Antwerp Private Walking Tour: the diamond of Belgium
- Free cancellation
- Wheelchair accessible
About this experience
Walk between tradition and modernity
Antwerp is a modern city with a traditional spirit. The guild buildings of the Grote Markt reflect the legacy of one of the richest cities of the 16th century, and its shop windows still show off the luxury craftsmanship of its diamonds and exclusive fashion designs.
Not for nothing do its inhabitants call it: 't stad, which translates as "THE city" and consider it the true center of the country, but there's only one way to know how right they are....
Explore the Belgian diamond with us!
Tailor-made
Whether you experience it alone, as a couple, as a family or with friends, the tour is fully customizable to the preferences and interests of the group.
The guide will take you step by step through the history, culture and idiosyncrasies of Antwerp in your own language, through a fun and light-hearted storytelling style. In addition, being a private tour, the attention is even closer and you will be able to make the most of your stay in the city.
Next available dates
What’s included
- Guided tour in your language
- It can be in Spanish, English or another language you want to practice in a very special context (French, Portuguese or Dutch on request at [email protected]).
Not included
- Tips and gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Entry / admission fee
- Train tickets. If you choose the Option 2 (From Brussels by train):
- You can buy your train tickets before or the guide will help you to buy them on the spot (rates depending on your age and situation: children up to 11 years old always FREE TRAINS IN BELGIUM, rest of the rates between €7 and €15 -open return tickets-).
- Available in the city, but NOT included in this experience:
- Entrance to the Cathedral of Our Lady.
- Entrance to Rubens House.
Itinerary
- 1
River Scheldt under Het Steen Castle
It is said that "God created the Scheldt River and the Scheldt created Antwerp". On its banks rests the Het Steen Castle, an imposing fortress against Viking raids during medieval times that today gives us the best views of the river, while the giant Lange Wapper that frightened the inhabitants of the city at night welcomes us from the entrance.
- 2
Town Hall Square (Grote Markt)
The details of the main square tell the story of Antwerp. In the center stands Silvio Brabo throwing the hand of the giant Antigoon, in homage to the myth of the city's founding, while the spectacular guild houses surrounding it bear witness to the annual 14th century international markets that took place there.
- 3
St. Charles Borromeo Church
This is a beautiful baroque-style construction (1621) inspired by the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order also known as the Jesuits. In the past, it had 39 ceiling pieces by Rubens that were lost in a fire when lighting struck the church in 1718. He also painted the two altarpieces. One of the most curious things the church has been the original, functioning mechanism above the main altar used to switch paintings.
- 4
Cathedral of Our Lady
The largest cathedral in all of Belgium took two centuries to build, but the result has been worth the wait. Its bell tower dominates the skyline from the Groenplaats, its interior is adorned with works by Rubens and the colorful light that enters through its 1537 stained glass windows, and at its feet sleep Nello and Patrasche, the most famous boy and dog in English literature.
- 5
Groenplaats (Green Square)
The social heart of Antwerp! It served as the city's cemetery until the 18th century but was completely transformed and today is a favourite meeting place, as well as the ideal spot to pause your stroll in its restaurants, cafés, and shaded benches, greeting the iconic statue of Rubens that stands in the center.
- 6
Boerentoren
This tower is now officially the KBC Tower (KBC is an important bank in Flanders) and was one of Europe's very first tall buildings at the time of its construction (1929-1932). It is designed in a beautiful Art-Deco style and its name means, literally, Farmer's Tower. In the beginning, the most important shareholder was the cooperation of farmers and it was used as a multifunctional building with offices as well as apartments.
- 7
Meir Street
This is the main shopping street in Antwerp and the most important shopping area in Belgium by number of shoppers. The street is so wide than also here take place many of the city's parades and events. Since the 16th century, the Meir and the surrounding streets become the place where rich patricians settle and build sumptuous mansions. Some of the buildings from the 18th century have survived.
- 8
Palace in Meir
Centrally on the Meir Street you can find a marvelous palace. The originally 18th-century building used to be a space for important rulers such as Napoleon Bonaparte, William I of the Netherlands and the Belgian18th-century Royal House. Nowadays there is a section for a small museum, a luxurious bar / restaurant and a traditional chocolate shop with stylish pralines.
- 9
Rubens House
The amazing painter Peter Paul Rubens lived in this palazzo with his family. Here he also painted with his colleagues and assistants. The museum has an interesting collection but also shows how the master lived and worked. Rubens purchased this house in 1610 and renovated it with some outlook of an Italian palazzo, which reflected Rubens' artistic ideals.
- 10
Diamond District
This area is about one square mile with several square blocks. Historically, most ot the gem cutting and polishing work was done in this neighborhood with a huge percentage of the world's rough diamonds passing through the district. Over $16 billion in polished diamonds pass through the district's exchanges each year. The diamantaires here are the Jewish, Jain Indians, Maronite Christian Lebanese and Armenian.
- 11
Central Station
The very first railway connections in Belgium were those of Brussels - Mechelen - Antwerp. The original terminal station building was constructed between 1895 and 1905 and when you see it from the outside it is like a catholic basilica with a vast dome above the waiting room hall. The extraordinary eclecticism of the influences and design had led to a difficulty in assigning it to a particular architectural style. It is considered one of the most beautiful train stations all over the world.
- 12
PLEASE NOTE
The itinerary of the tour may change for different reasons: If the tour guide considers more interesting options for the group needs. If the guide agrees to a specific requirement of the group. If local and city issues (music festivals, works in progress, parades...) make difficult the itinerary proposed.
Good to know
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Guide
- Guided tour in Spanish, English, French, and Dutch
Know before you go
- Stroller / pram accessible
- Limited mobility accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation nearby
- Departure time at the desired time.
- Duration: 2.5 hours*
- Option 1: Meeting point in the centre of Antwerp (+/-2,5h).
- Option 2: Meeting point in the centre of Brussels and travel to Antwerp BY TRAIN with the guide (+/-5h). Possibility of staying longer (without the guide) to go shopping, eat, enjoy monuments... with an open return train ticket:
- You can buy your train tickets before or the guide will help you to buy them on the spot (rates depend on your age and situation: children up to 11 years old always have FREE TRAINS IN BELGIUM, rest of the rates between €7 and €15 -open return tickets-).
- Groups: max. 8 pax (for larger groups, contact us directly for the best offers).
- Languages: EN / ES (FR / PT / NL upon direct request).
- Please note that the tour is a walking tour (accessible to strollers, prams, wheelchairs, and limited mobility, but we are not taking buses or private transport. For this kind of need, please contact us directly).
- Please show up at the meeting point 10 minutes before the tour starts.
- Average tour length. The independent guides with whom we work have your best interests in mind; while the tour usually includes the sites and stories above and lasts this long, your tour may vary depending on what your guide thinks is the best for the group! Please for special requests email us to [email protected]
- Comfortable shoes and clothes.
- An umbrella or raincoat is always welcome in Belgium, just in case.
- In summer and warm days, some water is always advisable.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 3 days before the experience starts.
- 3 days or more before: full refund
- Less than 3 days before: no refund
Meeting point
View on map
OPTION 1: IN ANTWERP CITY - Het Steen Castle (or let us know your preferences).
- Address
- Steenplein 1, Antwerp, 2000, BE
- How you meet
- Meet on location
- Coordinates
- 51.22225, 4.39757
Illustrative map. Open it in Maps for the exact spot and live directions.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does this experience last?
It lasts 2 hours.
Can I cancel this booking?
Free cancellation up to 3 days before the experience starts. 3 days or more before: full refund · Less than 3 days before: no refund
Is this experience guided, and in what language?
Guided tour in Spanish, English, French, and Dutch
Is hotel pickup included?
No — you make your own way to the meeting point.
Where does this experience start?
It starts at OPTION 1: IN ANTWERP CITY - Het Steen Castle (or let us know your preferences)., Steenplein 1, Antwerp, 2000, BE.
Is this experience wheelchair accessible?
Yes — the supplier lists this experience as wheelchair accessible.
From AED 1,231 per booking
