Host city: Antwerp

Antwerp has a lot of surprising highlights, such as The Antwerp ZOO is one of Europe’s oldest and most attractive city zoos. And a beach: St Anneke, on the Left Bank. Not only the beach is pretty unique for a city inland, the city also boasts a deep sea port 80 km inland. As you can see, Antwerp does everything that little bit differently.

Lonely Planet describes the city as "Antwerp (Antwerpen/Anvers in Dutch/French) is Belgium’s second city, biggest port and capital of cool. It has long been a powerful magnet for everyone from fashion moguls and club queens to art lovers and diamond dealers. In the mid-16th century it was one of Europe’s most important cities and home to baroque superstar painter Pieter Paul Rubens – as many a museum will regularly remind you. Despite many historical travails thereafter, and severe WWII bombing, Antwerp retains an intriguing medieval heart with plenty of café-filled cobbled lanes, a riverside fortress and a truly impressive cathedral. Today, however, Antwerp’s top drawcards are its vibrant fashion and entertainment scene, along with its startling architectural and cultural contrasts."

Antwerp is a metropolis by the river, a city that will always leave you wanting more. Hip and historical, cool and classical, trendy and traditional. Everything is within walking distance. How could you not like this astonishingly diverse, pocket-sized metropolis? Antwerp’s city centre can be subdivided into seven different shopping areas, catering to everyone’s tastes.

• Sunday Shopping, every first Sunday of the month.
• Shopping in the most beautiful historic buildings.
• Vegan shopping, no use of any product of animal origin.
• Find creative talent in these shops.
• Shopping centers, not too bombastic but with good offerings.
• Fashion walk MoMu, discover the places which helped to shape the Antwerp fashion scene.
• De Gouden Straatjes, immerse yourself in the world of contemporary jewellery design.
• The best places to snap up some vintage deals.
• Markets, Antwerp has always been a ‘market town’ with a tradition of open markets.

For openings hours and more practical shoppping info check out the Visit Antwerp 'Shoppping-practical' website.