Antwerp, Belgium — Where to Go
Antwerp Sightseeing Overview
The atmospheric Historisch Centrum (historic center) of Antwerp clusters around the two squares of Grote Markt and Groenplaats. The former features the landmark City Hall from 1565, the statue of Brabo (the giant-slayer, an icon of the town) and a row of beautifully restored 16th-century guild houses which tower up to seven storys - one of which is home to the tourist office.
Groenplaats, a few yards away, is dominated by the cathedral, the Hilton hotel and a statue of Rubens. The artist is ubiquitous in Antwerp yet it is the house of his benefactor, now the Plantin-Moretus Museum, which is the most compelling sight in town and which best sums up the Golden Age of Antwerp in the 16th century.
Immediately west of Grote Market is the river and the embarkation point for boat trips, while Ouder Koornmarkt leads south to the fashionable shopping streets of Kammenstraat and Nationalestraat, the Fashion Museum, the Fine Arts Museum and the trendy Zuid quarter.
Running west from Groenplaats, Meir is a mix of regal 18th- and 19th-century buildings interspersed with 20th-century mediocrity and dozens of shops, terminating at Centraal station.
Antwerp Tourist Information
Toerisme Antwerpen
Grote Markt 13
Tel: 03 232 0103.
Website: www.antwerpen.be
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1745, Sun 0900-1645.
There is also an information desk at Koningin Astridplein 26, outside Centraal station (same opening hours and contact details).
Key Attractions in Antwerp, Belgium
Plantin-Moretus Museum
This fascinating 16th-century World Heritage patrician house-cum-office-cum printing works (the world's first) is Antwerp's finest and most unexpected visitor attraction, reaching well beyond the history of publishing to portray the birth of a whole new technology and the lifestyle of the city in its Golden Age.
Vrijdagmarkt 22
Tel: 03 221 1450.
Website: www.museumplantinmoretus.be
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
UNESCO site: Y.
Rubenshuis (Rubens' House)
The artist's home and studio in Antwerp from 1611 until his death in 1640, this atmospheric building includes 10 works by the great man plus many more period paintings and objets d'art from his contemporaries.
Wapper 9-11
Tel: 03 201 1555.
Website: www.rubenshuis.be
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Royal Museum of Fine Arts)
Housed in a huge classical building, Antwerp's Royal Museum of Fine Arts is home to a collection fit to grace any world capital, spanning 600 years from the 14th century to the present day; upstairs for Old Flemish and Dutch Masters, downstairs for modern art and temporary exhibitions. The museum will close for renovation in October 2010.
Leopold De Waelplaats
Tel: 03 238 7809.
Website: www.kmska.be
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1000-1800.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Diamantmuseum (Diamond Museum)
The history and romance of diamonds are to be found in Antwerp's Diamond Museum, including how and why Antwerp controls 80% of the world's rough diamonds market and 50% of its polished diamond market. There is a diamond cutter at work during week days.
Koningin Astridplein 19-23
Tel: 03 202 4890.
Website: www.diamantmuseum.be
Opening hours: Thurs-Tues 1000-1730.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal (Cathedral of Our Lady)
Described as ‘lacework in stone', the largest gothic cathedral in the Low Countries (and still Europe's tallest gothic church) was completed in 1521 and is adorned by Rubens masterpieces of which the Raising of the Cross and the Descent from the Cross are the best known. It has become the symbol of Antwerp and is a stunning sight by night when floodlit.
Groenplaats 21
Tel: 03 213 9951.
Website: www.dekathedraal.be
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1700, Sat 1000-1500, Sun 1000-1600.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Further Distractions
Mode Museum/MoMu (Fashion Museum)
In addition to its permanent collection of clothing, lace, embroidery, fabrics and artisans' tools, Antwerp's museum of fashion, MoMu, organizes two thematic cutting-edge exhibitions every year.
Nationalestraat 28
Tel: 03 470 2770.
Website: www.momu.be
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1800.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Antwerp Zoo
Built in 1843, Antwerp's zoo is one of the oldest and most famous zoos in the world, housing over 6,000 animals representing 750 species.
Konigin Astridsplein 26
Tel: 03 202 4540.
Website: www.zooantwerpen.be
Opening hours: Daily from 1000 (closing time varies 1645-1900 depending on season).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
