Antwerp: an astonishing premium destination

With a diverse range of top gastronomy, quirky fashion, timeless design, dazzling diamonds, and lavish art, Antwerp is an exquisite choice for your next premium getaway. Get ready for an exclusive stay in this historic port city that will enchant you with its charm.

September 12, 2024

Antwerp is an astonishing destination for foodies, art-lovers and bon vivants. You'll find this international, cosmopolitan city just a few hours from Amsterdam, Paris, Cologne and London. Moreover, all of the attractions are within walking distance of each other. Prepare for an authentic trip, with a personalised welcome.

Enjoy fine dining

Antwerp has no fewer than seventeen restaurants with at least one Michelin star, and numerous restaurants have a listing in the Gault&Millau guide. The port city is certainly the place to enjoy gastronomic delights.

Want to dine elaborately in a special location? Head to 't Groen Kwartier (the Green Quarter) and reserve a table at The Jane**. The starred restaurant is housed in the beautiful chapel of a former military hospital. You can admire the captivating interior while enjoying culinary delights. In the North of the city, on the top floor of the MAS | Museum aan de Stroom, you will find restaurant Zilte***. Both the unique dishes and the magnificent view of city, river and harbour are astounding. Hertog Jan** also does not disappoint in terms of taste and location. In the centre of the bustling city, Gert De Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens offer an oasis of tranquillity and surprising flavours. Experience an exclusive, culinary journey in an intimate setting.

There's another unique dining experience to be had in star chef Sergio Herman's new kitchen. You'll find PrivéPrivée tucked away in the trendy Zuid district. Bookings depend on the chef's schedule, registering is only possible through a personal WhatsApp link. It could hardly get any more exclusive.

Thanks to its melting pot of cultures, Antwerp has a unique culinary DNA. Let yourself be surprised by the city's many cuisines. If you're after some excellent French cuisine, then Dôme*or Nathan* are highly recommended. Prefer something traditional? Then pay a visit to Bistrot Du Nord* or The Butcher's son*. For Asian cuisine of the highest calibre, DIM Dining* is the place to be, while at Le Pristine* you'll be served the finest Italian dishes in a Zeeland-themed setting. Restaurants such as Het Gebaar*, Nebo* or Kommilfoo* combine cuisines in a contemporary, creative way. Bon appétit!

Quirky fashion ...

For fashion fans, Antwerp is a must-visit destination and surely deserves a place on your list alongside Paris, Milan or New York. It is home to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, whose Master's programme in Fashion enjoys worldwide fame. Meanwhile, the Fashion Museum and the innovative spirit of fashion designers also ensure that Antwerp can rightly call itself a city of fashion.

If you're looking for unique pieces by Antwerp designers, the Academy's fashion talent often chooses Antwerp as its base of operations. At Dries Van Noten's Modepaleis (Fashion Palace), you can shop in the midst of exquisite architecture. The building dates back to 1881 and is worth a visit for that reason alone. The flagship store of Ann Demeulemeester is also a firm fixture in Antwerp, where you will find elegant garments with edgy details. Christian Wijnants is known for timeless fashion with striking prints, artisanal knitting techniques and rich colour palette. And in Atelier Solarshop, Jan-Jan Van Essche and Pietro Celestina have created a veritable treasure trove. You'll find minimalist designs here, as well as timeless antique objects and contemporary works of art.

VIER is where several iconic brands come together. You'll find names like Walter Van Beirendonck or Dries van Noten, but the latest streetwear labels are also at home here. Another multibrand store is Princess, where you can buy various luxury brands and stylish children's clothing. It's worth checking out pieces by Maankids, the label of Academy alumni Vicky Vinck.

Major fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Chanel or BOSS have also found their way to hip Antwerp. If you prefer Belgian quality labels, look no further than Morobé for high-end women's shoes, Lies Mertens for stylish handbags, while at Pursuit Femmes you'll find a tailor-made suit that's perfect for you. For fair fashion, La Collection is the place to be: the timeless, elegant pieces are made in small studios and crafted from natural fabrics. Also, don't forget to stop by Essentiel Antwerp. You'll find a store on Huidevetterstraat and Lombardenvest. The designs of this luxury brand are conceived in the beautiful building on Arenbergstraat.

If you can't get enough of Antwerp's fashion scene, you can book a guide and immerse yourself in Antwerp fashion on a fashion walk. Or choose personal shopping and head out with a fashion expert.

... and quality design

Your shopping trip doesn't have to be a fashion trip. The city also offers plenty for fans of vintage, antiques and design to enjoy. Kloosterstraat is the walhalla for anyone who loves interior design: here, you'll find numerous antique stores and vintage furniture, as well as modern furnishings. Be sure to check out Espoo or Studio Henk. Good to know: the stores on Kloosterstraat are also open on Sundays!

More trendy stores can be found a little further afield, in the cool Het Zuid neighbourhood. At Matriks, you can buy unique, stylish decor, often from Belgian labels. And shop quirky furniture at KAAI design, on Vlaamsekaai.

Back in the city centre, around Nationalestraat, there are still quite a few interior design stores to discover. In Steenhouwersvest, you can buy minimalist products at Magazyn, high-end home accessories and designer furniture at FEST or the softest linens at Marie Marie. Gæst is a must-visit on IJzerenwaag. If you're walking down Kammenstraat, be sure to take a look in Bolia or the colourful Studio Play.

If you prefer to shop amongst unique decor, Donum is located in the former Nationale Bank building, where, on the ground floor, you have a whopping 1,500 m2 of furniture inspiration. In the beautiful carriage house of Palace in Meir, you can shop handcrafted furniture at Flamant.

Let it shine

Looking for jewellery to make you shine even more? Lera Treyger's minimalist designs emphasise your natural beauty. The delicate pieces are handmade with 14-carat gold, the finest and most durable material. Looking for something a little more striking? Then Mass Lee's sculptural jewellery might be more your thing. The designers, Josefine Mass and Dabin Lee, found each other at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and tell a compelling story with each piece of jewellery. They really are masterpieces!

Think jewellery and you also think diamonds. And Antwerp's citizens know all about them. Ever since the 15th century, Antwerp has been the world's leading diamond-trading centre, with 86% of the world's rough diamonds being traded here. The city has more than 1,600 registered diamond dealers and 4 diamond exchanges, vastly more than any other city. So if you are buying a diamond somewhere, you can be almost certain that it has been through Antwerp. The Diamond district is in the middle of the city, around Centraal Station.

One top diamond industry expert is David Gotlib. He is chair of the Antwerp Diamond Bourse and designs luxury cufflinks. In his studio in Antwerp, you can buy beautiful sculpted pieces made of gold and diamonds, each made by hand by a team of experienced, passionate craftspeople. Be sure to book an appointment and take home a unique memory.

Looking to buy precious jewellery with peace of mind? Craftsmanship and artisanship are key amongst Antwerp's jewellers. The Antwerp's Most Brilliant quality label provides a guarantee that the jeweller is outstanding in their sustainability, safety, transparency and more. A full list of jewellers with this label can be found on the Visit Antwerp website, but below is a selection:

A firm favourite among Antwerp jewellers is Rembrandt Jordan. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp and at the Royal College of Art in London. You can recognise his minimalist, timeless jewellery by its pure forms and expressive character. Looking for a unique piece? At Elliot & Ostrich, you can buy sophisticated, personalised jewellery. After a personalised welcome at their majestic premises they have christened The Nest, each piece is custom-made in 18 carat gold with high-quality diamonds and gemstones. A special collection of antique jewellery can be found at Adin. In this charming establishment in the Diamond District, you will be guided by experts who specialise in diamonds, gemmology and art history. Planning a proposal to the love of your life? Engagement and wedding rings have been the speciality at Geretti, a Belgian family business, for almost 100 years. Or if you are looking for a luxury watch, then the renowned jeweller Slaets is the place to go. And if you're looking for jewellery from the big luxury brands, you're sure to find something to your liking at Colman. Perhaps something by Dries Criel, the Antwerp jewellery designer whose clients include Lady Gaga, Beyoncé and Dua Lipa...

Experience the magnificent world of diamonds with numerous exclusive experiences. Request a private reception at the Diamond Club, visit a haute joaillerie studio, or book a Diamond Cocktail for your party or event. At the diamond museum, DIVA | Home of Diamonds, you'll discover an enchanting world of diamonds, jewels and goldsmithing.

The finest arts

Antwerp has long been a city of fine arts. The Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts, founded in 1662, is the fourth-oldest academy in Europe. The city has many museums that exhibit Antwerp's cultural heritage. A treat for the eye:

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Het Zuid is an absolute must-see. In the beautifully renovated building, you can admire a fantastic art collection with works by the greatest masters. In the impressive Rubens Room, let yourself be enchanted by the great altarpieces of Rubens, Van Dyck and Jordaens, also known as the golden boys of the Antwerp Baroque period. And Ensor's works also have their rightful home at the museum, where you'll find no less than 38 gems by the artist.

You will also find four masterpieces by Rubens in the treasure chamber of the magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady. In the heart of the historic centre stands the largest Gothic edifice in the Low Countries. The Cathedral has been recognised as a World Heritage Site and is well worth a visit. Tip: In the summer months, you can listen to beautiful carillon concerts here at night.

In the Rubens House, the world of Rubens comes to life. The museum is closed due to renovations until 2030, but will reopen in part from 30 August 2024. Travel through time at the Rubens Experience, relax for a moment in the historic garden and leaf your way through history in the library. Only here can you really get to know Rubens.

Unique heritage can be found at Museum Plantin-Moretus. This monument was the first museum ever to be included on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Admire the world's oldest printing presses, a magnificent art collection and a wonderful courtyard garden. A tour with a private guide is the way to get immersed in all of Antwerp's fascinating stories.

A creative hotspot

Not only old masters found their home in Antwerp; the contemporary art scene also has much to offer. Renowned museums such as the MAS, M HKA and the FOMU should not be missing from your visit. If you prefer something outdoors, The Middelheim Museum is a wonderful open-air museum. During a walk in the green outskirts of the city, you will be inspired by contemporary masters and artists of today.

Looking for another unique piece of art for your home? You can find surprising modern art in more than sixty art galleries. One icon is De Zwarte Panter (Black Panther). This, the oldest active gallery in the country, is a draw for artists, musicians and art lovers. The unique location is also worth noting: the gallery is housed in the chapel of the former Sint-Julianagasthuis, built in 1330. Other well-known galleries include Gallery Sofie Van de Velde or Tim van Laere Gallery. A walk around the city, a guided art trail or a Private Art Tour is the perfect way to make some astonishing discoveries.

Tim Van Laere Gallery (c) Victoriano Moreno

Gallery Sofie Van De Velde (c) Victoriano Moreno

Rest in style

Taking a break from your full day itinerary? Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and relax in an exceptional hotel. Bathe in luxury at the brand new 5* superior Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp. The hotel forms part of the prominent Leading Hotels of the World chain is built on the foundations of a 15th-century monastery. With 108 rooms and suites, five gourmet restaurants and a spa, the hotel offers everything for an immersive experience.

Antwerp has even more hotels in unusual locations: Sapphire House Antwerp, Autograph Collection by Marriott is attached to the beautifully renovated historic Handelsbeurs. Design hotel August in a former Augustinian monastery and Hotel Franq by Relais & Châteaux is located in a former bank building. In the boutique hotel Flora, leading interior designer Gert Voorjans has transformed the 7 suites of this former 15th-century merchant's house into true gems. Choose a room overlooking the cosy city garden and you can relax to the full.