Meir Shopping Street, Antwerp (must see)

Meir is a famous shopping destination for the city of Antwerp and, along with the New Street in Brussels, one of the most important shopping areas in Belgium. The Meir shopping district encompasses the streets surrounding Our Lady’s Cathedral all the way to the Central Station. Once used to store wet wood for furniture, the area has come a long way to be recognized as one of the prime areas for shopping in the country. Once being a small street on the outskirts of the city, today Meir is an integral part of the city center.

With the opening of the Stadsfeestzaal Shopping Centre in 2007, the Meir has become the most expensive shopping destination in the economic union of Benelux. The area is home to all major shopping brands and attracts over 200,000 visitors from neighboring states and other European countries.

Along with being a shopping capital, the Meir has also seen the richness of architecture and the lavishness of the rich. It is home to some exquisite buildings such as ‘Osterrieth House’ at number 85 and the Royal Residence of the Belgian Kings, both built in the old Rococo style by architect Van Baurscheit. Whether for a shopping experience or just visiting to catch a glimpse of the past, Meir is a place that all must visit.