More than 10 000 animals and fish are presented in humid tropical rain forest and underwater settings. The sharks, which are visible as you walk through a "tube", and the reptile house (with spectacular iguanas) are highlights.

The central station is near the zoo and dates back to 1905. It was built from designs by L de La Censerie. Its two neo-Barque monumental façades are topped with an enormous 60 metre cupola that can be seen from miles around.

This museum is housed in an old warehouse built in 1902 with a brick-covered façade. It follows the history of photographic techniques from their beginnings and shows the work of several great photographers. A must-see for all photography fans.

Middelheim Park (12 ha) has some 400 sculptures scattered among the greenery. The staues, by Belgian and international sculptors, were made between 1870 and the present day. In the Middelheim-Hoog part of the park, you will see modern works b Maillol..

The Flemish neo-Renaissance Sterckshof Castle (1938) stands in the Rivierenhof Park in Deurne. Here, information is available about silver, silverwork and its various industrial use. Numerous silverware, including valuable dishes, jewellery, toiletri..

This triangular open space stands opposite the cathedral and was once home to a glove market. It is surrounded by a number of charming old houses. The well by Quentin Metsys has a gracious crown of wrought iron and is dominated by the legendary Brabo..

This fountain was built in 1887, the work of ironmonger Jef Lambeaux. It memorialises the gesture of the legendary Silvius Brabo, a Roman warrior who cut off the hand of the giant Druon Antigon, a pirate on the Escaut. The water from the fountain run..

Guildhouse Street is a narrow and pretty street behind the Town Hall (Stadhuis). It is lined with a fine row of old houses, one of which houses the Folklore Museum, which is certainly worth a visit.

The Town Hall was built by Cornelis Floris in 1564. Its long façade (76 metres) is a happy mixture of Flemish elements (skylights, gables) and Italian Renaissance influence (loggia, pilasters between the windows, niches). Although the high mullioned ..

The Produce Exchange dates back to 1515. The building is now occupied by public services. Beyond its lovely classical façade, you can find a charming paved courtyard, surrounded by porticos and dominated by a watchtower.

This boat trip takes you through the port, wher cargo ships and petrol tankers moor and load or unload. This massive port includes industrial complexes, refineries, seed elevators, boarding bridges, dry docks, shipyards and reservoirs. During the wee..

The 15C Chapel of St Nicholas houses a charming puppet theatre (Poppenschouwburg). The back of the building has a lovely little courtyard surrounded by old buildings with interesting façades.

Surrounded by a group of houses that it dominates with its glass dome, the Product Exchange stands on four streets in a cross formation. The first exchange was built by D de Waghemakere. It soon outgrew itself and was added to with another building b..

This very busy street is one of the main shopping areas in the city. On the corner of Wapper and Meir, you will see the old Royal Palace (18C) in its Rococo style, where many sovereigns have lived. Today, this building houses the International Cultur..

The inside of this flamboyant church is decorated in the Baroque style. You can see several paintings here, including Virigin Mary by Otto Venius (right lower side), The Vocation of St Peter by Jordaens and, behind the choir, in the funerary chap..

A part of this former orphanage was turned into an original museum. Here, you can see some remarkable sculptures and paintings, including paintings by Rubens and Van Dyck ( Saint Jerome ), and a collection of Antwerp ceramic bowls from the 16C.

This neo-Classical building on Komedieplaats is named after its designer Pierre Bruno Bourla. The façade columns frame busts of famous authors and composers. Above the attic, you will notice muses accompanied by Apollo greeting visitors. The ceiling ..

This chapel is part of he old St Elizabeth's Hospital, built in the 13C. It was closed down in 1986 and restored as a cultural centre (Elzenveld). The chapel nave, in its Brabançon Gothic style, dates back to the early 15C.The capitals are decorated ..

This building was designed by E Dieltiens in 1881. Its neo-Baroque façade hides a forer hydraulic electric plant. The accumulators were housed in the two towers. The building now houses the theatre group De Internationale Nieuwe Scène , and has beco..

This House of the People is the work of E Van Averbeke, the "Antwerp Horta", and J Van Asperen. It was completed in 1898 and recently restored. Its façade is partially decorated with mosaics and shows two gables crowned with sculptures.