From 10 to 13 July, around 650,000 people turned up to visit the majestic sailing ships of the Tall Ships Races. At the impressive ‘parade of sail’ on Tuesday afternoon, crowds of tens of thousands of people lined the Scheldt, stretching well out of the city of Antwerp, in order to wave the tall ships off.

From Saturday 10 July to Tuesday 13 July, Antwerp was the place to be in Belgium. The extreme temperatures that weekend drew hundreds of thousands of visitors to explore the 78 sailing ships. They relaxed on the many catering islands, had cruises along the Scheldt, or admired the aerial panorama from the Skywatch or Ferris wheel. There were plenty of highlights: the arrival of the ships, the crew parade, the World Cup final in the Main Square, the traditional fireworks on Monday, and lots more besides.

The departure of the Tall Ships Races - participants from the port of Antwerp, accompanied by the deafening cannon shots and foghorns, was a truly magical moment and a chance for thousands of photographers to catch the shot of the day.

The race got underway in Ostend, with the Tall Ships setting sail for Aalborg, from there they were headed for Kristiansand and Hartlepool. We wish them a safe trip!