Travel to Antwerp
The diamond capital of the world, Antwerp is a city known for its culture and class. Famous for its designer duds as well as its diamonds, Antwerp is a great shopping destination and a great place to kick back with a tasty beer and enjoy watching passers-by along the waterfront.
Transportation to Antwerp
There are two international airports nearby, and Antwerp is easily accessible from almost anywhere in Europe by rail, road or bus. The best time to visit is during the summer when the locals are all on vacation in the Mediterranean and the weather isnt quite so unpredictable.
What to See
The best place to start exploring Antwerp is at the Grote Markt. On a sunny day, you can sit under the statue of the citys namesake, listen to the fountain and take in the medieval architecture surrounding the square. From the Grote Markt, you can wander the narrow, twisting lanes and discover the best food, drink and shopping that Antwerp has to offer.
The Cathedral of Our Lady, with its towers and faade, is not only beautiful to look at; it also houses some famous art masterpieces. The Steen fortress has been one of the regions major battle sites for over 1,000 years and is now the home of the National Maritime Museum. While at the Steen, take a walk along the waterside and enjoy the huge harbour and small beaches. Rubenshuis is in itself one of Rubens works of art but, however, it does not hold many of his pieces. The museum documents the many achievements of the Renaissance man and is a great stop for those interested in art history.
For children and families, there is the citys rather old fashioned, yet extensive, Zoo Antwerpen as well as the more modern Aquatopia. Both display large numbers of species and provide educational tours. In addition, Antwerp has a large number of museums and galleries featuring art by many of the masters of Antwerp such as Rubens, Van Dyck and Jordaens as well as Flemish and contemporary artworks.
Daytrips
There are several European cities within hours of Antwerp including Brussels and Gent. Visitors can use the excellent rail network to access these interesting cities and their impressive architecture.
Activities and Leisure
Luckily, there is more to Antwerp than just museums, particularly at night. The city hosts numerous festivals and cultural events throughout the year and is known for the quality of its performing arts. The citys cultural life is focused around the Grote Markt and the surrounding district, known as the Oude Stad.
Antwerp is also famous for its shopping. The Diamond quarter is the best place to find jewellery, but the section of street between the Meir and Groen Plaats has some world-class boutiques and fantastic designer clothes.
