Visit Antwerp
You pull into Antwerp and the city immediately greets you with a burst of character. The wide curve of the Scheldt glimmers in the sunlight, the cathedral tower rises far above the rooftops and somewhere in the distance you hear the bell of a passing tram. It feels like you have arrived in a place where things have always been happening.
As you make your way toward the old town, The Cathedral of Our Lady suddenly appears between buildings. Impossibly tall and carved with unbelievable detail. People linger in the square with cones of fresh fries and warm pralines. The sound of clinking glasses drifts from the cafés that spill onto the pavement.
A few minutes farther and Antwerp shifts again. Head toward the fashion district and the vibe becomes cool and creative. Window displays glow with bold designs, students zip by on bikes and small studios are busy. This is the city’s stylish heartbeat, where locals browse vintage shops and linger at tiny espresso bars tucked inside old warehouses.
Walk a little toward the MAS museum rises like a giant red sculpture. The docks stretch wide and quiet, filled with boats that look ready to cross continents. The neighbourhood around Eilandje feels fresh and perfect for grabbing a drink by the water while the sun dips behind the cranes of the port.
Evenings in Antwerp are their own journey. Street performers echo through hidden passages. Restaurants fill with the smell of mussels, sizzling grills and Belgian beers poured with an artist’s precision. It is the kind of city where you explore without a plan and always end up somewhere memorable.
Antwerp is the perfect road trip stop if you want flavour and atmosphere from the moment you arrive.
Top sights to visit
- Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal This magnificent Gothic cathedral of Our Lady is the largest in the Low Countries and one of the world's most impressive spires. Inside, you can view several masterpieces by the city’s most famous son, Peter Paul Rubens, including The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross.
- Grote Markt & Brabo Fountain The central market square is the heart of the city. Famous for its 16th-century guildhalls and the Renaissance-style City Hall. In the center stands the Brabo Fountain. Depicting the legendary Roman soldier Silvius Brabo throwing the severed hand of the giant Antigoon into the river. It's the origin story of the city’s name (Ant-werpen, meaning "to throw a hand").
- Rubenshuis The former home and studio of Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, now a museum displaying his works and lifestyle.
- Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) Located in the revitalized Eilandje district. The MAS is a striking contemporary museum. Its spiral facade of red Indian stone and curved glass offers stunning views. You can take the escalators all the way to the top floor for free to enjoy a panoramic 360-degree view of the city and the port.
- Het Eilandje A trendy dockside neighborhood with bars, restaurants and waterfront walks. Perfect for modern urban vibes and sunsets.
- Meir Shopping Street A lively street with historic buildings, boutique shops and lovely cafés. Great for shopping and exploring local life.
- Vlaeykensgang This secret narrow medieval alleyway, dating back to 1591, is one of the most picturesque spots in Antwerp. Tucked away behind an unassuming door on the Oude Koornmarkt, it provides an escape for the busy streets and a glimpse of what the city looked like centuries ago.
- Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library (Nottebohm Room) While the library is a historical treasure, its spectacular reading room: the Nottebohm Room. It's a real hidden gem of Baroque architecture and towering stacks of books. It is not always open, so check the library's schedule.
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History of Antwerp
Antwerp grew from a small settlement on the Scheldt into one of Europe’s most magnetic cities. Legend tells of a giant named Druon Antigoon who terrorized the river crossing, demanding tolls from sailors and chopping off the hands of those who refused. A young Roman soldier, Silvius Brabo, defeated him and tossed the giant’s hand into the river, giving the city its name. Whether myth or metaphor, it set the stage for a place that has always thrived on boldness and trade.
By the Middle Ages, Antwerp was already humming with merchants and guilds. The 16th century turned it into the beating heart of European commerce. Ships arrived from all directions, carrying spices, silk and precious metals. Banks flourished, artists found patrons everywhere and the city blossomed into a cultural powerhouse. Walk through the historic center today and you can still feel that golden age echoing from the ornate guild houses on the Grote Markt.
Antwerp’s story isn’t only about commerce. In the Baroque era, Peter Paul Rubens infused Antwerp with artistic brilliance, leaving masterpieces that still glow inside churches and museums. Later, the 19th century diamond industry brought a new wave of prosperity, turning Antwerp into the world’s most important hub for polishing, trading and craftsmanship.
The city wears its history with effortless style. Medieval streets lead to modern docklands, centuries-old churches rise beside cutting-edge fashion boutiques and the river that once carried the wealth of empires now frames sunset views for you arriving by car. Antwerp’s past isn’t just something you read about. It’s something you feel as you step into the city. Woven into every stone and glimmer of the Scheldt.