"Funky tips 4 the hip city tha ..." a Antwerp Travel Page by Innovator

Antwerpen is a mixture of culture.

The inhabitants of Antwerpen are hospitable and tolerant, that's why when you visit Antwerpen as a "tourist", you'll feel at home in no time, the reason for this you can find in the past. Since ages merchants from all over the world come to Antwerpen and this has made a real Metropolis of this city.

Antwerp is the largest city in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium. Some 60% of the ten million Belgians are Flemings. They speak Dutch

The 500.000 inhabitants call it the 'Metropolis' (Antwerpians are known in Belgium for not being too modest). This city has so many different facets that it takes a while before one gets to know it thoroughly.

It is the second largest harbor of Europe (after Rotterdam). Moreover, Antwerp is a splendid city with numerous architectural highlights, most of which date from the 16th (the golden era of Antwerp) and the 17th century. The destructions of the Second World War, unfortunately, has scarred somehow the fair face of the old town. Still there are enough monuments left for those who like monument-hopping to spend a few days admiring them. The past is also represented by the numerous paintings of Peter Paul Rubens who lived in the Antwerp of the early 17th century.

Antwerp, the diamond center of the World. If diamonds really are a girl's best friend, than a lot of ladies will not leave out a visit to the diamond district around the Railway Station. This area is also the Jewish part of the city. The presence of many 'Chassidic' Jewish people gives the city a flair that cannot be found in other Belgian cities.

Antwerp, however, does not only live from the past. Nowadays, Antwerp has earned a place among the fashion cities of the world thanks to the efforts of numerous young Flemish fashion designers ( e.g.: Walter Van Beirendonck, Nadine Wynants, Ann De Meulemeester, Dirk Bikkembergs, Kaat Tilley and others). Visit the fashion area of Antwerp near the Meir shopping street

As usual you get the most trendy shopping - nightlife - restaurant tips. Enjoy one of our most charming cities (next to Ghent).

The big market is popular for its buildings and monuments with a famous building where European conventions are sometimes held.

You find there some restaurants & pubs. Most restaurants are Italian,Turkish,Indian and Belgian offcourse.

And just before you first pass the most famous big shoppingstreet 'de Meir' with the most famous shops like Diesel,Mexx,Esprit,Hugo Boss, Zara...

The smaller sidestreets have less popular brands, but sometimes more creative & original clothes.

When you are at the end of the Meir you saw most of the shops. Then you reach de Groenplaats.

It's a big square with the Hilton Hotel and lots of pubs. In summer highly crowded terraces. There is even a café where you are served by a waiter on skeelers for fast service :)