An unbeatable quality of life

Antwerp is what it is today thanks to its location by the River Scheldt. The Antwerp waterfront is a constant source of enrichment for the city.  

When the docks were built at the request of Napoleon, the northern borough of het Eilandje was the oldest port area of the city. Today, the area is known as the quintessential hipster district. However, its maritime atmosphere persists, together with repurposed warehouses, sheds and characteristic cobblestones. 

High-quality architecture is in the spotlight on Het Eilandje. The residents of the new Westkaai Towers have stunning views over the city, MAS and the Red Star Line Museum. Renowned architect Zaha Hadid’s Havenhuis dominates the city’s skyline. The Cadix neighbourhood is ​​developing rapidly and is becoming the location to watch. 

Admire the renovated Town Hall and the guild houses on Grote Markt, then make your way to the Cathedral of Our Lady, the largest Gothic building in the Low Countries. Step inside and marvel at the rich interior, home to four impressive paintings by Peter Paul Rubens. In the Plantin-Moretus Museum, on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the history of books and book printing comes alive. Thanks to a collaboration with Google, part of the collection will soon be available on Google Books. In the DIVA Museum for diamonds, jewellery and silver, discover the centuries-old connection between diamonds and Antwerp. Next is the Fashion and Theatre District, which is all about leisure and creativity. For decades, Antwerp has maintained a remarkably high status within the international fashion world, alongside big names such as Paris, London, Milan and New York. 

Antwerp’s Theatre District is home to many directors, actors, dancers and musicians. In the cafes and bars, you can almost hear the bubbling creativity. It’s also worth visiting during the day for the many fashion, antique and interior design shops in the area, as well as two small but beautiful museums: the Maiden’s House Museum and the Museum Mayer van den Bergh. There’s also a fun market at Theaterplein on weekends. 

In this district of Antwerp, in the faces on the street and in shops, cafes and restaurants, you encounter the whole world. From ordinary to chic, from historical to modern, this district has it all. At its heart is the majestic Central Station, one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. Nearby is Antwerp ZOO, one of Europe’s oldest and a haven of peace in the heart of the city. At its centre lies the Flanders Meeting and Convention Center Antwerp, where you can organise unforgettable events. This unique venue aims to support the partnership between conferences and conservation and cherishing nature in a sustainable way. The stunning Queen Elisabeth Hall at Astridplein is a concert and event venue with superior acoustics. On the other side of Astridplein, you can learn all about Belgian chocolate at Chocolate Nation. The diamond district, or Diamond Square Mile, is also just around the corner. This area is home to countless international diamond workers, jewellers and diamond merchants. Right in the middle of the diamond district is the Sephardic Synagogue, one of 30 active synagogues in Antwerp. 

Zurenborg is a hidden gem with Belle Epoque magnificence. Antwerp is home to many types of architecture: Art Nouveau, Neogothic and Neoclassical. However, the pièce de résistance of all these elegant Art Nouveau facades, streets and atmospheric squares is Cogels Osylei, which features sublime architecture dating from the turn of 19th century. Dageraadplaats, in the centre of Zurenborg, is one of the most beautiful squares in the country. With a playground for kids and many cafes, it’s a fun place to spend a Saturday afternoon or enjoy a romantic al fresco diner under the stars. 

Characterised by wide avenues, stately mansions, wonderful squares, an extraordinary range of shops and some of the best museums, Het Zuid is also one of Antwerp’s most chic neighbourhoods when it comes to eating and drinking well. The stunning Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp is the jewel in the crown that is the Zuid district. In this intricately-renovated building, visitors can admire an impressive collection of art, now being displayed in a completely new exhibition layout. In the historical parts of the museum, you can find the works of Rubens, Van Dyck and Van Eyck standing face-to-face with Jean Fouquet’s gorgeous Madonna. Discover the largest James Ensor collection in the world, the artworks of Rik Wouters, Magritte, Modigliani and many more. This neighbourhood offers museums including the FOMU Photo Museum, and M HKA museum of contemporary art, as well as art galleries and concept stores. The recently renovated quays of the River Scheldt are just around the corner, offering playgrounds, sports facilities and great views over the water. A perfect destination for a stroll after dinner. 

Groen Kwartier is a new hotspot in the city of Antwerp. These days, the former military hospital is a green car-free oasis of homes and work places. The Jane, a two Michelin star restaurant, is located in the hospital’s stunning former chapel. PAKT is known as the sustainable heart of Groen Kwartier. It’s the perfect place to enjoy locally-produced coffee and dishes in a unique setting, surrounded by wonderful roof gardens. On Antwerp’s largest rooftop farm, you can grow fruit and vegetables, or try your hand at aquaculture and poultry farming, all under the guidance of professional farmers. 

The meaning of the term ‘urban development’ becomes very clear in Nieuw Zuid - the New South. Over the past few years, a green neighbourhood has arisen between Antwerp South and the Scheldt. Residential towers designed by top architects, a park, and numerous new facilities make it a vibrant place to live. This, along with the new Court of Justice and the renovated former freight terminal, now home to the headquarters of Bank Van Breda, make it the new place to be/work/play/live. Not only that, this neighbourhood also boasts the largest park in the city and the country’s largest district heating network.