3. General information
The Antwerp metropolitan area is currently the second largest in Belgium.Antwerp is located on the river Schelde, which is linked to
the North Sea by the Westerschelde estuary. The Port of Antwerp is one of the biggest ports in the world, ranking third in
Europe and within the top 20 globally. Antwerp is classified as a Global City.
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Culture Fashion Local products Education
Culture
One of the many Marianstatues which feature on Antwerp street corners
Antwerp had an artistic reputation in the 17th century, based on its school of painting, which included Rubens, Van
Dyck, Jordaens, the two Teniers and many others.
Informally, most Antverpians (in Dutch Antwerpenaren, people from Antwerp) daily speak Antverpian (in Dutch Antwerps),
a dialect that Dutch-speakers know as distinctive from other Brabantic dialects through its typical vowel pronunciations:
approximating the vowel sound in 'bore' – for one of its long 'a'-sounds while other short 'a's are very sharp like the vowel
sound in 'hat'. The Echt Antwaarps Teater ("Authentic Antverpian Theatre") brings the dialect on stage.
Fashion
Antwerp is a rising fashion city, and has produced designers such as the Antwerp Six. The city has a cult status in the
fashion world, due to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, one of the most important fashion academies in Europe. It has
served as the learning centre for a large number of Belgian fashion designers. Since the 1980s, several graduates of the
Belgian Royal Academy of Fine Arts have become internationally successful fashion designers in Antwerp. The city has
had a huge influence on other Belgian fashion designers such as Raf Simons, Veronique Branquinho, Olivier Theyskens
and Kris Van Assche.[45]
Local products
Antwerp is famous for its local products. In August every year the Bollekesfeest takes place. The Bollekesfeest is a
showcase for such local products as Bolleke, an amber beer from the De Koninck Brewery. The Mokatine sweets made
by Confiserie Roodthooft, Elixir D'Anvers, a locally made liquor, locally roasted coffee from Koffie Verheyen, sugar from
Candico, Poolster pickled herring and Equinox horse meat, are other examples of local specialities. One of the most
known products of the city are its biscuits, the Antwerpse Handjes, literally "Antwerp Hands". Usually made from a short
pastry with almonds or milk chocolate, they symbolize the Antwerp trademark and folklore. The local products are
represented by a non-profit organization, Streekproducten Provincie Antwerpen vzw.
Higher education
Main building of the Middelheim campus at the University of Antwerp.
Antwerp has a university and several colleges. The University of Antwerp (Universiteit Antwerpen) was established in 2003,
following the merger of the RUCA, UFSIA and UIA institutes. Their roots go back to 1852. The University has approximately
13,000 registered students, making it the third-largest university in Flanders, as well as 1,800 foreign students. It has 7
faculties, and is located of four campus locations in the city centre and in the south of the city. Education is organized on
bachelor, masters, and post-graduate level.
The city has several colleges, including Charlemagne University College (Karel de Grote Hogeschool), Plantin University
College (Plantijn Hogeschool), and Artesis University College (Artesis Hogeschool). Artesis University College has about
8,600 students and 1,600 staff, and Charlemagne University College has about 10,000 students and 1,300 staff. Plantin
University College has approximately 3,700 students.
4. Antwerp areas
MEIR (2)
The Meir, linking the fashion district and the Quartier
Latin is a pedestrianised shopping street lined with
18th and 19th century facades. International chains
jostle for attention with small Antwerp designer
boutiques.
AROUND CENTRAL STATION (1)
Antwerp’s pavements have been paved with
diamonds for at least 500 years! The km² diamond
district around the Central Station, offers 1800
diamond shops so shop around.
HISTORIC CITY CENTRE (3)
There is nowhere better to begin a shopping trip to
Antwerp than in the traditional heart of the city - the
Grote Markt and Groenplaats.
WILDE ZEE (4)
The Burie Chocolate shop at 3 Korte Gasthuisstraat
epitomizes the De Wilde Zee area; elegant, full of
delicious treats and welcoming. De Wilde Zee is yet
another shopping mecca for shopaholics.
QUARTIER LATIN (5)
The Bourla, and the Stadsschouwburg theatres
remind visitors of the areas theatrical past, and add
shameless character to what many consider to be the
city's theatre district. The Quartier Latin elegantly
mixes boutiques, atmosphere and a good dose of laid
back charm.
THE FASHION DISTRICT (6)
Today, the Modenatie on the corner of Nationale and
Drukkerijstraat is the epicentre of the fashion district.
Housing the Flanders Fashion Institute (FFI), the
Fashion Museum (MOMU) and the Fashion Academy,
it’s a good place to start to get the unique vibe.
ZUID DISTRICT (7)
South of the centre between the Amerikalei and the
river is the Zuid District - wide boulevards and historic
buildings, Art Nouveau is the style! Walking along the
river is like browsing through an architecture book –
styles, design shops, interior showrooms and
contemporary galleries sit side by side.
Click on the area number to get more information.
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5. Housing
Antwerp is a student city and there are plenty or rooms available. You just have to know where
to look! The average price for a room (or ‘kot’ as they say in Flemish) is around 300 – 350
including utilities. For a studio or apartment the prices start around 500. Check the following
websites for rooms:
http://www.allekoten.be/kot-antwerpen
http://www.easykot.be
http://www.opkotinantwerpen.be/
http://www.1sf.be/
http://www.kotzoeker.be/
http://www.zimmo.be/nl/
http://www.2dehands.be/immo/
Facebook has a group called “KOT IN ANTWERPEN!!!”. A lot of rooms, studio’s and apartments
are posted there.
6. Getting around
Antwerp is a pocket-sized metropolis: compact and easy to navigate, even on foot if you feel like it. Approximately 1/5 of the historic city
centre is a pedestrian zone and pedestrians have priority during many of the city’s summer events. If you need to move at a faster pace,
jump on a tram/bus or cycle around the city!
Public transport
The tram and bus is operated by the Flemish public transport company, De Lijn.
Tip: to get your travel 20% cheaper, buy your tram or bus ticket ahead of time - in newspaper stores, supermarkets, at
Antwerp Tourism & Convention or from vending machines near bus and tram stops. More info: www.delijn.be
Velo
The Velo city bikes are a form of public transport, they take you anywhere you want to be and are easily combinable with
train, tram and bus.
Tip: As soon as you can, register for a yearly pass as you are put in a waiting list. Can take up to several weeks to finally
register. More info: www.velo-antwerpen.be
Your own bike
Antwerp is small enough to get anywhere you want on a bike. You might consider buying one for the time you’re in
Belgium (and selling it again when you leave?). A new bike is expensive but a lot of people sell their used bikes online.
Some useful websites:
- www.2ehands.be
- www.kapaza.be
- www.koopjeskrant.be
7. Day to day practicalities
Opening hours of supermarkets are generally from 8 AM – 6.30 PM. Some supermarkets are open untill 8 PM.
On Sunday only a rare few are open so make sure to stock for the weekend!
Shops are generally open from 10 AM to 6 PM. Most stores in the city center also open their doors on the
first Sunday of each month.
8. Useful phone numbers
Antwerp Tourism &
Convention:
+32 (0)3 232 01 03
European emergency number:
112
in case of an accident or other
emergency
Ambulance / Fire:
100
Police:
101
Doctors on call in Antwerp:
+32 (0) 900 10 512
