A city removed from the coast, with berthing cruise liners, waterfront bars and a fascinating mix of daring contemporary architecture and industrial heritage.
Incentive event attendees in Antwerp can enjoy the staggering choice of eating & drinking venues and if intemperance isn’t enough, there is always the diamond dealing centre to indulge in.
Belgium's second city is in many ways the first, with its pre-eminent status in diamonds, shipping and city population bigger than that of Brussels.
Belgium is famed for its beer, fries and chocolates and its residents are unashamed in their enjoyment of these staples. Venues, entertainment, activities and ease of access make Antwerp a superb corporate event destination.
Antwerp is a remarkably diverse city, with old cobbled streets giving way to striking, contemporary architecture. The ancient squares are just a short distance from the lapping waters of the working port, which houses freight and cruise ships. Two features that reign throughout this changing cityscape are the restaurants and bars.
Spilling onto the streets, these venues are full of life, with singing crowds of locals and newspaper-reading loners. Dining and drinking are such ordinary pursuits in Antwerp. Some of the best experiences are to be found off the beaten track, with summer bars offering wonderful settings and a glimpse into the quirky psyche of Belgium.
The historic areas of Antwerp are a great visual spectacle, with intimate squares and cobbled side streets. Shops, bars, and restaurants dominate, and while crowded at peak times, Antwerp doesn’t feel like it has sold its soul to tourism. The city remains resolutely functional and progressive, with wind farms on the city skyline that regulators would have snared in other cities.
The old port authority building, which required expansion, was preserved beneath a remarkable diamond-inspired building that hovers over the heritage site below. The mesmerising structure speaks volumes about Antwerp's creativity and daring.
Antwerp Harbour is a hive of activity. Walking or cycling the quayside is fascinating, with a range of bars and restaurants available. Cycling is a great way to explore the city and there is an underwater cycling tunnel that traverses the harbour. There are harbour cruises that leave the city centre, while water sports such as wakeboarding are popular.
Antwerp is rich in culture, and there are many galleries and museums to visit. This is also the diamond capital of the world, with plenty to see and buy. Away from the city centre there are rural cycling and hiking trails, while in the north, the coast offers many activities on the beach and in the sea. RIB tours, land yachting and surfing are all popular.
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Diet prior to arrival! There can be few destinations where culinary temptation and ubiquity conspire so successfully. From spring to Autumn, the streets of Antwerp are a celebration of pavement drinking and dining, with terraces every few steps.
Winter months see activities move inside, yet this is truly a city of food and drink. Antwerp unashamedly offers its staples of fries, beer and chocolate across the city, it is such a normal thing to enjoy.
Clients on group events can take advantage of the extensive range of quality dining on offer in Antwerp. Numerous Michelin-starred restaurants are nearby, and many offer authentic Belgian cuisine.
Mussels, and of course, the associated fries, are a staple of the Belgian kitchen and can be enjoyed in numerous, well-priced, quality restaurants.
Summer bars are one of the absolute joys of Antwerp. Many of these venues are located close to the port and its waters. Wonderfully characterful industrial spaces have been converted into quirky venues serving fabulous Belgian beer and cuisine.
Heavily frequented in the summer months, these experimental venues display a daring, innovative side to Antwerp and are a great place to mix with locals.
Right across central Antwerp and the Old Town, the streets are packed with terraces offering drinking and dining. Singing locals mix with joyous visitors, over jugs of wonderful beer as the sun drops over Antwerp.
And for late-night action, Antwerp offers one of the most vibrant and progressive club scenes in northern Europe. Boasting an electronic dance music pedigree going back decades, there are numerous places to dance until dawn.
