Antwerp accommodations welcome you to a destination nicknamed “The Diamond Capital of the World”.
Antwerp known for: diamonds, frituurs (restaurant specializing in Belgian frites), concert halls, museums, art galleries, shopping areas, kasteels (castles), cathedrals, abbeys, monasteries, squares, parks, salt marshes, rivers
Located in northern Belgium and bordering the Netherlands, Antwerp is about 85 miles south of Amsterdam and 35 miles north of Brussels. Flowing through central Antwerp the Scheldt River connects to the North Sea.
Antwerp main attractions: Zoo Antwerpen, Antwerps Sportpaleis (concert hall), MAS – Museum aan de Stroom, Wijnegem Shopping Center (shopping mall), Cathedral of Our Lady (Gothic-style cathedral), Stadsfeestzaal (shopping mall / tourist attraction), Provinciaal Groendomein Rivierenhof (park – expansive green space, ponds, trails, play equipment, outdoor concert venue), Lotto Arena (live music venue), Station Antwerpen-Centraal (ornate train station), Chocolate Nation (museum), Rubenshuis (museum), De Roma (concert hall), Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Plantin-Moretus Museum, Trix (concert hall), Bosuil Stadium, Red Star Line Museum, Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk (Catholic church), Brabo Fountain (Iconic monument / fountain), Queen Elisabeth Hall (concert hall), Las Mañas (Spanish restaurant), Handelsbeurs Antwerpen (event venue), Opera Antwerpen (opera house), The Jane (fine dining restaurant), Museum Mayer van den Bergh (art museum), Zaha Hadidplein (tourist attraction), Sint-Pauluskerk (Catholic church), Snijders&Rockoxhuis (art museum)
Surrounding Antwerp points of interest: Fort Breendonk (fortress / WWII concentration camp – moat, guided tours), Arboretum Kalmthout (arboretum – European plants, 150-year old trees, café, plant shop, seasonal tours), Abbey Averbode (12th-century ornate monastery – craft cheeses, bread, beer sold on-site), ‘t Struisvogelnest (children’s farm), Hobokense Polder (nature reserve – forest hiking trails, lake, birdlife, Galloway cattle), Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide (national park near the Dutch-Belgian border – hiking, horseback riding, cycling, forests, heathland), Azelhof Horse Events (equestrian facility), Zimmer tower (historical landmark / iconic tower – 13-face clock, astronomical studio), Maekelhoeve (event venue), Fort Liefkenshoek (16th-century river fortress), Drowned Land of Saeftinghe (nature preserve / former 16th-century town – salt marshes, mudflats, thousands of birds), Kasteel Cortewalle (castle), D’Ursel Castle, Castle Wissekerke Basel, Castle of Brasschaat, Castle of Westerlo, Kasteel Borrekens (castle), Château Cleydael (castle), VZW De Wintertuin (heritage site / winter garden), SQUADRA Abarth & Rally Collection (museum), Tomorrowland Main Stage (festival), Royal Antwerp Golf Club, Rinkven Golfclub (golf club)
Antwerp main airport: Antwerp International Airport
At the airport the Stampe & Vertongen Museum is worth a visit.
Rideshare service: Uber
Airport private jet service: FLYINGGROUP
Light rail pre-metro network: Antwerp Pre-metro
Antwerp main Christmas market: Grote Markt (central square)
Antwerp top events: Tomorrowland (electronic dance music festival), Zomer van Antwerpen (summertime festival), Antwerp Art Weekend, Antwerpen Proeft (food festival), Billie’s Craft Beer Fest (beer festival), Live is Live (music festival), Rampage (drum & bass party), Linkerwoofer (music festival), Beer Passion Weekend (Belgian beer festival), Antwerp 10 Miles (running race), Tour of Flanders (bicycle race), Laus Polyphoniae (classical music festival), Comic Con (comic book convention), Ero-Expo (adult expo)
More fun things: Walking Tour, Bike Tour, Brewery Tour
Antwerp football club: Royal Antwerp Football Club (began as Antwerp Football and Cricket Club circa 1880)
Antwerp currency: Euro
Legal drinking age: illegal to serve beer to anyone under 16, spirits to anyone under 18
When visiting Antwerp there are some things to keep in mind. Tipping is not customary, though appreciated, in restaurants where drinking water (bottled) typically is not free. Antwerp public restrooms often are coin-operated. Most stores close on Sundays, with grocery stores closing relatively early on weekends. As with many European hubs, cyclists are numerous on Antwerp streets. Generally a safe place Antwerp does experience petty crime at times. Keep in mind that police / ambulance can be reached at the telephone number 112. Antwerp accommodations are some of Northwestern Europe’s best. Before we get to Antwerp accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.
Archaeological excavations near the Scheldt River suggest that humans have inhabited the Antwerp area since at least the 2nd century. At that time Antwerp was settled by Germanic Franks. During Roman times Antwerp existed as a Gallo-Roman vicus, or village within a rural area. A Catholic missionary of Flanders, Saint Amand evangelized Antwerp during the 7th-century Merovingian dynasty. During the 9th-century Carolingian period, the medieval fortress Het Steen traces its foundation on account of Viking incursions. A gateway to the larger Dukes of Brabant castle (Tervuren Castle), Het Steen was expanded and completed between 1200 and 1225. The Scheldt River had become a Holy Roman Empire natural border by the end of the 10th century, with Antwerp serving as a margraviate circa 980. Under German emperor Otto II, the boundary near Antwerp separated the Holy Roman Empire from the County of Flanders. which was ruled by France. Leader of the First Crusade, Godfrey of Bouillon was Margrave of Antwerp from 1076 until his death in 1100. German Catholic bishop Norbert of Xanten established a community of Premonstratensian canons at St. Michael’s Abbey circa the 12th century. King of England Edward III and Flemish statesman Jacob van Artevelde conducted diplomatic relations in Antwerp during the 14th century. City magistrates ordered an edict against false diamonds circa 1447. In 1456-Antwerp, Lodewyk van Bercken invented the sceif, a rotating disk used to polish diamonds. Between 1500 and 1569 Antwerp’s population had doubled, largely due to Bruges’ decline on account of the Zwin reserve’s silting-up. From there, trading houses moved from Bruges to Antwerp. The Portuguese established Antwerp as a major shipping base by 1504. Early Portuguese trade through the city was robust and involved cloth, wine, salt, silver, wheat, soap, fish, sugar, pepper and cinnamon. In 1531, the Antwerp Stock Exchange opened. During the mid-16th century, Antwerp was flush with sugar refineries, money lenders and an abundance of painters. This “Golden Age” saw Antwerp become one of the largest European cities north of the Alps. Inflation, along with a drop in skilled labor, saw Portuguese merchants leave the city by 1549, around which time Amsterdam replaced Antwerp as the area’s leading trading center. During the Dutch Golden Age, Antwerp banking was controlled by Genoa. By 1800, Antwerp’s population had dropped to around 40,000. Realizing the port’s strategic importance, Napoleon enlarged the harbor and built a new dock so that larger ships could dock. The 1832 Siege of Antwerp between France and United Netherlands resulted in a French victory. Antwerp hosted 3 million people at the Antwerp International Exposition in 1894, along with the World Gymnastics Championships circa 1903. During World War I, Antwerp was taken by the German Army following the 11-day Siege of Antwerp. After an Armistice, Antwerp hosted the 1920 Summer Olympics. Nazi Germany took control of Antwerp on May 18, 1940. Following World War II, Antwerp’s “Ten Year Plan” (1956–1965) helped the city connect to new satellite communications. Fashion helped redefine Antwerp during the 1990s, around which time the “Antwerp Six” Belgian fashion designers would receive international fame.
Also spelled Antwerpen, Antwerp is home to around 530,000 Antwerpenarens. Friendly yet reserved, Antwerp inhabitants generally understand and speak English quite well. The apex of Antwerp’s skyline is Antwerp Tower, which rises 330 feet. Antwerp’s cruise terminal is located at Steenplein near Het Steen. Thousands of diamond companies / dealers are based in Antwerp on account of the city’s 500-year legacy in the diamond trade. Antwerp’s biggest diamond-industry companies include Rosy Blue, HB Antwerp, Ajediam and Bonas. Historically the city has handled over 80% of the world’s rough diamonds and over half of the world’s polished diamonds. Home to an oceanic climate, Antwerp experiences cool winters and warm summers. Frequent yet light precipitation occurs throughout the year. Local foods include Belgian frites (fries), Moules-frites (steamed mussels & fries), stoofvlees (beef & dark beer stew – fries), biscuits, candies, chocolate truffles and pralines. Popular drinks are amber ale and Dutch gin (genever). With some background information on the area, we’re ready for Antwerp accommodations that are sure to inspire.
Rock Lobster City Lodge
Kreeftstraat 10
Antwerp Zoo
B&B amenities: bar, terrace, patio, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV, coffee machine, hairdryer
Nearby: May’s (Thai restaurant), Dang’s Kitchen (Vietnamese restaurant), Murukutum (restaurant), Frituur Reggie, ZeeZicht (pub), Café Moeskop (pub)
Within feet:
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- Antwerp Zoo
- De Koninck Brewery
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Within 1.2 miles:
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- Rubenshaus
- Meir
- Bourla Theatre
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Rock Lobster City Lodge is 1.8 miles from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $150
Maison Nationale
Nationalestraat 49
Munthof | Groenplaats Antwerp | MoMu Antwerp
Suite amenities: terrace, hardwood floors, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, coffee machines, electric kettles, mini-bars, hairdryers
Nearby restaurants / pubs: De Kleine Colvenier (bistro), Burger District (hamburger restaurant), Le Delizie senza glutine (gluten-free restaurant), Frituur Chips (frituur), An Sibhin (Irish pub)
Nearby misc.: De Sleutel Coffee Shop, Beauty Bar & Boutique Antwerp (nail salon), REBALE ANTWERP (used clothing store), Mori Film Lab Antwerp (photo lab)
Within feet:
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- Munthof
- Groenplaats Antwerp (square)
- MoMu Antwerp (fashion museum)
- Plantin-Moretus Museum
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Within 1.1 miles:
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- MAS Museum Antwerp
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Within 1.2 miles:
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- Astrid Square Antwerp
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Maison Nationale is 3.3 miles from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Deluxe Suite): $362
Cost per person (three people): $120
august
Jules Bordetstraat 05
Ring Road
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, spa, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, concierge services, luggage storage, laundry facilities, parking
Nearby: Bar Vert (bistro), Spéciale Belge Taproom (pub), Caffènation Roastery and Bar PAKT (coffee shop), Schoonheidssalon Marianne (beauty salon), Antwerp Loft (creative production space), Grootdruk (photo lab), Stofwisseling (upholstery shop), CrossFit Antwerpen (sports complex), The Actors Playhouse Antwerp (TAPA – drama school), PAKT (business center), Stigo (marketing agency)
Within feet:
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- Ring Road (R1)
- Cogels Osylei
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august is 14 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Room, 1 King Bed): $584
Cost per person (four people): $146
Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp
Leopoldstraat 26A, Vlaanderen
Rubens House | Meir
Hotel amenities: multiple restaurants, bar, pool, spa, gym, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, concierge services, luggage storage, laundry facilities, business / conference center, meeting rooms, parking, airport transfer
Nearby restaurants: Hertog Jan (fine dining restaurant), Fine Fleur (fine dining restaurant), Bar Bulot ANTWERPEN – BE (brasserie), Gazette (bistro), Restaurant 1238 (French restaurant), Restaurant Fons, Moshi sushi Antwerpen 🍣 (sushi restaurant)
Nearby misc.: Lints Antwerp (patisserie), La Lumière x Hoodhookah (lounge bar), Leonhard’s Gallery (Leopoldstraat – art gallery), De Studio (cultural center / movie theater), Harbor of men (hat shop), Lab9 (electronics store), Robics (dance store)
Within feet:
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- Rubens House (museum)
- Meir (shopping street)
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Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp – The Leading Hotels of the World is 22 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Two Bedroom Suite): $2,694
Cost per person (four people): $673
Vlaams Gewest Apartment
Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
Green Square
Apartment amenities: 2 bedrooms, fireplace, fully-equipped kitchen, washing machine
Also in the area: Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp – The Leading Hotels of the World
Within feet:
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- Green Square
- Market Square
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Vlaams Gewest Apartment is 8 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $212
Cost per person (four people): $53
The Old Beech
22 Van Putlei
Domein Hertoghe | Hof Van Leysen
Hotel amenities: terrace, balcony, garden, free Wi-Fi, private check-in / out, parking
Nearby: Jerry’s Fine Foods (restaurant), Concorde-Philotaxe (club)
Within feet:
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- Domein Hertoghe (park)
- Hof Van Leysen (park)
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Within 1.4 miles:
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- Cogels-Osylei
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Within 1.6 miles:
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- Cathedral of Our Lady
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Within 2.2 miles:
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- Red Star Line Museum
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The Old Beech is 2 miles from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Deluxe Suite): $483
B&B Dusk till dawn
Onze Lieve Vrouwestraat 81, Mechelen
Grand Place Mechelen | Michiels Toenuurwerken
B&B amenities: terrace, balcony, garden, parquet floors, soundproofing, free Wi-Fi, coffee / tea makers, mini-bars, desks, hairdryers, parking
Nearby: Sotscop (restaurant), Bistro Georges, Kafee Zapoi (pub), Boekhandel De Zondvloed (book store)
Within feet:
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- Grand Place Mechelen
- Michiels Toenuurwerken (museum)
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Within 1.1 miles:
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- Toy Museum Mechelen
- Vrijbroekpark
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Within 2 miles:
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- Technopolis Mechelen
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Within 2.1 miles:
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- Dijkstein Forest
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B&B Dusk till dawn is 15 miles from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $205
Abalona Hotel & Apartments
Koebosstraat 60a, Dendermonde
Het Veerhuis Berlare
Hotel amenities: bar, buffet breakfast, terrace, garden, picnic area, air conditioning, luggage storage, bicycle rentals, free parking, electric vehicle charging point
Nearby: Sparta (pub), Bellefood Creations – Appels (bakery), Van Malderen-Samson (bakery), Isabelle Viola (beauty salon), Du Sable | Massage (massage therapist)
Within 2.1 miles:
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- Belgica Cultural Centre
- Abbey of St. Peter and St. Paul
- Meat House Museum
- Dendermonde Town Hall and Belfry
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Within 2.3 miles:
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- Zwijveke Museum
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Within 6.5 miles:
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- Het Veerhuis Berlare (restaurant)
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Abalona Hotel & Apartments is 69 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Superior Double Room): $271
Boutique Hotel Maison Emile
Emiel Banningstraat 52
Zuiderkroon
Hotel amenities: library, terrace, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, concierge services, luggage storage, laundry facilities, bicycle rentals
Nearby restaurants / pubs: Barriq (restaurant), Luqui’s (Argentinian restaurant), Chez Mariëtte (lunch restaurant), Café Boekowski (pub)
Nearby misc.: Daily Dose Antwerp (coffee shop), EM Head Spa (beauty salon), Oh Yaz (haute couture fashion house)
Within feet:
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- Zuiderkroon (museum)
- Justice Palace
- Photo Museum of Antwerp
- Royal Museum of Fine Arts
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Within 1.1 miles:
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- Antwerp Market Square
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Boutique Hotel Maison Emile is 22 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Bed & Breakfast Guesthouse Leman
Generaal Lemanstraat 16
De Koninck Brewery | Antwerp Expo | deSingel International Arts Center
Guesthouse amenities: free buffet breakfast, rooftop terrace, garden, free Wi-Fi, luggage storage
Nearby: Il Carpaccio 🇮🇹 (Italian restaurant), Minerva Restaurant 🇫🇷 (French restaurant), Café Lucien (coffee shop), Summer Bash – Jongerenreizen (tour operator)
Within feet:
Within 1.5 miles:
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- Antwerp Zoo
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Bed & Breakfast Guesthouse Leman is 12 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Porta Superia Boutique B&B
Leopoldstraat 26, Mechelen
Brussels Gate | St. Rumbold’s Cathedral
B&B amenities: continental breakfast, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, luggage storage, bicycle rentals
Nearby: SFANJE Mechelen (restaurant), Maillard (restaurant), Spoor 18 (event venue), Sunray Zonnestudio (tanning salon), Beyond The Blade (barber shop), Goya’s Art Shop (art dealer)
Within feet:
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- Brussels Gate
- St. Rumbold’s Cathedral
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Within 1.1 miles:
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- Nekkerhal Brussels North
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Within 1.5 miles:
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- Technopolis
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Porta Superia Boutique B&B is 20 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Boulevard Leopold Rooms & Suites
Belgiëlei 135, Antwerp Province
Cogels Osylei
Suite amenities: full breakfast, free Wi-Fi, luggage storage
Nearby: Beni Falafel (restaurant), Avenue Wines & Whiskeys (wine store), Momentum (chocolate shop)
Within feet:
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- Cogels Osylei (Art Nouveau neighborhood)
- Diamond District
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Boulevard Leopold Rooms & Suites is 15 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Vlaanderen Loft
Gierstraat 3
Antwerp Market Square | Cathedral of Our Lady | Plantin-Moretus Museum
Apartment amenities: balcony, free Wi-Fi, kitchen
Nearby restaurants / bars / pubs: Amvrosia cousina (Greek restaurant), Aydo (fast food restaurant), Goodie Foodie (breakfast restaurant), Marigold (cocktail bar), Billie’s (gastropub)
Nearby misc.: Rebel Belly (sandwich shop), Bookz&Booze Antwerpen (book store)
Within feet:
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- Antwerp Market Square (Grote Markt)
- Cathedral of Our Lady
- Plantin-Moretus Museum
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Vlaanderen Loft is 38 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $200
Cost per person (four people): $50
Vlaanderen Apartment
Antwerpen, Vlaanderen
Museum of Modern Art
Apartment amenities: 3 bedrooms, outdoor space, free Wi-Fi, fully-equipped kitchen
Nearby: Het Gerecht (restaurant), Salvo Faces ✂ (hair salon), Some-Body (beauty salon), B Care Antwerp (beauty salon), Diana brows (eyebrow bar), GARDEN Antwerp (clothing store)
Within feet:
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- Museum of Modern Art
- Royal Museum of Fine Arts
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Vlaanderen Apartment is 7 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $151
Cost per person (six people): $25
Vlaams Gewest Rooftop Loft
Antwerpen, Vlaams Gewest
University of Antwerp – Middelheim Campus
Loft amenities: free Wi-Fi
Nearby: Galle Face (restaurant)
Within feet:
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- University of Antwerp – Middelheim Campus
- Ring Road
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Vlaams Gewest Rooftop Loft is 20 minutes walking distance from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night: $202
B&B Au Lit Jerome
Amerikalei 129
Royal Museum of Fine Arts
B&B amenities: Belle Époque architecture, garden, free Wi-Fi, luggage storage
Nearby: Izumi (sushi restaurant), LELLA (Moroccan restaurant), Breadpoint (sandwich shop), Biercafe De Jordaan🍺 (pub), La Senda (coffee shop), Bürr Bakehouse (bakery), Leo Antwerpen (patisserie), OKay (supermarket), Ivy Hair Studio (hair salon)
Within feet:
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- Royal Museum of Fine Art
- Justice Palace
- Museum of Modern Art
- Photo Museum of Antwerp
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B&B Au Lit Jerome is 22 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Presidential Penthouse): $486
Aquarand
126 Vaartdijk, Zemst, Vlaanderen
Planckendael Zoo
B&B amenities: bar, seasonal outdoor pool, free continental breakfast, terrace, garden, picnic area, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, luggage storage, meeting room, free parking, electric vehicle charging point
Nearby: Café Floréal – Mechelen (pub), Majestic Studio (recording studio)
Within feet:
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- Planckendael Zoo
- Sportimonium Sports Museum
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Within 1.5 miles:
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- Dyle
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Within 16 miles:
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- Atomium
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Within 19.2 miles:
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- La Grand Place
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Aquarand is 20 minutes from Antwerp International Airport.
Approximate cost per night (Deluxe Double Room, Garden View): $197
So there they are, Antwerp accommodations that will help make for an unforgettable trip. We hope you have found this information valuable and most of all, that you enjoy your time in Belgium!
