City Antwerp
Antwerp is the largest town in Flanders and also the main port city of Belgium. Furthermore Antwerp is one of the most popular cities for a day out or a weekend getaway.
Whatever is on your city trip checklist, Antwerp has it all.
Discover the great highlights, that you shouldn't miss, during your stay. Unlike other Antwerp is full of surprising highlights, such as the Antwerp zoo, which is one of the oldest and most beautiful zoos in Europe. And even a beach – Sint-Anneke, on the Linkerscheldeoever (Left bank of the Scheldt). Apart from this remarkable beach in an inland city, there is also a deep water port, 80 kilometres inland.
Towering views
The O.L.V. cathedral proudly takes its place in the Antwerp skyline: it is the highest church steeple in the nether lands and is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. A great achievement for a building that has only one tower finished. A bit further the MAS is uniquely characterised: in that Museum at the Stroom perhaps the best art piece is the view – from the 60 metres high roof you can admire the entire city.
Culture and gastronomy reconsidered
In addition to the MAS, Antwerp has many more remarkable museums. They all offer amazing extras in addition to their top collection: the Middelheim museum is a park full of sculptures, in the Rubenshuis you walk through Rubens's dwelling and Plantin-Moretus was the first museum in the world to be listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. And then there are the museum-worthy buildings, where you can 'simply' shop or have a meal: such as the neoclassical Stadsfeestzaal (City Banquet Hall) with a shopping centre, a former chapel that currently houses starred restaurant The Jane and the Palace at the Meir (that once belonged to Napoleon) where you can have lunch or sniff coca with a chocolate shooter.
Birthplace of diamonds and fashion
Antwerpians are trendsetters. which can be noticed from the many pop-ups and start-ups and of course in the fashion and diamonds district. In the Diamond Square Mile you can find more diamond than in the rest of the world. In DIVA, the new diamond museum in the historical heart hart of the city, you are immersed in the wondrous world of diamonds and jewels. Also in terms of fashion, Antwerp sets the trend: fashion does not only thrive here in the many boutiques, but also on the streets, in the MoMu (Fashion Museum Antwerp) and in school – the fashion department of the Koninklijke Academie Schone Kunsten (Royal Academy of Fine Arts) is one of the most influential in the world.
XL-offer at XS-distance
Antwerpians often refer to their city as a world city with the ambiance of a village: here you can find anything, but always within walking or cycling distance (for which purpose the Antwerp city bikes are available) Also the city itself is easily accessible. Advice? Come by train: the majestic Antwerp-Central has already won numerous beauty prizes..... which is something that makes leaving this place less painful.
This article was made possible by contribution of: Visit Antwerp
Copyright
Historisch Centrum | Sigridspinnox.com
Meir - Shopping Stadsfeestzaal | FARMBOY / Mike van Cleven
Centraal station | www.woodmonkey.be
Red Star Line | Frederik Beyens
Scheldebocht | www.woodmonkey.be
Groenplaats - Kathedraal & Rubensstandbeeld | SigridSpinnox.com
ZOO Antwerpen | Visit Antwerpen
M HKA | Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen | Visit Antwerpen
