Antwerp is Belgium’s second largest city and the unofficial capital of the Dutch speaking Flanders region.

To quote a James Bond film title, Diamonds are forever! Antwerp is known as the diamond capital of the world since the 16th century, around 80% of rough diamonds passes through the district.

It’s home to Europe’s second largest port making it an important place for international trade.

Speaking of trade, Antwerp built the first real stock exchange in 1531 at the request of many traders who wanted a safe place to do business. The building itself served as an inspiration for the stock exchanges in London, Frankfurt and Amsterdam.

Antwerp hosted the 1920 Olympics which was the first Olympics after WWI.

Antwerp City Hall

Antwerp City Hall is situated on Grote Market and was erected between 1561 – 1565. It took several architects and artists to design the city hall.

It went through a restoration project in 2018 costing €29m and reopened in 2022.

There are flags for all 87 representing countries which has a consulate in Antwerp.

It still serves as Antwerp’s administration centre and is open to visitors by bookings or special occasions.

Cathedral of Our Lady

The Cathedral of Our Lady or de Kathedral is the largest gothic structure in the low countries. It’s located in the narrows streets off Grote Markt.

Construction first started in 1352, despite the first stage of construction finishing in 1521, it has never been fully completed.

It was originally given Cathedral status in 1559 before losing it during the French ruling and then regaining the title in 1961.

The 123m tower is the tallest in Belgium and a defining feature of the Antwerp skyline.

Het Steen

Het Steen is a medieval fortress in the old city centre on the Scheldt river. The structure was built between 1200 and 1225 and is Antwerp’s oldest building.

It use to serve as the city’s maritime museum before the museum was relocated. The external fortification can still be viewed from the street by the public in Antwerp’s scenic old town.

Originally known as Antwerp Castle, Het Steen, meaning ‘The Stone’ in Dutch was one of the first stone structures in the city. The current structure is a fraction of the original castle which was demolished in the 19th century.

After renovations, the remaining part of the original structure is the entrance gate. Het Steen is home to a visitor centre, cruise terminal and the Antwerp Story which is ideal for anyone wanting an introduction to the city.

Chocolate Nation

Chocolate Nation is the largest chocolate museum in Belgium.

Belgium’s first chocolate factory opened in 1845 in Antwerp. The port of Antwerp is the largest storage port for cocoa beans in the world.

There are 14 rooms in the Chocolate Nation which takes you on a 90 minutes journey through the story of Belgian chocolate, from tradition and innovation, to brands, history and products and more. It’s not just an exhibition, it’s an immersive experience as well.

I didn’t know until I was in Antwerp that it was the largest chocolate museum. If you’re a chocolate lover, you can’t miss the chance to visit the Chocolate Nation.

It’s opposite Antwerp Central Station, which side note, Antwerp Central Station is one of the nicest station buildings you’ll see.

Antwerp was fine for what it was. I think it would be better to visit in the summer rather than the winter.

I spent the new year here and it was a pretty low key for a place in Belgium as you could get for a new year. I didn’t mind it, it was nice to be inside a pub chatting over some beers instead of the cold waiting for fireworks.

You’d imagine Ghent, Bruges or Brussels would have been more lively during the new year than Antwerp. In fact I did a new year in Brussels in 2017 and can attest to this.

You won’t need more than a couple of days here. Maybe a day extra if you enjoy Christmas markets. Antwerp has a good one in Grote Markt.