Location: Antwerp
Top Things to do in Antwerp
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What to do and see in Antwerp, Flanders: The Best Architectural Buildings
Lively Antwerp is a hidden gem. Its medieval streets, Renaissance monuments and vibrant nightlife tend to be overshadowed by its reputation as center of the diamond trade and as the world's fifth-largest port. Biking is a popular choice for getting around this stylish Flemish city. See thousands of Old Masters at the Royal Museum and Rubens House. Experience the bustle of life at the Grote Markt. Marvel at the art and architecture of the still unfinished Cathedral of Our Lady, started in 1351.
Restaurants in Antwerp
1. Ruys
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Today Jewellery Ruys is a place where tradition lives on. 5 generations in jewellery giving the best of themselves to help there clients to find the right jewel. Our passion for jewellery and diamonds is found in the quality we seek. We believe excellence is in the details. So come and visit us in our beautiful art deco shop. We'll share our knowledge so you can find the perfect jewel for your budget.
Reviewed By Ybwam
Excelling under pressure I flew to the other side of the world to buy an engagement ring from Ruys. More than 16,500km from Melbourne, Australia, to Antwerp, Belgium. And I truly believe there is no other jeweller in between that would have worked as hard to make my fiance's perfect ring a reality under unusual and challenging circumstances. First of all, Jean the owner, was on holiday the week my fiance and I planned to be in Belgium. His store, like many of Antwerp's jewellers was closed for the week around Assumption Day, but he agreed to an appointment anyway. And he did so knowing he would have less than five days (including a weekend) from our initial appointment to confirm the style of ring, the stone to go with it and to deliver the finished product before we made our return trip to Australia. Second, he agreed to all this knowing I hadn't proposed yet and that my early suggestions for the ring design and stone shapes could change once my fiance became involved. And it did change. Dramatically. For starters, my partner wanted a coloured stone - but didn't know exactly what kind. Just that it had to be blue or green, or a combination of pink and yellow. Second, while almost all the rings she owned prior to the engagement were solitaire settings, she wanted a three stone arrangement for the engagement ring. Many emails later, but in the less than four days before our appointment, Jean was able to source a series of gorgeous and very unusual gemstones that fit the brief. Two Watermellon tourmalines - a pink colour that slowly changes to yellow-green, a green tourmaline and a natural zircon that was blue or green depending which way you looked at it. By the time we arrived in Antwerp the perfect ring was ready, and we just had to choose the right stone. It's worth noting again that again, as this was a holiday week, no local gem dealers were available. So Jean had obtained his stones from Germany at no cost to us - something only a jeweller with an exceptional reputation and extensive experience could achieve. Rather than just present the stones, he also ensured all of them were cut in such a way that they would be hardy enough for daily wear. An irridiscent, green tourmaline was the perfect choice in the end - and far under what I had initially indicated the budget for the ring would be. Despite the lower value, Jean's efforts continued as he made arrangements to have the stone set and the ring resized ahead of our departure from Europe. With the consultation over he offered some tourist advice, posed for a selfie with us and sent us into Antwerp's beautiful old town. He also talked us through how to reclaim a VAT refund (worth several hundred Euros for those who live outside the EU). When we returned to collect the ring, it was perfect. The quaint art deco Ruys jewelry store in Antwerp has a lot of rare and beautiful jewlry inside it. But despite all the diamonds, gold and precious stones, the most priceless gem is Jean. His expertise, professionalism and enthusiasm is invaluable. His wonderful sense of humour and easy to deal with nature is forever a part of our engagement, and a fantastic memory.
2. Antwerpen-Centraal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,287 reviews
Leopold II had this unusual rail station built as a neo-Baroque monument to the railway age in 1905.
Reviewed By HenkSpring - Antwerp, Belgium
Although an operating railway station the out and inside are worth a visit for its monumental grandeur. A late 19th. century with beautiful facade and a majestic interior. Look at the marble floors in the main hall, all made out of Belgian marble. Look up inside to the dome. A must do is have a coffee in the cafetaria (or foyer), when you walk in from the front go up the stairs and take a right. Beautifull interior, like a time capsule. The level ground platforms have an impressive glasshouselike ceiling. In the late 20th. century extensive works were carried out such as a tunnel underneath and a shopping centre in excavated levels without disturbing the main historical structure.
3. Town Hall (Stadhuis)
4. Carolus Borromeus Church
5. Havenhuis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By AnthonyD519 - Brasschaat, Belgium
This building is Iconic and is intended to be a landmark and it is a succes in all respects, Wonderfull to approach the building, and worth visiting the lobby which has an impressive "atrium" and an amazing satelite photo of the port, Todo
