Antwerp may be a small metropolis, but it’s definitely a vast treasure trove of sights and experiences! Over the years up to today, people have called it a lot of things: the city of diamonds, the city of fashion, the city on the Scheldt, the city of Rubens, the port city… Yet for me, I call it the city that is my new ‘home‘.
Surely, there is a high chance that I will be moving away soon since I live a nomadic lifestyle; however, I will forever call Antwerp “one of my homes, away from home” since it was fairly easy for me to fall head over heels with it.
Why so? Simply because it’s a charming and outstanding city! Brussels is often the first place that tourists or travelers think of when they are in Belgium, but I urge you to see Antwerp as well — I originally thought of keeping this city a secret but it’s just too good that I want you, my readers, to see its beauty as well!
So should you ever be in Europe or the Schengen Area and you’re passing by Belgium, don’t forget to stop by. To help you get the fullest experience possible, through this article, I will give you the ultimate guide on things to do in Antwerp!
» Quick Travel Planning
Top Things to Do in Antwerp
1. Arrive by train to see the famed Central Station
I urge you to arrive by train because once you alight your vehicle and rise to the main area, you will see the architectural beauty of the Antwerpen-Centraal (Antwerp Central Station). Dubbed as Europe’s most romantic and the world’s most beautiful train station, this ‘railway cathedral’ has breathtaking qualities that perfectly depict a mix of modern and ancient construction.
Some interesting facts:
- It was constructed between 1895 and 1905 as a replacement for the original terminus of the Brussels-Mechelen-Antwerp Railway.
- It has various styles and designs incorporated and it proves to be quite difficult to assign it to a particular architectural style.
- It consists of a steel platform roof (43 meters high) and a brick station building in an eclectic style. The entrance hall is vast and often holds art exhibits.
- It has four levels (2 levels are underground) with 14 tracks.
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2. Go shopping (or simply view) the renowned shopping districts
Did you know that Antwerp is called as a ‘triomfelycke coopstad‘ (triumphant shopping city)? It is called such because it is undoubtedly packed with various shopping centers!
As a matter of fact, it is also called a…
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