Antwerp's Guidebook
Sightseeing
Just as Choclate, Waffles and French fries, Belgium is also known for its beer. One of Antwerp’s city based breweries is still active today.
You can visit/experience the iconic De Koninck brewery of Antwerp in an interactive way and learn how Belgian beers are brewed. At the end of the tour, lots of shops and restaurants can be found.
The brewery is on a walking distance 2 blocks back on the Mechelsesteenweg 291.
76 polecane przez mieszkańców
De Koninck Antwerp City Brewery
291 MechelsesteenwegJust as Choclate, Waffles and French fries, Belgium is also known for its beer. One of Antwerp’s city based breweries is still active today.
You can visit/experience the iconic De Koninck brewery of Antwerp in an interactive way and learn how Belgian beers are brewed. At the end of the tour, lots of shops and restaurants can be found.
The brewery is on a walking distance 2 blocks back on the Mechelsesteenweg 291.
The Harmonie Park & Albert Park both offer a nice walk, run or just chilling and relaxing time across the street.
However, these parks are small compared to the City Park (Stands park). There is a playground and café in the Harmonie Park.
During the summer, the City of Antwerp also provides free Tai Chi, Yoga, Zumba, Kung Fu, .. sessions in the park which you can attend without any registration.
21 polecane przez mieszkańców
Park Harmonii
4 Kon. ElisabethleiThe Harmonie Park & Albert Park both offer a nice walk, run or just chilling and relaxing time across the street.
However, these parks are small compared to the City Park (Stands park). There is a playground and café in the Harmonie Park.
During the summer, the City of Antwerp also provides free Tai Chi, Yoga, Zumba, Kung Fu, .. sessions in the park which you can attend without any registration.
The beautiful building located next to the Vogeltjes Markt used to be the National Bank of Belgium up until 2014.
Rumours say that a big hotel chain bought up the building. The architecture is worth a Picture.
8 polecane przez mieszkańców
Antwerpen Nationale Bank
166 FrankrijkleiThe beautiful building located next to the Vogeltjes Markt used to be the National Bank of Belgium up until 2014.
Rumours say that a big hotel chain bought up the building. The architecture is worth a Picture.
The Central station of Antwerp has won many years in a row the price for being the most beautiful train station in the world. Its neoclassical design (1905) will surely stun you.
The income hall under the dome is huge and the iconic clock on the upper floor of the platform is where all the famous pictures are taken from.
Equally impressive is the ingenious way they expanded the station in the busy city. 24 tracks are fitted in the relatively narrow station over 4 stories deep underground.
From Antwerp you can take direct trains to Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Ghent, Bruges and many more.
15 polecane przez mieszkańców
Centraal Station Perron 1
The Central station of Antwerp has won many years in a row the price for being the most beautiful train station in the world. Its neoclassical design (1905) will surely stun you.
The income hall under the dome is huge and the iconic clock on the upper floor of the platform is where all the famous pictures are taken from.
Equally impressive is the ingenious way they expanded the station in the busy city. 24 tracks are fitted in the relatively narrow station over 4 stories deep underground.
From Antwerp you can take direct trains to Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Ghent, Bruges and many more.
Next to the station in the city you will find the Antwerp Zoo. Enjoy the beauty of natures’ inhabitants and have a peaceful walk through the zoo.
The Zoo has been around since 1843 making it the oldest Zoo in Belgium & one of the oldest zoo’s in the world.
There are about 425 animal species to be found ranging from bears, apes, tigers and seals to reptiles, insects and birds. Entrance fee is about €28.
188 polecane przez mieszkańców
ZOO Antwerpia
20-26 Koningin AstridpleinNext to the station in the city you will find the Antwerp Zoo. Enjoy the beauty of natures’ inhabitants and have a peaceful walk through the zoo.
The Zoo has been around since 1843 making it the oldest Zoo in Belgium & one of the oldest zoo’s in the world.
There are about 425 animal species to be found ranging from bears, apes, tigers and seals to reptiles, insects and birds. Entrance fee is about €28.
This is one of the most important, largest and pedestrian friendly shopping streets in Belgium.
It attracts visitors from all around Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany.
You can walk towards the Meir from the Central Station through Dekeyserlei where you’ll find many restaurants and bars.
18 polecane przez mieszkańców
Meir
MeirThis is one of the most important, largest and pedestrian friendly shopping streets in Belgium.
It attracts visitors from all around Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany.
You can walk towards the Meir from the Central Station through Dekeyserlei where you’ll find many restaurants and bars.
Located on the Shopping street ‘Meir’, the Stadsfeestzaal houses some shopping and food & drinks facilities.
Its stunning golden interior is worth a picture and to wander around!
65 polecane przez mieszkańców
Shopping Stadsfeestzaal
78 MeirLocated on the Shopping street ‘Meir’, the Stadsfeestzaal houses some shopping and food & drinks facilities.
Its stunning golden interior is worth a picture and to wander around!
Is the house and studio of the famous painter from Antwerp, Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). Nowadays it is a museum showcasing his work, lifestyle, collection and house & garden.
166 polecane przez mieszkańców
Dom Rubensa
9-11 WapperIs the house and studio of the famous painter from Antwerp, Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). Nowadays it is a museum showcasing his work, lifestyle, collection and house & garden.
A bit further of the rubenshuis you can also find the Schuttershofstraat and Huidevettersstraat. This is the street where you can go luxury- or window shopping.
9 polecane przez mieszkańców
Schuttershofstraat
SchuttershofstraatA bit further of the rubenshuis you can also find the Schuttershofstraat and Huidevettersstraat. This is the street where you can go luxury- or window shopping.
Next to the Meir, on the other side of the station, you will find the Groenplaats area. The Groenplaats is a square where people come together to eat, drink and to have fun.
From here you have a nice side view of the Cathedral & the neoclassical building of the Hilton hotel. In the middle there is a statue of the
The yearly Christmas markets are also held here and go all the way through the Grote Markt towards the Schelde river.
79 polecane przez mieszkańców
Groenplaats
GroenplaatsNext to the Meir, on the other side of the station, you will find the Groenplaats area. The Groenplaats is a square where people come together to eat, drink and to have fun.
From here you have a nice side view of the Cathedral & the neoclassical building of the Hilton hotel. In the middle there is a statue of the
The yearly Christmas markets are also held here and go all the way through the Grote Markt towards the Schelde river.
The Roman Cathedral of Our Lady has been standing here since 1352 but it got destroyed several times during the Iconoclasm from the inside and out by the Protestants.
It was only in 1521 that it got completed. Note that the second tower is not symmetrical as the fist, as it was never actually completed.
Katedraal Antwerpen
The Roman Cathedral of Our Lady has been standing here since 1352 but it got destroyed several times during the Iconoclasm from the inside and out by the Protestants.
It was only in 1521 that it got completed. Note that the second tower is not symmetrical as the fist, as it was never actually completed.
On the Grote Markt Square you’ll find a Statue of Brabo, the guy who cut of the Hand of the Giant that you’ll find on the Meir. More about this later.
Furthermore, the beautiful City Hall is also located here surrounded by the many old style buildings. Note the golden ornaments on top of these buildings.
157 polecane przez mieszkańców
Grote Markt
Grote MarktOn the Grote Markt Square you’ll find a Statue of Brabo, the guy who cut of the Hand of the Giant that you’ll find on the Meir. More about this later.
Furthermore, the beautiful City Hall is also located here surrounded by the many old style buildings. Note the golden ornaments on top of these buildings.
Het steen is the oldest still in tact building in Antwerp (1225). It served as many instances, one of which being the toll house for ships coming in the port of Antwerp (one of the biggest ports in the world).
Nowadays it is a museum and a touristic site. Next to ‘t Steen you will see a platform floating on the river, you can sit there and enjoy the breeze. You can also just sit anywhere along the river bank, wherever you find a spot.
The Giant Antigoon used to live here, according to the folk tales. He used to ask allot of toll from the ships. When the shipowners couldn’t pay up, the giant would cut of their hand and throw it in the Schelde river. One day, a hero named Brabo, refused to pay toll and actually killed the giant. On his turn cutting and throwing the hand of the giant in the river. “Throwing Hand” translated in Dutch is “Hand Werpen”, where many believe the name of “Antwerpen” got its name from.
'T Steen
7 SuikerruiHet steen is the oldest still in tact building in Antwerp (1225). It served as many instances, one of which being the toll house for ships coming in the port of Antwerp (one of the biggest ports in the world).
Nowadays it is a museum and a touristic site. Next to ‘t Steen you will see a platform floating on the river, you can sit there and enjoy the breeze. You can also just sit anywhere along the river bank, wherever you find a spot.
The Giant Antigoon used to live here, according to the folk tales. He used to ask allot of toll from the ships. When the shipowners couldn’t pay up, the giant would cut of their hand and throw it in the Schelde river. One day, a hero named Brabo, refused to pay toll and actually killed the giant. On his turn cutting and throwing the hand of the giant in the river. “Throwing Hand” translated in Dutch is “Hand Werpen”, where many believe the name of “Antwerpen” got its name from.
Is one of the many other churches in Antwerp. This one stuck me as being beautiful and relatively big among the small streets it is connected to.
The church got damaged severely by fire caused by a lightning strike. Paintings were burnt but the church got restored.
37 polecane przez mieszkańców
Kościół Karola Boromeusza
Hendrik ConsciencepleinIs one of the many other churches in Antwerp. This one stuck me as being beautiful and relatively big among the small streets it is connected to.
The church got damaged severely by fire caused by a lightning strike. Paintings were burnt but the church got restored.
This is one of the oldest (1591) best preserved little streets in Antwerp. There is also a cosy restaurant where you can just walk through. The cosyness and cuteness of these little street are worth the pictures.
18 polecane przez mieszkańców
Vlaaikensgang
VlaaikensgangThis is one of the oldest (1591) best preserved little streets in Antwerp. There is also a cosy restaurant where you can just walk through. The cosyness and cuteness of these little street are worth the pictures.
You can cross the river by foot or taking your bike along with you (also the Vélo). You can go down below water level by taking the superfast and quit elevator or the escalators down (I recommend taking both for the experience).
The tunnel is ‘only’ 572 meters long, but looking at it from one side, it looks like there is no ending.
27 polecane przez mieszkańców
St. Anna's Tunnel / Pedestrians' Tunnel
Sint-AnnatunnelYou can cross the river by foot or taking your bike along with you (also the Vélo). You can go down below water level by taking the superfast and quit elevator or the escalators down (I recommend taking both for the experience).
The tunnel is ‘only’ 572 meters long, but looking at it from one side, it looks like there is no ending.
Here you can have a nice along the river bank, having a stunning panoramic view of the skyline of Antwerp during day or night. There is also a mini golf course over there.
Simons Park
Here you can have a nice along the river bank, having a stunning panoramic view of the skyline of Antwerp during day or night. There is also a mini golf course over there.
In the area of ’t Zuid, you will not miss the Museum of Fine Arts. The building itself is beautiful and exhibitions are going on throughout the year.
98 polecane przez mieszkańców
Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp
1 Leopold de WaelplaatsIn the area of ’t Zuid, you will not miss the Museum of Fine Arts. The building itself is beautiful and exhibitions are going on throughout the year.
The MAS is a huge museum with over 10 floors of exhibitions areas. You can always enter the building for free until 00.00 (apr-nov) and 22.00 (nov-mar) and get a 360° panoramic view of Antwerp on the rooftop.
The design of the building is also one of the crazy architectural challenges Antwerp is experimenting with since the past decade.
Around the MAS there are many restaurants and bars you can go to. The areas around the MAS are upcoming are getting really popular. You won’t miss the Yachts embarked there either
475 polecane przez mieszkańców
MAS - Muzeum nad Rzeką
1 HanzestedenplaatsThe MAS is a huge museum with over 10 floors of exhibitions areas. You can always enter the building for free until 00.00 (apr-nov) and 22.00 (nov-mar) and get a 360° panoramic view of Antwerp on the rooftop.
The design of the building is also one of the crazy architectural challenges Antwerp is experimenting with since the past decade.
Around the MAS there are many restaurants and bars you can go to. The areas around the MAS are upcoming are getting really popular. You won’t miss the Yachts embarked there either
The Red Star Line used to be a shipping line between Antwerp & New-York. It operated in the years 1871-1935 and carried about 2 million people to the land of opportunity.
About a quarter of which were Jews driven out by Nazi Germany.
Among them were a few famous people like Albert Einstein. The museum tells a story about the line itself and the passengers it carried.
129 polecane przez mieszkańców
Red Star Line Museum
3 MontevideostraatThe Red Star Line used to be a shipping line between Antwerp & New-York. It operated in the years 1871-1935 and carried about 2 million people to the land of opportunity.
About a quarter of which were Jews driven out by Nazi Germany.
Among them were a few famous people like Albert Einstein. The museum tells a story about the line itself and the passengers it carried.
Food scene
If you’d fancy to have breakfast, lunch or brunch in a cosy environment. Then you can find yourself in Le Pain Quotidien down the street, Mechelsesteenweg 45.
This is a Belgian chain founded in Brussels with bakeries in the USA, UK, France and Australia.
22 polecane przez mieszkańców
Le Pain Quotidien
45 MechelsesteenwegIf you’d fancy to have breakfast, lunch or brunch in a cosy environment. Then you can find yourself in Le Pain Quotidien down the street, Mechelsesteenweg 45.
This is a Belgian chain founded in Brussels with bakeries in the USA, UK, France and Australia.
Chocolate Nation is the largest Belgian Chocolate in the world. Closely located behind the Central Station, next to Chinatown.
The experience there shows you the journey from the Cacao fields at the equator to processing machineries in Belgium to the end product in your hands. The shop and restaurant are the perfect place to get yourself some special chocolates, books etc.
Furthermore they provide Workshops and Courses to learn how to make various chocolate creations from the best chocolatiers.
30 polecane przez mieszkańców
Naród Czekolady
7 Koningin AstridpleinChocolate Nation is the largest Belgian Chocolate in the world. Closely located behind the Central Station, next to Chinatown.
The experience there shows you the journey from the Cacao fields at the equator to processing machineries in Belgium to the end product in your hands. The shop and restaurant are the perfect place to get yourself some special chocolates, books etc.
Furthermore they provide Workshops and Courses to learn how to make various chocolate creations from the best chocolatiers.
Go inside of the little chocolate atelier to see how chocolate is produced. The neoclassic themed store with beautiful paintings also has some of the weirdest types of chocolate (in a good way) which are worth trying. (E.g. Bacon, Wasabi, Hennep, Etc..)
17 polecane przez mieszkańców
The Chocolate Line
50 MeirGo inside of the little chocolate atelier to see how chocolate is produced. The neoclassic themed store with beautiful paintings also has some of the weirdest types of chocolate (in a good way) which are worth trying. (E.g. Bacon, Wasabi, Hennep, Etc..)
To have a coffee and a desert you should definitely visit Désiré de Lille. Here you can eat pancakes, waffles, smoutebollen, etc. Totally recommended. They also have a terras area in the back.
25 polecane przez mieszkańców
Desire De Lille
14 SchrijnwerkersstraatTo have a coffee and a desert you should definitely visit Désiré de Lille. Here you can eat pancakes, waffles, smoutebollen, etc. Totally recommended. They also have a terras area in the back.