City Antwerpen

Whatever is on your city trip checklist, Antwerp has it all. Discover the must-see and unique highlights during your stay.

Something Different

Antwerp is full of surprising highlights. Take the zoo, for example – the Antwerp ZOO, one of the oldest and most beautiful city zoos in Europe. And even a beach – Sint-Anneke on the Left Bank of the Scheldt. Not only is this beach unusual for an inland city, there is also a deep-sea port located 80 kilometers inland.

Towering Views

The Antwerp skyline is proudly dominated by the Cathedral of Our Lady. It boasts the tallest church tower in the Low Countries and is a UNESCO World Heritage site – quite an achievement for a building with only one completed tower. Nearby, the MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) stands out. In this museum, the most impressive artwork might just be the view – from its 60-meter-high rooftop, you can admire the entire city.

Culture and Gastronomy Reimagined

Besides the MAS, Antwerp has many other remarkable museums. Each offers unique extras alongside their top collections: Middelheimmuseum is an open-air sculpture park, the Rubenshuis lets you walk through Rubens’ former home, and Plantin-Moretus was the first museum in the world to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

And then there are the museum-worthy buildings where you can simply shop or dine: the neoclassical Stadsfeestzaal now houses a shopping center, a former chapel is home to the Michelin-starred restaurant The Jane, and the Paleis op de Meir (once owned by Napoleon) is perfect for lunch or a chocolate tasting with a chocolate shooter.

Cradle of Diamonds and Fashion

Antwerp is a city of trendsetters. This is evident in the many pop-ups and startups, and of course in the fashion and diamond district. In the Diamond Square Mile, you’ll find more diamonds than almost anywhere else in the world. At DIVA, the new diamond museum in the historic city center, you can immerse yourself in the fascinating world of diamonds and jewelry.

In fashion, Antwerp also sets the tone. Fashion is alive not only in the many boutiques, but also on the streets, in MoMu (ModeMuseum Antwerpen), and at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, whose fashion department is one of the most influential in the world.

XL Offerings in XS Distance

Antwerp locals proudly call their city a global city with a village atmosphere. Everything is here, always within walking or at least cycling distance, with the Antwerp city bikes ready to go.

The city is also easily accessible. A recommended way to arrive? By train. The majestic Antwerp Central Station has won numerous beauty awards … making leaving the city just a little less painful.

This article is made possible by: Visit Antwerp

Copyright
Historical Center | SigridSpinnox.com
Meir – Shopping Stadsfeestzaal | FARMBOY / Mike van Cleven
Central Station | www.woodmonkey.be
Red Star Line | Frederik Beyens
Scheldt Bend | www.woodmonkey.be
Groenplaats – Cathedral & Rubens Statue | SigridSpinnox.com
Antwerp ZOO | Visit Antwerp
M HKA | Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp | Visit Antwerp