Antwerp shopping capital
Antwerp is a fashion city, and you can feel it. Enjoy groundbreaking design talent, well-known retailers, quality jewelers and small, cozy boutiques you can only find in Antwerp. Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. On Fridays, most large chains are open until 7 p.m. Recently, you can also shop to your heart's content every first Sunday of the month between 10 am and 6 pm.
We give you some nice, surprising addresses to start your shopping day in Antwerp.
Also discover
Meir
A car-free promenade where most of the major retail chains such as Zara, H&M and Uniqlo have branches. The wonderful and imposing rococo buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries give a prestigious impression. Tip: the City Festival Hall. This has been restored into a beautiful and exclusive shopping center. In short, an absolute must - see.
Kammenstraat
Just off the Groenplaats is the trendy Kammenstraat. Do you like slightly more striking fashion brands? Here you have some cool brands like the Belgian brand Arte with graphic prints or browse in one of the vintage clothing stores The street is hip and trendy among the youth and is also considered the street for the alternatives.
Schuttershofstraat
In the heart of Quartier Latin, you'll find Schuttershofstraat with boutiques of high-end luxury brands such as Hermès, Natan and Chanel. Fancy a shopping break? Settle down on a terrace at the Graanmarkt and enjoy the green surroundings.
Nationalestraat en Lombarden- en Steenhouwersvest
Famous fashion brands such as Dries van Noten, Christian Wijnants, A.F. Vandevorst, Stephan Schneider and many others can be found in Nationalestraat and Lombarden- and Steenhouwersvest. There are also many jewelry stores in this fashion neighborhood, such as Wouters & Hendrix.
De Wilde Zee
Five traffic-free streets make up the atmospheric Wild Sea. Here you will find exclusive stores, trendy brands, as well as exclusive delicacies. First of all, the street is indispensable for real fashionistas. Here you will find the best clothing boutiques, shoe stores and makeup brands.Foodies are also spoiled here by the presence of delicious delicacies and sweets. Here you will find bakery Goossens, also called the most authentic bakery in Antwerp. A tiny bakery where people line up well outside every day. And gourmands are also spoiled here. Be sure to enter Désiré de Lille and taste the delicious waffles and lacquemants. In addition, there is also a renowned fish store and, as of recently, you can taste the one and only fries by Sergio Herman. In short, a Valhalla for real foodies.
Huidevetterstraat
Huidevetterstraat is home to Italian luxury brands such as Patrizia Pepe and Pinko, as well as major chains such as Zara and Massimo Duti. The street is close to the Meir and the Wild Sea, so it is definitely to be combined during your shopping trip.
Kloosterstraat
Here you will find antiques, vintage and second-hand, as well as recently trendy clothing stores. Kloosterstraat is the street par excellence to spend hours browsing around and getting unique pieces. Nice to know is that on Sundays these stores are open.
Hoogstraat
The car-free High Street just steps from Perfect Stay is known for its unique stores that you can visit every day.
Stroll the Antwerp neighborhood markets
Almost everyone knows the Vogelenmarkt and Exotic Market on Theaterplein. But did you know that Antwerp has many other fun markets? How about antiques, paintings, brocante or comics and books? Afterwards you can blow out on one of the many terraces.
Below is a brief overview of the most interesting tourist markets:
| Markt | Wanneer | Waar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vrijdagmarkt | Every Friday 9am-1pm | Vrijdagmarkt | Auction of old household effects, antiques, secondhand |
| Exotische markt | Every Saturday 9am-4pm | Oudevaartplaats, Theatherplein and surroundings | Colloquially christened the foreigners' market. |
| Vogelenmarkt | Every Sunday 8am-1pm (2 pm if summer time) | Oudevaartplaats, Theatherplein and surroundings | Known among Antwerpers as the bird market. |
| Antiekmarkt | Every Saturday 9am-5pm | Lijnwaadmarkt | Antiques |
| Antiekmarkt | Every Sunday 9am-5pm | Sint-Jansvliet | Antiques |
| Lambermontmartre | Every last Sunday of the month (May through September) 12am-17pm | Leopold de Waelplaats | Art Fair |
| Boekenmarkt | Every third Sunday of the month (March through October) 10am-17pm | De Koninckplein | Book market with music |