This guide to MAS – Museum aan de Stroom gives you important details: opening hours, ticket prices, how to get there by public transport or car, parking and accessibility facilities, and best times to visit so your visit is comfortable and well-planned.
History and overview of MAS – Museum aan de Stroom
The Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) opened on 17 May 2011. It was created to house several city collections that previously were spread across Antwerp in the Ethnographic Museum, the National Maritime Museum and the Folklore Museum. MAS blends maritime history, art, culture and the city’s links with the world through trade and migration into its exhibitions. The building, in the Eilandje district beside the harbour, was designed to reflect Antwerp’s connection to water: its red sandstone, glass facade and terraces echo warehouses and waterfront structures.
Museum MAS comprises seven main museum halls, each with thematic exhibitions. These include “City at War”, “Antwerp à la carte”, “Freight”, “Anybody Home?”, “Art from Pre-Columbian America”, among others. On the second floor is the Visible Storage (‘Kijkdepot’) with changing displays drawn from the museum’s larger collection. Meanwhile, the boulevard and rooftop panorama offer sweeping views over the Scheldt river, the harbour, and the city, appealing not just to museum-goers but anyone who enjoys architecture and views.
Museum MAS also serves as an urban landmark and meeting point in the Eilandje neighbourhood. Its location, near docks and regenerated waterside areas, means you can combine the museum with walks along the harbour, cafés, the Red Star Line Museum, and viewpoints. With its blend of indoor exhibition halls and outdoor terraces, it offers flexibility: if the weather or your schedule changes, there are free areas to visit (panorama, boulevard) independent of the paid exhibitions.
Opening hours and ticket prices
Opening hours (museum galleries & visible storage): Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00. Last access to the galleries is at 16:00.
Boulevard and panorama rooftop hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 until 22:00, except in summer (1 April-31 October) when they stay open until midnight (last access 23:30).
Closures: Closed on Mondays (except Easter Monday and Whit Monday); also closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25. On December 24 and 31, the museum halls, boulevard and panorama close at 15:00.
MAS ticket prices:
| Ticket type | Permanent exhibitions only | Permanent + temporary exhibition |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (25+ years) | €10 | €12 |
| Discount (18-25 years, A-card holders, groups ≥12, Davidsfonds members) | €6 | €8 |
| Under 18, attendants of persons with handicap | Free | Free |
Tickets should be booked via the MAS website.
Free access areas: The Visible Storage (2nd floor), the boulevard and rooftop panorama are free to visit without a paid ticket. However, even for free access, visitors must reserve a time slot in advance.
Five great things to do in Antwerp
- 🍺 Taste fantastic local beers – on an Antwerp brewing heritage tour.
- 🌙 Enjoy an evening walking tour – and discover Antwerp’s dark side.
- 🚢 See the ships industry and sights in Europe’s second-biggest port – on a harbour cruise.
- 🚲 Take a bike tour – and cover more of Antwerp’s highlights.
- 📖 Learn Antwerp’s best stories and legends – on a walking tour.
How to get to MAS: public transport, walking, by car
- Address: Hanzestedenplaats 1, 2000 Antwerp.
- Tram / Bus: Tram 1 and Tram 24 stop within walking distance.
- Bicycle / Bike sharing: There are Velo bike-share stations close by, e.g., MAS and others on the docks. There’s also a large bike rack by the flags on the museum square.
- By car / parking: There is no dedicated museum car park. Recommended parking garages near the MAS or in the Eilandje district.
Accessibility and visitor facilities
- Wheelchair access: The boulevard and museum halls are accessible via escalators; if you are visiting in a wheelchair, MAS staff will assist via the elevator to your desired floors.
- Wheelchairs available: Three wheelchairs free at reception (ground floor). Reserve in advance if needed.
- Sensory and hearing / sight impaired visitors: Informative texts in galleries; subtitled films; guide dogs welcome; companion enters free for some categories. A ‘quiet room’ is available on the 7th floor.
- Other facilities: Café STORM at ground floor; restrooms on ground floor; lockers / cloakroom; free WiFi in common areas. Pushchairs allowed with restrictions; coat / bag lockers on ground floor.
Best times to visit and how long to allow
Best times of day: Weekday mid-morning (around 10:30-12:00) are quieter. Avoid late afternoons (2:00-5:00) especially on weekends when tour groups often arrive.
Best days: Tuesday to Thursday are less busy. Holidays and public holidays see higher visitor numbers. Note that the museum is closed on Mondays.
How long to allow: For the permanent exhibition and Visible Storage plan at least 90 minutes. To see temporary exhibitions and fully explore rooftop panorama + boulevard, allow 2 hours or more. Reserve extra time for café or shops.
Suggested itinerary and nearby attractions
- Begin with the MAS exhibitions as soon as galleries open at 10:00.
- After touring the halls, head up to the boulevard and rooftop panorama for views over the harbour and the city.
- Lunch at café STORM on the ground floor or nearby in the Eilandje district.
- Walk off your meal with a riverside stroll, visit the Red Star Line Museum or explore the historic docks and modern waterfront.
FAQ: practical visitor questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to reserve tickets in advance? | Yes. Especially on weekends and between 2-5 pm; MAS often limits entry in half-hour slots. Booking ahead reduces risk of being turned away. |
| Are there free areas I can visit without a ticket? | Yes. The Visible Storage (2nd floor), boulevard and rooftop panorama are free to access, but you must still reserve a time slot. |
| Is the rooftop panorama wheelchair-accessible? | Part-access. The side terrace on 9th floor is accessible; the top roof level (10th floor) requires stairs. |
| Can I visit with a stroller or pushchair? | Yes. Pushchairs are allowed; however some areas have stairs. There is storage for belongings; lockers are available on the ground floor. |
| Are there restrooms and food on site? | Yes. Ground floor has adapted restrooms; Café STORM is located in the ground floor; cloakroom, lockers and basic amenities available. |
| When is the museum least crowded? | Weekday mornings, especially just after opening (10:00-11:30), are the calmest. Avoid weekends and late afternoons. |
Planning tip: Book your ticket online, arrive soon after opening, wear comfortable shoes, bring water and a camera. The views from the panorama and boulevard are excellent at sunrise or sunset but you’ll generally need to visit the exhibitions in daylight hours.
More Antwerp travel
Other Antwerp travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Why Antwerp is one of the most underrated cities in Europe.
- How quick is the Amsterdam to Antwerp train?
- Planning your visit to the Plantin-Moretus Museum.
- How to spend the perfect weekend in Antwerp.
- What to see at Antwerp Cathedral.
