The Clooper Guide To Antwerp
Antwerpen, Also Known As Antwerp, Is Known As One Of The ‘Coolest Cities’ In Europe!
Antwerp is often referred to as one of the top ten trendiest places in Europe. While staying in the city, there are multiple districts around for you to explore. Whether you’re living in your forever home or a home away from home. Today, let’s focus on what’s in and around the centre city.
PROPERTIES AND PRICES
TO BUY: Antwerp is truly one that requires extensive research. There are so many neighbourhoods and varying prices that it’s impossible to sum them all up in one place. You could find a bungalow in the £20,000 range, or a single bedroom for £70,000 and then again for £120,000, et cetera. Prices vary depending on location, building size, and proximity to certain tourist attractions.
TO RENT: Renting is similar. As there is so much diversity in Antwerp city alone, there are a lot of varying prices for similar buildings. Depending on local amenities, bedrooms, home architecture et cetera. It’s almost guaranteed that for a luxury apartment, you’ll be paying over 1,500 per month. You can find houseshares for significantly less, however. Approximately starting from 400 per month for a spacious enough room in shared accommodation.
TO STAY: Typically, luxury serviced apartments in Antwerp start at about £100-£120 per night. You can browse through some of our available properties here.
GREEN SPACES
Middelheimpark is an ‘open-air-modern-art-museum.’ Meaning that you can get your daily exercise in, sure. Additionally? You can see some truly interesting works of art. All out in the open, completely free to view.
Rivierenhof is another stunning park. The name literally translates to river garden. So you can see what the main attraction is! This park is regularly busy as it’s not too far from the city centre. However, its 130 hectares ensure there’s plenty of space for everyone! Rivierenhof is a treat for the sportier amongst you. There are tennis courts, a mini-golf course, playgrounds to keep the kids entertained, ample space to jog, and much more. There’s even an open-air theatre occasionally!
Our final recommendation is Den Botaniek: a landscaped botanical garden also known as Antwerps Botanic Garden. This is much smaller, just a little less than a singular hectare. A much smaller slice of leafy paradise than Rivierenhof. Ideal more for a small, relaxing stroll than a lengthy jog perhaps. It’s still nice to have options, and Antwerp certainly has those. Perhaps surprisingly so, considering how industrialized it seems.
THINGS TO DO
As one of Belgium’s top tourist hotspots, there’s much to do in Antwerp. Nightclubs, bars, trendy fashion boutiques, a popular zoo, and much more. Here are just a few of our recommendations.
- Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp: starting off strong with a cultural powerhouse. This Roman Catholic cathedral was technically ‘completed’ in 1521, though remains somewhat structurally unfinished. Nothing dangerous, of course. You can find many famous Baroque paintings inside, including works by the legendary Peter Paul Rubens.
- ZOO Antwerpen is fun for all the family. Tickets are affordable enough, and the staff are friendly and genuinely passionate about their animals.
- Visit Zuids many art galleries. Antwerp as a whole is a hub that fosters creativity. Zuid is one of the more fashionable areas, where you can find numerous art galleries scattered around.
- Visit the Grote Markt, to take in the Town Hall. This building has been standing since around the late 1500s! Take a detour around the Hall to find the Folk Museum. This museum is dedicated to authentic Antwerp arts and crafts, and is surely unmissable.
- Take a stroll to Chocolate Nation, the largest Belgian Chocolate museum in the world.
- A Peter Paul Rubens fan? After your visit to the Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp, find yourself at the Rubens House. Ruben himself lived here in 1610, turning the entire right wing into his art studio. Now, it’s open to the public. You can see his authentic, original paintings framed here.
AMENITIES
Antwerp is a powerhouse of many things. Art, culture, sport, fashion. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll have to look far for your basic amenities. It’s also why staying in Antwerp is so popular; everything you need is located centrally. It is easy to find and convenient, which is always nice on a holiday. Even more so when you live there!
There are multiple restaurants, bars, nightclubs to be found. So you’ll not have to wander far for some entertainment. However, there are also of course supermarkets. The Carrefour and the Carrefour Market are some to name a few. One good thing about Antwerp is the friendly locals, also. Many holidayers and ex-pats speak highly of this. Even if you’re having trouble locating your local gym, or best eaterie, you can always stop and ask. From what we’ve heard, many locals will be happy to lend you a hand.
SCHOOLS
As always, it’s crucial to do extensive research on any school you’re planning to pick for your child. Especially so with international schools. They ordinarily have specific entry requirements and fees. If you’re planning to move to Antwerp, we advise thorough preparation before making any final decisions or choices.
With that said, Antwerp has its fair share of International Schools. Antwerp International is very highly rated and praised. Da Vinci International School Antwerp is another popular choice, accepting students aged 3 to 18. The International School of Belgium is yet another promising choice, at only a short drive away from Antwerp centre, to boot.
