Anvers

Our expert Belgium

Anvers

Antwerp Antwerp is both an industrial and a commercial city and one which also boasts a rich architectural and artisanal heritage. Chris Schufer / age fotostock

In the centre, towards the border with the Netherlands, you will reach Anvers, a large European port and the second largest town in the country, on the right bank of the Escaut. You can visit it on foot. As the inhabitants say: "do the Meir". Meaning: stroll along the avenue with this name. Anvers is a historical, cultural and commercial town. Discover the cathedral with its graceful bell tower, stained-glass windows and paintings by Rubens. Close by, do not miss the painter's house. At the foot of the church, the Vlaeykensgang passage has white houses and restaurants. The Anvers Main Square has the Renaissance-style town hall and houses belonging to the guilds, topped with gilded statues. If you like art deco, go to the Zuid. As regards diamond merchants, they are mostly in the main station district. In good weather, the banks of the Escaut become transformed into terraces. At the back of the squares, the Anvers cafés are abundant down in the cellars.