Antwerp, Belgium Guide
Belgium is often not on the top of anyone’s travel list, compared to its much more popular neighbors: the Netherlands and France. To be fair, the main reason we visited Belgium was because it was in between Paris and Amsterdam, a natural pit stop on our European vacation. We decided to forgo the EU capital of Brussels and venture into Antwerp, which is surprisingly the biggest city in Belgium, with Brussels being the fifth largest.
We were extremely excited to visit a country that most people dismiss. The country famous for its architecture, food, and its legendary beer was what initially piqued our interest. What we found was a city with so much more to offer. The people, the culture, and overall laid back atmosphere made for a splendid two night stay for us, and we look forward to seeing more of Belgium in later travels.
Some quick tips for your Antwerp trip:
Getting there: There are several ways to get to Antwerp, with the easiest being by train. We took the train from Paris Gare du Nord which stops in Brussels and then Antwerp, followed by Rotterdam and finally Amsterdam. The trip from Paris to Antwerp takes roughly 2 hours.
Getting around when there: Antwerp has an extensive tram and bus network, which is very affordable. Uber is also available, but there are very few drivers, so if you are planning to see a lot of the city, it would be wise to not rely on rideshares.
Below is a list of some of our favorite places we visited in Antwerp. We hope you enjoy your trip!
#1: Antwerpen-Centraal Station
Antwerpen-Centraal (open in Google Maps) is often hailed as the most beautiful train station in the world and for good reason. The station is intricately detailed and feels more like a church than a train station. Even if you do not travel here via train, it might be worth a trip to Antwerpen-Centraal to see it.
#2: Grote Markt
The famous city square (open in Google Maps) is lined with gorgeous Gothic, Renaissance style guildhalls, breweries, and cafes. We came here time and time again to gawk at the City Hall and meander through the narrow streets speckled with chocolate shops and cheese factories. If you only have a few hours in Antwerp, you should definitely make this your first stop.
#3: Wafelhuis Van Hecke
Perhaps the most touristy thing you can do while in Belgium is to go try a Belgian waffle. I usually try to steer away from the ultra touristy stuff, but Belgian waffles are where I give in. There are numerous waffle shops to choose from, but we went with Wafelhuis Van Hecke (open in Google Maps) which has been serving up decadent waffles since 1905. The waffles paired with a shot of espresso really kicks that mid-afternoon slump in the butt. We especially enjoyed chatting with the staff here, who gave us a bunch of recommendations on what to see in the city.
#4: Berchem & Haringrode
These neighborhoods were our favorite in the city, with a bunch of fun breweries, bakeries, and cafes sprinkled throughout. This is also where we chose to stay and we were super happy we did. Within walking distance are some of our favorite spots we saw in Antwerp.
#5: Cogels-Osylei
This notable street (open in Google Maps) has some of the most ornate townhouses in the city, with their classic Art Nouveau style. We enjoyed grabbing a coffee and strolling around this area, marveling at the houses as we went.
#6: PAKT
This multi-leveled development (open in Google Maps) features a coffee shop, brewery, gym, and a few restaurants. We loved the design and concept overall, and stopped at the coffee shop, Caffenation, several times.
#7: Apo’s
Ramen is my favorite food, and as such, I often find myself researching if there is any good ramen in a given city before we go…you know….just in case. Apo’s (open in Google Maps) happened to be just down the street from our hotel, so after a grueling train journey (I don’t want to get into it), and the incoming rain storm, I started to crave some hot ramen. We found a table instantly, sat down, and ordered two Duvels. Before you say that ramen is the furthest thing from Belgian food, I would have to stop you there and say that Apo’s does things differently. They feature a spicy pork ramen with a hint of Belgian chocolate, that is one of the best bowls of ramen I have ever had. It made the terrible train journey worth it and I went to bed a happy man.
#8: Billie’s
This gastropub (open in Google Maps) is often on the top of every beer enthusiasts list. They have an extensive belgian beer menu, along with some other featured European brewers. It was pouring rain and we were lucky to find a covered table outside. This place can get super busy, but the wait is worth it. Sitting on the corner of a dark street with rain pouring, drinking a Belgian Trappist beer made for the perfect atmosphere. We ordered a few more beers and made the long, wet walk back to our hotel. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
#9: De Koninck
De Koninck (open in Google Maps) is a super famous brewery that has been an important institution through much of Antwerp’s history. The beer and food here is superb and the walk through beer museum was very entertaining. Imagine if you gave some beer nerds a bunch of money and told them to make a museum: that’s exactly what De Koninck is. The museum walks you through the history of Antwerp, the significance of the brewery throughout the years, and lastly how the beer is made. At the end you get to try your hand at pouring a draft beer (I did a very bad job). It was a super fun and informative experience that I would encourage anyone, even if you don’t like beer, to try.
#10: August Hotel
The last stop on the list is the August hotel (open in Google Maps). This minimalist dream of a hotel was repurposed from an old Augustinian convent and now houses chic interiors, an amazing spa, and restaurant. The rooms were bright and clean. Everything was made of quality materials and the entire hotel has a high attention to detail. They have spa services on site as well as a reservable personal spa complete with a cold water plunge, steam room, and sauna. In the end, I can safely say this is on the top of the best hotels we have ever visited, and a destination in and of itself.
Antwerp Guide
Berchem and Haringrode Neighborhoods