Private Antwerp's Diamonds and Jewellery Old City Center Historic Tour
Description
Antwerp is famous the world over for Diamonds, jewellery and Fashion, on our guided tours you will encounter the best of each of them. In the Historical heart of Antwerp, our guide will take you to ateliers, jewellery stores and guide you through Antwerp’s jewellery and diamond heritage. You will also be able to meet some of the dedicated artisans committed to keeping the traditions of handmade jewellery alive. If you love jewellery, a tour through de Gouden Straatjes in Antwerp in is the best way to see our diamond city truly sparkle! Do take into account that the tour takes place in the historical district were our diamond history started, they moved to the central station area in 1905 so you’ll be able to experience the history and see jewellers at work but won’t see any diamond cutters.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Our tour starts in front of DIVA, Antwerps diamond, jewellery and silversmithing museum. Our guide will give you an introduction to Antwerp's connection with diamond and jewellery before we start our walk to discover the neighbourhood and its creative jewellers. After the tour we strongly recommend to visit DIVA as they host a range of interesting exhibits.
The history of Antwerp as a diamond capital starts right here. During the annual fairs foreign merchants with flock to the city to trade and buy our gems and jewellery.
Wissel means exchange and this is the place were foreigner buyers used to exchange their money. Not all was glitter and gold, as you will find out where the word Bankrupt comes from.
Saint Paul's church has a rich history with silversmithing and jewellery and it still boasts a well stocked treasury with over 3000 diamonds.
You wouldn't be able to tell anymore, but this street used to be a bustling shopping street. Jewellery shops on the ground flour and diamond cutters ateliers on top.
The first diamond cutter lived here in the 15th century. Find out everything about diamond cutting and its history.
Pascale Masselis graduated from the Royal Academy of Antwerp in 1983. On your tour she will gladly invite you into her atelier to show you her craft. She works exclusively with 18 carat gold and every piece of jewellery she creates is unique and handcrafted in her own atelier. Pieces can be especially made to order and Pascale will even transform your old, out-of-date jewellery into modern treasures.
Here used to be the nation house of the silver and goldsmiths. Our guide will tell you about their history and why there was a need for a nation house.
This picturesque little street boasts no less than 5 jewellers, each with their own creative vision and techniques. Gerda De Vrij studied in Pforzheim under Klaus Ullrich, one of the pioneers for ‘modern jewellery’. After graduating she settled in Antwerp and started her own atelier with her then-husband, Emile Henry. Since then, their two daughters have joined the business, ensuring the brands’ survival into the next generation. Wim Meeussen is renowned for his distinctive collection of jewellery and wedding rings. Next to his flagship store, you will find a second location dedicated to silver jewellery, making his signature style available to every budget. Hanne Schoofs regularly seeks out new techniques to bring her designs to life, making sure the collection is constantly evolving. Designer Eva Crauwels has been working as an independent Goldsmith for over 15 years. The collection feels Retro-Romantic and has a very feminine touch.
Artist and goldsmith Rembrandt Jodan invites us into his multidisciplinary space. Art gallery - atelier and jewellery shop in one.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(25)
Great tour that took us to many non-tourist areas of Antwerp. Our guide did a great job engaging our kids (ages 12 and 17).
Thank you for this lovely review!
Did not realize it was a holiday when I booked the tour. I went to the meeting point and a guide showed up equally confused. Everything was closed so the tour didn't happen. They charged my card and I'm still waiting for a refund.
Dear, I'm very sorry your experienced this. I believe you refer to the tour on the 1st of may, the strange thing is that I never got a confirmed booking and that the guide you met was booked through a different agency than ours. Could you send me your confirmation and where the payment went to ? I'll try and figure out what went wrong to get your payment back. The email address is info@degoudenstraatjes.be
8 friends wandering to celebrate a birthday, Viviane showed us part of her beautiful city, main subject: diamonds. History, know-how, examples, the future of the industry. She was able to answer our many questions. Not seen the time pass!
Our guide exceeded our expectations. Very knowledgeable and made the tour enjoyable. This will be a tour we remember for a long time.
Our tour guide was a local who gave us great detail about the history of the diamond and gold/silver craft and business. She also gave us insight into the city of Antwerp. We actually were able to meet two jewelers, one who was featured in the DIVA Museum.
Margaret was a great guide - knowledgeable and patient, tailoring her time to the things about which we were most excited. We were disappointed we went on the day DIVA was closed, but we loved everything else! Our visit to Pascale Masselis was interesting and fun. A genuine thank you to Margaret and to Lauren and Marta of Pascale Masselis. ❤️
Thank you for your lovely review, it was lovely to have you on the tour!
I recently had the pleasure of joining this private diamonds tour, and it was an amazing experience. From the moment we began, the passion about Antwerp's diamond & jewellery history was evident. Whether you’re a jewelry fan or just curious to learn more about Antwerp’s past, this tour is a must. Lauren’s expertise and warm personality made the experience both educational and enjoyable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Antwerp!
Very interesting, nice educational walk. Nice group, Guide shared her passion with us. Perfect afternoon! Thank you.
I would definitely not recommend if there is any chance something could happen and you could not make it. We tried to cancel per the instructions and it would not go through. We texted the number that we had received confirmations from more than 24 hours in advance and even called to no avail. A lady finally called us back and she hadn’t gotten our message because she was out of town at a wedding. No it’s my problem and she doesn’t want to refund our money. Not right!!
I’m afraid refunds are only available if you cancel through the booking service you booked through in time, in this case tripadvisor / viator. I was in contact with tripadvisor to ask if you asked for a cancellation / alteration to see how this could be resolved but they haven’t received any request from you. I try to be very easy in our cancellation policy, but in this case, there is just no way. You booked a tour, the guide was there and all means available to cancel the tour correctly. Even just a message on the platform would have been enough to trigger a response. Lauren
Our guide, Vivien, was just delightful. It was a terrific introduction to the diamond business in Antwerp, including the information that much of the cutting is not longer done in Antwerp because it is cheaper elsewhere. Also the nature of the competition from Russian and other countries. The visits to the workshops were also interesting but the best part was the impromptu addition of a tour of the Antwerp cathedral, which is not to be missed. Highly recommend.
Thank you for your Edward, we're very happy you enjoyed our tour! Viviane really is a wonderful guide
