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Antwerp in a nutshell?

The City of Antwerp

The City of Antwerp or with its local Dutch name: ”Antwerpen” is the capital of Antwerp Province with an estimated population of 520.000 people … if you count the metropolitan area of Antwerp: 1.200.000 people. Situated in the north part of Belgium, 40 km from Brussels and 15 km from the boarder with the Netherlands, Antwerp is situated on the river Scheldt (De Schelde) and best known for the Port of Antwerp, one of the biggest in the world.

The old city centre is steeped in history. You will find it in ancient building-fronts on narrow streets or in the imposing Grand-Place. The Plantin-Moretus Museum is the only museum in the world to be classified as a Unesco World Heritage site. In the shadow of the Cathedral of Our Lady, the city teems with life in intimate pubs and restaurants. The banks of the Scheldt are a great place for a breath of fresh air.

Today Antwerp is a major trade and cultural centre that more than 170 nationalities call home. It is also well known as the Diamond capital of the world for its large diamond district. Antwerp is also a rising fashion city and has produced designers such as the Antwerp six, with a cult status in the fashion world, due to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, one of the most important fashion academies in the world.

Antwerpen

Climate

The climate in Antwerp (and Belgium) is a temperate maritime climate, which makes for pleasant summers and cool winters. Extreme weather is rare. April and May can be pleasantly warm, the perfect weather for a drink on one of the many terraces in the city. Always remember though that it can still be cold and heavy showers are always a possibility. Most visitors think the city is at its best in June, when all the greenery in the streets has flowered, the sun is out and conditions are perfect for a pleasant stroll. Temperatures can be decidedly tropical during the months of July and August. Evenings in the city are especially lovely during this time.

Language

Dutch is the official language in Antwerp. Many locals and especially people who work in the tourism industry speak a smattering of English, French and sometimes German.

Travel

Getting to Antwerp by plane

Antwerp is situated near two airports. Zaventem (Brussels) International is 45 kilometres from Antwerp, or 30 minutes by car. Deurne Airport is a 15-minute drive from Antwerp. Brussels South Charleroi Airport and Eindhoven Airport are two other airports from which you can reach Antwerp easily. Check out the information and links below

Brussels Airport (45 km from Antwerp City Centre)

www.brusselsairport.be

Train: “Brussels Airport Express” (34 min.)
Antwerpen Centraal (Central Station)
Railway station (NMBS) at level -1
Fare: € 12,40

Bus: “Airport Express (+/- 45 min.)
Antwerpen (G. Le Grellelaan – Crowne Plaza hotel and Koningin Astridplein – Central Station)
Bus station at level 0
Fare: € 10
www.airportexpress.be

Taxi to Antwerp City Centre (+/- 40 min.)
Fare: +/- € 75

Antwerp Airport (7 km from Antwerp City Centre)

www.antwerp-airport.be

Bus (De Lijn): 51, 52, 53 to Antwerp Berchem (15 min.)
+ transfer to bus 21, 32 or tram 9, 11 to Antwerp City Centre (Rooseveltplaats)
Bus station next to terminal
Fare: € 3

Taxi to Antwerp City Centre (+/- 15 min.)
Fare: +/- € 15

Brussels South Charleroi Airport (115 km from Antwerp City Centre)

www.charleroi-airport.com

Train (+/- 120 min.)
Antwerpen Centraal (Central Station)
Bus station to Charleroi train station next to terminal.
Fare: +/- € 17
www.belgian-rail.be

Taxi to Antwerp City Centre (+/- 75 min.)
Fare: +/- € 170

Eindhoven Airport (87 km from Antwerp City Centre)

www.eindhovenairport.nl

Bus DB Bahn (+/- 75 min)
Antwerpen Centraal (Central Station)
Bus station next to terminal
Fare: from € 9
www.bahn.de/icbus

Taxi to Antwerp City Centre (+/- 60 min.)
Fare: +/- € 110

Getting to Antwerp by Car

Are you planning on coming to Antwerp by car? Please note that the city centre of Antwerp is now a low emission zone. Register your vehicle before coming to Antwerp and check whether you can enter the zone.

Getting to Antwerp by Train

You can easily get to Antwerp by train. National and international trains such as Thalys and Eurostar (as of 2016) stop in Antwerp-Central Station. There are fifteen trains to and from Antwerp every hour.

If you arrive in Central Station, then stop and take the time to look around you. Many publications have rated it as one of the most beautiful stations in the world. There are various tram and bus connections into the city centre, from Antwerp-Central Station. Naturally, you can also get to your destination by taxi or on foot.

Links that may interest you:

Belgian Railways: www.belgianrail.be
Eurostar: www.eurostar.com
Thalys: www.thalys.com

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