The Sydney Opera House’s little sister and the other jewels of Antwerp

Seven wonders within Antwerp, Belgium

Belgium’s second city Antwerp is a clear winner when it comes to embracing both old and new architecture.

1 Bask in the glow of art nouveau

While the design style of the late 1800s and early 1900s, didn’t originate in Belgium, it took hold here early. Antwerp has one district that showcases a remarkable concentration of art noveau architecture. Zurenborg, a short distance from the centre, features shoulder-to-shoulder art nouveau buildings in what is now the protected Golden Triangle. Stroll the streets Transvaalstraat, Waterloostraat and Cogels Osylei to admire the well-preserved collective of eccentric, eclectic extravagance. See visit.antwerpen.be

2 Marvel at the genius of Zaha Hadid

The important Port of Antwerp-Bruges – it’s Europe’s second-largest – is home to the Port House, a stunning civic building by the late, great Iraqi-British architect, Zaha Hadid. Tasked – after an international design competition – with repurposing a derelict fire station, Zaha Hadid Architects renovated the historic structure but left it freestanding, adding an imposing multi-faceted glass form that seemingly hovers UFO-like over it. Referencing Antwerp’s long and ongoing history with diamonds, the jewel-like upper of the port authority HQ reflects and changes with the weather and time of day. Tours are available. See portofantwerpbruges.com

3 See the Sydney Opera House’s Belgian little sister

Justitiepaleis Antwerpen, or Antwerp Palace of Justice, has a structure reminiscent of Jorn Utzon’s iconic Sydney landmark. Eight civil and criminal courts and other facilities sit under a roof characterised by Utzon-esque sails made of steel, conceived to let in light and ventilation, and to represent ships passing by on the River Scheldt. Nicknamed “the butterfly palace”, it was designed by the studio of Richard Rogers, of Paris Pompidou Centre fame, and opened in 2006.

4 Immerse in Antwerp cool

Het Groen Kwartier (The Green Quarter) is a former military hospital site transformed into a pedestrian and pedals-only neighbourhood in Berchem, to the south of the city. There you’ll find August, a bijou 44-room hotel designed by powerhouse Antwerp architect, Vincent Van Duysen. It’s in a former Augustinian convent and one of Antwerp’s best bars inhabits a former chapel there. Also, seek out PAKT, a cool enclave of restaurants, cafes and rooftop gardens hidden in the depths of the development. See august-antwerp.com

5 Admire a Le Corbusier

In 1925, Belgian painter and avant-gardist Rene Guiette enlisted the Swiss-French master, Le Corbusier, a pioneer of modern architecture, to design him a house and work space in Antwerp’s south. A stark contrast to the city’s dwelling styles of the time, the 1927-completed Maison Guiette, as it is known, is now UNESCO World Heritage listed. See lecorbusier-worldheritage.org/en/maison-guiette/

6 Rummage among the Rubens

Peter Paul Rubens was born in Germany but lived in Antwerp from the age of 10. Rubenshuis, or Rubens House is what it says on the label: the home of the most influential Flemish artist in history. Living there from 1610 onwards, Rubens fashioned it like an Italian palazzo and his gracious spread is now a museum dedicated to his life and work. It is one of Antwerp’s most visited museums and has recently been renovated. The 17,000-plant garden is designed by another famous Antwerp native, fashion designer Dries Van Noten. See rubenshuis.be/en/visit

7 Be dazzled by the Diamond Quarter

In Antwerp’s centuries-old Diamantkwartier or Diamond Quarter, you’ll see Flemish Renaissance architecture such as the Grote Markt, the stunning heart of the city featuring Antwerp’s 1500s City Hall. The area is also where to find the Antwerp Central Station (Antwerpen-Centraal), a wedding-cake confection of neo-Renaissance, Gothic, baroque and art nouveau styles, designed by Bruges architect, Louis Delacenserie. It was opened in 1905 and still considered one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind in the world. Don’t be fooled by its prettiness – it is also a busy and important hub, including for high-speed rail. See belgiantrain.be

The writer visited Antwerp as a guest of Singapore Airlines. See singaporeair.com