Antwerp Family Days: Zoo, Tunnel and Chocolate
Antwerp Family Days: Zoo, Tunnel and Chocolate
Two days are enough to cover Antwerp’s family highlights without rushing. Day one stays around Centraal station, where the zoo and a chocolate museum face each other across a square. Day two heads south and across the river. The plan below includes timings, prices in euros and a rainy-day swap.
Day one: around Centraal station
Morning at ZOO Antwerpen. The zoo opened in 1843 and is one of the oldest in the world, with listed buildings such as the 1856 Egyptian Temple. It has over 5,000 animals and is open every day of the year. Adult prices run from about €32 to €34, children aged 3 to 17 pay about €26 to €28, and under-3s are free. Buying online in advance saves €2 per adult and €1 per child. Official details are at zooantwerpen.be .
Afternoon at Chocolate Nation. Allow 60 to 90 minutes. It is at Koningin Astridplein 7, open from 09:30 to 18:30, and costs about €19.90 for adults and about €15.50 for children aged 4 to 11. See chocolatenation.be .
Day two: tunnel, river and sculptures
The Sint-Annatunnel. Walk down the wooden escalators from 1933 and cross the 572-metre tiled tube under the Scheldt. It is free and open day and night. As trams do not run under the river until about March 2027, this is also the easy route to the left bank. The free Sint-Anna ferry leaves from Het Steen if you would rather cross by boat.
Linkeroever. On the far side are riverside lawns, playgrounds and a small sandy beach, the Sint-Annastrand, with the skyline across the water. It is a good picnic spot.
Middelheim. The park lies south of the centre, and delijn.be shows the bus options; the park has 30 hectares of outdoor sculptures. It is free, closed on Mondays, and the lawns suit children who need to run.
Rainy-day swap
On a wet day, go up the MAS instead. The museum costs €12 for adults and nothing for under-18s, with a timed slot; its rooftop is free but closed on Mondays. Het Steen’s courtyard and terrace are also free if the rain eases.
Transport costs for families
A De Lijn day ticket costs €9 from age 12 and €4.50 for ages 6 to 11, and younger children travel free. A single is €3. Most of day one is walkable, so tickets matter mostly for day two. Find tariffs at delijn.be .
Practical points
Crowds are heaviest at the zoo on weekends and school holidays, so arrive when it opens. Watch for pickpockets at Centraal, on De Keyserlei and the Meir. For ready-made family options, browse Antwerp family activities on Viator . The activities page lists other free ideas.
Tip: eat lunch before the chocolate museum, not after, so the tasting stations do not replace it.