Antwerp has always been in the middle of foreign influences. For centuries it was occupied territory: by the Romans, Austrians, Spanish, French and Dutch. Today it is an important maritime hub with one of the major river ports in Europe.
That is why the people from Antwerp (their surname is “sinjoren”, meaning “sirs”) think of their city as the centre of the world ?
There are many websites where you can find tours to Antwerp. They will all guide you by the most famous landmarks. There will be some of that, but here is a day tour taking you to the real Antwerp. Or at least a part because I could go on for hours ?
Getting there
Avoid at all cost to try to get to Antwerp by car! Also, there is a LEZ (Low Emission Zone) prohibiting cars of a certain age (with a higher CO2 emission) to enter the city and the suburbs. Your car will be scanned automatically and even foreigners will receive a fine in their country of residence if your car doesn’t comply with the demands!
Come by boat
You can obvisously take the train or tram. If I go there, I am taking the boat in Hemiksem, a small village located appr. 10km to the south of Antwerp. There is a regular bus boat service on the Scheldt river. Consult the website to check the timetable.
Drive to the free parking and park your car there. You will see no signs (might have changed by now), only the bridge to the landing place also being used by the small ferry to cross the river Scheldt.
Do NOT get on this boat, it will not take you to Antwerp but only across the river ?
The bus boat is a small but fast and comfortable boat on which you can both sit inside and outside.
This is the bus boat you should be looking out for. There is a regular service every 30 minutes or so and the prices are really low.
During your 20-30min boat trip right to the heart of Antwerp, you will see different scenery, from nature to industry to old buildings. Enjoy the ride! This is a regular transportation service, no tourist service so you won’t get any tourist information ? The boat will make one other stop before getting to Antwerp.
If you see this scenery, you are approaching your destination.
The right hand building is a restaurant “Zuiderterras” i.e. Southern Terrace. It is overlooking the river and offers a magnificent view to the left bank. Reservation is necessary!
The tower to the left is Antwerp Cathedral. Today, February 2020 the tower is being restored and not visible (well it is covered with scaffolding).
Arrival in the historic heart of Antwerp
When you get off the boat, you will also see the ferry that can take you to the left bank of the river, offering magnificent views on the Antwerp skyline (better than San Francisco!)
Arrival in Antwerp
The first view will be this:
Great, isn’t it? The castle (Steen, meaning nothing more than “stone”) is a remainder of a bigger castle that was originally built in 1200 and is the oldest building in Antwerp. It used to be the castle next to the gate to the city. From the 14th to the 19th century it was a prison and had the same reputation as the Paris. Bastille…
Afterwards it was converted into a museum and today it is being converted into the head office for tourist information services.
The statue in front of the castle is Lange Wapper. A mytical figure (giant) who was said to have lived in the castle with the other giant Antigoon.
Market square and Brabo
Use Google Maps to take a short walk to the market square and look for the café “Den Engel”. This typical Antwerp pub is open nearly 24/7. Try the best beer in the world: bolleke Koninck. It is not strong, only 5.2%.
This statue is said to represent the origin of the name of the city “Antwerpen”… Look it up on the internet, it is really fun to read! Enjoy the view of the tower which is 123 metres! The second tower has never been built.
Vrijdagmarkt
We first make a stop on the Vrijdagmarkt. This is one of the most typical squares in Antwerp. If you want, you can visit the original house of the world famous printer Plantin-Moretus. This visit will take you appr. 1 hour but it is worthwhile!
Since 1549, a market takes place every Friday. The meaning of the name of the square is… “Friday’s Market”. Until the 1970s, confiscated furniture and stuff from people who couldn’t pay their debts was sold in open air in public… Today there is a flea market every Friday with an very authentic atmosphere.
All this is taking place under the supervision of the Holy Mary, patroness of Antwerp.
Also the cathedral is named after her and the people of Antwerp have a particular respect and love for her, still today!
Last stop of this small tour is a very old and authentic street: Lange Gasthuisstraat. Apart from a few modern buildings, you will see immediately that all buildings are very old. Several banks used to have a branch office here. Probably because they could afford to buy the historical buildings…
Two buildings in particular are worthwhile.
Like Brueghel? Go to Museum Mayer Van den Bergh
Although the Bruegher year is over, his work is still worthwhile seeing. In the former house of Knight Mayer van den Bergh, an art collector who died young, the famous painting Dulle Griet (Mad Meg) is displayed.
The feeling to be standing so close to this revolutionary 16th century painting is magic!! Nice to know is that Fritz Mayer van den Bergh bought it at an auction in Germany in 1894 for less than 500 francs!!
After your visit, you might want to visit the Maagdenhuis, located next door. This used to be a girls’ orphanage for centuries. You don’t need to pay an entrance fee to take a walk on the inner courtyard.
Left bank
If you have time left, take a tram to the left bank and enjoy the view on the city.
