Tours to Belgium. Red light district

The city is very compact, so the sights can be explored on foot. For long trips you can use public transport.

Buses, trams and metro run regularly from six in the morning to one in the morning. On Friday and Saturday night buses operate, and trams run an hour longer. Buses depart at 01:25 and 03:30 from the Antwerpen-Zuid stop and at 01:45 and 03:30 at night from the Fr stop. Rooseveltplaats.

All public transport is numbered through. During the repair of tram tracks, a bus with the same number is launched along its route. Suburban buses have three-digit numbering.

Free maps with public transport maps can be obtained at the train station, tourist offices or at the metro information desk.

Public transport map

Tickets

Antwerp is served by the transport company De Lijn. Company tickets purchased in other cities (for example, Bruges or Ostend) are valid in the city.

A single ticket costs 3 €. It gives the right to a free transfer to another mode of transport within an hour. Tickets can be purchased from a machine or from the bus driver (you cannot pay with a banknote exceeding 10 €).

A ticket for 10 trips is called Lijn card and costs 14 €. Not sold by the driver. Children under 6 years old - free.

If you plan to take a taxi after the bus, you can buy from the bus driver TOV-biljet. The ticket costs half a euro more than a standard ticket, but gives a 2 € discount in a taxi. The discount is summed up by the number of tickets (no more than one ticket per passenger). Almost all taxi services in Antwerp work with this ticket.

Travel cards

Unlimited passes give you the right to an unlimited number of trips during the day. The activated ticket is valid until 04:00 am the next day.

The child ticket is valid for ages 6 to 12 years.

Brussels tickets are also valid in Antwerp.

Premetro in Antwerp

The pre-metro in the center of Antwerp runs underground; in the suburbs, the tram runs on rails separated from the main transport. There are five routes and 12 stations in total. Several more stations have been built but not opened. In the future, it is planned to transform the underground tram into a full-fledged metro.

After entering the carriage, you need to attach the ticket to the validator. The trains do not have turnstiles, and a validator is located near each door.

Trams in Antwerp

Antwerp's tram network has been in operation since the late 19th century and covers the entire city center and suburbs.

The tram stops on request. Standing at a bus stop, just wave your hand, and once inside, press the button on the door. When entering the tram, you can use any door.

Bicycle rental in Antwerp

The historical center is small and covered with paving stones, so it is not very convenient to move around by bicycle in the center. It would be more comfortable to rent a bicycle for daily rent and go to see the suburbs or the North Sea coast. You can read more about renting a bicycle in Antwerp.

Buses in the city

Buses in Antwerp connect tram lines with each other. There are also many routes through the suburbs and the coast. Entrance to the bus is through the front door.

Intercity buses

From Antwerp you can take a bus to Bruges, Ghent, Amsterdam, Brussels and with transfers to other cities.

Travel time to Bruges is 2 hours, to Ghent - 1 hour, to Amsterdam - 2 hours, to Brussels - 45 minutes.

Eurolines bus stop in Antwerp Van Stralenstraat 8, 2060 Antwerpen, Belgium.

Tourist buses

Tourist buses in Antwerp are called Antwerp Diamond Bus Hop On - Hop Off Tour. Buses run every hour. The seasonal schedule can be confirmed.

There are 7 stops on the route. You can view the excursion route.

Audio guide in Russian. An adult ticket for the day costs 12.5 €, a child ticket - 6 €. Family ticket (2 adults + up to 4 children) - 30 €.

Travel is free for Antwerp City Card holders.

Travelers who have free time in Brussels can easily visit Antwerp, and you can find out how to get there and what distance separates these cities by opening any of the tourist guides.

Google Maps / google.ru

The distance from Antwerp to by rail is only 42 kilometers. The length of the route along highways depends on the chosen route and can be either longer or shorter than the railway route.

Transport

Getting from one city to another is not at all difficult. You can do this by sitting:

1. On the train.
2. On the bus.
3. In a taxi.

Of course, it will be convenient to get to interesting places in a neighboring city in a rented car.

Ride the bus

The easiest way to get from Brussels to Antwerp is, of course, by bus. Buses from the following companies run between cities:

• Eurolines;
• FlixBus.

Sludge G / flickr.com

The interval between flights is:

1. 20 minutes for Eurolines.
2. FlixBus buses depart twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.

On the way, the cars cover 50 km, spending 50-70 minutes on it.

The route passes through quite picturesque places, so tourists usually do not use the Internet access available on each bus, but prefer to admire the pastoral landscapes of Belgium.

The cost of traveling by bus is:

• from 5 to 10 euros for Eurolines;
• from 2 to 15 euros for FlixBus.

Prices, as well as schedules, should be clarified on the carriers’ portals. They change depending on the season, holidays and other factors.

Cha già José / flickr.com

In Brussels, buses depart from the Brussels-North station platform, and upon arrival, tourists get off at the Antwerp stop.

Tickets can be purchased:

1. At the box office.
2. At self-service terminals.
3. At the driver's.
4. On the websites of carrier companies.

There is no need to pre-purchase tickets for Eurolines buses, which depart every 20 minutes. But if you want to leave on an early company flight, you should take care of tickets in advance.

On the train

“Brussels-Antwerp” is a train that is used not so much by tourists as by local residents. The departure interval of electric trains is 1 hour. They depart from the main railway station of the city, and in Antwerp they stop in two places:

• CentraalStation is the main station, located in close proximity to the historical center, just one and a half kilometers from the attractions visited by tourists.
• Berchem - this station is located in the south-eastern area of ​​the Old Town, a couple of kilometers from the Main Station, where travelers get off who are not trying to go to museums, but simply want to take a walk along the ancient streets.

Alan Stanton / flickr.com

The fare is from 3 to 8 euros, the trip duration is 35-40 minutes. The train is not only the easiest, most economical and fastest way to travel, it also has a significant advantage for tourists. It consists in the fact that travelers will see the old train stations of Antwerp along the way. And Brussels train station is an attraction in itself, included in every guidebook.

Taxi

Transfer from Brussels airport to hotels located in the central part of Antwerp costs from 100 euros. You can book it through the website. This figure discourages most travelers from the idea of ​​ordering a taxi and traveling to Antwerp in comfort and at a time convenient for them.

CucombreLibre / flickr.com

However, the transfer price includes what is not included in the taxi price, that is:

1. Payment for gasoline in both directions, most transfer cars come from Antwerp.
2. Even the Belgians do not understand the road tax, what it is, but nevertheless it is included in the price.
3. Luggage – assistance in receiving it, loading it into the car and unloading it at the hotel.
4. Payment for a parking space and a number of other nuances that are not included in the cost of a taxi.

A trip from the center of Brussels to the historical districts of Antwerp costs from 40 to 60 euros, depending on the distance. Of course, if you wish, you can take a route that will cost a hundred euros or even more.

There is no need to search for the car. It is enough to contact the hotel staff with a request to call a car at a certain time. This service will not require additional payment; calling a taxi for guests is part of the service of any European hotel.

Video: Belgium from a train window.

Rented car

The shortest route from Brussels to Antwerp takes 40 minutes. You will have to travel 44.6 kilometers, which will take about 4-5 liters of fuel. The cost of gasoline in Brussels ranges from 1.5-1.8 euros per liter.

The range of fuel prices in Belgium is the lowest among the EU countries. This is due to the fact that the upper limit on the cost of fuel is fixed and the country’s government strictly monitors compliance with the retail pricing policy of gas stations.

Ruben Holthuijsen / flickr.com

You can rent a car in any area of ​​the city; there is no difference in cost between rental offices located at the airport or train station and those located in the center.

You can find a car that suits its price and characteristics using a service or any other. On average, the price of three days of car rental in Belgium is 5 thousand Russian rubles.

Each travel option from Brussels to Antwerp is convenient in its own way. The Belgians themselves prefer to travel by train. Students and young people travel by bus and by hitchhiking. Those who travel from Antwerp to Brussels to work use their own car.

Antwerp can easily surpass in extraordinary fashion, compete with avant-garde art, compete with medieval charm, compete with freedom of morals and even challenge in the choice of fashionable eateries. Well, when it comes to diamond release, it’s difficult to even compare Antwerp with any other city, because it is rightfully considered the capital of diamonds. 8 out of 10 uncut stones are processed here (on a pirate map, I think, if Antwerp were there, there would be a bold cross!)

In the mid-16th century, thanks to its advantageous location, it was one of the most significant and richest cities in Europe, where it was also home to the superstar of that time - the great Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens. Antwerp's history is riddled with historical cataclysms and the bombing of World War II, which still did not take away from the city's medieval charm. Now, like a magnet, it attracts a diverse audience: from fashion designers and rich ladies to art lovers and diamond dealers. Antwerp's popularity grew in the 1980s, when the city's Academy of Fine Arts produced a golden generation of young designers who took the fashion world by storm. That's when Antwerp turned from a once rich, but, alas, squandered its former glory, provincial city into a fashionable and dynamic center of Belgium. Yes, there are still a lot of diamonds here, and churches and museums are filled with paintings of magnificent ladies by Rubens, but now there is also a vibrant cultural life here. Fashionable shops and salons, unusual cafes, restaurants, clubs and everything your heart desires, in the format of a small (by Russian standards) city.

Personally, in Antwerp I found everything I love in European cities: world-class museums, art of various styles, beautiful architecture, excellent food and an impossibly cozy embankment of the Scheldt River, which flows into the North Sea. There is no bustle of the capital here, but at the same time there is no drowsiness of a provincial city either.

How to get there

Although Antwerp is the second largest city by Belgian standards, it is nevertheless not a metropolis, but a small, albeit developed, administrative center of the province of the same name. Therefore, the most convenient and profitable ways to get there will include a flight to Brussels. From there you can easily get to Antwerp both from Brussels airports (by bus, train or car) and from any train station in the capital.

Of the more complicated options, the longest trip from Russia will be by direct bus, and the most expensive will be by train (with transfers). Unfortunately, due to the lack of water communication between Russia and Belgium, it is almost impossible to reach the city by sea.

By plane

Although Antwerp does have an airport, it is difficult to use as it only accepts City Jet flights from the UK and Ireland. The most rational way to get to Antwerp is through. You can read in detail about how to get directly to the capital of Belgium. You can compare prices for air tickets at.

From Russia planes fly to the main airport of Brussels - Zaventem.

From there you can travel to Antwerp by train, bus or car.

On the diagram you can see where different types of transport depart from to Antwerp.

Bus

Buses departure from the platform located on level 0 (one floor below the arrivals area). The bus to Antwerp departs at the beginning of every hour: from April 1 to September 30 from 3:00 to 00.00, from October 1 to March 30 from 4.00 (on weekends and holidays from 6.00) to 23.00. The journey will take about 45 minutes. Tickets to Antwerp for adults - 10 euros, for children - 5 euros. They can only be purchased from the driver and in cash. The final stop is Koningin Astridplein, which is a 3-minute walk from Antwerp Station. The driver can also, upon request, make an intermediate stop at the Crown Plaza Hotel (Gerard le Grellelaan, 10) - it takes about 10 minutes to get there from the airport.

Train

Trains from the airport depart from level -1 (2 floors below the arrivals area). Travel time is 32 minutes. Trains depart every 15 minutes, starting from 4.00 until 00.00. Time may vary, so it is better to check the schedule on the website. Prices do not depend on the time and method of purchase, so you can purchase them at self-service terminals, on the website or at ticket offices at the airport. If you come on the weekend, you can buy a Weekend ticket, which is valid for a round trip from 19.00 Friday to the end of Sunday, and costs almost the same as a standard one-way ticket. Children under 12 years of age are allowed free travel with one parent. When purchasing a ticket, discounts are provided for different categories of citizens. Tickets are punched directly on the train by the conductor.

Car rental

You can easily rent a car at the airport and travel to the city via the E19 highway. you can compare offers from different rental companies.

Antwerp is located 43 kilometers from the airport. The journey will take 30-40 minutes excluding traffic jams.

If you arrive at the airport Charleroi(), which is located about 90 km from Antwerp, then first take a bus that will take you to the railway station, from where you can leave by train.

You can buy a combination ticket in advance on the website. It will include travel by train and bus, and will cost 21 EUR.

By train

There is no direct train connection between Russia and Belgium, so if you want to get to Antwerp by train, you will first have to make transfers to Brussels. From Brussels Nord main station you can reach Antwerp in about 40 minutes. Check the Belgian Railways website for schedules and prices.

You can also reach Antwerp by train, either direct or connecting, from the nearby Netherlands. Depending on the train you choose, you will get there in an average of 2.5 hours; from within an hour. However, a ticket from both cities will cost the same - about 19 EUR. The schedule can be viewed on the Dutch Railways website.

By bus

Christmas in Antwerp it is celebrated brightly and richly: with many events and entertainment. From December 10 to January 8, a Christmas market takes place on the Grote Markt square, in the middle of which a huge Christmas tree is installed. At this market you can buy local delicacies, handicrafts, drink Belgian beer and even kiss under the huge mistletoe. In addition, stalls are located in Groenplaats, Suikerrui and Steenplein. During the same period, a free outdoor skating rink is open at Groenplaats. you can familiarize yourself with the program of winter events.

Safety. What to watch out for

Compared to the capital of Belgium, Antwerp is much calmer and safer. There is a much lower concentration of immigrants here compared to Brussels, and a generally low crime rate. However, in the tourist area there are cases of robberies, pickpocketing, theft of things from cars, snatching of bags, and theft of bicycles. The least favorable areas for tourists are the areas near Central Station, especially Borgerhout and Seefhoek (eastern part of Antwerp). This is where immigrants live (almost 100 different nationalities). The area is very troubled, and it looks like it. It's quite lively here during the day, but it's definitely not worth walking there at night. Personally, upon arrival in the city, I was warned about a group of people operating directly at the Central Station. They allegedly lure tourists away with the help of children and steal personal items such as phones, laptops and wallets.

De Coninckplein was the center of drug trafficking in Antwerp for many years and was considered a rather dangerous place at night. Although the red light district is guarded, it is still not the best place for night walks. It is also recommended to avoid areas near ports and docks at night.

From my own experience, I can say that on any trip you should take a bag over your shoulder or a backpack, and it is better to put documents and money in hard-to-reach places, such as an inside pocket. Do not take all your money with you, and keep copies of documents at hotels. Always be vigilant, keep an eye on your phone, especially on public transport and at train stations.

Bicycles must be secured. If you rented a car, make sure that the windows are always down when parked.

Things to do

Apart from the obligatory city walks and sightseeing, there is certainly plenty to do in Antwerp.

Excursions and cruises

Like many European cities, Antwerp is designed to be explored on two wheels, so it's no surprise that cycling tours are so popular here. Only for this you need to speak English. Daytime, nighttime, children's and even gastronomic excursions are held daily. Here are some companies offering similar services:

A great way to see Antwerp from an unusual perspective is to take a tour boat ride on the Scheldt River. The beauty of such a tour is that from on board the boat you can see the bustling activity of the port, the work processes of loading, loading and transporting goods, look at the drawbridges, marvel at the size of some seafaring giants, and see Fort Lillo. After all, the port of Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe.

There are also gastronomic trips, when in addition to admiring the sea views, you can devour pancakes, or eat meat or fish dishes, depending on the chosen tour. Prices start from 7.5 EUR. The walk can take 50 minutes, 2 or 3 hours. Most boats depart from the pontoon at Steenplain or Londenbrug. Here are some cruise lines:

A very convenient way to get to know the city is to ride a tourist bus that travels around the city and stops near various attractions. You can purchase a ticket for 24 or 48 hours. The tour lasts an hour and starts every 75 minutes from the Central Station (Astridplein - platform 7). The bus runs from 10.30 to 16.30. You can get off and on the bus at any stop. There is an audio translator on board (including in Russian). Tickets can be purchased on board the bus, online on the website or at information centers.

Another option for a sightseeing tour is a retro tram from the Audio Guide company only in German and English. The essence of this tour is the same, but the transport is nicer! By the way, it runs on natural gas.

Having ridden bicycles, buses and boats, you can also walk around the city on foot, in the company of a guide, for example! You can choose a Russian-speaking guide, but in general, there are guides who speak different languages.

Shopping and shops

Antwerp is designed to cater to the needs of shopaholics. On the largest shopping street, Meir, and nearby Huidevettersstraat, Nationalestraat and Kammenstraat, you can find everything your heart desires and a little more. Even I couldn’t resist and went into the shopping center. It was successfully restored and reopened in 2007 after being partially destroyed by fire ten years earlier. In addition to the many shops, the eye is drawn to the amazing design - vaulted glass ceilings with gilding, sculptures, mosaics, wall reliefs, oak parquet floors.

The most expensive and exclusive shops are located on Hopland and Schuttershofstraat.

Wealthy people, of course, flock to Antwerp for diamonds. The diamond trade takes place in the Jewish Quarter. On the streets Pelikaanstraat, Schupstraat and Hovenierstraat. Be careful, because buying precious stones in one of the jewelry stores near Central Station can turn into a sad experience.

If you don't have much money and your friends want you to bring diamonds from Antwerp, then go to one of the many chocolate shops in the city and buy them diamond-shaped candies!

All kinds of Asian goods can be purchased in Chinatown.

For antiques, you should go to Kloosterstraat. On Sunday, trade in antiques and trinkets moves directly from the premises directly to the street.

And don’t forget about open markets. Every Friday in the city center, Vrijdagmarkt is open, offering antiques and second-hand goods. On Sunday, the Theaterplein is home to the Vogelenmarkt, the city's most popular weekend market, where you can find everything from food and household items to bicycles, antiques and pets. On Sunday you have the opportunity to visit the antique market on Sint-Jansvliet Square. In addition, every last Sunday of the month (from May to September) an art market opens on Lambermontplaats, where Antwerp artists present their works.

In Ploegstraat 25, go to the so-called gift shop. You can bring any things here and pick them up completely free of charge. The store is open daily, except weekends, from 14.00 to 18.00. Another popular store is located at Kroonstraat 166.

Bars. Where to go

Antwerp is simply bursting at the seams with a huge number of bars. As evening approaches, city residents head to their favorite drinking establishments to drink beer and chat with friends. If you don’t spend an evening like this at least once, then consider that you haven’t seen Antwerp! The Belgians are rightfully proud of their beer, so it would be reckless not to enjoy this drink in Antwerp (chilled, of course). In addition to the main Belgian beers, be sure to try De Koninck, a light red ale that was invented in the 19th century in Antwerp. It is served in branded glasses with steep sides - bolleke. The same aspiration has stuck to the beer variety, so don’t be surprised if you see it on the menu along with its official name. Another local drink that should be ignored is Elixir d'Anvers liqueur.

Street cafes are concentrated on Groenplaats and Grote Markt; traditional pubs, or in other words - “brown cafes” - are concentrated on Hoogstraat, Pelgrimstraat, Pieter Potstraat and adjacent streets; Beer cellars can be found on Stadswaag.

With the onset of June, summer bars open in Antwerp, usually on the roofs of buildings or in parks. When the weather is warm, there's nothing better than enjoying your favorite drinks while sitting on your sun loungers and admiring the city views. Here are some popular summer bars for you to choose from:

• Born in Anwerp (Kattendijkdok-Oostkaii, 21)
• Bar Gloed (De Keyserlei, 5)
• Smokey Jo's garage (Boomgaardstraat, 17)
• Cargo Zomerbar (Spoor Noord park)

Clubs and nightlife

You will be surprised, but it seemed that such a small city hides a huge number of bars and clubs. People party here all night! A particularly large concentration of Antwerp dance floors is located in the area of ​​Falconplein and the Red Light District. However, there are several fairly large clubs for which people travel to different parts of the city. Every Thursday is traditionally considered the day when students go away. Therefore, on this day of the week most of the clubs are crowded. The advantage of Thursday is that admission is free almost everywhere. The downside is that you have to stand in lines. To avoid this, you should come to party either before 12 at night or after 2.

Don't miss the opportunity to look into one of the largest and most popular nightclubs not only in Antwerp, but also in Belgium - Cafe d'Anvers. The club is located in a real 16th century church, which is located right in the middle of the Red Light District. DJs from all over the world perform here with music in the style of House, R&B, Techno, Minimal, Electro, Progressive House, Vocal House. The club has a huge balcony with a great view of the dance floor. Café d'Anvers is open on Friday and Saturday from 23 to 7.30, and on Thursday until 6 am. You can find out more information and prices. Address: Verversrui, 15

Fans of live music choose a club located on the outskirts of the city. The club is located in a former factory building. The main musical trends are Hip-hop, New-wave, Reggae, Funk and Hard-rock. Ticket prices vary between 15 EUR, but if you buy through the website, it will be cheaper. Address: d"Herbouvillekaa, 25.

For lovers of Cuban and Latin American dances, there is a club in Antwerp. The interior is designed in the style of the 20s. It is believed that the most interesting parties take place on Saturdays. The ticket price (approx. 12 EUR) includes a drink, a free lesson from 21.00 to 22.00, the cost of a wardrobe and the concert. Address: Waalse Kaai, 25

Oddly enough, most clubs in Antwerp are closed in the summer. This may be due to the large number of summer festivals and music events, when dance floors open up everywhere. Therefore, partygoers simply do not need to go to a club when they can dance in the open air.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

In Antwerp you can buy not only purely Belgian souvenirs like waffles or a bottle of Genever, but also products created in this city.

How to get around the city

Antwerp has a fairly extensive network of bus and tram routes. I would even say that for such a small city there is plenty of transport here. There is also a metro, but not like ours. These are several tram lines (2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 15) that run underground. Trains may depart from one platform in different directions, so you need to carefully monitor the information on the screens. There are even night buses that run on Friday and Saturday. All information about routes can be found on the website of the carrier Delijn. Lines 2 and 15 run between the station and the historical center.

Tickets are sold in special yellow machines installed at bus stops and in the subway, as well as in newsstands and supermarkets. You can also buy a trip by sending an SMS. You can buy a single ticket - 1.80 EUR, a day pass - 6 EUR (children - 4 EUR), a 3-day pass - 12 EUR, a 5-day pass - 17 EUR, a 10-trip pass - 15 EUR. You cannot buy multi-day passes from the driver, and a single ticket will cost 3 EUR. Children under 6 years old - free. A single ticket allows you to travel for an hour on any type of transport with transfers.

Velo. You can purchase a one-day, weekly or even an annual subscription by registering on the company's website or at any station at the machine.

You can ride for free for the first half hour, then you have to pay extra. In total, you can ride no more than 4 hours on one bike. But why ride longer if you can park at one of 153 stations and take another bike?

Other bike rentals:

Car rental

You can rent a car in Antwerp, but it can cause a lot of inconvenience due to the small number of parking spaces, narrow streets, already crowded with bicycles and buses. Lots of one-way streets. You can rent a car only if you are 21 years old and have an international driving license. Here are some companies.

You can compare rental prices from different rental companies.

Antwerp - holidays with children

If you are traveling with children, then rest assured: Antwerp is a city where everything is created for adults and parents to spend time together: theme parks, playgrounds, wide pedestrian areas, petting zoos, family excursions, parks and much more.

Fun activities for children and their parents:

• Visit to petting farms on the outskirts of Antwerp, where children can get a closer look at rural life and interact with rabbits, poultry, kids and other animals.
!

Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Car rental- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

The most important square in Antwerp is the GroteMarkt. It is considered a pearl of 16th century architecture. There are many historical buildings here. In the middle of the square there is a statue-fountain of Brabo - the winner of the giant (built in 1887). Guild buildings are decorated with gilded statues. The Town Hall (Stadhuis) was built in 1564 in the Renaissance style and has many Flemish Gothic elements that prevent it from standing out too much among other buildings.

Sten Castle(HetSteen) - the oldest building in Antwerp. It was built in the 13th century. Its name literally means stone. This is the first building that was built of stone. The rest of the building was made of wood at that time. The main role of the fortress was to protect the city from ill-wishers who could come from the sea.
In 1963, a monument to the Long Whopper was erected in front of the castle entrance. This is a character from local folklore, who, according to legend, turns into a dwarf or a giant and scares naughty children. Nowadays the archaeological museum and the National Maritime Museum are located here. It is located near the main square, on Suikerrui street 7.

There are many other attractions in Antwerp around the main market square.

At the Plantin-Moretus Museum you can see the entire history of printing since the 16th century. A large collection of printing equipment, including the oldest printing presses in the world. The museum is located south of the town hall.
Another interesting building can be seen 100 meters north of the town hall. This is the Butcher's House (Vleeshuis) - the main headquarters of all butchers from the 14th century. Once upon a time, this house was the only place in the city where you could buy meat. You can visit Vleeshuis every day except Mondays from 10:00 to 17:00.

In the church of St. Jacob (Sint-Jacobskerk) was buried by all the noble bourgeois of the city. It was built between 1491 and 1656. The church has more than 20 tomb chapels. In one of them rests the ashes of Peter Paul Rubens. In the same chapel you can see his painting “The Virgin Mary Surrounded by Saints.” The author himself is depicted in the picture in the image of St. George.

The Rockoxhuis house in 1603-1625 belonged to NicolaasRockox, who was the mayor of Antwerp. Now it houses collections of paintings by Jordaens, Brueghel, Van Dyck, Matsijs, and of course Rubens. It is open every day from 10am to 5pm except Monday.

Meir Street is the noisiest street in the city. Here is the Torengebouw skyscraper, which was first built in Europe (1932).
Also on Meir Street is the New Exchange. This building served as the world's first stock exchange. In 1858, the Exchange was heavily damaged by fire, after which it was reconstructed in the neo-Gothic style.

The most famous shopping streets of Antwerp, Schuttershofstraat and Hopland, are located opposite each other, and are connected by the large Wapper square. Here you can find boutiques of all famous brands.
In the square there is the Royal Palace (KoninklijkPaleis) and the Rubens House.

The Royal Palace amazes with its extraordinary architecture. Now it is the residence of the king. But, despite this, the Palace is open to tourists. The Large Gallery, the Throne Hall and the Hall of Mirrors will not leave any visitor indifferent. In the gallery you can see a large number of paintings by both old and modern artists. There is a beautiful garden around the Royal Palace.

(Rubenshuis) built in Baroque style. The great artist created his masterpieces here. He is rightly called the founder of the Baroque style. Now this house houses a municipal museum, which is dedicated to the life and work of the famous artist. Here you can see the master’s sketches, portraits, copies and originals of his paintings. The museum can be visited every day from 9:00 to 1700. Monday is a day off.

Antwerp has its own “golden quarter”. It is located near the Central Railway Station, on Pelikaanstraat. The diamond center employs approximately 30,000 workers. More than 50% of the world's diamond turnover passes through this center.

The Diamond Museum is located on Queen Astrid Square (KoninginAstridplein). In it you can see various examples of jewelry art dating back to the 16th century. You can visit the museum every day except Wednesday. From 10:00 to 17:00. Entrance costs 6 euros for adults. Children under 12 years old have free admission.

Around the Central Station there are shops where retail diamond sales are carried out. This place was chosen specifically so that many buyers would not attract special attention. We came, we bought, we left.

Antwerp is home to one of the oldest zoos in the world (founded back in 1843). More than 5,000 animals and birds of 950 species live on 10.5 hectares of land. About one and a half million people visit the zoo every year. In a green oasis, almost in the middle of the city center, the flora and fauna are as close as ever. All zoo residents are under the protection of the Royal Zoological Society (KDMA). The zoo can be visited every day from 10:00. In the period from November to February it closes at 16:45, in March, April and October - at 17:30, in May, June and September it closes at 18:00, in August - at 19:00 in the evening. The ticket price for adults is 12 euros, and for children from 3 to 11 years old - 9.5 euros.

The port is called the heart of the city. It ranks first in Europe. It is Antwerp's largest employer and taxpayer. Traditionally, there is a red light district near the port.

My Belgian series is coming to an end, all that remains is to tell you about Antwerp. This city is the second largest in Belgium after Brussels, but in terms of liveliness and luxury it is not inferior to the capital. In the first part of the walk we will walk from the pretentious Antwerp train station to the heart of the city - the Great Square. And along the way we’ll go to Rubens’ house, where the famous Flemish artist lived and painted his plump “graces.”

The theater begins with a hanger, and the city begins with a train station. And I’ll tell you that in Antwerp this hanger is a hanger for all hangers. It’s less like a station and more like a real “railroad cathedral”, which is what the locals call it. Antwerp Central Station was built at the beginning of the 20th century, made in the neoclassical style. The station is crowned by a huge dome, 75 meters high, and eight turrets. The interior is decorated with 20 types of marble and other stones. In all ratings of the most luxurious train stations, Antwerp takes the top line, and deservedly so in my opinion.

There’s just some kind of madness inside, it seems the architect wanted to outdo St. Cathedral. Peter in Rome or St. Sofia in Istanbul. I was so stunned by all this splendor after the modest, purely functional Brussels North Station that I didn’t bother to really photograph the cathedral; I had to take one picture on the Internet.

After the latest updates, the station has become multi-level; you can stand for a long time on one of the upper balconies and watch the rushing passengers and trains on each floor.

I traveled to Antwerp by train from Brussels. This is the most convenient option; the train goes to Antwerp from Brussels North Station in only 30-40 minutes. But even if you come by car, I recommend that you still go to the station and be sure to go inside.

There is a joke that the location for the Antwerp train station was not chosen by chance. Allegedly, it was specially built in the jewelers' quarter. This way, buyers could stock up on diamonds and quietly, without being seen in the city itself, drive back to their home. Jokes aside, right opposite the station there are endless shops selling girls best friends and other jewelry. More than half of all diamonds in the world are sold in this small area! Can you imagine?

Once the center of trade in diamonds supplied from India was in Bruges, but then its port became shallow and jewelers moved to neighboring Antwerp. Then, for some time, Amsterdam took the palm. Diamond cutting was mainly done by Jews, so during Spanish rule they moved from Catholic Antwerp to the more tolerant Protestant Amsterdam. However, this period just allowed Antwerp to take first place again. The fact is that diamonds of lower quality and smaller size were supplied here than in Amsterdam, thanks to which local cutters became more experienced over time and eventually outperformed their Amsterdam colleagues again.

In addition to the diamond shops and the Diamond District, in the square opposite the Central Station there is a hefty Diamond Museum. On weekdays you can watch the diamond cutting process there.

On the same square (Koningin Astridplein) there are several other interesting attractions. For example, a building Radisson Blue Astrid Hotel in post-modern style.

Or Antwerp Zoo.

The building at the entrance to the zoo is decorated with a huge statue of a Bactrian camel. Very cool.

And to conclude the topic with the station area, a couple of photographs from Chinatown. Chinatown appeared in Antwerp relatively recently, in the 70s of the last century. The entrance to Chinatown is decorated with a gate through which the local tram passes.

It's time to move further towards the center. If you think that the chic and pathos of Antwerp ends at the station, then this is not at all true. A couple of minutes' walk and you'll be greeted by a lush square named after the Flemish artist David Teniers.

The most striking thing on the square is two buildings in the neo-Baroque style. Rich!

Monument to Teniers the Younger.

Behind Teniers Square begins the most hellish part of Antwerp - Mayr street. I have never seen such a crowd of people even in the capital Brussels. If you come to Antwerp straight from quiet Bruges, you might get sick. It seemed to me that Antwerp was even more lively and metropolitan than Brussels itself.

The answer is that Antwerp is the capital of shopping and Belgian fashion, and not only Belgian. Antwerp Six at the end of the last century, she glorified Belgian design and fashion throughout the world. True, I don’t know any of them except Mr. Bikkembergs, but I’m still that fashionista. In general, if you came here with your better half, then your wallet is in jeopardy. First, a walk through the Diamond Quarter will drill a hole in it, and then it will be emptied by Meir Street.

There is a lot of movement here around the clock.

As you know, I am a highly spiritual person (cough cough), I prefer treasures of a different kind to diamonds and expensive clothes. And, Antwerp is full of places where you can successfully consume them. For example, Rubens House. The great Flemish artist lived in this house for his last 29 years. Well, OK, the house is not entirely real, it was restored in the middle of the last century, at that time there was little left of the original. The museum positions itself more as a center for the study of Flemish art, rather than as a memorial museum for the artist. But I still liked it here, to a large extent, because at the entrance they give out a very detailed and interesting audio guide.

The original furnishings from Rubens' time have not been preserved, but museum workers have tried to restore authentic interiors of that era. In my opinion, this was quite successful.

The coziest room in the house is the family dining room. If I'm not mistaken, a portrait of Rubens' second wife, Elena Furman, hangs above the chair.

Rubens' bedroom. What always amazes me about Flemish and Dutch houses is their wardrobe beds. The funny thing is that when Peter I lived in Zaandam, he also had to spend the night in such a little box, given his height.

This painting by Jordaens caught my attention. It's not often you see a picture of a black saint. The character in the foreground is immediately recognizable; who else can hold stone tablets in their hands? Of course, Moses. But the black girl turned out to be his... wife Zipporah. The museum guide dubbed this painting Jordaens' anti-racist demonstration. Allegedly, the Protestant artist was discriminated against in Catholic Flanders, and thus expressed his indignation. Well, I don’t know, maybe he just wanted to portray a black model?

The only surviving original part of Rubens's house, which he himself designed after the Palazzo of Genoa, is the portico in the courtyard.

Rubens collected an impressive collection of paintings in his house. Alas, they have now scattered to various museums and private collections. But still, the Belgians managed to get hold of several famous paintings, in particular the original painting by Rubens himself, “Adam and Eve in Paradise.”

And finally, the main place in Rubens’s house is his workshop. Many of his famous paintings were created here. The room is very spacious, which is not surprising, because... Usually several people worked on one painting. His team included individual specialists in depicting animals, plants or entire landscapes. Some of his assistants later also became famous, for example, Van Dyck.

After Rubens' house I visited more Church of St. Jacob, but I’ll tell you about it separately. In the meantime, let's continue our journey to the center of Antwerp. One of the signs of the streets of Antwerp is the numerous statues depicting the Madonna and Child.

On the way I looked at another interesting place Sint-Nicolaasplaats(St. Nicholas Square). It is not noted in the guidebooks as something worthy of attention, but I really liked this quiet and gothic corner of Antwerp. The location of the square is not entirely obvious; you walk along Lange Nieuwstraat from the Church of St. Jacob to the cathedral, and at one point you need to turn into the gate next to the church.

Inside you will find a very cozy and ancient courtyard, which is actually an entire square.

The facade of the Noordteater theater overlooks the square, but at the same time there is still a very quiet and peaceful atmosphere all around.

The trams are not like Lisbon, of course, but that’s okay too.