~ Top 10 Best Places To Visit While In Antwerp, Belgium ~

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Top 10 Best Places To Visit While In Antwerp, Belgium

Belgium has some fantastic places to visit and the city of Antwerp is no different. Many people often tend to head to Brussels, which is the capital city of Belgium, when they plan to take a trip to Belgium because this is the city of the country which gets marketed the best in the media and in travel guides however, there is just as much to see, do and enjoy in the slightly less known city of Antwerp. It may not be the capital of the country but it still has ample amounts of places to visit and interesting sites to see. It is home to some fantastic historical monuments and landmarks and will certainly not disappoint you if you are looking for a great place to visit this year on your forthcoming vacation. There are many landmarks and exhibitions here which are only unique and native to this particular city and it also has some very famous and historical places of interest within the city too.


1. The National Maritime Museum



The National Maritime Museum in Antwerp in Belgium is one of the most famous and most popular museums in Europe. It possesses more than ninety four thousand items and artifacts and is a must-visit for anybody who comes to the area on vacation. If you are a fan of boats and ships then this is definitely a place that should not be missed out on because it is a really fascinating place of interest to visit. The National Maritime Museum has a large amount of exhibits and artifacts which showcase the history of Belgium and the surrounding countries, including the Netherlands and Northern France. In the museum you will find archeological findings and even actual ships which would have once been used by the countries of which the museum showcases their maritime history.

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2. Market Square
 


The Market Square of Antwerp is not as large as the very well known Grand Place of Brussels, Belgium which is much larger and grander but of course, it is the capital city of Belgium on the other hand. Market Square in Antwerp gives the Grand Place of Brussels a good run for its money and is a breathtaking place to visit. The Market Square, which is also known as Grote Markt, serves as the heart and life of the city of Antwerp and is classed as a major part of the Old Town of Antwerp. The famous and much visited Grote Markt is situated in the centre of many well known buildings and establishment, surrounding by the city's Town Hall and the houses of the Guilds or corporation. The Grote Markt is a square which is situated in the heart of the city and features a number of high profile buildings and other landmarks.

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3. The City Hall   



The City Hall of Antwerp is a sixteenth century building and incorporates both Italian and Flemish influences. Construction on the City Hall started in the year 1561 and was finally completed some three years later in the year 1564. The style of the architecture of this building is of Gothic and Renaissance style, the architecture of whom was responsible for this project was Cornelis Floris De Vriendt. Along with the well known and very professional architect Cornelis Floris De Vriendt who took charge of this project, several other architects were involved in the construction work of this building as well. Inside of the City Hall there are a large amount of luxurious ornamental pieces and statues of ladies as well. The City Hall is now open to the general public to visit and go inside, which is something that should be on your list of things to do whilst here in the city of Antwerp.

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4. The Ancient Train Station
 


The Ancient Train Station has been listed as one of the best places to visit whilst in Antwerp, Belgium and should you take the time to go and visit, it will not take you long to realise why. This is a very large and grand train station which is not just a train station but is a landmark and place to visit just because of its sheer beauty, glamour and grandness. As well as being a train station which offers many different routes, including train trips within Belgium and international routes, the Ancient Train Station also puts on shows, concerts and flash-mobs in the station's main hall which is at the front of the building.

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5. Cathedral Of Our Lady   



Situated in the Diocese of Antwerp is the Cathedral of Our Lady, which was built in the year 1521 after the construction on the cathedral, started many years prior to this date, way back in the year 1352. What is most unusual and interesting about this cathedral, which attracts high numbers of visitors to it each year, is the fact that despite the first part of the cathedral finally being completed in the year 1521 it was never actually officially completed as this was only the completion of the first stage. The Cathedral of Our Lady however, is still very magnificent and you would doubt that it was not in fact ever officially completed. Inside it is made up of many grand ornamental features and glorious statues. It is also listed as one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

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6. Plantin-Moretus Museum   



If you love a good museum then this is the place to head to. The Plantin-Moretus Museum is one of the city's most popular and best loved museums. In the year 2002 it was declared as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and was inscribed on to the list of World Heritage Sites in the year 2005. The museum is dedicated to two well known printers; these were Jan Moretus and Christophe Plantin who established a printing company in the year 16th century. The museum is very cultural and serves as an interesting and educational place to visit.

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7. Historic Statue Of Rubens   



The Historic Statue of Rubens is situated at Rubens House which is a type of palace which served as a residential property to many of the great painters who flocked to Antwerp during the seventeenth century and slightly before. The most famous painter of all of them without a doubt is Paul Ruben who lived and died at Rubens House and therefore a statue was put here to mark his life, work and masterpieces.

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8. Department Stores   



Verso is the best place to enjoy a spot of shopping whilst in the city, so when you are here do not forget by any means to check out this fantastic place! Versa is one of the best department stores to visit and is situated inside a stunning building too. Inside, you will find a range of great stores including Belgian, French and many famous Italian brand names and designer clothing labels. There is a chic cafe here at the department store, as well as a fantastic range of high quality designer clothing and cosmetics for men and women.

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9. Antwerp Zoo   



Established in the year 1843 on July 21st, the Antwerp Zoo is the oldest zoos in Belgium and also one of the most popular too. The zoo strongly encourages botanical sciences and zoological studies. In total there are a total of around five thousand animals and mammals at the zoo and an incredible nine hundred and fifty different types of species, which is no wonder than in an average year the zoo receives over one million visitors.

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10. Antwerp Harbor   



The Antwerp Harbour is one of the most used and most central points within Europe. When listed amongst the other international harbours and ports, Antwerp comes in quite high as it is ranked between the 11th and 20th when it comes to being the busiest port. The port ships items and goods to around eight hundred different locations around Europe and in other parts of the world.


The city of Antwerp has more than enough to satisfy your imagination and your requirements when it comes to having the perfect holiday. There is something for everybody here, so no matter your age, interests, gender or even the duration of your stay - you will have plenty to see and do and lots of memories to take back with you as a result. What with its museums, great stores, historical landmarks and other places of interest, you will easily keep yourself busy just strolling around the different parts of the city trying to see as much as you can in the time that you are here. Enjoy a great interesting and educational vacation this year in one of Europe's best cities and travel to Antwerp!