The largest city in Flanders, Antwerp has a surprising amount to offer for a city of just 470,000 inhabitants, whether it be fashion, nightlife, culture or food – and, of course, diamonds. Located on the river Scheldt, Antwerp is a vibrant, happening place with something for everyone
1 OBSERVE marine life at the futuristic Aquatopia (tel. (0)3 205 0740). It’s located just up the road from Antwerp Zoo at Koningin Astridplein 26.
2 MARVEL at the exquisite architecture of Cogels-Osylei, just outside the Berchem train station, featuring fine examples of private houses built at the turn of the century – many of them now protected historical monuments – in neo-classical, art nouveau and art deco styles.
3 BEHOLD Europe’s second-largest port and one of the 10 largest in the world (covering some 14,000 hectares), preferably by boat. Contact the Flandria boat company (tel. (0)3 231 3100) for more information.
4 FEED your fashion addiction in a city that can hold its own with Paris, London or Milan any day. A good starting point is the ModeNatie (Nationalestraat 28, tel. (0)3 226 1447), home of the MoMu fashion museum and a nifty bookshop that sells the handy Antwerp Fashion Walk booklet. All the designer stores are a short walk away.
5 VISIT the former home of Antwerp’s most famous resident, artist Peter Paul Rubens, now the Rubenshuis museum (Wapper 9-11, tel. (0)3 201 1555). Then head to the nearby Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal or Our Lady’s Cathedral (Handschoenmarkt), Belgium’s largest Gothic church, to admire Rubens’ The Descent from the Cross and other masterpieces.
6 SOAK up old-world atmosphere over a bolleke, the only glass to use when drinking Antwerp’s home-grown beverage by local brewery De Koninck, at Den Engel (Grote Markt 3), one of the city’s oldest pubs. Then continue your beer education with a guided tour at ’T Pakhuis brewery/ restaurant (Vlaamsekaai 76, tel. (0)3 238 1240).
7 ENJOY a meal or a drink among the beautiful people at the Zuiderterras (Ernest van Dijckkaai 37, tel. (0)3 234 1275), a sleek café/restaurant on the banks of the Scheldt river with huge windows and mirrors, open daily from 9am until late.
8 CHECK out the bling on Pelikaanstraat, Antwerp’s answer to Manhattan’s 47th Street, home to numerous jewellery shops. Then learn all about the precious gems and Antwerp’s emergence as a diamond centre at the Diamantmuseum (Koningin Astridplein 19-23).
9 PARTY until dawn at scores of discos, clubs and live music venues. Some of the best can be found in the Zuidrand, the trendy neighbourhood that used to house the docklands south of the centre, and the Schipperskwartier red-light district just north of town, home of the legendary Café d’Anvers (Verversrui 15, tel. (0)3 226 3870).
10 FILL your tummy with hearty kosher food at Hoffy’s Take Away (Lange Kievitstraat 52, tel. (0)3 234 3535), a bustling eatery in the Jewish district that serves up matzaball soup, stuffed aubergines, lots of fresh vegetables and other hearty delights to a loyal clientele.
