Learn more about where to stay, where to eat and drink, what to do, and where to shop while visiting Antwerp with recommendations across all price points! 

[Guide & Interactive Map] Antwerp, Belgium

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Antwerp is a captivating port city which boasts a history as rich and multifaceted as its diamond trade. From its humble beginnings as a Roman settlement to its golden age as a global mercantile hub, Antwerp has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the flourishing of artistic movements, and the enduring legacy of innovation.

Today, Antwerp stands as a vibrant metropolis, seamlessly blending its rich heritage with a modern, cosmopolitan outlook. The city's historical center, with its medieval architecture and picturesque squares, is a constant reminder of its glorious past. At the same time, Antwerp's vibrant cultural scene, thriving diamond industry, and innovative fashion scene testify to its enduring spirit and its ability to adapt and thrive in a changing world.

Rack up points by staying at your favorite hotel chain - if you have status with multiple groups, my opinion is to go for the Sapphire House! 

If you’re minding your hotel dollars to splurge on more experiences or just trying to save money - check out these more affordable options closer to the train station!

Looking for all the charm without the big name hotel labels? Check out these hotels! 

If you’re looking for a casual bite to eat that doesn’t require reservations or fuss, check out these restaurants below. 

Looking for traditional Belgian fare? Look no further! The first recommendation sits squarely on the corner of the Grote Markt and the other is just a block down the street. 

Looking to celebrate something special or experiment with new tasting menus? Look no further than these high-end restaurants in town. 

Antwerp, Belgium is a culinary paradise, with a diverse range of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. The city is home to 17 Michelin-starred restaurants, more per capita than any other city in the world. This reflects the high quality and innovation of Antwerp's culinary scene. 

In addition to its Michelin-starred restaurants, Antwerp is also home to a number of Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurants, which offer excellent quality food at a more affordable price. There are also many street food vendors and food markets where you can sample local delicacies. 

Whether you're a foodie or just looking for a good meal, Antwerp is the perfect place to satisfy your cravings. With its diverse range of restaurants, Antwerp has something to offer everyone.

Antwerp is a beautiful and vibrant city with a lot to offer visitors. When it comes to choosing where to stay, there are two main options: near the train station or in the city center. Each location offers its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

Staying near the train station is convenient for travelers arriving or departing by train, providing easy access to public transportation, and often being more affordable. However, the area can be noisy and busy, may not be as close to the main attractions, and may not have as many dining and shopping options.

In contrast, staying in the city center offers proximity to major attractions, a more walking-friendly environment, and a wider variety of dining and shopping options, along with a more vibrant and lively atmosphere. However, it can be more expensive, may be more difficult to access by public transportation, and may be more crowded and noisy. Ultimately, the decision of where to stay depends on individual needs and preferences. 

TL;DR: For budget travelers or those arriving by train, staying near the train station is a good choice. For those seeking to be close to the main attractions and experience the city center's lively atmosphere, staying in the city center is a better option.

Need to do laundry while traveling? Check out a WASBAR (several locations in town) where you can put your laundry in and stay for a meal and a drink or leave and collect your wash later! 

Need a snack to tie you over between meals? Look no further!

Antwerp is bursting with singular, authentic shops, as well as the big well-known retailers. On the Meir, Antwerp's most famous shopping street, you can shop for well-known brands, and in the Fashion District you can shop for luxury brands - and while in Antwerp, you should at least window show for diamonds!

Other recommendations for  travelers on the go…

84% of all rough diamonds in the world pass through Antwerp which has given the city the top position where international diamond trading and quality are concerned. As a result, diamond prices in Antwerp are typically the best you will find anywhere in the market!

Need to fuel back up in between activities or shopping? Stop in one of these coffee bars for a pick-me-up. 

Planning to do your shopping on a Sunday? Think again! As a general rule, shops in Antwerp are open on the first Sunday of every month but closed the remaining Sundays. Please note that if you do go shopping on a Sunday, that most shops only open after noon.

The Antwerp Six - comprised of Ann Demeulemeester, Dries van Noten, Dirk Bikkembergs, Marina Yee, Walter Van Beirendonck, and Dirk Van Saene - is one of the most influential groups in fashion. Having graduated from Antwerp’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts between 1980 and 1982, the designers stormed London fashion week in 1986, changing the international reputation of Belgian design.

Looking for a non-traditional souvenir? Check out a few of the flagship stores of these designers that helped put Antwerp on the fashion map! 

If you are not an EU resident you may be eligible for a VAT refund on top of any incentives a shop may have; bring your passport with you and ask before making a large purchase! 

The Meir is a famous shopping destination in Antwerp. With the reopening of the Stadsfeestzaal Shopping Centre in 2007, the Meir has become the most expensive shopping destination in the economic union of Benelux. 

The area is home to all major shopping brands and attracts over 200,000 visitors from neighboring states and other European countries. 

The majority of diamond stores are concentrated in a triangle of three streets to the west of the Central Station: De Keyserlei, Pelikaanstraat, and Vestingstraat.

The Grote Markt is the main square of Antwerp and is one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe. The magnificent 16th-century City Hall (Stadhuis) dominates the square surrounded by the beautiful Guild Houses.

At the center of the square is the Brabo Fountain. According to the legend, Brabo killed a giant who demanded a high toll for each ship that wanted to enter the city. If the ship's crew wouldn't pay the toll, their hands were cut off. The little Brabo fought the giant, cut his hand, and threw it in the river. The fountain's statue depicts this story that is used to explain the origins of the name of the city - Antwerpen - hand werpen meaning “to throw a hand”. 

In the past, Het Steen was home to the Maritime Museum but the city has decided to make better use of this beautiful building and it now serves as a visitor center and a nice place to learn more about the history of Antwerp.

Het Steen is Antwerp's oldest building. It was built at the beginning of the 13th century and served as a city fortress. This impressive castle lies on the Scheldt river and is just a short walk from the Grote Markt.

In front of Het Steen stands a bronze statue of a towering giant terrorizing townsfolk. His name is Lange Wapper, translated to “Long Flag” in English, and the tale of this terribly tall trickster is well-known throughout the city.

The legend, which originated during the 16th century, states that a farmer found an enormous parsley and a red cabbage in his bed, which turned into a baby. He put the child up for adoption and the baby was fostered by a family in Antwerp. The boy grew up helping people in need until one day, an old woman he saved gave him shapeshifting powers in return. The boy then transformed into a giant and became known as Lange Wapper.

The giant loved to vex drunkards at night and cheat in games he played with local children. The Antwerpians were constantly bullied by Lange Wapper, and as one story explains, he had a strong dislike of the Virgin Mary. Thus, people around the town began placing effigies of the Holy Mother on their houses and stores to repel the giant. Legend has it that he couldn’t stand it and fled the city forever, or fell into the Scheldt River and drowned.

St. Anna’s Tunnel was built to connect the newer parts of Antwerp with the older portion of the city so locals wouldn’t have to rely on ferry service alone. Originally, plans were made to build a bridge over the river. But this would’ve gotten in the way of the many ships that cruise the waterway, so officials decided to build under rather than over it.

[Guide & Interactive Map] Antwerp, Belgium

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