Meir Shopping Street, Antwerp (must see)

The Meir is the principal shopping artery of Antwerp and today ranks among the busiest retail streets in Europe. Its origins, however, are far removed from its current polished appearance. The earliest references date back to 1257, when the area was a low-lying, marshy stretch outside the city walls, marked by water used for storing timber—particularly wet wood for furniture. This early landscape gave the street its name, derived from the old Dutch word “meere,” meaning a lake or marsh. Over time, as Antwerp expanded, the area was drained and reshaped into a broad street, with a canal running along its centre by the 15th century.

By the 16th century, during Antwerp’s rise as a major European trading hub, the Meir developed into a prestigious residential and commercial axis. Wealthy merchants and patrician families established grand townhouses here. The canal was eventually covered, and the street became a setting not only for commerce but also for civic life.

In its modern form, the Meir is a pedestrianized boulevard and, together with the Rue Neuve in Brussels, one of the most important shopping areas in Belgium. Lined with major international brands and Belgian retailers, it attracts large numbers of visitors, including many from neighboring countries. With the opening of the Stadsfeestzaal in 2007—a restored early-20th-century exhibition hall turned shopping centre—it became one of the most expensive retail locations in the Benelux region. The building itself stands out for its grand staircase and ornate interior.

Beyond shopping, the Meir offers a strong sense of Antwerp’s architectural heritage. Elegant façades line the street, including the Osterrieth House and the former Royal Residence of the Belgian Kings, both designed in the Rococo style.