Top 15 Historical Tours in Antwerp

1.Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Antwerp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,837 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Our pick

This two-hour English walking tour leads you from Grote Markt to the Cathedral of Our Lady through Antwerp’s legends, art, trade, printing, fashion, and medieval lanes. Guides such as Arie, Beren, Luc, and Gaston bring local stories to life. Expect a group of up to 35, plenty of standing, and useful advice for the rest of your visit.

“Our guide, Ari, shared his passion for the city with us and gave us a fascinating insight into its history and culture. We learned a lot and would gladly join his tour again!”

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2.Historical Walking Tour in the Old City

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 373 reviews · 2 hours · from $3Best value

Walk from Het Steen to Handschoenmarkt with an English-speaking Urban Insight Tours guide. See Grote Markt, Vleeshuis, Handelsbeurs, the cathedral, Vlaaikensgang, and more while hearing stories of Antwerp’s rulers, legends, food, bars, museums, and daily life. Guides include Sergio, Shabnam, Joris, Anna-Lena, and others.

“The guide enthusiastically shared interesting details about the old parts of Antwerp. I enjoyed everything, even though the tour was in English, which I struggle with.”

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3.Private tour: Highlights & History of Antwerp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 299 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $105

Explore Antwerp’s old center with a private English-speaking guide such as Luc D., Edna, Johan, or Flip. In two hours, you’ll see Grote Markt, Rubens sites, the Bourse, Vlaeykensgang, and the Cathedral of Our Lady, with room for questions and local recommendations.

“Our guide, Johan gave us a great introduction to Antwerp on this fun and informative walking tour. He was very knowledgeable and amiable . We loved that this was a private tour, just the two of us and Johan.”

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4.Historical Walking Tour in Antwerp Old City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 277 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $3

Walk Antwerp’s historic center with guides such as Britt, Sergio, Muriel, Casper, Shanmon, or Joris. In about two hours, you’ll see Het Steen, Grote Markt, Vlaeykensgang, the cathedral, and more while hearing stories about guilds, churches, trade, and city life. The tour is in English, capped at 24 people, and ends near the Cathedral of Our Lady.

“Very Good explanation and very pleasant guide who showed us some of the important historical sites of Antwerp”

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5.Evening Walking Tour: The Dark Side of Antwerp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 193 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Start at Grote Markt at 8 p.m. for a 90-minute English walk through Antwerp’s legends, cathedral, diamond trade, Steen prison, Red Light District, FelixArchief, and MAS. Guides such as Luc D., Beren, Tom, and Arie add humor, quizzes, and local stories. The Red Light District can be skipped, and the tour ends with harbor views from the MAS rooftop, except Mondays.

“Gisteren avond de wandeling gehad met onze gids Marleen. Wisten niet wat we moesten verwachten, maar ondanks de regen hebben we echt genoten en geluisterd naar de spannende legendes van Antwerpen. Aanrader!”

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6.Private Historical Tour: Legends of Antwerp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 125 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $105

Walk Antwerp with a private English-speaking guide such as Beren, Joske, Luc D, or Flip. Hear the stories behind the city’s hand symbol, giant legends, Golden Age, Rubens, printing, and medieval lanes. The two-hour route covers Grote Markt, Het Steen, Vlaeykensgang, the cathedral, and more, with time to adjust the pace for your group.

“Nice tour guide, somewhat imposing, not always gives correct facts. Asks too many questions. Does not know anything about Jewish community of Antwerp.”

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7.Private Tour: The Dark Side of Antwerp

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 84 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $105

On this two-hour private walk, your English-speaking guide leads you from Grote Markt to the MAS rooftop, linking Antwerp’s legends, diamond trade, medieval prison life, church art, music, and port history. Guides such as Luc, Tom, Marleen, and Anna have led the experience. The red-light district can be skipped on request.

“Tom was adaptable, personable and incredibly knowledgeable- we had a great time on our tour through Antwerp!”

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8.Private 3-Hour Historical Sightseeing Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 70 reviews · 3 hours

Spend three hours with a private guide exploring Antwerp’s historic center, from Brabo Fountain and the Renaissance City Hall to Vlaeykensgang, the Meir, Rubens House, and Central Station. Guides speak Dutch, English, French, or German. The route is flexible enough for personal interests, but it involves considerable walking and is not suited to wheelchair users.

“Unser Guide, Luc, hat eine klasse Stadtführung mit uns gemacht. Er hat anfangs sein Programm mit uns besprochen, viele Vorschläge und dabei all unsere Wünsche berücksichtigt. Wir durften viel über die tolle Stadt Antwerpen erfahren. Es hat viel Spaß gemacht, Antwerpen auf diese Weise zu erkunden. Wir fühlten uns bestens aufgehoben. Vielen Dank!”

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9.Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 2 hours

Meet your English, Dutch, or Spanish-speaking guide under the red umbrella in Grote Markt. This private, customizable two-hour walk links Antwerp’s guild houses, churches, Bourse, Rubens House, MoMu, Plantin-Moretus Museum, Vlaeykensgang, and the Cathedral of Our Lady. Guides such as Arie and Flip bring history to life with stories, legends, and practical local tips.

“Es war super, dass der Gight vorab Kontakt mit uns aufgenommen hat. So wussten wir, dass alles klappen wird. Treffpunkt war kein Problem. Wir hatten zwei sehr interessante Stunden bei unserem Rundgang durch Antwerpen.”

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10.TukTuk Tour through historic Antwerp 2.5h

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $253

Explore Antwerp by private tuk-tuk with guides such as Xavier, Christel, Leo, or Inge. You’ll cover the Plantin-Moretus courtyard, Het Steen, Vleeshuis, MAS, the old port district, and Grote Markt in 2.5 hours, with pickup in central Antwerp and room to adjust the route to your interests.

“Inge was the owner and was filling in for some guides on vacation. It was a really one of the best we had this trip. We stopped for a treat toward the end which was yummy. I highly recommend.”

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11.Private Antwerp’s Diamonds and Jewellery Old City Center Historic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Start at DIVA and walk Antwerp’s old center with a private English-speaking guide. Learn how diamond cutting and precious-metal trading shaped the city, then visit working ateliers including Pascale Masselis and Rembrandt Jodan. The tour suits small groups, families, and anyone more interested in craft and local stories than showroom shopping.

“Margaret was a great guide - knowledgeable and patient, tailoring her time to the things about which we were most excited. We were disappointed we went on the day DIVA was closed, but we loved everything else! Our visit to Pascale Masselis was interesting and fun. A genuine thank you to Margaret and to Lauren and Marta of Pascale Masselis. ❤️”

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12.Dark Side of Antwerp Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 17 reviews

Meet Geren or another English, Dutch, or Spanish-speaking guide at Antwerp’s Grote Markt for a two-hour private walk through medieval sights, the Red Light District, Old Port, St. Paul’s Church, and The Island. Finish with city views from the MAS rooftop. The tour runs rain or shine.

“Geren hat uns kompetent durch die Stadt geführt, wir waren begeistert!”

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13.Exciting Murder Mystery – Interactive city walk in Antwerp

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 12 reviews

You and up to five companions investigate a fictional murder while walking through Antwerp. Use a city map and photo clues to find set destinations, take team selfies, and earn clues. You choose the start time and pace, with remote help through WhatsApp. Plan ahead to print the game materials if possible.

“De begeleiding was fijn. We konden zelfs grapjes met hem uithalen. We ontdekten nog onbekende plekjes in de stad. Ook al is de stad ons heel bekend, we hebben toch af en toe goed moeten zoeken naar de juiste afbeelding! De tijd die we nodig hadden wad goed ingeschat.”

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14.Pub Crawl in the Historical City

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 10 reviews · 2 hours

Walk Antwerp’s old town with a private English or Dutch speaking guide, visiting three historic pubs in two hours. Guide Flip is praised for his humor, flexibility, and beer knowledge. You choose among hoppy, sour, fruity, sweet, and other local drinks, while paying for the guide’s drink at each stop.

“Leuke kroegentocht en gids. Voornamelijk pubs/biertapperij. De gids wist veel te vertellen en ook over de verschillende bieren. Dus mocht je van bier houden, boek deze activiteit.”

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15.Private Tour: The Dark Side of Antwerp

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $105

Walk Antwerp after dark with a private English-speaking guide, starting at Grote Markt and ending atop the MAS. Hear medieval stories, see St-Paul’s Church, pass through the Red Light District, and finish with harbor views plus a complimentary Antwerp beer voucher. Guides may include Arie or Luc D.

“Arie was a great and energetic guide! Tons of interesting stories about a city he is clearly passionate about. He answered all our questions, would recommend this tour.”

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