Antwerp had an exceptional summer for tourism, with the city welcoming 2.9 million day-trippers — a 7.1% increase compared to last year.
Overnight stays also surged, rising by 13% to a total of 552,161 nights. According to city officials, the growth in day tourism was largely driven by international visitors, particularly from neighbouring countries. The Netherlands accounted for 43% of all foreign day-trippers, followed by Germany at 11%.
Interestingly, the double-weekend edition of the Tomorrowland festival in Boom also brought in a noticeable number of Americans who made day trips to Antwerp.
As for overnight visitors, 79% of stays were booked by international tourists. Once again, the Dutch led the pack with 39%, trailed by Germans at 16%. Antwerp’s hotels reported an average occupancy rate of 74.2%, marking a 5.3% rise from summer 2024.
The city credits major events like Antwerp Pride, the Bollekesfeest, and concerts by international stars such as Ed Sheeran and Drake as key contributors to the record-breaking numbers.
Cultural attractions also played a significant role in the summer’s success. Antwerp’s monumental churches welcomed approximately 100,000 visitors, up 21% from the previous year, while the city’s annual Museum Night proved to be another hit.
