A city trip to Antwerp is the ideal destination for a weekend getaway from the Netherlands.
The city of Antwerp is the capital of the Province of Antwerp. Antwerp is part of the Flemish region of Belgium. The city of Antwerp has approximately 531,000 inhabitants.
Antwerp is also a very well-known port city. Alongside Rotterdam, Antwerp is considered one of the most important port cities in Europe.
Additionally, Antwerp is also famous for its diamond trade. You will notice this immediately at the train station if you travel by train. Even at the station, in the rear hall towards the exit, you can find many diamond shops.
The city is very accessible because it is not far from the Netherlands. By car, it’s about a half-hour drive from the border. Planning to go from Amsterdam to Antwerp by train? That’s definitely possible. Nice and close but still abroad. There are many cozy restaurants where you can eat anything. From vegetarian to Burgundian and from Flemish fries to all international cuisines you can imagine. Antwerp is a true food and drink city. In that regard, you can hardly find a better destination for a city trip.
There are great locations to find for every budget. There are also many sights to enjoy, and you can also indulge in some great shopping.
The main shopping street in Antwerp is the Meir. This is a very long shopping street with various boutiques and fashion houses on both sides. If you walk down the Meir, you can turn left and enter a shopping district with more luxurious boutiques and Antwerp brands.
All of this together makes Antwerp the perfect location for a city trip.
Do you also want to go on a city trip to Antwerp soon and are you looking for great tips and tricks? Then read on quickly.
Visit cozy neighborhoods during your city trip to Antwerp
Antwerp is a very cozy city that is also divided into very cozy neighborhoods. The city is so much more than just the center. There are many districts outside the center where there is also a lot to experience. Some neighborhoods to put on your visit list are:
’t Eilandje and the Schipperskwartier
’t Eilandje and the Schipperskwartier can be found in the north of the city. This is also the place where the port of Antwerp is located. For years, it was only known as a port area and an industrial area. However, over the years, this area has grown into one of the hippest neighborhoods in the city. You can visit the MAS here, which is the Museum aan de Stroom, a museum dedicated to the port history of the city. There is an entrance fee for the museum itself. If you don’t want to visit the exhibition, you can also go to the rooftop terrace of the MAS for free. It is on the tenth floor of the building and easily accessible by escalator or elevator. Here you have a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire city of Antwerp. There is also a lot to do around the MAS. You have many nice hotspots like cafes and bars.
Oud-Zuid
If you choose to go out in Antwerp, then Oud-Zuid is really the neighborhood for the hip and trendy locals. This is a place where you want to see and be seen. One trendy bar surpasses the other. It is a very lively neighborhood, mainly aimed at young people between the ages of 21 and 40. Enjoy a drink and vintage shopping. It’s all possible here. If you love architecture and old buildings, then Oud-Zuid is also a must-visit. A major eye-catcher is the Palace of Justice at Bolivarplaats 20.
In the South, there are also a number of museums you should not miss. The most famous are the FOMU, a museum focused on photography, and the M HKA. This is the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp.
Zurenborg
Zurenborg is about a 15-minute walk from Antwerp Central Station. You can also take the tram or metro for three stops. It is a very cool and truly Antwerp neighborhood. Few tourists here, but many locals. It is a dynamic residential area where a lot happens. The city center mainly has many old historical buildings. Zurenborg, on the other hand, has many modern homes and renovated and recently restored mansions. There is a lot of street art to admire as you head towards Dageraadplaats. This is the hospitality square of Zurenborg where everything happens. Many cozy places where you can eat. From traditional Belgian to Japanese and everything in between.
How did Antwerp get its name?
The name Antwerp has existed for quite a few centuries. There are two stories circulating about the story behind the city’s name. One of these stories is based on a mythical legend, and the other is more historically substantiated. Where the truth exactly lies, you can decide for yourself.
We go back to the time of Julius Caesar. When Julius Caesar wanted to conquer Britain, he left many of his followers and warriors behind in Europe. One of his warriors, Silvius Brabo, settled in Belgian Ghent.
According to legend, one day the part of Belgium we now know as ‘Flanders’ was attacked, and Silvius Brabo led the city to victory. He defeated the giant Druon Antigoon and cut off his hand. He threw this severed hand into the Scheldt, and strangely enough, this is how the name Antwerp originated. It is derived from ‘Hand Werpen’ because this took place in the city. This is what many Antwerpians believe to this day.
However, it is also claimed that the name Antwerp comes from the word ‘aanwerp’. This had a connection with the Antwerp port. Upon the arrival of ships, ‘aanwerp’ was continuously shouted during loading and unloading. This is how the name would have originated.
What do you think is true?
Which attractions should you visit in Antwerp during your city trip?
- Het Steen
- Het Eilandje
- Antwerp Zoo
- The old harbor district, now a trendy neighborhood by the water
- The MAS: the museum by the stream
- The Cathedral of Our Lady
- The historic center
- The monumental Central Station
- Zurenborg
- Felix Pakhuis
- The Grote Markt
- The Groenplaats
- The Justice Building
- ’t Steen
- The Rubens House
- The Saint Paul’s Church
City trip to Antwerp: Who is Antwerp interesting for to visit?
Antwerp is truly a destination where you can go in all directions. Whether you go with your loved one, a friend, colleagues, or even alone.
There is a lot to do and see. Visit museums, enjoy ice-cold Belgian beers in one of the hundreds of cafes, picnic in the City Park, attend a theater performance, or take a nice bike ride through the city.
It’s all possible, and also combined with delicious food. Because Antwerp is a true hospitality city. On every corner in the center, you can find a nice restaurant. It is also a very international city in terms of food.
In the city center, behind the Groenplaats, you will find streets full of restaurants. Sushi, Greek, Turkish, Belgian, French, Lebanese, Italian, and so on. There is almost no cuisine you won’t find here.
What you also see a lot in Antwerp are people who come for their bachelor party. Having fun and being crazy with the southern neighbors is definitely possible here. A great place to start the bachelor festivities is Bier Central on the Keyserlei. Just a stone’s throw from Antwerp Central Station. With more than 30 Belgian beers on tap and their own beer encyclopedia with 300 Belgian beers in bottles, you couldn’t wish for a better starting point for the evening.
Read on if you are going to Antwerp with children!
Discover Antwerp by bike during your city trip
Antwerp is a very cool city to discover by bike. Cycling in Antwerp is safe, and in recent years, many cycle paths have been constructed like those we know in the Netherlands. What you will notice, especially in the old historical center of the city, is that cycling will not always be on a smooth surface. In the old historical center, there are also many roads paved with cobblestones. This makes some rides feel a bit bumpy, but it doesn’t make it any less safe. We are just incredibly spoiled in the Netherlands with miles of new cycle paths.
Different bike tours in Antwerp
A bike tour through Antwerp can be booked at Baja Bikes. You will then visit a number of top attractions in 2 hours under the guidance of a Dutch guide. This way, you get a good first impression of the city and can decide for yourself where you want to go again after the tour.
The tour in Antwerp is so popular that even people who live there book the tour. You always discover something new. You also learn a lot about the city from the Dutch-speaking guide who will accompany you during the ride.
A number of Antwerp attractions you will visit include the old harbor district, now a trendy neighborhood by the water, The MAS: the museum by the stream, the Cathedral of Our Lady, and the historic center.