Art & Fashion

Antwerp: Diamonds, Fashion & Rubens Masterpieces

From the world's most beautiful railway station to 1,000-year beer cellars, discover Belgium's stylish cultural powerhouse.

Hi, I'm Femke. I studied fashion design at the Antwerp Academy and have spent fifteen years sharing my city's art, diamonds, and beer culture with visitors. This guide was last updated in August 2026.

7 Days / 6 Nights
Antwerp, Belgium
All Travelers
City Walking
$$ - Moderate
April-October
Centraal Station Rubens House Diamond District MoMu Fashion Museum Belgian Beer

Shopping Note: Antwerp offers affordable luxury shopping compared to Paris or Milan. Belgian designer pieces from the Antwerp Six can be found at sample sales in January and July. Most shops close on Sundays, except during the first Sunday of each month when the Meir shopping district opens.

Why This Journey is Extraordinary

World Diamond Capital

Four out of five of the world's rough diamonds pass through Antwerp's Diamond District on Hoveniersstraat

Rubens in Context

Visit the Rubens House where Peter Paul Rubens lived and painted, plus three of his masterpieces in the Cathedral

Fashion Capital

Home of the Antwerp Six, the fashion collective that put Belgian design on the global map, and the MoMu Fashion Museum

1,000+ Beers

Drink your way through Kulminator, widely considered the world's best beer bar, with vintage bottles from the 1980s

Daily Journey Inspiration

1

Centraal Station & Meir Shopping

The world's most beautiful station

Morning
Antwerp Centraal Station
Begin at Antwerp Centraal Station, built between 1895 and 1905 and voted the world's fourth most beautiful railway station. The 75-meter-high dome, Beaux-Arts architecture, and three-level platforms create one of the most dramatic station interiors anywhere.
Afternoon
Meir Shopping Street
Walk the Meir, Antwerp's main 800-meter pedestrian shopping street. See the Stadsfeestzaal, a restored 1908 shopping hall with a stunning gold dome, and the Royal Palace façade. Browse international brands alongside Belgian designers.
Evening
Dinner at Fiske
Have dinner at Fiske for some of the best mussels in Antwerp, prepared in the traditional Belgian style with white wine, celery, and butter. Pair with a local Belgian beer.
2

Rubens House & Cathedral

Baroque masterpieces in their original settings

Morning
Rubens House
Visit the Rubens House, where Peter Paul Rubens lived and worked from 1610 until his death in 1640. Ten of his paintings hang in their original setting, alongside works by his students. The restored Renaissance garden is a highlight.
Afternoon
Cathedral of Our Lady
Walk to the Cathedral of Our Lady, completed in 1521 and the largest Gothic church in the Low Countries with a 123-meter spire. This UNESCO site holds three Rubens masterpieces: the Descent from the Cross, the Elevation of the Cross, and the Assumption of the Virgin.
Evening
Belgian Fries at Frites Atelier
Grab Belgian fries at Frites Atelier, where potatoes are cut fresh daily and double-fried in beef tallow, the authentic way. Choose from a dozen house-made sauces.
3

Diamond District & MoMu Fashion

Where four-fifths of the world's diamonds pass through

Morning
Diamond District
Walk to Hoveniersstraat in the Diamond District, the world center of the diamond trade. Over 1,500 diamond companies operate here, and four out of five of the world's rough diamonds pass through Antwerp. Visit Diamondland for a guided tour showing how rough stones are cut and polished.
Afternoon
MoMu Fashion Museum
Visit MoMu, the Antwerp Fashion Museum, which holds a 2,000-plus item collection and rotating exhibitions. The museum celebrates the legacy of the Antwerp Six, the 1980s fashion collective including Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester, and Walter Van Beirendonck who revolutionized contemporary fashion.
Evening
Chocolate at The Chocolate Line
Visit The Chocolate Line, where chef Dominique Persoone, who once created chocolate for the Rolling Stones, crafts unconventional flavors like wasabi, ginger, and Cuban cigar. Try the chocolate shooter, a device he invented for sniffing cocoa powder.
4

Plantin-Moretus & MAS Museum

From 16th-century printing to modern panoramic views

Morning
Plantin-Moretus Museum
Visit the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's best-preserved 16th-century printing press. See the oldest printing presses in existence, original Garamond typefaces, a Gutenberg Bible, and the home of Christophe Plantin.
Afternoon
MAS Museum (Museum aan de Stroom)
Walk to the MAS, a striking 60-meter-tall building wrapped in red sandstone with Indian hand motifs. Ten floors tell the story of Antwerp's history and maritime trade. The visible storage area holds 470,000 objects. The rooftop panorama is free.
Evening
Beer at Kulminator
End the day at Kulminator, widely regarded as the world's best beer bar. Open since 1982, it stocks over 1,000 beers including vintage bottles from the 1980s. Ask the owner for a Noël beer recommendation and savor a brew aged for decades.
Important: Kulminator accepts cash only and has no website. Arrive early on weekends as tables fill by 8pm.
5

Zurenborg & Art Nouveau

The most beautiful street in Belgium

Morning
Cogels-Osylei Walking Tour
Take the tram to Zurenborg and walk Cogels-Osylei, a street of Art Nouveau and Art Deco houses built between 1894 and 1906. Each façade is unique, featuring wrought iron balconies, stained glass, and sculpted details. This is widely considered the most beautiful street in Belgium.
Afternoon
Coffee & Waffles at House of Waffles
Return to the city center and stop at House of Waffles for authentic Belgian waffles. Choose between Brussels-style, light and crispy, or Liège-style, dense and sweet with pearl sugar. Top with fresh cream and Belgian chocolate.
Evening
Dinner Near the Cathedral
Enjoy dinner near the Cathedral of Our Lady. Try local specialties like stoofvlees, a Flemish beef stew slow-cooked in Belgian beer, at one of the traditional restaurants in the old town.
6

Zoo Antwerp & Eilandje District

Belgium's oldest zoo and the revitalized harbor

Morning
Zoo Antwerp
Visit Zoo Antwerp, founded in 1843 and the oldest zoo in Belgium. Set on 10 hectares right next to the train station, it houses 5,000 animals and is renowned for its okapi breeding program and beautiful 19th-century architecture, including the Egyptian temple and Moorish garden.
Pro tip: Arrive at opening time to see the animals most active, especially the okapis, which the zoo has bred successfully for decades.
Afternoon
Eilandje & Red Star Line Museum
Explore Eilandje, Antwerp's revitalized docklands. Visit the Red Star Line Museum, which tells the story of the 2.6 million Europeans who emigrated to America via Antwerp on the Red Star Line ships between 1873 and 1934.
Why we love it: The museum is housed in the actual warehouse where emigrants were processed before boarding. Albert Einstein and Irving Berlin both passed through these buildings.
Evening
Portside Dinner at RAS
Have dinner at RAS, a waterside restaurant in Eilandje with views over the harbor. Order fresh North Sea fish or a Belgian-style burger, and watch the ships pass through one of Europe's busiest ports.
7

Final Tastes & Departure

Last chocolates and beer

Morning
Neuhaus Chocolate Shopping
Buy chocolates to take home at Neuhaus, the Belgian chocolatier that invented the praline in 1912. Their flagship store on the Meir offers elegant gift boxes and limited-edition flavors.
Afternoon
Final Beer & Reflection
Stop for one last Belgian beer at a café near the Grote Markt. Try a Westmalle Tripel or a Chimay Blue, and reflect on a week of diamonds, fashion, Rubens, and 1,000-year beer traditions.
Evening
Farewell Dinner
Enjoy a final dinner in the old town. If time allows before your train, walk through the illuminated Grote Markt at night, when the guild houses and Brabo Fountain glow against the dark sky.

Antwerp Gallery

Antwerp Centraal Station grand dome interior Cathedral of Our Lady Gothic spire Rubens painting detail Baroque art Art Nouveau houses on Cogels-Osylei street Belgian beer glasses on bar counter MAS Museum red sandstone facade by harbor

Practical Tips

Getting There

Antwerp is 45 minutes by train from Brussels Airport. High-speed trains connect to Paris (2 hours), Amsterdam (1 hour 15 min), and London (3 hours via Eurostar). Antwerp Centraal is the main station, right in the city center.

Transportation

Antwerp's historic center is compact and walkable. For longer distances, trams run frequently. Buy a day pass for 5 EUR or use contactless payment on board. Bikes can be rented at Velo stations throughout the city.

Visa Requirements

Belgium is in the Schengen Area. EU citizens need only an ID card. Non-EU citizens may need a Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days.

Budget Tips

Antwerp offers affordable luxury compared to Paris or Milan. Eat at lunch when restaurants offer fixed-price menus. Many museums are free on the last Wednesday of each month. The MAS rooftop panorama is always free.

What to Pack

Layers for changeable Belgian weather, comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones, and an umbrella. Bring an empty bag for chocolate purchases. Dress smartly for restaurants and the fashion district.

Best Time to Visit

April through October for pleasant weather. July through September for pavement cafés and outdoor events. January and July coincide with Antwerp fashion weeks. The first Sunday of each month means open shops on the Meir.

Traveler Reviews

Hannah B.

Hannah B.

Manchester, UK | July 2026

★★★★★

Antwerp Centraal Station took my breath away the moment I stepped off the train. That 75-meter dome with the light streaming through is unreal, and the three-level platforms make it feel like a cathedral for trains. I must have taken fifty photos. The fact that the station is also a shopping mall with a diamond center underneath is pure Antwerp, everything elegant and efficient at once.

Stefan M.

Stefan M.

Zurich, Switzerland | June 2026

★★★★★

Kulminator was the reason I came to Antwerp and it did not disappoint. The owner pulled out a Westvleteren 12 from 2009 that had aged beautifully, completely different from the fresh version. Over 1,000 beers and some vintage bottles older than me. Cash only, no website, no pretense, just incredible beer. I spent four hours there and could have stayed all night. The best bar in the world, no question.

Grace L.

Grace L.

New York, NY | September 2026

★★★★★

As a fashion student, MoMu was my pilgrimage. The exhibition on the Antwerp Six was incredibly curated, showing how Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeerer changed the industry. Seeing the actual garments up close gave me chills. Then walking past the Fashion Academy where they studied felt like visiting a sacred site. Antwerp's fashion scene punches way above its weight for a city this size.

Philippe D.

Philippe D.

Lyon, France | August 2026

★★★★★

The Rubens House was a revelation. Seeing ten of his paintings in the actual rooms where he lived and worked, where his students mixed his paints, gives you a completely different understanding of the work. The Renaissance garden out back is gorgeous and peaceful. Then seeing the three cathedral masterpieces the next day tied everything together. I have new respect for Baroque art.

Nora K.

Nora K.

Toronto, Canada | May 2026

★★★★★

Cogels-Osylei in Zurenborg is the most beautiful street I have ever walked. Every single house is different, Art Nouveau next to Art Deco, with incredible wrought iron balconies and stained glass windows. We spent two hours just photographing façades. The walking map from the tourism office was essential. This neighborhood alone is worth the trip to Antwerp.

Raj P.

Raj P.

Mumbai, India | October 2026

★★★★★

The diamond tour at Diamondland was fascinating. Watching a rough stone being cut and polished right in front of us, and learning that four out of five of the world's rough diamonds pass through this one street in Antwerp, was mind-boggling. We did not buy anything big but the education alone was worth it. The Plantin-Moretus Museum the next day was equally surprising, seeing actual Gutenberg Bibles and 500-year-old printing presses.

Claire W.

Claire W.

Auckland, New Zealand | April 2026

★★★★★

The MAS Museum rooftop was the best free view I have found in any European city. Riding those escalators up ten floors, with the city and port revealing themselves layer by layer, was thrilling. The Red Star Line Museum in Eilandje was deeply moving, learning that millions of Europeans started their journey to America from this exact harbor. Antwerp packs so much into a walkable center.

Marco R.

Marco R.

Milan, Italy | July 2026

★★★★★

The Chocolate Line was wild. Dominique Persoone made chocolate for the Rolling Stones and you can tell, the flavors are completely unconventional. Wasabi chocolate, Cuban cigar chocolate, it sounds crazy but it works. The chocolate shooter device he invented is hilarious. The mussels at Fiske were the best I have had outside of Brussels, and the fries at Frites Atelier double-fried in beef tallow were crispy perfection. Belgian food is underrated.

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