Antwerp

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Antwerp (Dutch: Antwerpen, French: Anvers) is a large city and the capital of the Antwerp (province) | eponymous province in the region of Flanders in Belgium. At a population of just over half a million people, it is the second largest city in Belgium (after Brussels) and it has a major European port. Due to its long and culturally rich history and the city of Antwerp houses many interesting historical buildings from different historical periods, as well as a lot of interesting museums. Antwerp is commonly called the global diamond trade hub - more than 70% of all diamonds are traded in Antwerp.

Antwerp has grown to become a trendy city, attracting many Flemish and foreign artists, writers, intellectuals and actors. Thit is reflected in the city's many trendy bars and retail outlets. Antwerp is a town with many faces. While it may not be as historically preserved as Bruges or Ghent, it is a very dynamic city, offering a perfect mix of history and present-day modern life. The overwhelming friendliness of the people of Antwerp and their innate penchant for good food and good living, combined with their low stress lifestyle, makes it a desirable and relaxing place to visit.

City of Antwerp, 1572 - Antwerp was historically a fortified city. Today, broad boulevards run along the former moats.

About Antwerp

The origins of the name of Antwerp comes from "aan de werpe", which is Dutch for "at the throw", referring to where the river throws its sand. The name also has a funny anecdote saying it comes from "Hand werpen", which translated is "throwing hands". In the city flag and the castle "het Steen" and the hand of Antwerp are shown.

In the 16th century, Antwerp was one of the most important financial centers of the world, where traders from all over Europe and Asia sold and bought their goods. After the siege of Antwerp in 1585 by the (Spanish), this role as a financial center was taken over by Amsterdam. Nevertheless, since the 19th century and mainly the 20th century, Antwerp has made a serious economic comeback.

Travel to Antwerp

Travel by plane to Antwerp

Antwerp Airport IATA Flight Code: ANR 51.189444,4.460278 Antwerp International Airport - Antwerp Airport (Deurne) - A small airport catering mostly to business travellers, as due to the length its runway it can only be served by small aircraft. There are regular Flights to business destinations such as London or Geneva, some holiday flights, as well as sizeable unscheduled traffic (mainly private and chartered business jets). The flip side of the small size of the airport is that both arrival and departure procedures are very quick compared to large hubs. There is a regular bus from the airport to the centre and a taxi costs around €10.

Brussels Airport (IATA Flight Code: BRU)
Since the completion of the Diabolo rail link, hourly direct trains linking Antwerpen Centraal station with this airport have been introduced and travel duration was cut back to 25 minutes (45 minutes on weekends and public holidays). Single adult tickets are €11,30.
There is also a direct bus between Brussels Airport and Antwerp which costs €10 and has two stops in Antwerp at Hotel Crowne Plaza and in the town center, in front of Central Station. A schedule can be found edrijven/actieve_stad/as_tnc/airport_card.pdf here

Thalys and regular train tickets are not interchangeable!|The regular intercity and the Thalys are run by different companies, but their trains tend to leave from the same platform. Do not jump on a Thalys train with a regular intercity ticket or vice versa. Your wallet won't like the fine.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (IATA Flight Code: AMS) has a high-speed train station on the Amsterdam-Brussels line directly underneath the terminal, which allows for two different railway connections to Antwerp:
There is a regular intercity train Amsterdam - Brussels that connects Schiphol Airport directly with Antwerpen Centraal station in roughly 1 hours 50 mi. You can buy tickets with credit card at the automatic ticket booths in the Schiphol arrival hall. Payment with cash is also feasible at the counter. Or you can book through Belgian Railways (SNCB/NMBS)] or NS International. A single ticket costs about €25.
Second option is the bright red high-speed Thalys train Amsterdam - Paris, which stops at Schiphol and Antwerpen Centraal station, in about half the time it takes the regular train, but at double the price. Contrary to regular trains, reservations on Thalys are required. Best reserve your seat a week or so beforehand, since buying a ticket on the spot will turn out to be even more expensive. The Thalys journey from Schiphol to Antwerpen Centraal can also be booked as a part of a SkyTeam flight (IATA code for Antwerpen Centraal is ZWE), costing less than when booking the flight and the Thalys ride separately.
KLM-Airline also maintains a direct shuttle bus connection between Antwerpen Centraal and Schiphol Airport, which can be booked as a KLM-Airline flight segment under the code KL320/KL321. The bus takes 2.5 h to get between Antwerp and Schiphol, but there is no difference in price between flight tickets using the bus and the Thalys, so book carefully.

Travel by train to Antwerp

7051-Centraal Station of Middenstatie 2 - The magnificent Antwerpen Centraal is both a key railway hub and a destination in itself

Belgium has an extensive train network and for intercity travel within Belgium, trains are always the best option. Tickets can be purchased on the website of the Belgian railways and at the ticket counters in most stations. There are good train connections to and from Brussels Airport and Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. To plan your trip, you can consult the website of NMBS for national and international travels. If you cross multiple borders, it is often feasible to book your entire trip at once through Deutsche Bahn.

Antwerp-Central station - Antwerpen-Centraal | 51.217085,4.421133 The monumental main train station of Antwerp.

Antwerp-Berchem station - Antwerpen-Berchem | 51.200059,4.432591 - Secondary train station that can come in handy if you want to start your visit in southern neighborhoods of Antwerp.

Antwerp-Central is a major stop on the Paris-Amsterdam high-speed line. International trains from France and the Netherlands stop in Antwerp-Central station only and not in Antwerp-Berchem anymore. The same train services that call at Schiphol Airport also call at Amsterdam Centraal and Rotterdam Centraal. Tickets for train journeys originating from the Netherlands are bookable through Belgian Railways (SNCB/NMBS)], Thalys, or NS International but remember that some tickets (mainly Thalys tickets) are valid only on specific trains. Passengers coming from the UK via Eurostar can transfer at Bruxelles Midi to any regular SNCB-operated train bound for Antwerp provided that at the time of booking, Antwerp was selected as the final destination. Through Brussels-South train station and there are also high-speed connections to other destinations in France with TGV, or destinations in Germany with ICE. Real-time information on rail traffic, delays, disruptions, arrivals and departures at every Belgian station can be easily found on RailTime. If you have a mobile internet connection available and the BeTrains app can also be of use. Several bus operators offer long-distance connections to Antwerp:

Ecolines - +371 67214512 Offers bus travel from many countries, Central and Eastern European, to Antwerp. In Antwerp they have an office on the Berchem station square.

Eurolines - ☎ +32 2 274-1350 +32 2 201-1140 UK +44 (0)8 705 143 219 Offers bus travel from many countries to Antwerp. In Antwerp they have an office at Van Stralenstraat 8.

De Lijn ☎ +32 70 220-200 The Flemish region (Dutch speaking) public bus service.

Flixbus - , - Another Intercity buses in German company with a network throughout most of Europe. Offers services to numours (German) destinations, Paris, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and London.

Transportation in Antwerp

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ACAM Vault 2016 - Gems and minerals in the Vault of the Mineralogical Museum

Mineralogical Museum - Museum van de Academie voor Mineralogie, ACAM - Frans de l’Arbrelaan 12 51.24059,4.43954 Take tram 6 direction Luchtbal and get off at Gasthuishoeve ☎ +32 3 658 62 83 Opening Hours: Saturday 13:30-17:30 ACAM Vault 2016 - Museum for mineralogy, paleontology and gemology. Largest collection of fluorescent minerals in Europe. Permanent collections of systematic minerals and fossils. Entry fee of €4, but free for children, students and teachers. Guided Tours in Antwerp by ehalal.io (email for prices) are free and highly recommended. Only open on Saturday afternoon.

Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) Hanzestedenplaats 1 51.22893,4.40474 ☎ +32 3 338 44 00 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00-17:00. April-October: Saturday Sunday until 18:00. Monday closed €10 regular if there is a temporary exhibition, otherwise €5. €8/€3 reduced. Free for children under 12 and on the last Wednesday of the month Museum aan de Stroom MAS Antwerpen 2016-05 --1 - Large museum that tells about Antwerp in the world. You can visit the building for free, with an very wide view across Antwerp on the rooftop. The viewing platform on the roof is accessible without a museum ticket.
Red Star Line Museum Montevideostraat 3 51.233197,4.403578 ☎ +32 3 298 27 70 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00-17:00. Closed on Monday €8 regular, €6 reduced, free for children under 12 This museum opened in 2013 and displays the history of the Red Star Line, a Belgian navigation company offering connections between Antwerp and New York. This enabled large-scale emigration to the United States. The museum collection is based on the stories of people who travelled on this line, including Albert Einstein and Irving Berlin.

Extra City Kunsthal Eikelstraat 25 51.19985,4.42281 ECK is an art space for contemporary visual arts, based in an old bottling factory. Its shows are mostly experimental, but always intriguing.

Churches

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal Antwerpen - Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal towering over the Grote Markt Gothic Church of Our Lady Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal. One of the most impressive and largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, built in 1351 it stands over 400 ft tall. It also houses some of Rubens' most famous paintings. GPS 51.22029,4.40126 - ?ID=20662}} Saint Paul's Church Sint-Pauluskerk. A beautiful mixed gothic and baroque church formerly part of a nunnery. Noted for its Calvary monument. It is a short distance north of the Grote Maarkt on Zwartzustersstraat. GPS 51.22397,4.40128 - ?ID=20695}} Carolus Borromeus Church. Unlike the cathedral, thit is a Baroque church. With a safe and minimal exterior, you would not know the beautiful decorations (done by Rubens' studio) are inside. It is on the picturesque square Conscienceplein. GPS 51.22097,4.40477 - ?ID=20688

Animal interest

Antwerp Zoo 51.21620,4.42354 - One of the oldest zoos in the world, with over 4000 animals and lots of 19th-century design and architecture.

Other buildings of note

Rubens House - Rubens House, Garden view

The Begijnhof (beguinage) 51.22246,4.41436 A sort of medieval monastery for women. The well-kept gardens are great photo opportunities.

Boerentoren Farmers' Tower. Now called KBC Tower after the company that owns it, this 97-m skyscraper in the historical center of town is said to be the oldest one on the European continent. It was built between 1929 and 1932. It is at the end of the Meir shopping street. The tower is well known for its typical art-deco sculptures. It is not a skyscraper on the same scale as some that were erected in North America; for example the Empire State Building in New York, built at the same time, is 381m. GPS 51.21882,4.40394}} Bourla theatre Bourlaschouwburg. 19th century neo-classicist theatre building. Charming from the outside and even nicer if you manage to get in for a theater show or a concert. It houses a stunning pastry salon inside the large cupola above the theater. Great Muslim Friendly place to have tea with cake or waffles, of course. GPS 51.21595,4.40736

Central Station 51.21738,4.42124 Antwerpen-Centraal train station Even if not arriving or leaving by train the station is well worth a visit. Platforms are on three levels, all constructed beneath the very impressive original structure.
Het Steen - The Stone | Steenplein 1 51.22273,4.39742 Het SteenThit is a rather small medieval castle on the banks of the river Schelde. It used to function as a city fortification and now houses a naval museum (open air only, inside closed) and is the starting point of the Wandelterrassen, a scenic boardwalk with a cafe/restaurant at either end. 14126
Rubenshuis Wapper 9-11 51.21707,4.40935 ☎ +32 3 201 1555 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00-17:00. Closed on Monday and some holidays €8 regular, €6 for people aged 12-25 and 65+, free for children younger than 12 and on the last Wednesday of the month Rubenshuis - Anvers Maison Rubens The house of painter Peter Paul Rubens is now a museum of his life and artwork. Multiple of Rubens his paintings and artworks and his contemporaries are installed in the rooms, as well as furniture of his period. Paintings include his early Adam and Eve (c. 1600) and a self portrait made when he was about fifty.

South of Antwerp

Museum of Modern Art, Antwerp - The MUHKA Maison-Guitte - Maison Guiette

Since the restoration a couple of years ago and the south of the city has been known as the trendy part.

The centre of this piece of the city is a huge square called de gedempte zuiderdokken which simply means, 'the filled-up southern docks'. In the 1960s, this was an abandoned trade dock. They filled up the dock in an attempt to expand the city. The high crime rate in the region made it a very affordable place to live. This was a blessing for the local art world, which started to flourish, making the region trendy and safe over the years. Today, it has been known as a "yuppie stronghold".

Monday HKA Leuvenstraat 32 51.21138,4.38983 ☎ +32 3 260 99 99 Museum of Modern Art, Antwerp Museum of contemporary art.
FotoMuseum Waalsekaai 47 51.20895,4.38778 ☎ +32 3 242 93 00 +32 3 242 93 10 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10:00-18:00. Monday closed. €8 regular, €3 for -26, free for -18 Fotomuseum Antwerp Renovated in 2004.
Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten - Royal Museum of Fine Arts - Leopold de Waelplaats 51.20844,4.39488 ☎ +32 3 238 7809 Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten boasts of an excellent collection of paintings from the 15th century up to the 20th century. The museum's permanent collection has masters such as Peter Paul Rubens, Brueghel, Van Eyck, Anthony Van Dyck, Jacob Jordaens and James Ensor. Closed for heavy reconstruction work as of Nov 2018. Some of the collection will be temporarily displayed at other museums in Antwerp and nearby city's on a rotating basis during construction.

Zuiderpershuis - 51.21173,4.39097 ☎ +32 3 248 7077

It is on the "kaaien" and is a center for intercultural art.

Het Muntplein - A place where graffiti artists can make artwork without being chased by police. There are often very nice creations. Graffiti contests occur on a regular basis.

Palace of Justice - Justitiepaleis | 51.20398,4.38743 There are actually two of these. The old one is a 19th-century red brick building on the Britselei. The new one is a dominant, modern, white building in the south of Antwerp (Bolivarplaats). You can hardly miss it once you're there. The architect of this building was Richard Rogers, who also built the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Millennium Dome in London. Zurenborg neighborhood. A little off the beaten track. This neighborhood in the south east of Antwerp (near the train station Antwerpen-Berchem, look for 'Cogels-Osylei' on the map) is known for its eclectic, sometimes rather bizarre 19th century architecture. Consider taking a tram or bicycle to get there. GPS 51.20363,4.43339}} Middelheim Park. The center of Antwerp is not very big and once you cross the ring road, you will mainly see suburbs. There are some nice parks outside the ring road: the Middelheim Park is one of them. It houses a permanent open-air exhibition of modern sculpture, including work by famous artists such as Rodin, Hans Arp, Henry Moore and many others. GPS 51.18072,4.41492
Maison Guiette 51.1835,4.3934 - Designed by Le Corbusier in 1926, thit is one of 17 of his creations worldwide to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Muslim Travel Tips

Voetgangerstunnel "Sint-Anna" - Take the Sint-Annatunnel under the Schelde... City of Antwerp - ...for vistas of Antwerp from the left bank

St. Anna pedestrian tunnel (Sint-Annatunnel) Sint-Jansvliet 51.2187018,4.3953908 Take St. Anna pedestrian tunnel (Sint-Annatunnel) to the left bank of the river Schelde. If feasible you should descend on the original wooden escalator. On the left bank, you have a beautiful view on the town center, so make sure you bring your camera! Besides that and there is not very much to see here, but it's very quiet compared to the downtown. If you don't feel like walking back again and the premetro will take you back to Groenplaats in under 5 minutes.

Pelgrom ☎ +32 3 234 0809 This building combines both an impressive café in the basement, plus the 'poortershuis', which is a replica of the house of businessmen in Antwerp during the 17th century.

Antwerp by Bike — Discover Antwerp with a bike. The inner city is perhaps too crowded, but the green outskirts are really worth visiting. For bike rental, see ort-antwerp/antwerp-by-bike-en and " Vélo". "Antwerp by Bike" has a charming tour with all the highlights of Antwerp, like the cathedral and the Butterfly Palace and the MAS museum (from July till September). For other tours, see or ])

Baja Bikes - Bike Tours Antwerp | Web: | , - Antwerp is a perfect city to explore by bike. An English or Dutch guide will show you around and tell you all about the city. Besides that the guide knows where to go in Antwerp and can recommend you nice restaurants. It is feasible to do a highlights tour or book a private tour so that you will have your own guide.

Kinepolis Antwerpen Groenendaallaan 394 51.245987,4.415810 ☎ +32 3 544 36 00 In this large cinema complex a bit north of the downtown many international movies are shown. Except for some children movies dubbing is common and subtitles are common.

Guided Tours in Antwerp by ehalal.io (email for prices) and cruises

Port of Antwerp Take a boat tour of the second largest port in Europe and 5th largest in the world. There are various companies offering tours of differing price and length.

Ghostly Nighttime Tour, - Antwerp Ghostwalk - , Take the ghost tour and learn about the dark history of Antwerp.

Jan Plezier Boottochten , Themed cruises including the pancake cruise (pancake boat) and the spareribs cruise and the shrimp cruise.

Festivals

Zomer van Antwerpen | Web:

2023 Event | June |15 |September 2 |Antwerp - Belgium A great festival that takes places throughout the city for the whole summer. Cheap or free activities such as dancing and theater, performances, circus and outdoor movies are organized. Reservations are often a must, mainly for free activities.

Laundry Day | Web:

2023 Event | August |31 |month= |Antwerp - Belgium A large dance festival.

Shopping in Antwerp

Shopping Stadsfeestzaal Antwerpen - The magnificent Stadtsfeestzaal

The main shopping area is the Meir, a street that stretches out from the Keyserlei (close to the central station) to the Groenplaats. It is one of the most famous shopping streets in Belgium. Don't forget to visit the mall Stadsfeestzaal (between Meir and Hopland), which was beautifully restored and reopened in 2007 after it was partially destroyed by a fire ten years earlier. You will see a lot of Gold on the ceiling and all sorts of stores. The streets Hopland and Schuttershofstraat are the shopping terrain of the rich and famous with exclusive fashion shops like Cartier, Hermes, Scapa, Armani, etc. The Huidevettersstraat, Nationalestraat and Kammenstraat (all close to the Meir) are also very interesting shopping streets to visit.

20110723 antwerp110 - Diamonds are charming, but the diamond shopping area in Antwerp is less so

Purchasing a diamond at one of the many tourist jewelry shops around the Central station can be an unfriendly experience. Like any big diamond city in world and there are many tourist trap diamond shops around the actual diamond neighborhood centre, though it is fair to say that if you are prepared to bargain you can purchase jewellery here for significantly less than in countries such as the UK. Wealthy diamond buyers should do their investigative shopping online prior to visiting Antwerp. For tips on buying diamond rings, see Diamond rings in Antwerp. If you're less wealthy and someone asks you to bring back some diamonds from Antwerp, buy diamond-shaped Chocolates pralines at e.g. Burie (Korte Gasthuisstraat 3), Château Blanc (Torfbrug 1) or Del Rey (Appelmansstraat 5).
Trendy shopping can be done in the Kammenstraat and surroundings. In this area, you will also find the Fashion Museum and many shops of famous Antwerp fashion designers, such as Walter van Beirendonck and Dries van Noten.
The Kloosterstraat has many antique shops, with often bizarre items for sale.
Chinatown can be found about 300m north of the Central Station (see also Eat). A lot of Japanese, Korean and Chinese products can be found here.
Weekend Markets take place on the Theaterplein Plaza (follow Wapper or Meistraat south from the Meir) in front of the Stadsschouwburg theatre. The markets are very popular with stalls offering everything from food (fruit and veg, Meat, fish, nuts, Cheese ethnic specialities) to household goods to bicycles to antiques to clothes. Sunday tends to see a lot more stalls compared to Saturday. Take a break from browsing at the stall at the centre of the square, where you can buy a Cheese roll with a glass of chilled cava to wash it down, most convivial!
At Ploegstraat 25 you can find a "give-away shop", where you can bring and take stuff as you please without any monetary interaction. Open Monday to Friday 14:00-18:00.

Study in Antwerp

Antwerpen Hogere Zeevaartschool4.psd - The Hogere Zeevaartschool (Maritime Academy)

Antwerp has several colleges and a university.

University of Antwerp.
Artesis (formerly Hogeschool Antwerpen).
KU Leuven campus Carolus and Sint-Andries (formerly Lessius Hogeschool).
Karel de Grote Hogeschool.
Antwerp Maritime Academy.

Due to very strict language requirements imposed by the Flemish government, all Bachelor courses are offered in Dutch only (except for the Maritime Academy which enjoys a special international status). However and the University of Antwerp offers 9 fully English-taught Master programms, 7 advanced Master programms and 7 postgraduate degrees, in topics ranging from Linguistics and Computer Science to Marine Transport ?c=.ENGLISH].

Antwerp hosts over 30000 students and therefore boasts a vibrant student life that also has many traditional aspects. Well-connected in the center of Europe, offering a varied city day- and Halal dining and having a very reasonable cost of living compared to the surrounding capitals, it's a popular destination for Erasmus students. Current and prospective Erasmus students should get in touch with ESN Antwerp ], part of the global Erasmus Student Network and very active in organizing activities to help international students find their way around.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Antwerp

Kathedraal Antwerpen - Interior of Antwerp's Gothic Church

Antwerpse handjes — Little biscuits or Chocolates in the shape of a hand. Invented by a Yahudi baker in 1932.

Any time

As with most Flemish towns, you can find many frietkoten in the city. These are places of which the Belgians are really proud of. Here you can buy the famous Belgian fries and other fried food for a reasonable price.
Pitta/Shoarma — These shops are often open through the day and are the last ones to close.
Broodje/Boterkoken (sandwiches) are local and affordable. Try one with crevettes and sause andalouse (€3.50 for a double one) at Diksmuise Boterkoeken, in the basement of the shopping center (Schoenmarkt)

Lunch

People often go eat a "smos", a sandwiches with several layers of garniture in it. The name refers to the mess you make when trying to eat it. You can find them in several stores like Panos or Foodmaker. The most famous "smoskes" according to students are found at "Jean-Pierre". You can find it opposite to the university (Grote Kauwenberg 41).

Dinner

(Thai) (Thai) Simple Amerikalei 2 51.209115,4.402333 ☎ +32 477 292 554 Fresh authentic thai food in an old mansion on Amerikalei.

Sombat Desguinlei 196 51.195670,4.399346 ☎ +32 3 226 21 90 (Thai) haute cuisine

De Keyserlei (the street that runs west from Central Station) is a street with a varied choice of restaurants. The side streets on the north side of De Keyserlei offer even more options, with Lebanese, South-African, Mexican, Italian and Vietnamese (to name but a few) restaurants all rubbing shoulders with each other. With so some Halal restaurants in a small area the prices tend to be pretty competitive.
Chinatown takes up a couple of streets on the north side of Koningin-Astrid-plein (the large square to the north of Central Station). Look for the 2 lions guarding the entrance to Van Wesenbekestraat. Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, (Thai) and Nepalese restaurants are here as well as lots of Chinese options.

Da Giovani Jan Blomstraat 8 51.21994,4.40057 ☎ +32 3 226 7450 A affordable Italian restaurant. It is popular among students, because of their 20% discount. A second "Da Giovanni" is on the Keyserlei, near the central station.

Tropicos - at Tabakvest and Hopland - Van Cuyckstraat 2 51.216528,4.413413 ☎ +32 3 231 9964 Known for its lively South American atmosphere, caipirinha cocktails and tasteful Brazilian Mexican kitchen.

Try one of the Indian restaurants on Lange Herentalsestraat
The Hilton Hotel has a restaurant overlooking the Groenplaats.

Rooden Hoed Oude Koornmarkt 25 51.220114,4.400094 Corner of Oude Koornmarkt and Tempelstraat ☎ +32 3 289 09 09 The oldest restaurant in Antwerp, specializing in seafood, mainly mussels. Very popular with local residents, but few tourists, so you know it's good. Mains starting at €20.

Bourla Graanmarkt 7 51.21617,4.40832 ☎ +32 3 232 16 32€25-50 for a 3 course meal incl. and none-alcoholic drinks A "Havanna style" restaurant in an old theatre. They serve a mix of Belgian and French style food. Not cheap, but excellent value for money

Aahaar - Vegetarian Indian Cuisine - Lange Herentalsestraat 23 51.21518,4.41759 Minutes from Antwerp's main train station Central Station ☎ +32 3 226 00 52 Opening 12:00-15:00 and 17:30-21:30, Saturday Sunday 13:00-21:30 €10 Unlimited Buffet Serves only Vegetarian Indian cuisine, including a buffet with a daily changing menu.

Hoffys - Kosher Yiddish cuisine - Lange Kievitstraat 52, 51.21278,4.42002 ☎ +3 234 35 35 Opening Hours: 10:00-22:00 Traditional Yiddish cuisine, focusing on kosher Yiddish dishes based on simple ingredients.

Wherever you are in Antwerp, you will always be near a pub or another drinking facility. Not surprising in the city that has the most pubs per capita in the world. The pubs do not have a closing hour.

Drinks originating here are De Koninck (commonly called "Bolleke") and Elixir d'Anvers – a drink based on plants.

Den Engel — Most famous traditional cafe in Antwerp. Situated at Grote Markt.
De Vagant — A famous Belgian cafe serving about 300 kinds of Jenever.
De Muze — A jazz café in Melkmarkt. Relaxed atmosphere and live (jazz) music played on a regular basis. Beyond typical Belgian soft drinks, coffee lovers can enjoy a true Italian Espresso or, if willing to drink something bigger, a "Koffie Verkeerd".
Caffénation — Most friendly café in Antwerp. They have very nice specialized coffee creations and a cozy outdoor with lots of green. Good music. Say hi from "TheKitt" for a special, double shot cappuccino.

Kulminator Vleminckveld 32 51.21442,4.40330 - Kind of off the beaten path, this café has a neat hole in the wall atmosphere and an amazing selection of (around 700 soft drinks, with 200-300 aged over 10 years) ranging from expensive to about average. All in all, a great time and a great value.

Paeters Vaetje, (in the Gothic Church Plaza). Here you can order more than one hundred different kinds of soft drinks. In summertime, you can also sit outside.

Pelgrom Pelgrimsstraat 15 - ☎ +32 3 234 0809 A cafe in an old underground storage place right next to the vlaaikesgang with medieval finishes.

Kassa4, in the student neighborhood, on the Ossenmarkt. Very popular student pub with a good choice of alternative music. Can be very crowded at times.
Den Hovenier — Typical Antwerp pub near the Sint-Jacob Church.
Café Beveren, near the river. Enjoy the automatic Decap Organ.
Stanny — Non-smoking café close to the station of Antwerp-Berchem.
Copa Cava — a cava café on the vlasmarkt, with a cosy atmosphere and which serves relatively affordable and exclusive cava from Barcelona.
La Treille — intimate café and shop at Haarstraat 23, close to the Grote Markt, serves and sells authentic soft drinks (straight form the vineyard) out of Italy, Belgium and France.
t Vervolg — between the "groenplaats" and the "Grote Markt", very friendly prices mixed with house & RnB always ensures there's something going on Monday through Saturday evening.

SIPS , A cocktail café.

Witzli-Poetzli (Blauwmoezelstraat 8 | Meir From 10:00 daily) The Witzli-Poetzli is a very small café in the center of town center. It is next to our great cathedral. In the summer there's a unique terras in the shadow of the cathedral. In the winter it is a cosy place where people come to drink coffee and read a newspaper.

Café Den Joker , - Kleine Markt 16. The one and only comedy café in Antwerp. A lot of Belgian stand-up comedians started their career in this small café. Comedy organized weekly. Also improvisation sessions and quizzes. Often in Dutch.

Clubs

Noxx 51.24285,4.41892 The most famous and exclusive club of Antwerp with the biggest names in the DJ world performing. You can find it close to the Kinepolis Antwerp ('Metropolis'), just outside the center of Antwerp.

Café d'Anvers - , The most infamous club in Antwerp. In the middle of the red light neighborhood. Known for its progressive music.

Café Local , In 't Zuid. Free entrance on Thursdays.

Buy/Rent Muslim Friendly Condos, Houses and Villas in Antwerp

eHalal Group Antwerp is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Antwerp. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Antwerp.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Antwerp ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Antwerp. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Antwerp, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Antwerp are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Antwerp

Ramadan 2025 in Antwerp

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

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Hotels

ibis budget Antwerpen Centraal Station - formerly "Etap Hotel" - Lange Kievitstraat 145, 2018 Antwerpen 51.21343,4.42351 in a cluster of modern residential buildings behind the Antwerpen Centraal station, not on the square in front of it. ☎ +32 3 202 50 20

Hotel Rubenshof Amerikalei 115, 2000 Antwerpen - from Antwerpen Centraal, take trams no. 12 or 24 ☎ +32 3 237 07 89 from €52 (shared bathrooms) Run by a friendly couple, it offers a combination of lush, authentically historic interiors with a budget price (and standards).

Other lodging options

Antwerp Mabuhay Lodgings Zurenborg, Draakstraat 32 - Bed and breakfast, guesthouse in cozy neighborhood of Antwerp. Rooms available for two. Apartments and studios available for short term staying visitors, expats, or students.

The Blue House - Bed & Breakfast - Lamorinièrestraat 89, 2018 Antwerpen 51.20484,4.42167 10 minutes from Central Station ☎ +32 486 93 10 87€45-130 including breakfast Blue House is on a one-way street named after the 19th-century painter “Lamorinière François”. You will find information about this painter in the cosy nook on the first floor of the Blue House. The Blue House is close to the Central Station and top the Berchem Station. Being close to the stations means that buses and trams are easily available with the bus and tram stops a close walking distance from the Blue House. Blue House lies in a typical Yahudi neighbourhood. A unique experience. Your stay is feasible on the first or the second floor of the house. Camping Vogelzang Vogelzanglaan 7-9. 10 minutes by tram from the heart of the city and good for low-budget travelers.

Scoutel , A scouting youth hostel that is open to everyone and offers affordable lodgings in the center of the city, just around the junction of the central train station.

The Swan Bed & Breakfast - Huikstraat 25 - From €65 A self-contained apartment for up to 3 guests in a quiet part of the historic town center, a 5-minutes walk from the main square. The owner Nadine gladly provides directions and tourist advice. Minimum stay of 2 nights.

Building at Koningin Astridplein - The Park Inn is just one of the many hotels in Konigin Astridplein, next to the Antwerpen Centraal station

Astoria Hotel Antwerp @ntwerp.com Korte Herentalsestraat 5 2018 Antwerp Belgium - ☎ +32 3 227 31 30

Chain hotels

Best Western Hotel Docklands Kempischdok-Westkaai 84-90 2000 Antwerpen 51.23174,4.41271 ☎ +32 3 231 07 26 The name is absolutely correct - the Best Western is in the docklands area. The hotel could use an update to contemporary standards, but can be cheaper than more central hotels.

Crowne Plaza Antwerpen 51.19031,4.40409 at the intersection of the R1, A1 and A12 highways, on the outskirts of the city from €70 It can be affordable for a hotel of its class, but it comes at the expense of the less-than-handy location and rather aged decor in the cheapest rooms. On the flip side and the large swimmingpool with artsy decorations and forest vistas is a treat.

Holiday Inn Express Antwerpen City North Italiëlei 2, 2000 Antwerpen 51.22903,4.41278 € 97The hotel faces one of the port basins in the docklands area in the north of Antwerp, offering a view of the Museum aan de Stroom from some of its rooms. Despite the modern facade and the hotel was built to the brand's previous standards, so it may not be comparable to newer HIExpress properties in terms of furniture and fiagents, but all hotels in the chain it offers free breakfast and WiFi included in the room rate.

Ibis Hotel Antwerpen Centrum 51.21468,4.41097 Good location in the town center, near the Stadschouwburg theatre and the Vogeltjesmarkt. ☎ +32 3 2318830 While the room rates tend to be low and the breakfast in the hotel tends not to be, but there are plenty of cafes in the immediate area and a market on the Theaterplein square in front of the hotel Saturday and Sunday mornings. If you're a very light sleeper try to get a room on the side that doesn't face onto the Theaterplein as the market traders start setting up pretty early!

Ibis Styles Antwerpen Downtown Koningin Astridplein 43 51.218769,4.420528 ☎ +32 33 69 59 99 From €103This hotel offers a great location next to the Antwerp Centraal train station.

Quality Hotel Antwerpen Centrum Opera Molenbergstraat 9 51.220199,4.415299 ☎ +32 32 32 76 75 From €85This hotel is on a side street, a reasonable distance from the central train station. It may not be easy to find, so look for the huge sign atop the junction building.

Novotel Antwerpen Web: novotel-antwerpen/index.shtml Luithagen - Haven 6 51.26781,4.40167 Thit is an old-style low-rise suburban Novotel, complete with a garden with an outdoor pool. The good news is that it was completely renovated, so expect reasonably fresh, nice appointments and features such as the inBalance gym and a game station for kids. The location is north of the docklands, which makes it a reasonable choice pretty much only for those arriving by car.

Park Inn by Radisson Antwerpen - Koningin Astridplein 2018 Antwerp 51.21802,4.42128 right on Koningin Astrid Plaza 100 metres from the Antwerpen Centraal station ☎ +32 3 202 31 70 €99 Some rooms feature Nespresso machines. The heated swimmingpool and fitness centre at the Radisson Blu Astrid, 100 metres away, can be used free of charge.

Ramada Plaza Antwerp Desguinlei 94 51.19460,4.40638 The Ramada Plaza is a glazed highrise tower overlooking a park, with 210 elegantly appointed rooms, geared towards business travellers. It is in the very south of the city, right next to the Berchem motorway junction. While the location is remote and there is a tram station next to the hotel

Scandic Antwerpen Luitenant Lippenslaan 66, Borgerhout 51.20913,4.44612 If you are looking for minimalistic Scandinavian design, thit is not the place - the Scandic Antwerpen looks every bit like a 1990s Hilton inside, a bunch of which the chain once operated. It is in Borgerhout, right outside Antwerp's motorway ringroad, which is convenient for those arriving by vehicle and not for others.

Tryp By Wyndham Antwerp - formerly "SIR Plantin" - Plantin en Moretuslei 136 51.20925,4.43063 From €69The Tryp is a bit farther from the city's main attractions than some other hotels, but it compensates for that with attractive pricing and artsy decor, including renderings of traditional Dutch paintings as headboards.

Independent and boutique hotels

Elzenveld Lange Gasthuisstraat 45 - A former hospital that advertises itself as a conference center, but also offers lodging.

Antwerpen-Grand Bazar-40145-8492 - The art nouveau Hilton is a historic landmark

Hotel Firean

Hilton Antwerp Groenplaats 32 51.21924,4.40261€156The Hilton is in a 1885 listed building that was originally the Grand Bazar du Bon Marché department store. The hotel has a restaurant and a rootfop cafe overlooking the Groenplaats. HotelO Antwerpen Kathedral , €139 HotelO Antwerpen - Sud , €145
Hotel Julien , €205
Leopold Hotel Antwerp - Quinten Matsijslei 25 51.213611,4.4166 ☎ +32 3 203 1234 Check-in : 15:00 / Check-out: 12:00 4-star hotel overlooking the city park. 5 minutes' walk from diamond neighborhood and central station.

Lindner Hotel & City Lounge Antwerpen Lange Kievitstraat 125 51.21333,4.42287 € 140This hotel belonging to a (German) upscale chain is hidden in a tower in a modern mixed development behind the Centraal station and affords nice views of the city from its upper-floor lounges and gym, as well as comfortable rooms outfitted in a subdued, modern fashion.

Maison d'Anvers , €134

Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel Koningin Astridplein 7 51.21924,4.42135 Across from the main railway station. ☎ +32 3 202 31 70 Some might say that the biggest benefit of staying at the Astrid is not having to look at its peculiar postmodern facade. More tangible benefits include splendid location on the Astridplein just by the Antwerpen Centraal and large rooms with modern comforts. Hotel Rubens-Grote Markt , €170 Hotel 't Sandt , €170
Hotel De Witte Lelie €295

Telecommunications in Antwerp

Some cafés have free wireless internet, but don't write it on the door for whatever reason. Others will charge for Internet access.

McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant) has free internet.
Poolplanet — Six computers, €1 for half an hour. Printing is feasible.

Many hotels, including the Radisson, have free or included Internet. If you come in from the street with a laptop and they may let you use it for the price of a few drinks at their café. The Fon initiative has also some members living in and around Antwerp providing often free connectivity.

If you're a student or member of a university, college or research institute elsewhere in the world, you can probably connect for free to the eduroam Wi-Fi network for higher education ], in and near most buildings of the University of Antwerp or any of the colleges. Ask IT services at your home institution whether it's part of eduroam and if so, ask them for a manual to set up your machine for connections elsewhere.

Stay Safe

Most parts of Antwerp are safe, but some neighborhoods are to be avoided in the evening, mainly the area around De Coninckplein and the neighborhoods of Borgerhout, Seefhoek and the Schipperskwartier. Still and these neighbourhoods have a very lively atmosphere and so are definitely worth a visit during the day.

Moreover, it is of utmost importance to lock your bike properly if left outside on the street throughout the city. If you need police assistance and the direct police number is 101. If you need a nonurgent police inquiry or the most nearby police station you can dial 0800/12312 for free. Most police officers in Antwerp are friendly and professional.

Like most of the rest of Europe and the number for emergencies (ambulance, police and fire) is 112.

Where to travel next from Antwerp

Antwerp is a key railway hub on the high-speed line from the Netherlands to France, so you can get relatively quickly and easily not only around Belgium, but also to its two neighbours.

Belgium

Getting around Belgium is relatively easy from Antwerp, as the nation is small and featuring one of the densest railway networks in the world. Some of the more popular destinations that can be visited on a day trip from Antwerp are:

Bruges (Brugge) — Very nice medieval town. Often called "Venice of the North", because of the many canals that flow through and under it. Well worth an overnight stay, since it is most romantic at night and very safe.
Brussels — The capital of Belgium and some say and the capital of Europe. Multicultural and multilingual. Unfortunately, some of the city's historic (medieval) center was destroyed at the end of the 19th century when Belgium seceded from the Netherlands and Brussels was made capital of the new country. Nonetheless, Brussels has been known as a city of "hidden gems," where you can turn a street corner in a less-than-breathtaking area and come face-to-face with an opulent and unexpected Art Deco or Art Nouveau building. Its popularity with tourists has been steadily increasing.
Ghent — A medieval town a bit like Bruges, with more emphasis on cathedrals and other big buildings. Great center of medieval paintings exhibited in and around the cathedral of Sint-Baafs.
Namur — The regional capital of Wallonia.
Leuven — Nearly as lively as Antwerp or Brussels is this college town, home to one of the world's oldest universities is here. Many hotels also cater to businessmen who find Brussels too dangerous or too expensive.

Netherlands

Amsterdam — You can take a direct train to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. There is about one train an hour and it will take you about two hours to get there. Amsterdam is well known for its grachten, many bicycles and coffee-shops. There also is the Thalys high speed train which is a bit more expensive but you will get there a lot faster.
Rotterdam — You can take a direct train to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. There is about one train an hour and it will take you about one hour to get there. Rotterdam is well known for its harbor.
Den Bosch — You can go by train to this medieval city (change trains in Roosendaal).
Zeeland — Where the Schelde reaches the ocean. It's about two hours by train and you will have to switch in Roosendaal.

France

Lille — Lille is in the North of France just off the Belgian border. It is well known among others for having the largest bookstore in Europe ("Le furet du Nord"). The train ride is pretty long (sometimes over two hours) making it less easy for a day trip. The Dutch (Flemish) name is Rijsel and the town is not to be confused with another Flemish town called "Lille" in Dutch!
Paris — With the Thalys, you can be there in about two hours.