:

double decker bus from DE POLDERS

View of double decker bus from DE POLDERS Autocars

Cathedral of Our Lady

During a visit to this Burgundian city, you cannot ignore this eye-catching beautiful cathedral. The impressive tower stands above everything and is therefore the highest church tower in the Benelux. The cathedral was originally a church, at the time that Antwerp became a diocese, this was changed. It is recommended that during this visit you take a guided tour. In this way you can see all the interesting sights and the associated background information. In the cathedral are also the works of Rubens named ‘Kruisoprichting’ and ‘Kruisafneming’.

Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerp

Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerp credit: Victor Bergmann CC BY-ND 2.0

The Grand Place

Like almost every major city, Antwerp also has a "Grote Markt". It is a large triangular square right in the old centre of the city. Many terraces surround this square, on sunny days overcrowded with tourists and inhabitants of Antwerp. In addition, the Cathedral of our lady, the town hall and a water artwork can also be found here. Often there are also some tourist carriages in which you can make a trip through the city.

Antwerp City Hall

Antwerp City Hall credit: www.GlynLowe.com CC BY 2.0

ZOO Antwerp

This immense zoo is the most famous of Belgium and is even one of the oldest and most beautiful zoos in Europe. This Zoo is therefore not to ignore. To keep up its reputation, it stays necessary that the ZOO still expand. In the next 10 years the zoo will increase with 10%. The zoo is located in the centre on the west side of Central Station and is easily accessible.

Antwerp Zoo

Antwerp Zoo credit: orgaine CC BY-SA 2.0

Rubens House

Antwerp has many museums; the Rubens House is one of the most impressive and perhaps the best known. In this house has one of the most famous people of Antwerp spent his last years. It was more like a palace of Peter Paul Rubens, the greatest baroque artist. The Rubens House is located on the Wapper Square 9 a side street off the main shopping street, the Meir.

Antwerp Shopping City

"Shop till you drop, that is typically for Antwerp. The city has numerous shopping areas. The Meir is the most famous shopping street; this long and wide street runs from the main train station to the old town, mainly the major clothing brands established there. If you are looking for the more specific and smaller shops you should move to the smaller areas in the city. Each zone is known for something else. For example, the shopping area "The Wild Sea", which has a variety of shops. Do you like casual, classy or fashionable clothes; shop than in any of the 5 streets in this shopping area, such as the Korte Gasthuisstraat. Done shopping? Look for one of the restaurants in the South ("het Zuid"). This area is known for its cosy restaurants.

Stadsfeestzaal Antwerpen

Stadsfeestzaal Antwerpen credit: David van der Mark CC BY-SA 2.0

Diamond Museum

What is a diamond city without a Diamond Museum? For centuries, Antwerp is already known as the most important diamond centre of the world. During a visit to this museum you will be part of the special world of this particular stone. The museum is located at the Koningin Astridplein 19. Once you leave the beautiful train station you will also face the Jewish culture. In the Jewish Quarter colours orthodox Jews the streets alongside the many jewellery stores.

About Antwerp province in minibus rented with driver

The province of Antwerp is part of the Flemish Region, known as Flanders, in Belgium. Antwerp province is surrounded by three other Belgian provinces. Namely East-Flandres on the west side, Flemish-Brabant on the south side and Limburg Province on the east side. The northern part of the Province of Antwerp borders on the Dutch provinces of North Brabant and Sealand.

The capital city of the Antwerp province has the same name, Antwerpen. At the same time it is the most important city of the Antwerp province. Antwerp city is one of the 3 Arrondissements of the province; the other ones are Mechelen and Turnhout. These three cities are the largest cities of Antwerp province.

With the name Antwerpen most people think first of the city of Antwerp, but in the province Antwerpen itself is much more to experience. Besides the wide range of cultural excursions in cities, there is a huge range of activities in nature.

The capital of the province, Antwerp, is widely known for its many restaurants, cafés, bars and historic buildings. But do not forget Mechelen, Turnhout and Mol. Also in this Flemish cities there are plenty of choices available, making a visit attractive.

Antwerp Belgium

Antwerp Belgium credit: Russ Bowling CC BY 2.0

Travel to Nature Parks in Antwerp

For nature lovers your tour with private transport in a rented vehicle with driver around Antwerp can start at areas such as the Antwerp Kempen and Scheldeland eminently suitable for nice walk or a bike ride. Near every town there is a green area, where you can walk and cycle. So you have in Antwerp alongside the many parks a beautiful old zoo in the city center to the west of the Central Station. There is a brochure available for "green spots" in the city.

Crossroads

Crossroads credit: David Huang CC BY-SA 2.0

In Mechelen, through which rivers the Dyle, Nete, Rupel Zenne streams,  there are also several nature reserves. An example is the Dyle valley. At the Zennegatcomplex there is even a valley area with several nature, Thiebroekbos is one of them.

Travel and Tourism in Antwerp Province

Mechelen has many beautiful protected historical monuments and churches. Some buildings are even on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the Groot Begijnhof and the two belfry towers - St Rumbold"s Cathedral and the Cloth Hall and Town Hall Tower. By the amount of history this city is great when you love culture.

St. Rumbold

St. Rumbold"s Cathedral credit: Russ Bowling CC BY 2.0

Turnhout is a big city with a fine blend of culture and nature and culinary surprises. The medieval castle of the Dukes of Brabant, although currently a court, still remains a beautiful castle. The St. Peter church is also a beautifully preserved church where you definitely do not regret it when you have visited it. This town is surrounded by ponds, meadows and fields where humans can withdraw delicious to a quiet day in nature to spend.

Restaurants

The Burgundian impact of a Belgian comes reflected in every city in the many restaurants and cafes, but the capital Antwerp takes the cake. On every street corner there is a bar, terrace or restaurant. Especially Belgian specialties, such as the famous dishes of proud flesh are well-liked. Antwerp also has a variety of restaurants with international cuisine. But when visiting Belgium, a Belgian beer must be tasted at least. Especially a tour at Brouwerij De Koninck is a fun outing, where this typical Belgian beer can be tasted. Of course when you are at a terrace, there are also many beers to choose.

De Koninck, Belgian beer

De Koninck, Belgian beer credit: Dirk Van Esbroeck CC BY-SA 3.0

 Travel Services in Antwerp

You can plan group travel in Antwerp with our online quote request system and plot your entire route. For example, you can plot the entire route of the tour we describe above. Travel in Antwerp province has never been easier: start today!

City Tours in  Antwerp

Almost in every major city in the world they drive around the City Sightseeing buses, also known as Hop-On Hop-Off Buses. These tourist buses offer you a simple and relatively inexpensive way to view the complete city. A ticket is valid even for 24 hours. The buses depart from the Central Station of Antwerp and then drive along the most sought after spots and tourist attractions such as the Antwerp Central Station, Antwerp Zoo, Diamond Museum and Aquatopia. The nice thing about these tours is that there is a guide on the bus who can tell you interesting stories during the ride. You can get in and out whenever you want. The Antwerp Diamond Bus is a good example of a hop-on hop-off bus that runs daily from April to October. During the winter months, the bus only runs on Saturday and Sunday. You can rent a bus in Antwerp for tours in the city or in Antwerp Province.

Zoo Antwerp, Belgium

Zoo Antwerp, Belgium credit: Herman Pijpers CC BY 2.0

Bike Tours

Are you sporty and active and you love a bit of fresh air and exercise? Then a bike tour is the ideal way to discover the city. The experience of the city by bike is similar to that of a real Antwerp citizen. Through a guided bike tour you wil pass many famous, but also less known places in and around the city. The organization Antwerp by Bike offers bike tours of 2 or 3 hours. All bike tours depart from the Steenplein in Antwerp. This is located under the walking path of the South Terrace, next to the Flandria desk.

Bike - Antwerp-Dendermonde

Bike - Antwerp-Dendermonde credit: David Huang CC BY-SA 2.0

Segway Tour

You see them more often in the big cities, the segway. The original and ecological way of exploring a city. The Segway is the vehicle of the future. With this electric bike, which is controlled upright, you will arrive at the finest and strangest places in the city of Antwerp. Belgium Segway Tour offers three excursions per day and leaves from the Grote Markt. The good thing about such a special trip is that you can reach many places, which are too far to walk to.

None

More about Antwerp

Would you like to organize a bus tour to see all these beautiful highlights? Request quotes and compare the different bus and coach hire companies:

Bus tours in Antwerp
Coach hire in Antwerp