The 9 things to do in the province of Antwerp

For the "Grand Places" to have no secrets for you, here are the 9 things to do in the province of Antwerp!

Welcome to this Flemish province where architecture is queen. Led by Antwerp, the country’s most populous city and its international reputation, the province is home to some treasures that it would be regrettable to miss. Making a selection for the photo album might be difficult as there are exceptional places to visit.

As for the taste buds, you won’t have any harm to enjoy between tasting trapping beers and revisited local specialties. You are not even talking about museums with various themes. This holiday will take place under the sign of culture. We help you organize them with these 9 essential things to visit in the province of Antwerp.

1. Antwerp

Orthographer Antwerpen in Flemish, Antwerp has the characteristics of the ideal city and is the second largest of Belgium . Here's a little overview of what you can do.

For the Fears of History

Like all Northern European cities, Antwerp has its Grand Place, particularly impressive. In the Middle Ages, Antwerp is one of the major Hanseatic cities, trade hub in Europe. It was necessary to welcome the merchants from the four corners of the continent. The Hotel de Ville, ranked at Unesco, watches over the old gildes house with their redundant gables.

The old centre is also Rubens’ house where the painter worked and lived. More unusual, you can go for a boat ride in Antwerp’s bowels on the city’s underground sewers and canals. The secret passage Vlaeykensgang of the 16th century could also charm you without forgetting the university district, the beguinage and the famous central station.

For fashion victims

The “six of Antwerp” made the city’s reputation. Among them, Ann Demeulemeester or Dries Van Noten . Since their ascent, Antwerp’s fame in fashion has not faded and the fine flower of the creators has its workshops. To discover their creations, it is in the Nationalestraat and around that you have to go. This is also where you can visit the ModeMuseum .

Other trendy shops open in the theatre district. For mainstream fashion brands, you have to go to the Meir, the largest shopping street.

For contemporary architecture

This is what makes all the beauty of Antwerp. Next to the old buildings emerge boldly shaped buildings that attract the eye.

To see the most beautiful specimens, take the direction of the Eilandje district alias the old port of Antwerp. For an exceptional point of view, you must climb at any price at the top of the Aan Museum of Stroom. Next to that, on a former warehouse, you will find the sculpture set entitled “Anvers’s blower” to which you can really pick up a message via an application.

To be dazzled as in front of a diamond, it is the house of the Port that must be seen. The lower part is an old building that was a firehouse while the upper part is futuristic and cut as a diamond. This is a typical example of “starchitecture” since it was realized by the Hadid firm.

The other interesting area to visit is the Zuid with the Palace of Justice and its huge steel and glass thorns. Also admire the FOMU and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Antwerp.

2. Fort Lillo

Nestled on the banks of the River Escaut between the huge infrastructure of the port, Fort Lillo is the last fort village to visit in the Province of Antwerp. You can visit the old military fortifications and stroll among the few preserved dwellings.

The whole is charming and quite unusual among the surrounding industries. There you will find some breweries, a dock where to stroll and there is even a natural reserve, the Potpolder next door. Here, calm reigns, it is a small enchanted parenthesis.

3. The Abbey of Westmalle

Let’s immediately cancel the color, it is not possible to visit the abbey because of the activity of the monks who still live there. But it may be interesting to go there anyway, just to go to the Trappisten coffee that is there. Indeed, it is not about any abbey but the oldest active trapper brewery, at the origin of “double” and “tripel” beers.

At the café you can taste the products directly made at the abbey including beer and see a film about the history of the abbey. A walk with strategic stops is also arranged around the buildings.

Otherwise, if you want to know more, know that the monks welcome guests who wish to meditate for a few days. However, we must accept to participate in some liturgical moments.

4. Lierre

Shh, we'll give you a secret. You can visit the province of Antwerp the little sister of Bruges but without the crowd. It’s about Lierre, just 40 minutes away Brussels , built on the banks of the Neth. The old fishermen’s boats have been redesigned to make cruises on the canals, it’s the ideal to discover the city.

One of the city’s emblematic monuments is the Zimmer tower which was part of the ancient ramparts. Today it is an unusual museum on time and space, a work by artist Louis Zimmer. If you do not visit it, raise your eyes to see the surprises of the clock and the automatons.

Another artistic work not to be missed, that of Joachim Lambrechts, street artist who embellishes the city walls. Do we have to say that there is also a belfry, a beguinage, a beautiful park and old buildings with a crazy charm? And to get back from all these discoveries, look for one of the labellized pastries to taste a vlaaike , alias a pie of Lierre.

5. Boekenberg Park

There are more and more particles, it is good to know which park to visit the province of Antwerp to cool off. It is located in Deurn and is the largest ecological swimming pool in Europe. Moreover it is not really a swimming pool but rather a pond whose water is filtered by plants.

In addition to this, a bearing is organized regularly to regulate attendance so there is no problem for swimming on 73 meters long. Finally, it’s free, and the poolside is decorated with beautiful design buildings that house the changing rooms.

6. Hoogstraten

It is in the northeast of Antwerp, at the border of Netherlands that is the strawberry paradise. Yes, because although the city does not lack charm and historical buildings, it is mostly known worldwide for its strawberry production. In all, the delicious red fruit is cultivated by more than 200 family businesses and sales of local scream count in millions of tons.

There is even a “price route” in Hoogstraten, which leaves behind the church of Sainte-Catherine. The stroll through the fields is lined with distributors. Thanks to a barcode on your barquette, you can even find the producer of your treats.

7. Means

Watch out, romantic getaway in perspective in Melines! Let's start by giving some numbers. The city has been registered 4 times at Unesco and more than 300 buildings are classified. In short, the camera is not unused. To discover the historical heart, there is nothing better than to be guided by alleys according to your desires.

Unlike other cities, Melines managed to keep some wood houses. They stand proudly in time among the redundant gables. To have a wonderful view, you have to climb the 97 meters of the tower of the Saint-Rombaut Cathedral. Cardio work well during ascension but it’s unforgettable.

Another relaxing walk, the Dyle Trail, which is on a floating bridge. For history enthusiasts, they will not miss the palace of Marguerite d’Austria and the ruins of that of Marguerite d’York. ♪ foodistas They will have the visit of the Het Anker brewery before going to test one of the many friendly restaurants in the city.

Small squares also have beautiful shops for shopping. There are so many things to do in Melines that it would take much more than one paragraph to talk about it, so it’s still going!

8. Hugo Voeten Art Center

It is a hidden contemporary art spot to visit in the province of Antwerp. It is more precisely on the banks of the Campinian canal in the city of Herentals. It was built in a huge industrial building in which the works are exhibited on 9 floors.

Moreover, walking around the building is in itself a full visit. The history of the collection is also original. As the name suggests, it was brought together by Hugo Voeten who owned a chain of supermarkets. The current collection presents a mixture of Belgian and international contemporary art.

There are also works of art from the beginning and the first half of the twentieth century. The centre is also interested in current artists and exhibits new projects. Finally, a part is dedicated to Bulgarian art, including installation, The Slings , which is now an integral part of the identity of the centre.

9. Turnhout

If you're a card player, maybe you know the Carta Mundi games? If so, know that this is where the company was founded, if not, you will learn a lot about the subject in this city to visit in the province of Antwerp.

Turnhout is the capital of the card to play since the 19th century and there is one museum dedicated to it. Far from being just an exhibition center of card games, it allows to discover the evolution of printing techniques through demonstrations and small stories behind the cards.

Another interesting visit to do is that of the court which is installed in the superb setting of the castle of Dukes of Brabant. Finish your getaway with a city tour to admire the classified crushing and the Grand Place. You even have the opportunity to take a poetic walk in the surrounding countryside.

How to get to Antwerp province?

By car

It is quite simple to go to Antwerp province by car from the France . Indeed, it is well served by the motorway network. The directions are perfectly indicated from the border to take the E17 or E19 .

By train

Depending on what you want to visit in the province of Antwerp, you can go through the stations of Brussels or Antwerp. For example, Mechelen is only 20 minutes by train from the capital of Belgium. While Turnhout is more easily accessible via Antwerp. There are many regional railway lines to link points of interest and buses.

By plane

Antwerp has an international airport but there are no direct links with France. The destinations focus on southern Europe. For connections from France, you have to go to the Brussels airport. Compare the offers available on a comparison site of flights as Skyscanner For example.

Where to stay in the province of Antwerp?

Many tourists choose to visit the province of Antwerp because of its many attractions. Thanks to its picturesque cities, you can find all types of accommodation. The offer Airbnb there is substantial and many hotels have been built in beautiful historic buildings.

There are even unusual hotels like the Martin’s Patershof in Malines. You can find all available offers on a site Compare hotels For example.