8 Reasons To Visit Antwerp
With diamonds, fashion and chocolate on tap, the beautiful Antwerp really is a girl’s best choice for a city break
1Historic CENTRE
Although 60km inland, Antwerp owes its wealth to its busy port on the Scheldt, now moved beyond the city centre. Heart of historic Antwerp is the Grote Markt, a picturesque cobbled square fringed by the UNESCO-listed City Hall and by gabled Guildhalls dating from the 16th and 17th century. For quiet accommodation nearby, try the Rubens Hotel, WWW.HOTELRUBENSANTWERP.BE.
2 CENTRAL STATION
Experience two of Europe’s most beautiful stations as you swap the vast canopy of London-St Pancras for Antwerp Central with its domes and stained glass. Just change from Eurostar onto a high speed train in Brussels for the 45-minute journey, WWW.VOYAGES-SNCF.COM. Then go to WWW.VISITANTWERP.BE to plan your city break.
3 PAINTING & PRINTING
Two of my favourite heritage sites are near the Grote Markt. Artist Peter Paul Rubens spent 25 years at a grand family house with a courtyard and garden, the Rubens House. Here he amassed his art collection, received guests and worked with apprentices that included Van Dyck. Close by, the UNESCO-listed Plantin-Moretus House was the 16th century home and works of a pioneer printing firm started by Christopher Plantin.
4Art TREASURES
There are 52 Rubens masterpieces on permanent display in museums and churches throughout Antwerp, including the gothic Cathedral of our Lady – spectacularly floodlit at night. The great painter is buried in Saint James’s Church and you’ll find works by Rubens and Van Dyck inside the church of St Paul.
5 BEER & CHOCOLATE
Every visitor should sample Belgium’s edible specialities. I enjoyed a Carbonnade Flamande at Antwerp’s oldest restaurant, Rooden Hoed (Red Hat) beside the cathedral, where every dish is accompanied by a beer suggestion, even desserts!
6 MEET THE ANIMALS
Rubbing shoulders with the Central Station and the Diamond District, Antwerp Zoo is one of the world’s oldest, set up in 1843. The world’s first Okapi was seen here in captivity and they’re still a highlight for visitors today. Historic pavilions are carefully blended with state of the art animal care and enclosures. A great place to while away an afternoon!
7 FASHION & DIAMONDS
More than 80% of the world’s rough diamonds pass through the city to be traded or polished in the Diamond Square Mile! Running between the station and historic centre, the elegant buildings of the traffic-free Meir are home to quality fashion stores. Antwerp is famed for its design industry so head to the St Andrews district for fashion heaven.
8 OLD HARBOUR, NEW LOOK
The Eilandje area surrounding the city’s oldest dock is now a buzzing cultural district. Dominating the water is MAS, the Museum Aan der Stroom – five museum floors that tell the story of Antwerp’s position in the world. Escalator access to the rooftop viewing gallery is free. Nearby, the Red Star Line Museum takes visitors on an emotional journey of emigrants to America. Be warned though that in Schipperskwartier (Seaman’s Quarter), the world’s oldest profession is still thriving behind “shop” windows!