Antwerp, Belgium

Situated within the Flanders region of northern Belgium, the city of Antwerp is one of the nation’s most populous areas. This bustling and vibrant city is home to a range of fabulous attractions, from fascinating museums and landmarks to thrilling wildlife parks and aquariums. Antwerp is famous as one of the world’s leading diamond cities and is a fantastic place to shop for jewellery at affordable prices. The city also has a fascinating local culture as well as a rich heritage and history, which is reflected in the historic structures found throughout the city. This enchanting city is one of Europe’s most intriguing locations, with a unique ambience and very friendly atmosphere.

Sight-seeing in Antwerp

Antwerp is brimming with sights to see, activities to take part in and excursions to consider. The city is home to an excellent range of wonderful museums, tranquil parks and gardens as well as stunning historic buildings and architecture. Bus tours of the city are available or alternatively, tourists can hire a bike or set off on foot with an expert tour guide to see the best sights and attractions that Antwerp has to offer.

Antwerp Zoo

As one of the oldest and most established wildlife parks in Europe, the Antwerp Zoo has an amazing range of animal exhibitions, with over 9000 animals and 950 different species. The zoo also houses a variety of endangered animals such as bonobos and okapi as part of their brilliant conservation programme.

Palace on the Meir

The Palace on the Meir is an extravagant structure and used to be home to significant historical figures include Napoleon Bonaparte, Willem the 1st of Netherlands and the Belgian royal family. The palace displays stunning architecture outside and incredibly intricate decor within. Guided tours of the palace are available to visitors who wish to gain a greater insight in to the history and heritage of the building.

The Ruien

The ruien is Antwerp’s elaborate underground waterway, which runs throughout the city. It was originally constructed to help defend the city, before being used as a water supply system in later years. In 2005 it was opened to the public, so visitors and locals could see for themselves what was going on below their feet. Expert tour guides will escort guests around the tunnels to observe the ancient vaults and foundations found throughout this fascinating labyrinth.

Shopping in Antwerp

The main shopping districts of Antwerp are the city centre, Meir and the Zuid District. The city contains an amazing range of quaint marketplaces and larger shopping centres. The best weekly markets around the city include the Bio market, Antiques Market and Exotic Market, whilst the most notable shopping centres include Stadsfeestzaal and the Grand Bazar Shopping Centre.

Eating Out in Antwerp

One of Antwerp’s most popular culinary options is seafood, which is served in a wide range of restaurants across the city. The city does however have a variety of other eateries serving international cuisine from around the world. Some of the best restaurants in the city can be found in and around the Grote Markt area of the city.