Antwerp > Antwerp Experience

Advantages: Some interesting, unique and very unsual places to see and venture into
Disadvantages: Not a major city for things to see and do

Antwerp allegedly gets its name from a legend in which a mythical giant, Antigonius, decided that he was going to enforce a toll on those who wanted to cross the river Scheldt and appointed himself collector of said toll. Anyone who was sily enough to refuse to pay in cash paid instead with their bodies as Antigonius would then chop off one of their hands and throw it in the river. "Hand werpen" (hand-throwing) morphed over time into "Antwerp". This ...
...we spotted when arriving in Antwerp was the huge fountain in the Grote Markt of Silvius Brabo, the soldier who aledgedly deafeated Antigonius, victoriously throwing the giant's own severed hand. The Grote Markt is a good place to start a visit to the city as it typifies the place, hand-throwing and all. It's a large square bordered by ornate buildings including the magnificent Stadhuis (town hall) and strewn with cafés and, seeing as this is Europe, ... Read review

Advantages: shopping, night clubs, people
Disadvantages: it's cold and wet in winter

...you why you should include Antwerp in your tour of Belgium. I now live in a Hall of Residence in England and I'm very nostalgic! Living here has shown me how ignorant people are of little Belgium. When I first came and everyone was asking the same questions (where do you come from? What do you study? etc.) I told them I lived in Belgium and memorably one boy asked "Is that in Ireland" (he was quite embarassed affterwards). Anyway enough little anecdotes, ...
...in particular. Antwerp is in the Dutch speaking part of Belgium, and the city is called "Antwerpen" by the locals, in the French part of Belgium it is commonly referred to as Anvers. The way Antwerpen got is name is quite an interesting story. By the side of the river Schelde (the river that Antwerp is situated on) there is a statue of a handless man and at his feet are some smaller people clinging on to his legs. Legend has it that many years ... Read review

Advantages: Well-preserved and picturesque, lively nightlife, not expensive
Disadvantages: Not a well-known destination

...of my family comes from Antwerp originally, but I think that this town really is underrated as a tourist destination – it’s the kind of place that most people have heard of, but no-one really knows much about it, or goes there! This in itself is a shame, as this is a place with plenty to offer, whether you are just passing through or planning a weekend break. Antwerp is a very easy place to get to by car or train, being only about half ...
...part in the naming of Antwerp – in the time of Julius Caesar, there was a giant who lived on an island in the Scheldt and extorted large toll payments from the ferries that crossed the river, cutting off mens’ hands if they could not pay. This continued until a Roman general by the name of Brabo ventured out to the island, challenged the giant and vanquished him. He cut off his hand and cast it into the river, and thus a name was born, ... Read review

Advantages: beer
Disadvantages: sad in winter

Until the 15th century Antwerp was a minor city in Belgium. It was only when its port begun to take more and more of the market share of its competitor Bruges, that Antwerp became a rich city. Some of the merchant based here soon became very rich and did not hesitate in spending money on their residences. The Baroque buildings, together with the tapestries and paintings, which can be seen today, remind us of this glorious past. I only visited one ...
...that the finest monument in Antwerp is the Gothic cathedral of Our Lady. Do not miss the “Flemish Renaissance House” there. Everyone in Antwerp should make an allocation of 2-3 hours to visit the Diamond Museum, which shows you the entire process of the diamond industry, literally from the moment the diamond is mined to the moment it becomes an important accessory of a rich lady beauty. Antwerp is the major city in the entire world for ... Read review

Advantages: cosy, friendly people, food is great
Disadvantages: weather, traffic

I've studied in Antwerp for four years now, and in all that time, Antwerp hasn't lost its magic. I just keep dicovering great cosy places. This is what I think of Antwerp: - history: Antwerp is a city that is full of buildings older than 750 years. Its historical centre is very warm and cosy. The heart of the city is the Cathedral and the Grand Place. From there on, everything is close at hand. - shopping: fashion, Belgian chocolats, fine food, ...
...always say that people in Antwerp ar so fashionable, well... I think most of the times that's true. - nightlife: you can trust me, you better sleep well before you come to Antwerp... Belgium is the country with the most bars per square mile, Antwerp is the city in Belgium with the most bars in one street. Apart from that there are pubs, restaurants (try the Belgian kitchen !), cinemas, the opera, dancings,... Belgium is the country of the traditional ... Read review