Sitting roughly halfway between Brussels and Amsterdam, Antwerp, Belgium’s largest city (although Brussels is the much bigger metro area) and one of Europe’s highest volume ports, is a fairly easy day trip from either one. Or you can spend a night (or two) and have a bit longer. But other than being a big city with an outsized port, what does Antwerp have to offer? How should you spend your day there?

A day in Antwerp will almost certainly begin at its train station, and that is a treat in and of itself. Antwerpen-Centraal Station is a turn of the century (completed in 1905) architectural wonder, easily one of the most beautiful large and functional stations in all of Europe. The entrance hall is a marvel of iron, glass, tile, and stone, rising more than 120 feet up, as it was designed to help locomotive smoke dissipate. But make sure to gaze from here back toward the tracks. Antwerpen-Centraal Station has trains running on several levels, and the center of the station is a sort of courtyard allowing for views all the way down.

Outside the station, you’ll find yourself in a large square. A pedestrian street (mostly Meir Street though it changes name a few times) leads from here all the way to the waterfront, and a walk down this street leads past some amazing buildings and shopping. But first, turn back around and look at the incredible exterior of the station.

As you begin your walk down toward the waterfront, you’ll notice some diamond stores on the left side. This is the edge of Antwerp’s Diamond Quarter. As of 2012, more than 80% of the world’s rough cut diamonds moved through this part of Antwerp on their way to cutting centers elsewhere. (The work of cutting and polishing was once also largely done here, but today it is much less.) More than 3500 brokers sell diamonds here wholesale, meaning a keen eye can find some great deals. I do not have a keen eye, though, so I window shop a tiny portion of the $50+ billion dollars in jewels that are sold here in Antwerp. (It is worth noting that while the diamond industry in Antwerp is no longer dominated by the Jewish community, they are still enough of a part of it that most stores will be closed on Saturdays.)

As you walk down Meir Street, the wealth of the city and its importance as a trading port are apparent in the grand architecture. Similar to Barcelona, the best thing to do is look up at the embellishments, statues, and domes.

Before too long, a tower will come into view, and you’ll naturally want to follow it. Do so. Completed in 1521, the Cathedral of Our Lady holds some terrific stained glass, huge works by the Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens, and this 400 foot tower, which dominates the city skyline. Admission has a small fee, but the outside is free to take in.

Just past the cathedral is Antwerp’s Grote Markt, or central square. While not as beautiful as Brussels’ Grand Place (click here to read about that one), the Grote Markt is still impressive. Some of the guildhalls here are original to the fifteen and sixteenth centuries, and the city hall dates to 1565.

The waterfront is only a few more minutes walk, and after getting to the Scheldt River, turn right. You’ll see a castle, seemingly out of place among the Renaissance and later grandeur of the city. Het Steen was part of the original medieval defenses of Antwerp. This castle dates back to around 1225, and is the oldest surviving building in the city. The courtyard is free to enter, and one can climb to a small observation deck overlooking the river and the waterfront. There is also a small museum inside with a fee.

From here, one has several options to spend some time. With your back to the river, you can head to the left and the Museum aan de Stroom, a tech museum with rave reviews. Or you can do as I did, head to the right and inland a few blocks to the Museum Plantin-Moretus. This larger-than-it-seems-from-outside museum is built into the former home and workplace of the Plantin-Moretus family, who for generations dominated the printing industry in this part of Europe. Highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage site include first edition books, illustrated manuscripts, portraits by Rubens, old type sets, and the pinnacle, the two oldest printing presses still in existence. Admission is reasonable, and includes a pretty thorough audio tour that will guide you through the family, the business, and the collection.

If you still have time and energy, Antwerp has some of the best shopping in Europe, and not just for diamonds. Fashion brands all have outlets here… or you can go to Chocolaterie Mary, which holds a warrant from Leopold II to be the Belgian royal chocolatier. A box will set you back a few more Euro than elsewhere, but the quality is worth it in my opinion.

Of course, there are more things to see and do in Antwerp. You can visit Chocolate Nation, which bills itself as the largest chocolate museum in the world. Rubenshuis, where the artist lived, is currently closed but should reopen soon. You can take a cruise along the Scheldt, or take in a concert at the city’s neoclassical opera hall. But with a single day, you will have to make some choices.

I thoroughly enjoyed my single day in Antwerp, and would happily go back to see some of the other sights. And I know you will, too!

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