The rich history of Antwerp is not to be missed. The historic center with its centuries-old squares has many impressive buildings, nice neighborhoods, interesting museums and many convivial restaurants and bars. During the audio tour you pass some unique sights such as the gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, the Rubenshuis, the Brabo Fountain and the oldest stock exchange building in the world. As you may know, Antwerp is the largest storage port of cocoa in the world. Did you know that medicines used to be covered in a layer of chocolate? Chocolatier Neuhaus will answer all your chocolate questions and wishes. During this guided tour you will delve deeper into the history of historic Antwerp and discover all the secrets the city carries with it.
Highlights
Highlights
Preview
Cathedral of Our Lady
What Makes This Stop Special: This Gothic masterpiece houses the world's largest collection of Rubens paintings in their original setting, where the Baroque master created altarpieces that revolutionized religious art.
Your audio guide reveals how this 14th-century cathedral took 169 years to complete and showcases "The Descent from the Cross" and "The Elevation of the Cross" in the spaces Rubens specifically designed them for. You'll discover how the soaring 123-meter spire served as a beacon for merchants arriving at Europe's busiest port. The intricate stonework and stained glass windows demonstrate how Antwerp's Golden Age wealth transformed into architectural magnificence.
Rubens House
What Makes This Stop Special: This reconstructed 17th-century mansion reveals the private world of Peter Paul Rubens, where Europe's most successful artist lived, worked, and entertained royalty and diplomats.
Your walking tour uncovers how Rubens designed this Baroque palace as both family home and international art studio, complete with a portico inspired by his travels to Italy. The audio guide explains how original paintings, period furniture, and artist tools showcase the daily life of a man who painted over 1,400 works. You'll learn how Rubens balanced artistic genius with diplomatic missions that shaped European politics.
Grote Markt
What Makes This Stop Special: This Renaissance square represents the heart of Antwerp's Golden Age prosperity, where guild houses demonstrate the wealth generated by global trade and diamond commerce.
Discover Antwerp through this UNESCO World Heritage square surrounded by ornate guild houses that tell stories of the craftsmen, merchants, and traders who made Antwerp Europe's richest city in the 16th century. Your audio guide reveals how each facade represents different trades and professions while the Gothic city hall anchors the square's magnificent ensemble. The cobblestones echo with tales of Spanish rule, religious conflicts, and commercial triumphs.
Town Hall
What Makes This Stop Special: This 16th-century Renaissance town hall symbolizes Antwerp's golden age of prosperity, built when the city controlled half of Europe's international trade and rivaled Venice in wealth.
Your self guided tour reveals how architect Cornelis Floris created this architectural masterpiece that blends Italian Renaissance style with Flemish Gothic traditions. The audio guide uncovers how the ornate facade and ceremonial halls showcased civic pride during Antwerp's reign as Europe's commercial capital. Inside, historical artifacts and artwork tell stories of municipal governance and the merchant dynasties that ruled this trading empire.
Brabo Fountain
What Makes This Stop Special: This dramatic 1887 fountain depicts the legendary Roman soldier Brabo throwing the severed hand of the giant Druon Antigoon, giving Antwerp its name through this mythical founding story.
Your audio guide Antwerp explains how sculptor Jef Lambeaux created this bronze masterpiece that captures the city's legendary origin where "hand werpen" (hand throwing) became "Antwerpen." You'll discover how this folkloric tale masks the city's actual etymology while celebrating Antwerp's spirit of overcoming obstacles. The fountain's central location symbolizes how myth and reality intertwine in Antwerp's identity as a city that conquered giants to achieve greatness.
Castle Het Steen
What Makes This Stop Special: This 1,000-year-old fortress stands as Antwerp's oldest building, a medieval castle that controlled river access and evolved from defensive stronghold to royal residence to modern museum.
The audio guide reveals how this stone castle anchored Antwerp's defenses along the Scheldt River, protecting the growing port from Viking raids and foreign invasions. You'll learn how successive renovations transformed the fortress from medieval keep to Renaissance palace, reflecting changing architectural styles and defensive needs. The castle walls witnessed Antwerp's evolution from small river settlement to global trading powerhouse, making it the perfect starting point for understanding the city's millennium of history.
