Destinations: A Weekend Guide to Antwerp
By either spelling it out over the phone or introducing myself, occasionally my surname, Arts, causes slight confusion. It's been mistaken for a playful pseudonym as I've always worked in the creative field however, I'm pleased to confirm it's in fact a Flemish surname as my family are from Belgium.
Antwerp is a city that truly feels like a hidden gem and I always love returning whenever I get the chance. On foot, it’s easy to stumble upon independent fashion boutiques, local cafes, all set against the backdrop of beautiful medieval architecture.
Catholic monuments of Mary, Our Dear Lady, are dotted around the city & the iconic Brabo statue at night
Visit
Although relatively small, Antwerp is full of history and character. If you’re in the mood for a cultural experience, visit the KMSKA Museum, Antwerp’s equivalent of London’s National Gallery. After 12 years of renovations, the museum now boasts a spectacular space.
Its collections span seven centuries, including Old Masters, modern art, and sculpture. The gallery is full of thoughtful touches for instance, the bespoke mosaic entrance subtly displays the Hand of Antwerp, a motif that appears throughout the city.
Stay
The purpose of my visit was to combine a city break with visiting my relatives so we nestled in Banks Hotel Antwerp. Its central location made it easy to explore the city allowing me to get my bearings again.
Before my trip, I heard heard about the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp which has been tipped as one of the most exciting new hotels to open in the past year. Knowing this, I had to fit in a lunch meets inspiration visit while we were there.
The grounds of the building are expansive and it is located in what used to be an old hospital featuring Flemish-style roofs that nod to its historic past. We ate in Henry's Bistro offering a refined take on lunch. From an interiors perspective, I loved the muted toned walls throughout the space and the use of wooden beams. The bar was an absolute showstopper and if you were to stay here, I feel that there would be many more hidden corners of intentional design to discover.
Shop
Antwerp is known as a fashion city for good reason. Wandering around you will find everything from streetwear and independent European brands to iconic names like Verso.
Offering an exceptional curation of luxury fashion, the selection at Verso is so well styled that you'll almost want to walk out wearing an entirely new look. The building itself is what used to be the old bank with many of it's original details in tact. Topped with a zodiac stained glass dome, the lower level integrates the clothing between the former deposit boxes.
For evening entertainment, there are many local establishments to enjoy such as Den Engel, Restaurant Aan de Stroom and Bourla. Where I went just scratches the surface and I can't wait to share more of my to go spots after my next visit.