Since its reopening on October 22, 2021, Het Steen, after thorough renovation, has welcomed over 2 million visitors. The iconic building has become a key starting point for those wishing to discover Antwerp, thanks to the interactive experience trail The Antwerp Story, a diverse public offering, and various architectural awards.
Visitor numbers exceeded original forecasts by over 45%. One in five visitors comes from Antwerp itself, while approximately two-thirds are from abroad, with Germans forming the largest group, followed by Dutch, French, Spanish, and British visitors.
Het Steen, which throughout the centuries served functions such as a prison and museums, now offers tourist information, tickets, exhibitions, and the Antwerp City Shop with regional products. Alderman for tourism Koen Kennis emphasizes that the promise to make Het Steen a gateway to Antwerp has been amply fulfilled, and that the city's oldest building, which has received three awards, is now also being rediscovered by Antwerp's own residents.
The interactive trail The Antwerp Story, opened in 2021, sells over 25,000 tickets annually and received a significant content update in 2025. In addition to this trail, Het Steen has hosted various events, from puppet theater and exhibitions to a death ride from the rooftop terrace. The building is open 363 days a year from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Director Ruud Tiebos states that Het Steen, which is alive 363 days a year, is much more than an old building on the Scheldt, and thanks his team and the visitors.
Het Steen is also home to the Antwerp City Hosts, nearly 1,000 volunteers who guide visitors around the city and act as ambassadors.
The renovation and expansion of Het Steen, designed by noAarchticten, brought together the historic building and contemporary architecture, earning multiple awards. The surrounding area is also evolving, with the new waterfront terrace and the restoration of maritime hangar roofs. In the future, Het Steen will no longer be located outside the dikes following the redevelopment of the Scheldt quays and Steenplein.
