500px Photo ID: 23880225 - The train is arriving.

Glenn Forrest / 500px

Antwerpen-Centraal

Antwerp


With its neo-Gothic facade, vast main hall and splendidly proportioned dome, the 1905 Antwerpen-Centraal building has been rated as one of the five most beautiful train stations in the world.

It's also very practical, with the multilevel platforms having had a full 21st-century makeover.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Antwerp attractions

1. Antwerp Zoo

0.03 MILES

Founded in 1843, Antwerp Zoo is one of the world’s oldest and best-respected zoological parks. Enclosures in the 10-hectare site are state of the art and…

2. Diamant

0.18 MILES

An astounding 80% of the world's uncut diamonds are traded in Antwerp. Four dour exchange buildings lie along heavily guarded Hoveniersstraat and…

3. Van Dyck Statue

0.37 MILES

Standing in the middle of the road, the great painter is dressed in britches and hose, holding a floppy plumed hat and gazing into space, apparently…

4. Stadsfeestzaal

0.43 MILES

If walking between Antwerpen-Centraal station and the town centre, do peep inside this exuberant shopping mall within a 1908 neoclassical exhibition hall…

5. St-Jacobskerk

0.5 MILES

The tomb of Rubens is the reason most visitors come to St-Jacobskerk. Located in a small chapel behind the high altar, the tomb is adorned with Our Lady…

6. Rubenshuis

0.51 MILES

This delightfully indulgent 1611 mansion was built as a home and studio for celebrated painter Pieter Paul Rubens. It was rescued from ruins in 1937 and…

7. Handelsbeurs

0.66 MILES

The beautiful building that served as Antwerp's stock exchange from 1531 to 1997 fell into severe disrepair over two decades, but since 2016 has been…

8. Keizerskapel

0.67 MILES

Built in 1512 for the cloth-cutters' guild, this underrated little chapel honouring St Anne was given a major Gothic rebuild in the mid-17th century, from…