Coach tour of the harbour (3h)

To understand how this port has grown to be the second largest in Europe, your guide will have to tell something about its history. You will learn about the Napoleonic docks, the story of the emigrants and the Red Star Line, the Antwerp stevedoring companies, the silent witnesses of the lost villages, the extension plans for the harbour, the deepening of the river Scheldt and the artery of our brilliant world harbour.

Only a little north of the city you learn to know the second largest port in Europe. A series of warehouses, terminals, bridges, harbour docks, locks and industrial plants reaches as far as the Dutch border.

Possibly there will be a short stop in Lillo Fort, from where visitors have a splendid view of Deurganckdok (Deurganck Basin) on the left bank. Maybe visitors will spot “a cathedral of the sea”!

If traffic allows this, visitors will see the largest locks on the right bank – Berendrecht Lock and Zandvliet Lock – during this tour in the basin harbour.

If the port guide agrees a stop may be made at the head of Deurganckdok, on the left bank. From here visitors enjoy a magnificent view on the port installations in full operation, which is quite impressive. Kieldrecht Lock – the largest in the world – must not be forgotten.

Practical information:

• Duration: 180 minutes
• Maximum 50 persons per guide with audio equipment in the bus
• Please note: a coach has to be foreseen and is not included in the guided tour
• The guide is free to adapt the route to the (heavy) traffic circumstances
• Attention: Take into account that when visiting the left bank a fee in Liefkenshoektunnel must be paid (2 x 19.90 € when paid by card)

Would you like to discover the port of Antwerp in a different way? There are also 2-hour and 4-hour coach tours available.