When visiting Belgium many tourists probably think of Brussels and Bruges before their northern neighbour of Antwerp. Yet here we have a diverse city full of vibrancy, culture and history, not to mention the art, architecture and skyline.
Central Station
Easily accessible by train or bus, even directly from Brussels airport, Antwerp or Antwerpen as it is known locally is definitely worth a visit, even if only for the day.
The main train station is Central Station, said to be one of the most beautiful in the world for it's historical architecture. Take a moment to look around before leaving the platforms and you'll see it is also a bit of an engineering marvel with tracks on different levels.
At the station which is situated in the city centre, there are luggage lockers, a tourist information centre and the bus ticket office. Various eateries plus toilet facilities are also available, though as with so many establishments in Antwerp, you need to pay to use the toilet. The bus company is De Lijn and although the actual buses are mainly used for going further than the city centre the travel cards available can also be used on the trams. Each ticketed journey lasts for an hour so changing trams or seeing things quickly is cost effective. On foot is also a good way to experience and really feel what is on offer.
To see panoramic views across the city from above there is a big wheel conveniently located right outside of Central Station. A free alternative is to walk over to the old town and harbour to the MAS (Museum aan de Stroom), literally meaning the museum on the stream. It is a tall, red, square building that homes various exhibits, a salon and a restaurant in Antwerp's largest museum. On closer inspection and from inside you will also notice the windows are wavy yet still made from glass. There, it is possible to access the roof on the tenth level, or the 9th floor if unable to climb the final flight of stairs. Once back on the ground, directly opposite the MAS is a tourist information centre with a birds eye photo of the city, port and surrounding areas. It is on the floor, for you to walk over and really get a feel for what is where.
View from the MAS
The Antwerp-Bruges port is just across the river. As the second largest port in Europe it connects Belgium and the rest of the continent to more than 800 destinations worldwide. There are so many colourful containers that from afar they look like giant Lego blocks, although apparently not so stable whilst empty and in windy weather.
Boat trips are available on the river and sometimes cruise liners dock there too.
On the riverside there is Het Steen, translating to The Stone. This medieval fortress is like a fairytale castle from the outside and explains The Antwerp Story on the inside.
The tallest building in Antwerp is the Cathedral of Our Lady. It has survived many changes throughout it's centuries long history and although the south tower was never completed to the height of the north tower this only adds to it's majestic charm. As a prime example of Gothic architecture this is Belgium's biggest Gothic church and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission fees are in place to enter. Once inside there are various religious and art displays including some of the original works from the painter Peter Paul Rubens.
Another of Antwerp's UNESCO sites is also another fine example of it's stunning architecture, this one showcasing the city's Renaissance period. It is the City Hall.
Standing within the same square as the City Hall is the Brabofontein or Brabo's Monument, to commemorate the legend of the hand that is said to have given Antwerp it's name.
The City Hall
When visiting over the festive period this is one of the squares to immerse yourself in the popular Christmas market.
Even though Antwerp is famous for diamonds, it is not diamonds that are shimmering here. Here there is an impressive amount of gold, glimmering on the buildings roof tops, columns and statues.
Antwerp celebrates it's past and it remembers down to the homeless person who apparently passed away on the street with his dog. However, look around and look up to see there is also plenty of modern architecture and innovative art including wall murals, decorative building fixtures plus some more temporary add ons. Antwerp is a place of traditions but also a place of change where everyone is telling their story.
Surprisingly for some, Antwerp has its own adult supermarket with the kind of window shopping and purchases more associated with Amsterdam. The district used to be a well known party area especially at night and became a criminal hub. Now the majority of crime has been forced out of the area but the hookers still remain, standing, sitting, posing in their windows.
The city has it's China Town. Situated back near the Central Station it is marked with the typical oriental arch that can also be seen in other European cities. There is also a Jewish Quarter.
The city centre still offers a variety of shops from small independent specialists to the most popular of brands across the high streets and in shopping centres, making it also an ideal location to leave the cobbled streets and get lost in the shops for a while.
Plenty of Belgium's own produce is available in shops including food, drinks and souvenirs. Breads, cheeses, meats and beers are just a few of the wares worth sampling.
Food can be found to suit different tastes and budgets. Fried, fast, Italian and Greek foods are all very available but fresh salads and homemade soups can also be found.
For overnight stays the city centre offers accommodation from beds in dorms to private apartments to well known hotel chains. Sometimes a little higher than prices in other cities the accommodation remains affordable.
The main language spoken and written in Antwerp is Dutch but with Antwerpen dialect. English is widely understood and spoken, especially in touristic establishments.
And if you're still looking for the typical fries and chocolate of Belgium, well, you can definitely still find those too.
