CURRENT POPULATION: 452,000
% POP GROWTH: 0.46 %
CITY AREA: 504.5 KM2

CITY DENSITY: 2,229 INH/KM2
GDP PER CAPITA: €23,597
DIALLING CODE: +32

WITH FRIENDS
DE FOYER
KOMEDIEPLAATS 18
TEL. 03 233 55 17
De Foyer is a local favourite for coffee with pannekoeken. Delight in its gorgeous neo-classical features built in 1827 by architect Pierre Bruno Bourla with statues of Apollo and busts of Mozart, Molière, and Shakespeare. You’ll be amazed at the dome ceiling, mosaics and marble columns.

ENTERTAINING A CLIENT
GRAND CAFE HORTA
HOPLAND 2
TEL. 03 203 56 60
Grand Café Horta is an intriguing building with Art Nouveau elements – the original steel structure from Horta’s Maison du Peuple in Brussels has been exquisitely incorporated. A special menu lists extravagantly complex dishes, delicious pasta and seafood.

CLOSING THE DEAL
SIR ANTHONY VAN DIJCK
OUDE KOORNMARKT 16
TEL. 03 231 61 70
Sir Anthony van Dijck specialises in French haute cuisine. Formerly on the Michelin stars track, owner-chef Marc Paesbrugghe opted to create cuisine to satisfy his guests. Culinary treats, such as fried steaklet of duck with rhubarb and rosemary are on the menu.

STYLE
VELVET LOUNGE
LUIKSTRAAT 6
TEL. 03 237 39 78
With its plush velvet sofas and bold designer wallpaper, this stylish bar-restaurant attracts the hip crowd. Sip special cocktails in an exciting ambience and try hit starter, foie gras with mango. At the weekend, DJs spin chill-out music until the small hours.

RELAX
DE VAGANT
REYNDERSSTRAAT 25
TEL. 03 233 15 38
De Vagant is an historic bar, renowned for serving jenever, the Belgian and Dutch gin. The restaurant serves traditional dishes, inspired by genever. At the bar, guests can get a quick education on the brew from informative barstaff.

MUSIC
BAR MONDIAL
SUIKERRUI 14
TEL. 03 203 00 13
Bar Mondial is an exciting new music venue, serving up alternative rock, ska, soul, folk and roots. Local music purveyors, Veerle Huysmans and Peter Daems are behind the project and showcase both established and emerging artists. Entry is free or nominal.

VALUE
HOTEL POSTILJON
BLAUWMOEZELSTRAAT 6 TEL. 03 231 75 75 Hotel Postiljon is perfectly situated in the centre behind the Gothic cathedral, filled with Rubens paintings. There are oodles of restaurants and bars nearby and it is only minutes from the river Scheldt, De Groenplaats and the fashion district. This picturesque hotel offers 21 bedrooms at reasonable prices.

BUSINESS
RAMADA PLAZA ANTWERP
DESGUINLEI 94
TEL. 03 244 82 11
The Ramada Plaza is a shining skyscraper four-star hotel in the business district. It has 210 rooms with internet, air conditioning, and comfy furnishings. Guests also have a fitness area and sauna, a garden with terrace, and a restaurant and a bar. Massive meeting salons, plus superb business services make the hotel ideal for corporate travel.

BESPOKE
LOBBY ANTWERP
JAN VAN BEERSSTRAAT 51 (BOLIVARPLAATS)
TEL. 03 233 64 83
Lobby offers luxury lodging, just seconds from the trendy south of the city with its cool galleries and vibrant nightlife. Its three suites offer lovely views of the city, not to mention the latest entertainment technology including flat screen HD TV, DVD/CD player and library, and free high-speed Wi-Fi. There is also a bar on the first floor.

The outdoor Christmas market (www.visit. flanders.co.uk) and skating rink at the Grote Markt is an annual tradition and runs from 12 December to 6 January. Buy your Christmas presents or sip mulled wine and listen to carol singers.

The Middelheim Open Air Sculpture Museum (www.middelheimmuseum.be) has a stellar collection of more than 300 classic and contemporary sculptures in a park, including artists such as Auguste Rodin, Jean Arp and Henry Moore. Rodin’s Balzac is on special display until 14 December.

Antwerp in Miniature showcases the city’s history through meticulously crafted models with lights and special effects (www.miniatuurstad.be).

Set in one of the large hangars by the river, the architectural development of the city can be viewed in seven galleries.

Known as the Walking Gate, because it has moved location twice, the Waterpoort (Water Gate) is a 17th-century baroque gate standing at the Gillisplaats (www.aviewoncities.com/ antwerp/waterpoort.htm). Resembling the French Arc de Triomphe, it was built in honour of the Spanish King Philip IV to access the river bank. Possibly designed by Rubens, on one side sits the mythological god Neptune, and on the other side heraldic lions.