Antwerp is Belgium’s second-largest city (after Brussels) and a major cultural and economic hub, located on the River Scheldt about 25 miles from the North Sea. With a population of roughly 550,000 in the city and over 1 million in the metropolitan area, it is the capital of the province of Antwerp in the Flemish Region.
The city is world-famous for its diamond district, handling the majority of the world’s rough and polished diamonds, and for having one of Europe’s busiest ports, making it a powerhouse of trade and industry.
Culturally, Antwerp is renowned as the home of Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, whose works can still be seen in local museums and churches. Its medieval old town features the Cathedral of Our Lady, Grote Markt (main square), and guild houses, while modern Antwerp is known for its fashion scene, avant-garde design, and vibrant nightlife.
Antwerp blends historic charm and cutting-edge creativity, offering world-class museums, stylish shopping, and a cosmopolitan atmosphere while remaining deeply tied to its roots as a port city.
