Excursion Plantin moretus museum tour at Antwerp

This half-day guided walk tour brings you from the ship to the vibrant Friday Market and the historic Plantin-Moretus Museum. Discover the world’s first industrial printing house, a perfectly preserved Renaissance and Baroque workshop, and experience the fascinating history of printing up close.

Plantin-Moretus Museum, Antwerp’s Lively Streets, Friday Market

Begin your tour with a pleasant 15-minute walk from the pier to the Plantin-Moretus Museum, passing through Antwerp’s lively streets and the bustling Friday Market. Upon arrival, step into the world’s first industrial printing house, founded in 1555 by Christoffel Plantijn, where Renaissance and Baroque printing workshops remain remarkably intact. During your independent museum visit, explore original presses, type cases, historic rooms, and the impressive collection that illustrates how Antwerp became a center of European printing.

When your visit concludes, your guide leads you on the 15-minute walk back to the pier, returning through Antwerp’s charming cobblestoned streets.

Note

Please Note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking of approximately 0.9 miles (1.5 km) over uneven and cobblestoned terrain; it is not wheelchair accessible, as the museum’s second floor can only be reached by stairs, and guests with limited mobility may join only if they can maintain the group’s pace; restrooms are available inside the museum free of charge; photography and videography are permitted with no flash; the museum is closed on Mondays and also closed on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December, so the itinerary may be adjusted on holidays; audioguides are included.