Antwerp is the real urban deal, a refreshingly down-to-earth yet vivacious cosmopolitan habitat blessed with magnificent architecture, fashionable shop fronts, beer-washed pubs, dazzling monuments, jazzed-up clubs, inspired artworks and restaurant tables piled with plates of superb Belgian and multicultural food. Antwerp, home of the Flemish Baroque master Rubens, not only has a wealth of outstanding museums, picturesque galleries, sculpted streets and beautiful architecture, but is also laced with refreshing greenery and urban haunts.
Visitors who are strolling along the river quays will notice a lot of new buildings. Contemporary architecture there often refers to the maritime aspect of the city - Antwerp is very clearly facing the water again. At sunset the colours of the Scheldt change. The signals on the water, the lights of the ships and the port installations bring a surprisingly enchanting spectacle.
Cultural aspects - Peter Paul Rubens:
Baroque, intelligent, complex, fascinating and surprising… are just some key words to describe Rubens’ style. The city of Antwerp is the Master’s home base where you can admire his house, workshop and grave. Some fifty of his paintings and oil sketches are permanently on show. Most of them have never left the building they were originally made in centuries ago.
Diamond Industry:
Antwerp has a long and magnificent tradition as a diamond city. Since the 15th Century the city has played an important role in the diamond trade and industry.
After the port, the diamond industry is the second pillar of commercial activities. Some 1,500 diamond companies are concentrated in the city centre.
Shopping and Fashion:
Since 2002 the fashionable city of Antwerp also has its own fashion centre: the ModeNatie. In this unique building in the historic centre of Antwerp the Flanders Fashion Institute, the Antwerp Fashion Academy, an artistic book store and a brasserie have all found a new home.
The high point of the Antwerp fashion season is the yearly fashion show of the Antwerp Academy, which draws more than 6,000 international visitors.
Boat Trips:
An absolute must for tourists. Discover the city and the harbour from the water. Different shipping companies have a nice selection of excursions to offer visitors.
Eating and Drinking:
Being a major Port Antwerp has always been open to influence from other cultures and this is particularly evident in the cuisine. The people of Antwerp have always had a reputation for being gourmets. Because of its unique location, in the 16th century – the “Golden Age” – Antwerp was a port where all types of foodstuffs, drinks, herbs and spices from distant lands arrived. Even today a wide range of exotic foods is still on sale in Antwerp. However, in this cosmopolitan city you’ll find a whole range of European and ethnic foods.
Getting Here:
By Air: Two airports, Antwerp (Deurne) and Brussels.
From Deurne - 4 miles/15 minutes drive to the city of Antwerp. Connection city centre-airport: bus 14 from De Lijn (connection between airport and railway station) or by taxi.
From Brussels - 28 miles or 30 minutes drive to Antwerp city centre.
Transport from/to the airport: SN Brussels Airlines Express bus (shuttle service), by train NMBS/SNCB (change trains in Brussels), or taxi.
By Rail:
Both international trains and inter-city trains stop in Antwerpen-Centraal and Antwerpen-Berchem stations. Every hour 15 IC, IR or L-trains stop from/to Antwerp.
Photo courtesy of Antwerp Tourism
