Antwerp Essentials

Antwerp Essentials & Tourist Information

Currency	Euro
Exchange Rate	Aprox £1 = €1.1
Journey Time	Aprox 2H 50 mins via Eurostar
Time Zone	GMT = +1 hour
Language	Flemish
Voltage	240 V (European two-pin plugs)

National Holidays In Antwerp

January 1st -	New Years Day
January 6th -	Epiphany
April 2nd (2010)	Good Friday
April 5th (2010)	Easter Monday
May 1st -	Labour Day
May 12th -	Whit Monday
July 21st -	Independence Day
Aug 15th (2010)	Assumption
November 1st -	All Saints' Day
November 11th -	Rememberance Day
December 25th	Christmas Day

 

The main area of importance for sightseeing is between the squares of Grote Markt and Groenplaats where an essential stop is the house of Rubens and some of the most iconic works of art to be found in Europe. The museum and gardens are open daily from 10am to 5.30pm and cost €6 per adult. Other key attractions well worth visiting include the Diamond Museum and the City Hall. Antwerp sights are good value for money, ranging in price from €4 - 10 and are generally open daily between 10am - 6pm.

 Search for Antwerp City Breaks

 

Business hours of banks and other financial services are usually 9 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm on weekdays. The main post office is open on Saturdays until 3 pm. City centre shops open doors at 9 am until 7 pm weekdays and some until 9pm on Fridays. Larger supermarkets and stores tend to remain open until 8pm nightly and are also open on Sundays at reduced hours.

 

Seafood specialities and particularly mussels are always a popular choice for visiting diners in Antwerp. Marinated in wine or beer and a side of french fries is the city's signature dish and which isn't complete without a cool glass of De Koninck beer. Other treats to look out for include Paling in't groen (eels with vegetables and herbs) and tomato filled crevettes. Visitors will find the many chocolate shops of Antwerp too alluring to pass and the 'Antwerpse handjes'- small hands made of creamy chocolate are simply irresistable.

 

Antwerp is no different from the rest of Belgium in that all restaurant and hotel bills must include any applicable service charge. There is no obligation to pay any extra but many diners will reward good service with a few extra Euros. Introductions of new people in Antwerp tend to be a formal affair with a firm handshake and will be addressed by surname. When entering a local home as a guest, it is polite to bring a simple gift of confectionary or flowers.

                                   
Antwerp Useful Numbers
• Calling the UK from Antwerp – 0044 + area code minus zero + number
• Police – 112
• Ambulance – 112
• Fire - 112

Disabled Access In Antwerp
The city centre is compact and easy to negotiate due to a large area dedicated to pedestrians only. There are some cobbled and uneven paths which will undoubtedly make wheelchair users uncomfortable but the efficient bus and tram system has assistance available and low access boarding points. The city authorities have made great strides in encouraging hoteliers to make avaiable wheelchair friendly accomodation and there is currently a good selection to choose from.

Belgium Embassies
• GB Embassy - Rue d'Arlon 85 Aarlenstraat 1040 Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 287 6211
• Belgian Embassy - 17 Grosvenor Crescent London SW1X 7EE Tel: 020 7470 3700

Antwerp City Breaks  Getting Around Antwerp

Things To Do In Antwerp  Antwerp Weather