Antwerp blends baroque grandeur with creative avant-garde. The historic heart centres on the Grote Markt and its Brabo Fountain, crowned by the spire of the Cathedral of Our Lady, which holds several Rubens works. Steps away, the Het Steen castle watches over the Scheldt. To the north, the Eilandje district and the striking MAS museum mark the docklands' revival. Near Antwerp-Central, one of Europe's most beautiful stations, lies the diamond district, a global hub. Antwerp is also a fashion capital, heir to the « Antwerp Six ». To do: admire a Rubens, wander the trendy South district (Het Zuid), browse designer boutiques, and drink a beer in a historic brewery. Elegant, dense, surprising.
🎬The Netflix series « Rough Diamonds » (2023) dives into Antwerp's diamond district, following an ultra-orthodox Jewish family. You'll recognise Antwerp-Central station, the diamond quarter around Pelikaanstraat, the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Het Steen castle on the Scheldt.
✨Antwerp's very name is said to come from a legend: the giant Antigoon would cut off the hand of boatmen who refused to pay his toll, until the hero Brabo slew him and threw his hand into the Scheldt, « hand werpen » (to throw the hand). The Brabo Fountain on the main square has immortalised the scene since 1887.
🧭To escape the centre's crowds, head up to the free rooftop terrace of the MAS museum, which offers one of the city's finest panoramas. A data eSIM helps you navigate the maze of the diamond district and compare jewellers in real time.
ℹ️Antwerp is pleasant to visit from May to September, though the Belgian climate stays changeable; carry an umbrella year-round. The centre is walkable, complemented by a dense network of trams (including underground lines) and shared bikes. Tip: Antwerp-Central is more than a station, take time to admire its monumental hall. Mobile 4G/5G coverage is excellent across the city and wifi is widespread in cafés, hotels and the station. A data eSIM activated on arrival simplifies tram travel, bookings and moving between districts, without relying on public hotspots.
