Antwerp currently focusing 85% of global production of rough diamonds. Three stock exchanges that listed more than 1,500 stores devoted to this jewel, and nearly 35,000 people work and live in the world of diamonds. The Diamond Museum of Antwerp is one of the inescapable views of the city, with more than 1,500 pieces of collector.

Antwerp but also exudes art on all four sides. Certainly, no tourist has the charisma or the charm or nostalgia for her neighbors Bruges and Ghent, but a place to enjoy a good walk and admire its streets and monuments.

The best starting point for exploring the resort is the Groen Plats, which combines the main streets of the city and where the more lively nightlife thanks to its student spirit. Just the bottom of this square stands the slender Gothic tower of the Cathedral of Antwerp, with its striking gold watch. And in the middle of the square, of course, the statue of Rubens, his countryman better known worldwide. Peter Paul Rubens’s Antwerp. Antwerp is Rubens. His work is found in every church in the city, many of its monuments. Paintings such as the “Descent from the Cross” or the “Resurrection” can be admired in the cathedral.

The Cathedral of Our Lady is one of the largest Gothic churches of Europe, besides being the largest and most lavish of Belgium. Dated in the year 1352, its emblem is its tower, florid Gothic style, with its impressive 123 meters high and 547-chime bells, the sound, trigger a soft melody that wraps around the city.

The tourist street in town is the Oude Koornmarkt, full of restaurants and bars, where you can taste some of their wonderful Belgian beers or the most typical dish of Belgium, mussels with fries. The number 16 is a small medieval alley not to be missed, the Vlaeykensgang. And walking between bars, tables, tourists and locals selling typical of the famous Belgian chocolate, come to the city’s main square: the Grote Markt.

It is the classic Square in northern Europe, large, sunny, paved and surrounded by Renaissance buildings. In the center of the square is the statue of Silvio Bravo, who according to legend, defeated the giant Antigon, who cut his hand and then throw it into the river Scheldt. Beside her, the gorgeous city council, in Renaissance style and details Italian and Flemish. The multitude of flags worn facade and gilded the tops of your roof give the building a special view. It is, in short, the most striking of the city to take a snack before continuing our tour of the city.

The Steen is on the “promenade” of the city. From the steps that we will walk up to that a perfect view of both the city and the river Scheldt, which gave him so much fame to Antwerp and its port. Walking precisely towards the port, we find the castle, the thirteenth century, and now houses the Museum of the Navy.

Reaching the city is very easy, because in Belgium the connections are perfect (very German-style). Trains arrive in the city continuously since Brussels (See hotels in Brussels), Bruges and other cities. The distance from Brussels is short, just 50 kms and if you go by car, no loss. And as for shopping, of course, are applied as their chocolates, (because diamonds are a bit out of budget). Do not forget to try the praline, because it is typical here, nor some of its famous abbey beers.