Author:
Travel photographer, Inge Pincket @ingepincket and destinationexplorer.world.
Most tourists come to Belgium to visit Bruges and Ghent, maybe Brussels. As a local, I think they need to visit Antwerp too -.one of the coolest cities in Europe. I was born in Antwerp, went to school here and have lived in the city for about 20 years.
So why add Antwerp to your list when visiting Belgium?
- Antwerp leads the world when it comes to: fashion, art and architecture. Any chocolate and diamond lovers? Yep, this is the place to be!
- A rainy day? Go to one of our fabulous museums like Rubenshuis, MAS, Red Star Line or Chocolate Nation
- A paradise for foodies: world class restaurants and street food and famous for pralines, cookies, waffles…
Welcome to my fascinating city in the heart of Europe.
Architecture and monuments:
If you arrive by train at the Central station, don’t forget to look around. The Antwerp Central Station is fourth in the list of the most beautiful train stations in the world. The eclectic style of the stone building and the steel platform are eye-catching. The station has been in use since 1905 and is right next to the Antwerp Zoo – a beautiful oasis of green and peace in the centre of the city – we love to take our children.
When you stroll from the station over the famous shopping street ‘Meir’ towards the old city centre you find the ‘Handelsbeurs’ (New Exchange) at the end. This beautiful building, originally built in 1531 was recently completely renovated. There is free access to the ground floor from Tuesday until Sunday between 10am and 6pm. If you want to visit the upper floors too it is only possible during an exhibition. In 2020, this building was also the location for the digital Fashion Show of the Antwerp Fashion Academy.
My favourite part of the city is the old city centre and the boulevard alongside the Scheldt River. Here you can find the oldest building of the city: Het Steen (first stones date from the 11th century). This old fortress was used as a prison until 1823. Afterwards it became a museum of antiquities, and when I visited it as a child, it was the National Maritime Museum. The maritime collection is now at MAS.
From Het Steen walk along the river towards MAS (Museum At the Stream).
I would highly recommend visiting at least the top floor for a panoramic view over the city. Normally the access is free, but during the Covid-pandemic you need to have a ticket.
Tip – if you have enough time, take a walk from the MAS to the Port House (it will take you about 20 minutes), public transport: tram 24 (13 minutes).
This monumental design of the famous architect Zaha Hadid, is a striking and contemporary superstructure in the shape of a diamond and it’s a metaphor for the port of the 21st century.
Museums:
Antwerp has a lot of museums. Two of my favourite’s are:
- Red Star Line Museum: the Red Star Line served as a shipping company between 1873 and 1935. Antwerp was a gateway to America and more than two million people left Europe through Antwerp. The museum has an unusual collection featuring testimonies of people who boarded the Red Star Line for pleasure, business or to find a better life. If you’ve been to Ellis Island in New York, it’s where they disembarked after 10 days at sea. Many famous travellers, like Albert Einstein and Irving Berlin took this voyage.
- The Rubens House: in the heart of the city you can visit the home of the famous Belgian Baroque painter – Pieter Paul Rubens. A painter and diplomat, Rubens created his masterpieces in this house in the 17th The museum doesn’t just show the painter’s work, it also gives you an insight in his private life. Tip – his garden can also be visited.
Other monuments and places to visit are: the medieval Cathedral and the renaissance City Hall. Nearby, you can stroll through the old cobblestoned streets and admire the old city centre.
Foodie paradise:
Being a food lover myself, I cannot write about Antwerp without mentioning its world famous restaurants and delicacies. There are many amazing restaurants for a splurge or special occasion, here a few of my favourites:
Fiera: this restaurant is in the ‘Handelsbeurs’ and is an ideal place for ‘a tasting journey around the world’. For an even more unique experience choose the ‘Handelsbeurs unplugged’. We celebrated our wedding anniversary in September 2020 here.
If you want to celebrate in style, restaurants with a Michelin star include:
Zilte: the three-star restaurant at the top floor of the MAS museum won’t disappoint. A few years ago, I experienced this unique culinary experience and I highly recommend it.
Het Gebaar, in the heart of Antwerp is definitely one of my favourite restaurants. Netherland chef, Roger Van Damme, makes each plate look like a painting. Het Gabaar only serves lunch, but make sure to reserve a table ahead. Recently Van Damme became the owner of another of my favourite places for lunch or afternoon tea and treats: Désiré de Lille.
Tip – try the freshly baked pancakes, waffles or another specialty: Lacquemants.
Street food and chocolate:
You certainly won’t miss out if you’re on a budget. Get the best world famous, Belgian fries at: Frituur n°1, Hoogstraat 1 or Frites.
Last but not least, Antwerp also has an amazing reputation when it comes to chocolate. Our most famous chocolate shops are: The Chocolate Line and Del Rey.
Recently the world’s largest Belgian Chocolate Museum opened in Antwerp. Visit Chocolate Nation to learn about the journey of chocolate from bean to bar. And yes, it is a very interactive museum and you can taste many different types of chocolate too!
Tip – at the end of the tour, the chocolate shop is a good place to buy chocolates, pralines or typical cookies from Antwerp: ‘Antwerpse handjes’.
Fashion and diamonds:
The Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts has one of the world’s leading programs of fashion design – students come from all over the world. In 2019 I saw the yearly fashion show, try and catch one if you can.
The iconic ‘Antwerp six’ (all students of this famous academy, one of them is the current principal), ruled the international fashion world from the 80’s on. Antwerp is still one of the world’s leading fashion cities, it’s the home of designers Raf Simons (the current director of Prada), Veronique Branquinho and Dirk Bikkembergs.
If you’re more into high street fashion, Antwerp is also the place to be – get inspiration here.
Unfortunately, the museum of Fashion MoMu is currently being renovated but is due to reopen in 2021.
Antwerp has been known as the diamond capital of the world since the Golden Age of the sixteenth century. Most diamond and jewellry shops are around the Central Station in the ‘Diamond Square Mile’ – where I got both my engagement and wedding rings. My personal favourite jewellry shop is @wim_meeussen_atelier in the old town.
You don’t need to buy! You can learn all about jewellry and diamonds at the must visit Museum for Diamonds (DIVA).
Inge:
“To travel is not a verb, it’s a passion.”
My love for traveling started at a young age. After studying languages, I graduated as a bachelor International Tourism and Leisure. Organising trips all over the world is my favourite thing to do. Finding the best accommodation, things to see and do at a destination, discovering new places and of course the local cuisine and culture.
I am also active in foreign exchange student programs. My daughter Charlotte spent ten months in Colombia. We were the host family of a Thai boy and a Japanese girl. Discovering a new culture and making friends all over the world is simply fascinating.
As I am working at the University College now, I am lucky to have a lot of holidays so I can explore new destinations mostly with my partner Bert, who is a trendwatcher. We both love to travel, sometimes for work, but mostly to fulfil our dreams. Follow my adventures on @ingepincket and destinationexplorer.world.
This guide is fantastic. I love the images of the architecture. Makes me want to visit!
Us too Jen!
I have always loved the architecture in Belgium – we lived there for 8 years, but this Central Railway station is so impressive. What a brilliant Insiders Guide, I cant wait to come back with all your notes one day.