Antwerp, the second largest city in Belgium, is famous for its old-world charm and many unique attractions. Tourists from all over the world come here to walk along its ancient streets and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of old Europe. The city inspired the famous artist Peter Paul Rubens, and his work can be felt everywhere. Many attractions are associated with his name, because he spent most of his life here. A trip to Antwerp is a real immersion in the ancient European atmosphere. If you don’t know what to see in this city, we have prepared for you an overview of the most interesting places.
What to see first, sights of Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp is the epitome of luxury and sophistication in Belgium. Known for its diamond cutters, designer clothing and Belgian chocolate. But his appeal doesn't stop there. The city is rich in centuries-old history, which attracts millions of tourists. It is impossible to see all the sights in one day, but you should definitely visit at least a few. The article describes the most significant places and buildings that are worth seeing in Antwerp in one day, as well as other interesting places in Belgium, if you have time.
Antwerp train station
When exploring the sights of Belgium, it is impossible to miss Antwerp. Arriving in the city by train, you will certainly notice one of its main symbols - the Central Railway Station. This majestic architectural masterpiece is considered one of the most impressive in the world, for which it was even nicknamed the “Railway Cathedral”. The station, designed in an eclectic style, is decorated with a 75-meter-high dome and eight towers. The interior is amazing: about twenty types of marble and other materials are used for decoration, and the design is not inferior to the luxurious royal chambers. Here you can enjoy relaxing in a cafe and stroll through the diamond gallery, where about thirty jewelry stores are presented. You can find more information by searching for photographs describing this impressive site on the Internet.
Diamond Quarter of Antwerp
The “Diamonds 24 Hours” store - you won’t see such inscriptions everywhere. However, in Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world, this is business as usual. Most jewelry stores are located in the Diamond Quarter, near the station. The buildings here, of course, are not strewn with gold, but a walk through this area is still breathtaking. Even if you don't intend to purchase diamonds, stop by to watch the ritual of the trade presented by experienced sellers.
Antwerp Zoo
All guides in Antwerp strongly advise visiting this attraction. Located near the train station, Antwerp Zoo is one of the oldest in Europe, founded back in 1843. Currently, it offers visitors about 770 species of animals. Here you can meet various inhabitants, visit the planetarium, enjoy performances with sea lions, as well as see a huge aquarium and much more. Zoo staff strive to provide the animals with maximum comfort. Visitors are provided with maps and animal feeding schedules. The zoo also has shopping centers and cafes where you can spend time with your family and have a snack.
Grote Markt
In the historical center of Antwerp, near the Scheldt River embankment, there is a triangular Grote Markt square. This is a place where merchants came to trade finished products, and artisans created custom works and made deals. Around the main square of the city there are ancient houses, interesting from the point of view of architecture and history. During the Spanish Fury, many of these buildings were destroyed, but several of them have survived to this day. In the 19th and 20th centuries, many buildings were reconstructed and restored, but their facades still amaze with their beauty.
Antwerp Town Hall
The true splendor of the square is represented by the 16th-century town hall in the Renaissance style. This is a striking example of the Dutch Renaissance, one of the first buildings built in accordance with the classical canons of that era. Opened in 1576, the town hall fell victim to Spanish invaders just 11 years after its opening. Although the building was almost completely burned out, it was restored almost to its original form.
The decorative elements of the town hall are amazing. Inside you will find frescoes depicting city life, halls lined with wood, massive fireplaces, leather and gilding. The facade is decorated with columns and gilded coats of arms of the Antwerp nobility, the Spanish Habsburg family and the Duchy of Brabant.
Brabo Fountain
Among the iconic sights of Antwerp, the Brabo Fountain of the 19th century stands out, embodying the legend of the mythical hero who defeated the giant thief. Living in the Scheldt River delta, Antigonus freely interfered with merchant boats, demanding high payments and cutting off the hands of those who refused to pay. Silvio Brabo, a brave soldier, once defeated a giant, cut off his hand and threw him into the river. This event gave the name to the city: “ant” - hand, “verpen” - throw. The Brabo Fountain is unique in its design: water flows under the stones on which the sculpture is installed, without a water bowl.
Castle Walls
Sten Castle is the oldest building in the city. It was built in 1200 and was the first large-scale stone building in Antwerp, hence its name "Sten" (meaning "stone" in Dutch).
This fortress played a key role in the control of the Scheldt River, on the banks of which it was built, and was used at times as a prison for several centuries. In the 19th century, during direct work on the river to combat its littering, most of the fortress was destroyed. Currently, only its façade remains of the majestic structure. However, even exploring the outside of the castle is of great interest, although inside the building you can also visit a small maritime museum and a cafe.
In addition, at the entrance to the castle you can see a sculpture of the Long Whopper, a hero of the Dutch epic, who was famous for his hostility towards drunkards.
Cathedral of Our Lady
Rising 123 meters above the historical center of Antwerp is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Our Lady, another symbol of the city and a magnificent work of Gothic architecture. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with works by Rubens, as well as paintings by Martin de Vos, Jacob de Backer and Otto van Veen. This place was the center of creativity of many famous composers and organists, and the cathedral choir continued to sing even in the most difficult times, despite the hostilities.
Rubens Museum
Immerse yourself in the world of art by visiting one of the most famous museums in Belgium - the house and studio of Peter Paul Rubens. Here are dozens of paintings by the great artist and his contemporaries, as well as an exhibition of antique furniture. The house was purchased by the city in 1937 and has undergone extensive restoration, so absolute historical accuracy should not be expected. The atmosphere of the house is important, and it invariably amazes with its grandeur.
Aan de Strom Museum
The museum, 60 meters high, is a curved glass structure with a façade of Indian red sandstone. Its collection contains more than 470 thousand exhibits, united by several themes: the history of the capital, power, life and death, as well as the history of Antwerp as a major international port. This modern building is not only a museum, but also a magnificent observation deck, accessible for free. Near the museum you will find a variety of souvenirs and art books.
Royal Museum of Fine Arts
A must-see for anyone who is passionate about art! The museum is housed in a magnificent 19th-century building on Leopold Square in Het Zuid. Here you can admire more than 7 thousand sculptures, drawings, engravings and paintings from the 14th to the 20th centuries. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts is famous for its significant collection of paintings by Flemish artists, which is the most extensive in the country.
Underground tunnel St. Anna
Antwerp lies on the picturesque Scheldt River, which divides it into two parts. To cross from one bank to the other, an underground tunnel 572 meters long and 34 meters deep was built, which has existed since 1933 without significant changes in design. This tunnel resembles a subway passage, so don't expect anything supernatural. However, walking underwater gives a special feeling. Upon reaching the surface, you will be able to enjoy a magnificent view of the sights of Antwerp.
Antwerp Port Administration Building
Antwerp is known for its cutting-edge architecture, and the new port building, called the Diamond, is a prime example of this. Architect Zaha Hadid conceived it as the main office of the Antwerp port authority. This building symbolizes respect for the diamonds that have made the city famous throughout the world.
Museum of Modern Art
Not far from the historical center of Antwerp there is an international museum with temporary exhibitions and its own collection. The exhibition is divided into various thematic sections, including cinema, media art, fine arts and visual culture. In addition to exhibitions, the museum regularly hosts performances, lectures, concerts, discussions and sightseeing tours.
The museum building is located in a former port granary. One of the characteristic elements is a massive light cylinder attached to huge cubes, making it an ideal place to display avant-garde art.
Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of culture and art of Antwerp with the help of a selection of tours from the travel agency "TurPoisk". Visit the international museum with its temporary exhibitions and its own collection, go for a walk through the historical center, and don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Western Museum. Explore Antwerp's rich heritage with the TourPoisk guide and create your own itinerary to make your trip uniquely unforgettable.
