The name Antwerp brings a glitter in the eyes of many faces around the world. And all of them beautiful faces for whom this destination is like no other, being the ‘Diamond Capital’ of the world. So how do you spend a day in Antwerp Belgium with your beautiful ones in your family? Come along to make the best of your day when in this sparkling city.

Antwerpen, the Diamond Capital

With approximately 84% of world’s rough diamonds and 50% of the polished diamonds passing through the Diamond Quarter, Antwerp or Antwerpen is recognized as the world’s premier diamond capital. Located near the Central station, this ‘Square Mile’ hosts over 1500 companies and 3500 brokers.

The trading is over USD 16 billion in polished diamonds annually. The trade has thrived here for over 500 years but there is more to Antwerp than just the diamonds.

Check out the city

Top Things to do in Antwerp

1. Antwerp Central Railway Station

Irrespective of where you are arriving from, be it the cities of Brussels, Ghent, Bruges in Belgium or the next door neighbor Netherlands, your first landmark would be the Antwerp Central Station unless you are arriving by flight. We were here from Eindhoven for a day. And as expected it turned out to be truly a stunning experience to start off before going on to explore this charming Belgian city.

Antwerp Central Station is also called the Railway Cathedral and was designed by architect Louis Delacenserie in eclectic style. Built between 1895 and 1905, the stone-clad main building features a massive 75 meter high dome. And a vast iron and glass train shed designed by engineer Clement Van Bogaert now spread over to four levels.

2. Check out the Station Information & Memento Shop

3. Walk & Shop in the Diamond District

4. Visit the Rubens House

The Rubens House (Rubenshuis) is the former home and workshop of Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640) operating as a museum since 1946. It features a studio, a library, a reconstructed Baroque garden and a new ‘Rubens Experience Center’.

The street renamed Rubensstraat is located in the city center near the famous Meir shopping street. The entrance is at Hopland 13 near the Wapper Square. However currently the artist’s residence is closed for renovation but you can still enjoy what’s on offer if you love history, art and artists.

5. Relax with some Belgian Waffles

6. Watch a featured Exhibition

7. Walk to Grote Markt

Grote Markt, the Great Market Square is the historic heart of Antwerp located in the old city quarter. Renowned for its stunning 16th-century architecture and triangular shape, it serves as the city’s primary hub for history, culture and social life.

The key landmarks include the towering statue of Peter Paul Rubens, Brabo Fountain – the iconic 1887 bronze monument depicting the legend of Silvius Brabo who defeated a giant by throwing its hand into the Scheldt River thus giving Antwerp (Hand-werpen) its name, Antwerp City Hall (Stadhuis) and Guildhalls- the ornate 16th-century guild houses which were reconstructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries to restore their historic grandeur.

8. Visit De Kathedraal

De Kathedraal or The Cathedral of Our Lady is located in Groenplaats a lively square full of restaurants and cafes as you walk along the Meir Shopping street. The best part about Antwerp is that you can walk and explore most of the prominent landmarks of the city. The catholic church was built in Gothic Architecture between the 13th and 15th centuries with beautiful exterior and interiors and is the largest Gothic Church in the Benelux.

9. Head for the Sint-Anna Tunnel Experience

The Sint-Anna Tunnel (St.Annatunnel) is a historic 572-meter-long pedestrian and cyclist tunnel built between 1931 and 1933. It’s located 31 meters below the Scheldt River and connects Sint-Jansvliet (city center) with Linkeroever (Left Bank) and features the iconic original wooden escalators and Art Deco entrance buildings. And it’s a short walk away from Grote Markt and the river bank where we head next and from where you also get ferries to cross over to the other side.

The Real Experience

10. Walk to the Scheldt Riverside

11. Have a Riverview lunch at RAS Fine Dining Restaurant

12. Check out Vrijdagmarkt Flea Market

If it happens to be a Sunday,Vrijdagmarkt Flea Market right next to Sint-Anna Tunnel is a great destination to shop for paintings, antiques, mementos, furniture and even some great second hand items apart from all that you can expect in a flea market.

13. Relax in a Cafe or Restaurant of your choice

Theo near Groenplaats on Nationalasestraat 33 is a nice cafe and restaurant for some great coffee, breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon drinks. The atmosphere is “Paris Style” and service is extremely welcoming and friendly. We loved our coffee as well.

14. Shop till you drop on ‘Meir Shopping Street’

We are now in the fashion destination of Antwerp, Meir Shopping Street and our smile I guess says it all. As you walk out of the Central station you cross the Diamond Quarter first and next it’s all about shopping on this famous street with amazing options. But first a sculpture right here as you walk past. The “Hand on the Mier”.

“Hand on the Mier” is a large grey stone sculpture of a hand that serves as a popular but often overlooked landmark. Created by French artist Henri de Miller in 1986 it’s a part of a larger sculptural work by the artist.

The city of Antwerp purchased the sculpture only for the giant hand which is symbolic of the popular local legacy of the villainous giant called ‘Druon Antigoon’ whose hand was severed by Roman soldiers as punishment for how he mistreated those fishermen and villagers who could not afford to pay the toll to the giant and tried to cross the Scheldt River. Come let’s shop.

Antwerp. Where all that glitters is not gold. They are Diamonds. But there is so much more that you would experience when here. And look back on after your visit while enjoying the Belgian chocolates with your family and friends.

If you loved the Antwerp experience with us, PIN it for planning and forward for friends!