©LUCID
Program
Since 1999, the beautiful cathedral tower has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Along with the City Hall, the tower is protected as a belfry. With the Vleeshuis Museum closed for restoration, we bring the rich history of the tower to life in the City Hall. In TowerTunes, a small exhibition about grand sounds, you’ll learn more about the tower as a belfry, music box, and clock, and discover why the cathedral tower is closely linked to the City Hall and the Vleeshuis.
After a brief introduction to the tower and carillon, the tour continues on foot to the cathedral tower for a steep but fascinating walk through centuries of Antwerp’s history. Step by step, you’ll uncover the story of the tower, its various functions as a watchtower and musical instrument, and its impact on the daily life of the people of Antwerp. You’ll see the bells up close, learn all about the carillon, and after a climb of 515 steps, enjoy breathtaking views of the city. On clear days, you can even spot the Sint-Rombouts Tower in Mechelen, and with some luck, the Atomium in Brussels. You’ll have plenty of time to catch your breath, look around, and take photos.
Practical Information
Please not
This year, tickets for tower tours will be sold in three waves. Ticket sales for each wave will start at a fixed time. Guided tours are only available in English and Dutch.
📅 Tours from April to June
🎟️ Ticket sales start on Monday, March 2, 2026
📅 Tours from July to August
🎟️ Ticket sales start on Monday, June 1, 2026
📅 Tours from September to October
🎟️ Ticket sales start on Monday, August 3, 2026
Wave 1: from April 1 to June 29, 2026
Guided tours for groups
- On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (There are no guided tours on public holidays.)
- Maximum of 15 people per tour
- The minimum age is 10 years old. Children between the ages of 10 and 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Babies in baby carriers are not allowed.
- Price: 180 euros per guide
- Reserve your guide at least two weeks in advance to ensure the climb can go ahead.
Do you have any questions about your booking?
Please contact booking@antwerpen.be or call + 32 3 339 47 00.
Do you have a practical question about the tour?
Please email vleeshuis@antwerpen.be or call +32 3 292 61 01.
General Information
- Start: the tower tours start at the City Hall with a visit to the mini-exhibition TowerTunes (Grote Markt 1, 2000 Antwerp).
- We ask you to be present 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
- The tour of the exhibition and the climb up the tower take 2 hours.
- Animals are not allowed during the climb.
- A good level of fitness is required, and sporty footwear is recommended.
- In case of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, the tour may be canceled for safety reasons. If this happens, Museum Vleeshuis will contact the participants, and tickets will be refunded.
The tour in a few images
Foto: LUCID
Foto: LUCID
Foto: LUCID
Foto: LUCID
Foto: Frederik Beyens
Foto: Frederik Beyens
Foto: Frederik Beyens
Foto: Frederik Beyens
Foto: Frederik Beyens
Did you know?
The Belfry Tower...
- Was built in several stages, between 1420 and 1518.
- Measures 123 meters, making it the tallest church tower in the Benelux.
- Has 615 steps (515 of which are accessible to visitors).
- Has 8 large bells and 49 carillon bells, with the heaviest bell, ‘Carolus,’ weighing no less than 6.5 tons, and the oldest bell, ‘Maria,’ was cast in 1459.
- Features a large carillon that is played every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon, as well as every Monday evening in July and August by the city’s carillonneurs.
- Was listed as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999, along with the City Hall.
- Underwent an extensive and essential restoration from 2019 to 2022.
