During this December week, between 500 and 1000 Java fans will discover Antwerp for the first time. I have tried to summarize all the information you have to know to really enjoy the time you will spend here after the normal conference hours!

Weather

Mean temperature in Antwerp in December is between 0 and 5°C (32-41°F). Do not forget your coat! The weather forecast is available here.

City Map

Guides

The official tourism website is here. It is the ultimate guide . Check it absolutely.
Check also Use-It.be Tourist Office for Young People.
The weekly events agenda Weekup.be

Transportation

• Belgian Railways
• City public transports (tram, bus): de Lijn
• Roadmaps. For your information, there are plenty of radars controlling your speed everywhere in Antwerp. In the city, speed is limited to 50 km/h, sometimes 30 km/h.

Cash

There are ATMs in public places. Use the Bank Card Company ATM locator.

Beer

The local beer is the De Koninck, an excellent amber beer. In some pubs, you can even choose the glas in which it will be served: Bolleke, Prinske, Mouske or Fluitje. My tip: Try them all
The unofficial De Koninck site

But Belgium in general is a paradise for beer lovers, Belgium is the country of beer!. My tip: Don?t try them all

The city

There are lots of things to see in Antwerp. The conference center is 4 km North of the city historical center.

Antwerp is famous for its diamond industry, the heart of the Diamond district is the Appelmansstraat near de Keyserlei. You can buy jewelry of course but if this is out of your budget, you can also just visit.

Antwerp is also famous for its fashion scene. Just follow one of the Antwerp Fashion Walks. Or just have a walk through the designer stores

Going out

The place to be after the conference is the Grote Markt, beautiful architecture, a small X-mas village. You will find in the Grote Markt area everything needed to meet your friends in a friendly atmosphere! Plenty of excellent pubs and restaurants, some of them open all night. Here a small, uncomplete list of know bars:

• Berlin Kleine Markt 1-3, nice trendy place, free Wi-Fi
• CappucinoClub, Sint-Laureiskaai 13, more a pub than a club but people are always dancing here, not really in the center. Closed on Tuesday
• Cafe Beveren, Vlasmarkt 2, back 150 years ago. To be seen? Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday
• De Vagant Reyndersstraat 25, 200 different Genevas (Dutch gin)
• SIPS Gillisplaats 8, expensive but world-wide famous cocktails, cigars. Not really in the center. Closed on Sunday & Monday

Clubs

Like other North European harbors, Antwerp has its red light district, north of the Grote Markt near the VingerlinckStraat.

That's it. Feel free to leave comments or update this page with your own best spots.