On the water · ANTWERP HARBOUR CRUISES
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 4 antwerp harbour cruises that repay the fare, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the thing to know before you commit.
You and up to 11 companions cruise Antwerp’s old harbour aboard the restored 1918 Notarisboat Rien Elisabeth. Your skipper-guide leads you past MAS, Bonaparte Dock, Willemdok, Havenhuis, Droogdockenpark, Kempisch Dock, and Asiadok while you enjoy drinks and snacks. Tours run from May 1 to October 15.
“Kändes väldigt personlig och båten var så fin😁”
Set off from the pontoon beside Antwerp’s MAS Museum on a private 90-minute electric boat cruise. Choose historical stories or music, order drinks on board, and enjoy views of the MAS, Harbor House, Dry Docks, and Napoleon Dock. The boat holds up to 12 people and has rain cover, Bluetooth audio, and a friendly skipper.
“Fantastisch, veel was uiteraard te wijten aan het prachtige weer! Boot was ok, schipper was zeer ok, drank was ok. Maar indien het geregend zou hebben, zou het veel minder leuk gewwest zijn. Bij deze activiteit valt of staat alles met het weer.”
Spend 2.5 hours touring Antwerp’s working port in your own car or minibus with a private English-speaking guide. See Havenhuis, giant sea locks, chemical plants, Lillo Fort, rail yards, and container terminals. Guides such as Laurens and Niki bring personal port experience and lively local stories to an area most city tours never reach.
“After a motorcycle ride from the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Doel, I became fully aware of the immensity of the site as I walked along the quays. So I did some research on the Internet and came across the Antwerp Port Tours website. When booking online, I saw that a guide spoke Luxembourgish and I booked without hesitation! Niki, our exceptional multilingual guide, shared her knowledge with us with passion. With more than 40 years of experience in the maritime environment, she has made every moment exciting. A visit to recommend to all. Thank you, Niki!Auto-translated”
Board the MoekePapoe at Nieuwpoortkaai for a one-hour cruise through Antwerp’s old harbour. Napoleon Bonaparte guides you past the MAS Museum, Port House, Historic Dry Docks, Floating Church, and Red Star Line Museum, mixing port stories, trade, power, and Belgium’s colonial past. Mobile tickets make arrival simple.
“Great for a brief boat tour around the harbour. Very friendly guides, complementry drinks for it was 30 degrees, plenty of fun and good discussions about Belgiums colonial past. Would book again for sure!”
Fifty countries, one thing in common: the best view is from the deck.
