We recently visited Antwerp, a place that has been on our list for a while, with its inspiring architecture and creative culture. We particularly loved its tranquil setting on the River Scheldt and its mix of history and modern design. Here are the places we enjoyed visiting the most while we were there.

Restaurant: Fiskerskur 

This industrial former fishmongers’ overlooking the harbour is known for serving the best seafood in town. We headed there in time for sunset and were blown away by the great atmosphere on the terrace and the ambience as the sun went down over the water in front of us. The food didn’t disappoint either, we had some delicious seafood cooked over their open fire, accompanied by crisp seasonal salads, fresh crusty bread and interesting natural wine. The giant charred prawns were definitely some of the best I’ve eaten.

Store: St Vincents 

We loved the aesthetic of this store, an old printing house which now showcases a considered edit of furniture, art and design. The space is so big and light, a beautiful backdrop for the unique pieces curated from a mix of niche and established designers and artists. 

Gallery: Valeri Traan

Definitely our favourite of the galleries we visited, this design gallery is known for exploring the boundaries between art, design and architecture. We particularly enjoyed the work of Gijs Van Vaerenbergh, including the rusted steel sculpture that reminded us of the Pacha Design rustic vessels.

Walk: Old Town

We loved how small the city is, meaning you can walk everywhere and take in the full mix of historical and modern architecture. 

Garden: Botanic Garden 

Always keen to seek out nature in cities we visit, we loved the Botanical Garden, a unique green haven right in the city centre. Full of interesting trees, cactuses and plants, we learned that the garden contains around 2,000 herbs, which were originally used for medicinal purposes for the St Elisabeth’s hospital next door.