From then on, all visits start at 13, Hopland, where the brand-new building by Robbrecht en Daem architects is your gateway to the Rubens Experience, the lush renovated Baroque garden, and the library. A superb architectural design, a colourful museum gallery without a ceiling, 2,000 metres of books and paper, and a unique experience that is entirely geared towards the comfort of visitors. Thanks to technology, visitors can immerse themselves in Rubens’s life and world in the Rubens Experience. Everyone can browse the many thousands of documents in the library as part of their research. The new garden has become the green extension of Rubens’s city palace. The contemporary design features 17,500 plants and flowers and will remain beautiful year-round thanks to the colour advice of Antwerp fashion designer Dries Van Noten. This verdant urban oasis also has a superb view of Rubens’s home. For now, the artist residence is closed as part of the ongoing restoration.

Discover the largest Belgian Chocolate museum in the world in the center of Antwerp. In fourteen thematized spaces visitors are taken through a 60 to 90 minute chocolate journey. Starting in the cocoa plantations at the equator and following the cocoa bean to the world’s largest storage port of cocoa in Antwerp. A giant fantasy machine demonstrates how chocolate is made and how the velvety taste is created. Visitors discover why Belgian chocolate is world famous.

Mayer van den Bergh was an avid art collector in the 19th century, and the best of his collection is displayed in this small museum.

Entertainment for the whole family, with friends or solo Are you looking for a new fun activity with your friends, an original idea for a date, or entertainment for your kids on weekend? Or are you discovering the city of Antwerp for the first time? It has something to offer for every visitor! Illusion Antwerpen is happy to welcome you all week and all year long! Plan your visit