Introduction to Antwerp

Your essential primer to Antwerp

$324 and up

Private

N/A

Small group

Tour Details

About the Tour

Duration: 3 hours
Location: Antwerp

Photos & Highlights

Familiarise yourself with Antwerp's main sites, history, and neighborhoods
Led by an expert guide
Antwerp Cathedral, Grote Markt, Antwerp Central Station, and Diamond District

Tour Description

Uncover the history and charm of Antwerp on this 3-hour introduction tour, led by a local expert guide. Together we'll discover Belgium's second city, combining the city's main attractions with lesser-known spaces, all while enjoying charming cobbled streets along tranquil bodies of water. Discover the Antwerp Cathedral, learn about the history of the diamond trade while in the Diamond District, or pause and try some local Belgian flavors, such as the famous ‘fries’, beer or chocolate. With so much to see and learn, Antwerp is the perfect place to take a Context tour. Antwerp not on your itinerary? Take a look at our Brussels tour in Belgium.

Included

3 hours with a Ph.D. or MA level guide

Itinerary Details

We’ll begin our tour at an important historic landmark in Antwerp: the Central Station. We’ll admire and discuss the beautiful structure and ornate architecture of the Main Hall: it’s a gateway to a city that rivals many other train stations. We’ll move from here to the center of Antwerp, passing through the world’s largest diamond district on our way. We’ll talk about the history of these sparkling stones and their role in accelerating Antwerp’s growth. Our path will continue through the center of the city as we discuss the Grote Markt with its numerous elaborate 16th-century guildhalls and the grand City Hall. Other locations might include the Cathedral (which we will visit the from the interior), the Vlaamse Opera and the Rubens-inspired Baroque Church of Carolus Borromeus. We’ll continue to talk about the connection of the Flemish painter Rubens to Antwerp as we discuss (from the exterior), his former residence now called ‘the Rubens House’. Our route will take us to explore less well-known sections of Antwerp depending on our interests and our guide. We may take the opportunity to stop for a local snack or drink as we soak up the city with a gastronomic eye whilst having a break.

We will leave one another with a deeper background to this historic Flemish destination. We’ll have immersed ourselves in the geography, architecture, and history of this city in our short time together. Our tour should set us up perfectly for the remainder of our stay in Antwerp, or help us with a greater sense of how to approach other Belgian locations.

FAQ

What is a private tour?
Our private tours are limited exclusively to travelers in your party. They are designed to provide a learning experience that is completely tailored to you and your traveling companions. Private tours give you more flexibility with scheduling (you decide when the walk best fits in your trip), the ability to tailor your itinerary (we'll work to match the itinerary to the interests and dynamics of your group), and more personalized time with your guide.

Where do we meet?
We usually meet in Antwerp Central Station. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details along with with a map, and 24-hour phone number for any last-minute issues.

What if it’s raining?
Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your expert will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to be prepared; we encourage keeping an eye on the weather and bringing along an umbrella, sunscreen, water, or a hat as needed.

Is this suitable for children and / or travelers with mobility challenges?

Yes. We can adapt the route of our private tours based on the ages, needs, and interests of travelers in your party. Please share any specifics about your group’s needs in the notes section of your order and we’ll adjust your itinerary accordingly.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Robin

Robin Emlein holds a Masters degree in art history from the École du Louvre and a bachelor's in Dutch from the Sorbonne. Like many former Parisians, she now lives in Brussels, where she can freely indulge her love of Flemish art, arcane EU politics, "French" fries, and the extensive Belgian rail system. In her opinion Belgium is one of the Continent's best kept secrets, and she looks forward to sharing it with all those curious to discover this crossroads of Europe.

Natalie

Natalie has a PhD in International Studies with a focus on social-political and conflict studies in the U.K. but her first university degree was a Master in Cultural Studies from Ghent University. She has also completed a Journalism degree. Between studies, she mainly worked in non-profit organisations as policy or advocacy worker. During her PhD research, she felt the urge to do something more practical at the same time and therefore decided to combine her educational background with her interest and passion for sustainable tourism. Natalie founded a small-scale tourism enterprise in Lima, Peru where she lived for a while. She runs this social enterprise that focuses on alternative and local experiences now from Belgium with the help of a local team in Peru. Natalie has also been a core team member and researcher for the California-based organization Ethical Traveler for almost a decade. After living in different places around the world, she returned to her hometown of Ghent in early 2018 and started guiding visitors in Ghent and other Belgian cities.

Elisabetta

A native of Rome and graduated in Art History, Elisabetta is an independent exhibition curator and manager with more than 25 years of international experience. Elisabetta's mother tongues are Italian and German and she is fluent in English and French. Living in Brussels since 2006, Elisabetta has fallen in love with Belgium and its treasure cities and enjoys sharing her knowledge about their history and artistic beauties. Her aim is to make you discover the variety of political, economical and cultural interactions that have put this region of Europe at the heart of Western history. Married to a European official, Elisabetta will also be happy to introduce you to the cosmopolitan and multicultural environment of Belgium's capital or the international dimension of the harbour of Antwerpen, one of the world's most important trade hubs.

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