Right in the heart of the city, the Great Market Square is one of the favorite locations for locals as well as tourists. Filled with cafés and restaurant, the Great Market Square is a popular destination if you want to just kick back, bask in the sun with a chilled glass of beer or stroll around lazily admiring the architecture of the city. Dominated by the elegant and grant Renaissance style City Hall on one side and a row of guild houses and old patrician houses on the other, the Great Market Square is a magnet for those who love studying city architecture.

The center of the square holds the magnificent fountain that bears the well sculpted statue of Silvius Brabo, the local mythical hero. As legend has it, the water way was once governed by a giant who demanded a high toll from those who wanted to enter the city. Those failing to meet the requirements, were punished by having their hand cut off. It was Brabo, who fought the giant and cut off his hand and threw it in the Scheldt river.

One of the best ways to enjoy a perfect day in Antwerp is to sit in an open terrace restaurant amidst the elegantly constructed buildings of the Great Market Square, have an authentic Belgian meal on the table and admire the city as it moves past you.

Steen Castle (Het Steen), nestled in the historic center of Antwerp, is a medieval fortress with roots extending back to the early 13th century. Originally constructed between 1200 and 1225, it served as a gateway to a more extensive castle complex belonging to the Dukes of Brabant, which unfortunately was demolished in the 19th century. This makes Steen Castle the oldest surviving building in Antwerp and a rare remnant of the city’s earliest stone fortifications.

The fortress's primary role was to control access to the Scheldt River, a crucial economic and strategic waterway for the city, which was one of Europe's largest ports. Steen Castle has undergone several transformations through the centuries. Initially known as Antwerp Castle and later renamed around 1520 following significant renovations under Charles V, it evolved from a royal residence to a local administrative hub. From 1303 to 1827, it functioned as a prison and later housed the city's Alderman's house and court of justice.

By the 19th century, much of the original fortress was demolished for urban development and to prevent the silting of the Scheldt, leaving only part of the structure that was turned into a shipping museum. In 1890, it became an archaeological museum, and by 1952, an annex was added to highlight Antwerp's maritime history. This collection moved to the Museum Aan de Stroom in 2011. The site also features a war memorial dedicated to Canadian soldiers from World War II.

The cultural heritage continues to be celebrated at Steen Castle, evident in the bas-relief of Semini, a Scandinavian god of youth and fertility, positioned above the entrance archway. Additionally, a nearby statue portrays the folklore giant Lange Wapper, who is said to have terrorized medieval Antwerp.

Recently, in October 2021, Steen Castle underwent significant renovations, reopening as a modern visitor center that blends its ancient architecture with contemporary design. This revitalization aims to enhance the visitor experience while preserving the historical and cultural significance of one of Antwerp’s most storied landmarks.

The Silvius Brabo statue is located at Oude Beurs 4 in the city of Antwerp and stands right in front of the Antwerp City Hall. The statue is the result of the mythological story that is believed to give the city its name.

Legend has it that a giant named Druon Antigoon lived near the bridge over the river Scheldt. The giant would forcibly charge the people for using the bridge or else would cut off hands of people who either could not or refused to pay him. According to the story, Silvius Brabo was a Roman soldier who came to the city. Antigoon’s restrictions over using the bridge on the Scheldt were hurting the city’s business and therefore, Brabo decided to bring an end to Antigoon’s tyranny. Brabo killed Antigoon and as a fitting reply to his oppression, tossed the giant’s hand into the river. The statue in front of the City Hall captures the moment when the brave Brabo was about to throw away the giant’s hand. The name Antwerp is corruption of ‘An twerp’ or hand throwing committed by Brabo. The term ‘Brabant’ is also believed to have originated with Brabo.

You can enjoy the statue while relishing a coffee on one of the café terraces located in the area.

Overlooking the city of Antwerp since the 14th century is the beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady, which till date dominates the city’s skyline. Built by architects Jan and Pieter Appelmans, the Cathedral boasts a magnificent Gothic structure with hints of Baroque style complementing the interiors of the building.

Whether you are a history buff or an admirer of architecture, the Cathedral of Our Lady is one structure that has something to offer every visitor. The structure stands as the epitome of the perfect combination of artistic architecture, breathtaking interiors and a dramatic past making it a tantalizing site to visit.

Although the construction of the structure began in 1352, it took more than a century to complete the entire construction. The Cathedral that stands today rests on the same site where once stood a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady. The chapel traced its history to early 10th century and it was subsequently followed by the construction of a Romanesque Church.

The Gothic Cathedral that took its place was considered one of the most magnificent structures of its time and one of the largest cathedrals in the whole of Benelux. However despite all its glories, the Cathedral of Our Lady has faced a very turbulent past. From natural fires to raids, plunders and assault by iconoclasts, the structure has born tremendous damage over the years. But it has stood the test of time and stands proudly today in the city of Antwerp.

Monastery Street (Kloosterstraat) in Antwerp is a vibrant and historically rich street that serves as a nexus for art, antiques, and cultural experiences. This internationally renowned street attracts a diverse crowd of window shoppers, collectors, and tourists, all drawn by its eclectic mix and somewhat unattainable prices. The street offers an array of antiques, vintage furniture, accessories, costumes, carpets, and books, resembling an open-air museum where past treasures are brought back to life.

The street extends through the southern district of Antwerp, showcasing a remarkable charm that combines historical allure with contemporary zest. Each establishment, whether a shop, café, or gallery, contributes uniquely to the character of Monastery Street, making it the epicenter of the city's art and antiques scene. The name itself, referencing its origins as a religious hub, reflects the deep historical roots that coexist with avant-garde elements today.

Monastery Street is lined with antique shops offering items that echo the past, galleries featuring both emerging and established artists, and boutiques that present an unusual selection of items. It is a place where one might discover a 19th-century Flemish painting, a retro chandelier, or a rare book. One notable shop, De Kringwinkel, is known for its wide array of vintage items from mid-century modern furniture to intricate ceramics.

Beyond antiquities, the street also boasts contemporary galleries like Galerie Verbeeck-Van Dyck, which challenges visitors with thought-provoking modern art. The street's culinary scene is equally vibrant, with cafés and restaurants such as Café De Walrus and Otomat Pizzeria offering spaces to relax and enjoy unique local flavors. Bar Burbure stands out in the evenings, providing a sophisticated spot for craft cocktails and spirits.

Monastery Street is more than a street; it is a living entity that embodies the creative spirit of Antwerp. It represents a continuous dialogue between the past and present, making it an essential cultural and social landmark in the city.

Antwerp is the perfect destination if you love to laze around on a warm summer’s day under the sun or enjoy watching the city from the comfort of a cozy café. Yet another famous square in Antwerp is the Green Square. Although not as green as the name suggests, the Green Square, is a popular destination amongst both tourists and locals during summer and on weekends.

Overlooking the Square in the north is the elegant Cathedral of Our Lady. Back in the medieval times, the Green Square was used as a cemetery that was attached to the Cathedral. With the Austrian occupation of Antwerp in the 18th century, Emperor Joseph II abolished cemeteries within the walls of the city. Although the premises were then converted to a square for town use, the age old name couldn’t get converted and locals still call it Green Place.

Today the center of the square is dominated by the statue of the much loved Flemish painter Sir Peter Paul Rubens. Installed in 1843, this bronze statue replaced a crucifix that overlooked the cemetery. Created by sculptor Willem Geefs, the statue commemorated death bicentenary of the city’s beloved artist.

Known for his Counter Reformation portraits, landscapes and paintings, Sir Peter Paul Rubens was a Baroque painter, book illustrator and a diplomat during the early 1600s. The Rubens House is a city of Antwerp-owned and curated building that Rubens designed himself and spent most of his lifetime in.

Located on Wapper Street, Rubens purchased this house in 1610 and added a gallery, porch and a large studio in Greco-Roman classic styles and a hint of Italian Renaissance to the structure. Within the walls of this house, Rubens and his students, such as Anthony Van Dyck and Jacob Jordaens, created most of their works. Rubens’ work is categorized by various stages of productivity of his own life. However, all of Rubens’ work that is on display in the House today came back only after great efforts were put in by the people of Antwerp once it was decided to make the building into a monument in 1937.

The Rubens House is home to paintings such as Saint Claire of Assisi, The Annunciation and Adam and Eve made by the great painter himself in addition to the works of other contemporaries of his time. The House also displays various objects of art from the 17th century giving visitor a peek at the lavish lifestyles of those times. The Renaissance Garden which was renovated in 1993 takes inspiration from Rubens’ paintings and should not be missed.

Antwerp is a perfect blend of old and new, renowned for its great effort in preserving historic buildings. One such building is the Antwerp Central Station, aka Middenstatie (Middle station). The latter name – now an antiquated expression in Dutch – is seen on the plaque fixed on the north wall of the Station.

A key landmark in the city, this mighty edifice is one of the finest examples of railway architecture in Belgium. It's been repeatedly voted among the world’s most impressive railway stations, including number four in 2009 by the U.S. Newsweek magazine, and number one in 2014 by the British-American magazine Mashable.

The original stone-clad structure, with a steel platform covering, was designed by Louis Delacenserie. It was built between 1895 and 1905 as a replacement for the first terminus of the Brussels-Mechelen-Antwerp railway.

Because of its unique architecture, historians still struggle to attribute the Antwerpen-Centraal to any particular style. The eclectic mix features a Neo-Gothic front, a massive dome over the iron-glass waiting hall, for which the building has been colloquially referred to as the "spoorwegkathedraal" ("railroad cathedral"), and a modern multilevel platform system. Another notable element, the viaduct leading into the Station, was designed by local architect, Jan Van Asperen.

During WWII, the train hall sustained severe damage by V-2 rockets, which is still visible today due to a lasting wave-distortion in the roof.

Recently, the Station was completely renovated, and in 2007 had an underground tunnel opened. Today it operates 14 railways tracts at four different terminals and plays a vital role in connecting various parts of Belgium.

If you're an architecture buff or railway enthusiast, having the Antwerpen-Centraal on your list of things to see is a must! But even if you're neither of these, we still recommend visiting it, just for the spectacle.