Antwerp

Antwerp is considered a fashion capital with an international reputation, shaped by the Royal Academy of Fashion. The city offers trendy designer stores, concept stores and local labels around Nationalestraat and Het Zuid. Vintage and second-hand boutiques as well as art and design shops can be found especially in Kloosterstraat and Kammenstraat – ideal for individual fashion and decoration finds.

Antwerp is considered a fashion capital with an international reputation, shaped by the Royal Academy of Fashion. The city offers trendy designer stores, concept stores and local labels around Nationalestraat and Het Zuid. Vintage and second-hand boutiques as well as art and design shops can be found especially in Kloosterstraat and Kammenstraat – ideal for individual fashion and decoration finds.

Antwerp is home to hidden architectural treasures: the magnificent city villas in the Zurenborg district feature stylish houses from the 19th/20th centuries in a variety of styles, a highlight for architecture enthusiasts. The narrow Vlaeykensgang is a picturesque historic alleyway lined with antique shops and galleries. Particularly impressive is Cogels-Osylei, a magnificent street with ornate villas and Art Nouveau façades.

The Middelheim Museum is a unique open-air sculpture museum in the green Middelheim Park south of Antwerp, with over 400 modern and classical sculptures embedded in the landscape. Admission is usually free, and the extensive grounds are ideal for walks, picnics and enjoying art in nature – perfect for art and outdoor enthusiasts.

After strolling through the fashionable Kloosterstraat shopping street - also a lively place on Sundays - the impressive Grote Markt, the large market square, is an absolute must. Next to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town hall, a Renaissance building with a few baroque accents, the imposing and legendary Brabo fountain catches the eye. Dominating the city, however, is the Cathedral of Our Lady, a monument that has adorned Antwerp's skyline since the early 14^th century. Gothic on the outside, Baroque on the inside, this impressive cathedral once again bears the signature of Rubens. 

Another must-see for art lovers is the completely renovated and newly reopened KMSKA, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, which, with a collection of 13,000 works of art, is the city's art palace. In addition to the old Flemish masters, the museum also houses the world's largest collection of works by the modern master Ensor, as well as masterpieces by Van Eyck, Memling, Modigliani, Alechinsky and many more. Fashion enthusiasts should definitely visit the MoMu fashion museum.

A visit to Antwerp inevitably begins at the railway station – Antwerp Central is not only a gateway to the city, but also a special attraction in its own right. This architectural masterpiece with vaulted ceilings, monumental bells and a grandiose entrance hall is sometimes referred to as the railway cathedral and has amazed millions of travellers since 1905.

The Plantin-Moretus Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also located in the city centre, takes you back to the 16th century, the age of Rubens. This impressive building was once the heart of European book printing. Some of the most important works of the time, such as Thomas More's iconic Utopia, were printed there. The printing presses are still in almost perfect condition, and the walls are covered with gilded leather. Balthasar I Moretus was a childhood friend of Rubens, whose portraits still adorn the place.

Antwerp is known for its avant-garde style and is considered a true fashion mecca. It was here that the famous “Antwerp Six” group was formed, including designers such as Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester, who trained at the Royal Academy. The Fashion Museum (MoMu) tells this bold fashion story through exhibitions and iconic pieces. In the shopping district, designer boutiques and major brands delight fashion lovers alike.