a&o Hostel Antwerp - Affordable stays

We welcome you to our a&o Hostel in Antwerp

Antwerp is located in the Flanders region and is the largest city in Belgium. Yes, that's right, the capital Brussels is much smaller – this already shows that Antwerp is a city of superlatives and not only has a lot to offer for tourists and visitors. Antwerp is internationally important because it has the second-largest seaport in Europe after Rotterdam. The city is also the global centre of the diamond trade and its processing and cutting. You'll have to decide for yourself whether a diamond ring from Antwerp is the right souvenir for you, but you can at least save a lot of money on accommodation if you book the a&o hostel in Antwerp. Located directly at Antwerp Central Station, the a&o Antwerp offers central accommodation right in the city centre, with short distances to the sights or public transport. Perfect for a short or longer city trip to Antwerp!

At the beginning of the modern era, Antwerp was one of the largest cities in the world, the most important trading metropolis in Europe and equally important from a cultural perspective. The name Peter Paul Rubens is closely associated with the city, and today you can visit the Rubenshuis museum, which is well worth a visit and is located in Rubens' former home, which was built in the style of an Italian city palace. The famous Baroque painter lived, worked and died there and left behind numerous important works of art. The Rubens Experience invites you on an interactive journey of discovery to learn more about Rubens and his work.

Your advantages at the a&o hostel in Antwerp

• Central location right next to the central station
• Affordable accommodation thanks to the a&o best price guarantee
• Fast WLAN free of charge throughout the a&o Hostel
• Reception and hotel bar are open around the clock
• Optional all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet
• Dogs and other pets are welcome for an extra charge
• Ideal for groups: Group discount from 10 guests
• From 21 guests, there is a free bed for your group

From the a&o Hostel Antwerp to the sights of the Flemish city

The historic city centre has been largely preserved and still impresses city travellers with its baroque buildings from the city's heyday. This makes Antwerp well worth a visit, as there is so much to discover. You will notice this as soon as you arrive at Antwerp-Centraal station, which is also known as the ‘railway cathedral’ due to its sheer size and imposing entrance hall and is one of the world's most beautiful railway stations. Best of all, the a&o Antwerpen Centraal is located directly opposite, with a view of the steel and glass façade. Just behind the central station is Antwerp Zoo, which was founded over 180 years ago, making it the oldest zoo in Belgium.

The station district is known as the diamond district because this is where the city's many jewellers are located, making Antwerp the global centre of the diamond trade. The a&o Antwerpen Centraal on Pelikanstraat is located between the shops. Follow the main street De Keyserlei on foot or take one of the trams to get to the city centre. The famous Meir shopping street leaves no shopping dreams unfulfilled. The heart of the old town is the Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal), in which four paintings by Rubens hang and whose 123 metre high church tower is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the immediate vicinity are the Handschoenmarkt, Grote Markt and Groenplats squares, which invite you to linger and whose surrounding house façades are popular photo motifs.

Past Antwerp City Hall, you will reach the Scheldt. You can cross under the river, which is over 300 metres wide, through the Sint-Anna pedestrian tunnel, but there is not much worth seeing on the other side of the river. It is therefore better to walk downstream to the MAS - Museum aan de Strom. The museum, which is also worth seeing from the outside, was opened in 2011 and focuses on Antwerp's role in the world as well as the harbour and shipping. Excursion boats depart from the nearby Antwerp city harbour for a tour of the harbour. Finally, the well-preserved Begijnhof, a quiet, idyllic place in the centre of the city where Beguines once lived. As you can see, Antwerp offers an exciting and varied mix of tradition and modernity that will impress and inspire you again and again during your city trip.

The a&o Hostel Antwerp Centraal is ideal for discovering even more of Flanders

The direct location of our hostel at Antwerp Central Station makes it easy to visit other beautiful cities in Flanders - provided you have enough time for day trips from Antwerp.

The Belgian capital of Brussels is around 40 to 50 minutes away by train. It is best to get off at Bruxelles-Central station, then you are only a short walk away from sights such as the Grand-Place market square, which, with its Gothic town hall and Baroque house façades, is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. The small bronze statue of Manneken Pis, the Royal Palace and the Cathedral of St Michel and Gudule should also not be missed on your walk. The famous Atomium from the 1958 World Expo is unfortunately located just outside the city centre.

Ghent is the second-largest city in Belgium after Antwerp, and was one of the most important cities in Europe in the Middle Ages. This former importance is still reflected in the cityscape today, so you won't cease to be amazed during your visit. The express train takes around 50 minutes from Antwerp to Ghent-Dampoort, from where it is just a short walk to the city centre. The three towers of the Belfry, St Bravo's Cathedral and St Niklaas Church rise majestically above the city and are a real eye-catcher. Both banks of the Leie are also well worth seeing with their beautiful gabled houses, so visit the Graslei and Korenlei. The mighty Gravensteen Castle of the Count of Flanders sits enthroned in the centre of the city and can be visited.

The city of Leuven is only around 45 minutes by train from Antwerp. Follow Bondgenotenlaan straight on from the railway station into the old town. The Grote Markt is home to the historic town hall and St Pieter's Church. The surrounding alleyways and streets are ideal for strolling and marvelling at the beautiful buildings and gabled houses.

Book the affordable a&o hostel in Antwerp for your next city break

A city break in Belgium doesn't have to be expensive. Stay at the affordable a&o hostel in Antwerp and save money on your holiday. You'll end up with more money to spend on other things: Excursions, entrance fees, restaurant visits, souvenirs, tickets, etc. Whether you are travelling to Antwerp alone or with your better half or family makes no difference to us at a&o. All travellers are always welcome here, which is why we offer private single rooms and double rooms, as well as family rooms and shared rooms in the a&o hostels. This means that everyone can find a cosy place to sleep without having to compromise on comfort. All rooms are equipped with a bath/shower and WC, fast Wi-Fi is included and in the morning you can book a delicious all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Reception and the hotel bar are open around the clock, and our friendly staff will be happy to help you at any time. The location of the hostel in Antwerp is ideal for exploring the city from the central station. This also makes the a&o Antwerp ideal for business travellers, school trips or study trips.