Getting There

If you have an extended trip to Amsterdam or Brussels, I highly recommend you add two days in Antwerp to your itinerary. There are direct trains from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Brussels Zaventem Airport that will get you there in under two hours. If you choose to drive, there are plenty of reasonably priced overnight parking garages (we paid 24 EUR per 24 hours). Note that there’s a lot of traffic around the Antwerp ring (highway) during morning and evening rush hour.

What To Do

Shop!

Make sure to make extra space in your luggage for shopping. Anyone who lives in Belgium will tell you that Antwerp is the place to shop. The city center is filled with Belgian designer boutiques such as Essentiel with unique quirky pieces. I also love Galleria Inno, an upscale Belgian department store. Their baby clothes collection is ridiculously adorable! Don’t forget to shop for chocolates! One of my favorite shops, Pierre Marcolini has a small shop near the city center.  Dining Traveler Tip: Belgian sales occur in January and July, prepare yourself for some great sales. I picked up a pair of boots at one of my favorite Belgian shops, Cecil for 75% off!

Wander

The city is very walkable and with two days in Antwerp, onee of the things we enjoyed the most was walking around the city and taking in the details of the classic Flemish buildings, entering the small shops, walking into an anonymous café and sipping on a Chimay Blue (my favorite Belgian beer). We walked from the city center to the MAS Museum on a rainy Sunday morning. We encountered a small antique market with booths sparsely stocked with old China, fur coats, and art work. I bet that with a bit of patience you can encounter a gem to bring back home.

Our wandering took us to the Schipperstraat “sailor street”. As the Dutchman and I walked into the street, pushing the stroller with piccola, we realized something was off… Lots of men walking around looking suspicious. It just hit us that we walked right into the red light district where scantily clad women display themselves on the window for potential customers. Thanks, Google maps! Needless to say that it may not be a street you may want to take with young children!

See & Do

Two days in Antwerp is not enough to see all the attractions, so I will give you a shortlist of what I find special. We really enjoyed the MAS Museum. This modern art museum is an experience even before entering. Its cube like structure reminds me of an unfinished game of Jenga. The multi-level museum has a diverse range of collections. We enjoyed an exhibition on food ranging from the history of food to sustainable agriculture to how to combat food waste. Start your visit at the top floor with

If you love architecture, there are plenty of treasures in this city. I recommend you head to the Port of Antwerp to see Zaha Hadid’s building. The futuristic design is a friendly contrast to the old Flemish architecture of the city center. Another architectural gem is Antwerp Centraal Train Station. In my opinion, it’s one of the prettiest in Northern Europe. The classic facades, the touches of gold, the intricate vaulted ceilings are a sight to be seen.

Eat

You may think I’m being biased, but Belgium has some of the best food in Europe. When I first moved to Belgium 11 years ago, I was surprised how many times other Europeans would tell me: “oh you live in Belgium? The food is amazing there”. Antwerp is home to several Michelin-starred restaurants and once you’re there, you know why! Two days in Antwerp is not enough to savor it all, but you can try! I’ve drawn from my experience and some other local sources for a list of must-go places:

The Jane: This Michelin-starred restaurant is one of the favorites of my good friend Maria who wrote our Dining Traveler Foodie Guide to Antwerp. The innovative dishes are a once in a lifetime experience. Make sure to book well ahead of time.

Mercado: This new food hall in Antwerp is the perfect place to go with a group of friends with diverse palates. Indulge in French and Dutch oysters, stay warm with a savory laksa soup, or kick back a few Duvels at their bar. We loved the hip, relaxed atmosphere.

The Square: The restaurant at the Radisson Blu near Antwerp Central Station serves a creative menu of refined Flemish classics at a great price. For 35 Euros, savor a three-course meal. My highlight: the trio of chocolate that young Chef Jorn creates.

Brasserie t’Parkhuis: Our friend who grew up in Antwerp treated us to dinner at t’Parkhuis. This brewery features their own beers paired with hearty Belgian dishes such as Waterzooi, Carbonade, and vol au vent. I never had seafood vol au vent before and I loved it! The crispy pastry topped with a creamy, savory seafood sauce is the perfect indulgence.

The MAS Museum Storm Café: On my foodie wish list is dining at the Michelin-starred ‘t Zilte restaurant at the top of the MAS Museum. However, on this trip I settled with drinks at the Storm Café downstairs. Loved the relaxed vibe of the space and the selection of local beers of Antwerp such as De Konick.

Check out our Dining Traveler Foodie Guide to Antwerp for more picks!

Where to Stay

Local Charm: We stayed at Hotel Les Nuits, a small, local-owned Boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Antwerp shopping district. Their complimentary breakfast buffet with smoothies and a selection of homemade granolas is an added bonus. Full review here.

Modern Business: If traveling on business, the Radisson Blu Astrid is a great choice with its modern vibe and great restaurant. The hotel is just steps from Antwerp Central station, making it very accessible to public transportation and the city center.

Boutique Hotel: The laid back yet stylish Queen A is a short walk from the Antwerp Central Station and Antwerp Zoo (yes, Antwerp has a zoo in the City Center!).  Love the trendy design of their lobby.

Two Days in Antwerp: The Verdict

As I previously mentioned, two days in Antwerp is not enough. If you’re a lover of great design and delicious food, this is the perfect destination for you. Dining Traveler Tip: Head to the Antwerp Tourism Office,  for more info, loved their tourism information materials. Buy City Card for attraction discounts and inclusive public transportation with purchase of the card.

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All about our stay at Hotel Les Nuits

The Vibe: Hotel Les Nuits is a small boutique hotel. The vibe is very cozy, starting with the front desk staff meeting you at the elevator to start your check-in process. The small reception area is fashionable with modern furniture yet homey. Make note that the hotel offers a complimentary tapas hour at 5pm.

The Location: Location, location, location! If you’re looking to explore the city mostly by foot, Hotel Les Nuits provides the perfect location. If you need to get around via public transportation, there’s a tram stop directly in front of the hotel.

The Room: Our room was tastefully decorated in a Chinese lacquer style, with sleek dark hues.. The large window brought tons of natural light. The bed was large and comfy and my favorite part was the quality of the linens. They were soft, fluffy, and smelled wonderful. We informed the hotel ahead of time that we were traveling with the baby and when we arrived to our room, a crib was fully assembled and ready, which was a very nice touch. The only point for improvement is that some of the furniture pieces look a bit dated but still fit well in the overall aesthetic of the room.

The Food: We enjoyed the complimentary breakfast during our stay. I’m a sucker for a good hotel breakfast and Hotel Les Nuits delivered. The elegant buffet included smoked salmon, selection of cheese, bread, smoothies, fresh fruit, among other classic breakfast staples. The staff also prepares eggs on demand. I’m still thinking about their scrambled eggs with fresh herbs!

Hotel Les Nuits: The verdict

I must say that I was hesitant to stay at a boutique hotel with a baby in tow, but the hotel was so attentive to our every need. It felt like we were staying with very stylish friends! I also enjoyed the attention to detail: the hotel has unique postcards for guests to send to their loved ones back home that they even mail for you.
Hotel Les Nuits, Lange Gasthuisstraat 12, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium, Website.

Disclaimer: we were hosted by Hotel Les Nuits, but as always, opinions are our own.

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Start your day by arriving at the beautiful Antwerp Central Station (it was recently selected as The Most Beautiful Station In The World) and hit the streets right behind the commercial and popular Meir! You will be easily distracted by the sweet vanilla smell of Belgian waffles!

Where to eat in Antwerpen: Start your day by arriving at the beautiful Antwerp Central Station (it was recently selected as The Most Beautiful Station In The World) and hit the streets right behind the commercial and popular Meir! You will be easily distracted by the sweet vanilla smell of Belgian waffles. No smell distinguishes more this tiny country than the smell of freshly-made yummy waffles. Heaven!

Walk through the South (Het Zuid), feel the breeze of the Schelde River and visit the Castle (Het Steen – Steenplein 1, 2000 Antwerpen) for a little bit of history. When you are hungry, go for one of the below, you will not be disappointed!

A gift of the sea: “vispannetje” (fish & seafood stew with yummy tiny North sea shrimps) at De Markt. You can shop at the market during the early hours then end up having a wonderful lunch at their terrace.
A classic “Stoofvlees” (beef & beer stew with hand peeled Belgian fries) at Home Brewery ‘T Pakhuis (Vlaamsekaai 76, 2000 Antwerpen). This dish is best eaten on a typical Belgian rainy wintery night!

Edgy:  This is certainly the prettiest hamburger I have ever eaten and it was oh so tasty! Te Kook (Vrijdagmarkt 7, 2000 Antwerpen) is a very innovative restaurant of French and Belgian cuisine with a modern twist. Pricey but absolutely worth it! Honest and innovative Matty (Brederodestraat 23, 2000 Antwerpen) and his wife Katrien offer light, creative 5 star cuisine at affordable prices. My favorite dish is the parmesan and fresh truffle risotto. To die for.

Romantic Eats:I have never been disappointed by Josephine’s (Gentplaats 1, 2000 Antwerpen). You can have the most amazing cocktails (I always want to be creative but boringly end up ordering their 5-star Mojito) rightly served by the best barman of this country. Their duck dish is so perfectly executed and presented! The decor is soft, candle-y and romantic, and they do have live Jazz most nights and a charming piano in the middle. What else could you ask for?

On a budget: 100 grams of garlicky black olives, a tiny pot of fresh humous, a couple of slices of freshly sliced Belgian ham and a warm Moroccan bread at one of the amazing market stalls at the Exotische Markt (Oudevaartplaats, Theatherplein en omgeving) on Saturdays from 07h00 until 15h00). This will cost you 7 Euro and if it is sunny I guarantee you an amazing meal and people watching!

Decadence all the way:Splurge with the 4 -dishes menu at The Jane. Chef Sergio Hermann (my favorite Chef ever!) and Nick Bril are true artists of food making. Their dishes are locally sourced, pretty, harmonic and they scream creativity, passion for the job and flavor! Everything is out-of-this-world good but my favorite are the desserts (and their zesty foie gras and granny smith jus!). Look at this pretty strawberry creation! Mindblowing.
Drink: Have a cold Kwak beer at Pelgrom (Pelgrimstraat 15, 2000 Antwerpen). This middle age cellar is utterly amazing and off the beaten path. Go there for a romantic drink or for a fun beer night with friends! Ideal for after-dinner drinks is Het Elfde Gebod (“The eleventh commandment”) (‪Torfbrug 10, 2000 Antwerpen). The religious décor of this bar is breathtaking and peaceful. Indulge with more specialty beers or their tasty fruit-flavored Jenevers.‬

See/Experience/Shop:  If you are travelling with kids do not miss Antwerp’s Zoo (Koningin Astridplein 26, 2018 Antwerpen). It is in the middle of the city right next to the train station, a perfect combination for every member of the family. If you love art the Place To be is The MAS (Hanzestedenplaats 1, 2000 Antwerpen) Museum aan de Stroom (a landmark building between the city and the port). The current Display of Power exhibition about the world of prestige and symbols is captivating. For the fashionistas out there, do not miss the shops on the Schuttershofstraat for Wouters&Hendrix, my ultimate “affordable luxury” Antwerp jewelry designers. This city is beautiful for its diversity. I very much hope you can include it on your next Belgian stop. Enjoy the vibe of Antwerp, be curious, keep on traveleating!
Thanks Maria for all the tips! It brought back some great memories of Belgium!  I hope you enjoyed our Antwerp Belgium Foodie Guide.  What’s your favorite city in Belgium for food?

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