Historic centre

The historic centre stretches between the Scheldt riverside to the west and the Meir shopping street to the east, around the Grote Markt and the cathedral.

Within a small area the cathedral, the Grote Markt, Het Steen and numerous museums, cafés, chocolatiers and small boutiques sit side by side. The largely car-free quarter is best explored on foot and is the lively heart of the city for visitors.

This is the medieval origin of Antwerp, which in the 16th century rose to become one of Europe's richest trading metropolises. The tight network of lanes, squares and patrician houses still preserves the layout of the city's golden age.