Antwerp City Breaks

A guide to Antwerp

Antwerp is one of Belgium's most important regions, economically and culturally, and has a wealth of interesting and important artefacts that tell the story of Europe from centuries past to the present day. It is also a modern city, with facilities and hotels that will have you feeling comfortable and serene in the heart of Europe. Trips to Antwerp are perfect for food-lovers, as the city boasts a multi-cultural cuisine, with influences from Spain and France, to Holland and Germany. So whether you are looking to relax in a region rich in heritage, or a more modern destination with a cafe culture and varied accommodation, Antwerp is for you.

An intriguing and historic city

There are a great number of sights to take in in Antwerp, including the 16th century Guildhouses and the Antwerp City Hall, both in the Grote Market square. These monuments to gothic architecture stand out in the main centre of the town and come alive at night, when the coffee and wine-sipping locals congregate here for their nightly entertainment. Interesting day time activities include Antwerp Zoo, one of the world's oldest, with its famous conservation and research facilities, or the Cathedral of our Lady, a magnificent 14th Century cathedral with spectacular interior decoration. The diamond trade adds significantly to Antwerp's economy and you can visit the Antwerp World Diamond Centre to get an insight into this established industry.

Easily accessible by train

With rail connections from Paris or Brussels, you can travel by Eurostar to mainland Europe; great for those who prefer the luxury and simplicity of rail travel. Thanks to a vast array of different hotels, you can find a number of places to stay, and from five star boutique hotels to simpler budget lodgings, there is accommodation to suit every type of visitor.