World Wings: Antwerp

Antwerp Belgium

Here is a revised version in US English: Antwerp is located on the eastern bank of the River Scheldt, which connects to the North Sea via the Westerschelde estuary. The city has one of the largest seaports in Europe. Antwerp has long been an important city in the Low Countries, both economically and culturally. Its appeal comes from its unique mix of styles and people. First there’s the no-nonsense part of town around Centraal Station; the shipping, diamond, and garment industries are based here. Then there’s the art and culture that wealth has brought over the centuries. Flemish Old Masters, especially native son Rubens, are well represented. Finally, there is the vast port with its smokestacks on the horizon. There is more to see and do in Antwerp than in any other Belgian city. Start with a walk through the oude stad (old town), beginning at Grote Markt, where the Stadhuis (town hall) stands as a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture. The nearby Cathedral of Our Lady has a spectacular Gothic tower. Its interior is richly decorated with stained glass and it houses some of Rubens’s most famous paintings. Close by is the Steen, a beautiful storybook fortress dating from the 12th century. The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a delightful must-see. In the 16th century, Plantin turned printing into an art, and most of his tools and presses are on display here. The picturesque courtyard and Rubens paintings also make the visit worthwhile. Be sure to visit Rubenshuis, one of the best museums of its kind in the world. Rubens lived and worked for nearly 30 years in this sumptuous house. His studio is exquisitely furnished and richly stocked with art treasures. Few tourists make it to Cogels-Osylei, an avenue lined with an uninterrupted sequence of Art Nouveau mansions, each seeming to outdo the last in architectural fantasy. Antwerp is a highly cultural and vibrant city. Discover for yourself this lively trading, artistic, and cultural center with the distinctive atmosphere of a world port: cosmopolitan, slightly exotic, and at the same time very welcoming.

Recommended airport

Deurne (ANR)

Points of interest

Nearby destinations