Begin at the imposing Centraal Station, designed by the Belgian architect Delacenserie (1904), proudly referred to by the locals as 'The Railway Cathedral'. As you leave you will see on your right Antwerp Zoo, one of the oldest and most famous zoos in the world, and on your left the diamond quarter. Many gold and diamond shops are in fact built into the walls of the station. Anyone who is interested can visit the diamond museum, where for example on a Saturday afternoon you can see a diamond-cutter at work. The history of the diamond trade and the production of jewellery are revealed in the museum.

Take the wide avenue in front of you, Keyserlei, and cross over Teniersplaats. Continue via Leysstraat which runs into the shopping street, the Meir.

Both avenues emphasise the big-city character of Antwerp. Stroll through this pedestrian zone especially on a Saturday afternoon and do not miss the splendour of the facades.

Keep the cathedral on your right, cross over Handschoenmarkt and reach the Grote Markt via the Quinten Metsys well.

You see the city hall right in front of you, flanked by the Brabo Fountain.

If you leave the Grote Markt, with the city hall on your right, and pass into the Suikkerui you get a view of the harbour, a port of international importance.

On Steenplein you can visit one of the oldest buildings in Antwerp: the Steen. This fortress dating from 1200 was originally a stone reinforcement of the walls, later it was used as a prison and nowadays it houses the National Maritime Museum. You will see a number of vessels out of the water which form part of the open-air museum.