Belgium

Reasons to go:

1. Brussels

2. Antwerp

  • Beautiful architecture of Central Antwerp: Grote Markt square, Cathedral of Our Lady, Het Steen building, Kaasstraat, Museum Vleeshuis building, Vlaaikensgang historic street, Wijngaardstraat, Hendrik Conscienceplein square, Handelsbeurs Antwerpen (16th century stock exchange, open to the public on weekends), Antwerp Central Train Station, beautiful University of Antwerp courtyard (through the gate at (51.222335, 4.409711)), Beguinage, Kloosterstraat, Vrijdagmarkt.
  • Eilandje neighbourhood (port area). Oude havenkranen - free outdoor museum of old cranes. Architectural gems include Zaha Hadidplein building, Felix Pakhuis (warehouse), Parkbrug Spoor Noord bridge. For great views of the city visit observation tower (free) of the Red Star Line Museum and the Panorama observation deck (free) at Museum aan de Stroom (MAS museum). The Panorama at MAS is open until very late (long after the museum exhibitions are closed), make sure to come here after sunset for views of beautifully lit up city and the bright lights of the Antwerp port (free toilets are a bonus). Watch the sunset from Droogdokkenpark, the Panorama at MAS or Bar Paniek. Red light district - Schippersstraat and Vingerlingstraat took me by surprise.
  • Zurenborg neighbourhood. For show-stopping architecture see Cogels-Osylei street, intersection of Waterloostraat and Generaal van Merlenstraat, and surrounding area. Krugerstraat is lined with excellent street art from Meeting of styles Belgium festival. Stroll through Dageraadplaats and PAKT sustainable hub.
  • Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA), with an ok app-based free audio guide. Old Masters collection (second floor) was my favourite. In comparison, I found Snijders&Rockoxhuis a bit boring.
  • Antwerp at night - for beautifully lit up buildings see Grote Markt square, Cathedral of Our Lady, Hendrik Conscienceplein square and Antwerp Central Train Station. Visiting the Panorama at MAS after dark is an absolute must.
  • To dive into printing history of Antwerp visit Plantin-Moretus Museum and The Nottebohm Room in the Heritage Library.
  • Cross Sint-Annatunnel pedastrian tunnel under the river for great views of Antwerp from the other side. Frome there you could continue to Sint Annastrand beach.
  • Zuid neighborhood - probably the best place to stay. Stroll through Zuidpark and Marnixplaats, see Het Bootje building.
  • Still on my wishlist: Middelheim Museum (free sculpture park), Nachtegalenpark Den Brandt (park), Schoonselhof cemetery, Schoon Verdiep in Antwerp City Hall.
  • Food: My favourite meals were at Falafel Tof (falafel with a self-serve salad bar), Delrobah (Afghan food) and Bakker Aldo (amazing pastries). In Eilandje neighbourhood, Little Beirut is nice. Vegan tasting menu at Camionette is interesting, lunch at Camion (their other location) is still on my wishlist. Gelato places are all still on my wishlist - IceLab NiceCream Creations (I’ll eat it in Plantentuin, a free botanical garden), Borgo Gelato, Gelato Factory, Cremerie Germaine, Gelato Milanese.

Notes:

  • Public transport in the city works with bank card-based contactless payments (use the new white card readers), no need to buy anything in advance.
  • A lot of museums and restaurants are closed on Mondays.
  • Visit Antwerp website was really helpful for planning my time in Antwerp.
  • A lot of great things are happening in the Port of Antwerp that you won’t see, but you can read about them.

Notes:

  • Trainline app is a convenient way to plan train journeys.
  • I had a completely cash-less time in Belgium.