One Day in Antwerp
 

Hello, I will have one day in Antwerp on my upcoming Belgium trip. I will be travelling from and returning to Brugge by train. What to do? Where to eat lunch (casual and not too expensive)? How to travel from train station to the sights? Please plan my day for me! Your suggestions would be most appreciated.

Sorry I don't have time right now to plan your day for you but I might give you some directions.<BR>I would suggest you open the citymap on http://stadsplan.antwerpen.be/<BR>From the main entrance/exit of the train station (Antwerp Centraal, type in the textbox), you walk almost straight along De Keyserlei, Leysstraat and Meir, all the way to Groenplaats. That's where the historical city centre is. Explore the small streets around Grote Markt, Groenplaats, Grote Markt, Conscienceplein, etc. If you're interested in architecture, visit Our Lady's Cathedral, Carolus Borromeus Church. Rubenshuis is a nice small museum (with Rubens paintings), Het Steen (maritime museum). Have lunch at the Foyer of Bourla Theatre (Comedieplaats) for a classical interior (must see) or Caf&eacute; Horta (Schuttershofstraat) for a very modern designed interior. Both have a special lunch card and are very casual and modestly priced. <BR>For a drink go to De Groote Witte Arend in Reyndersstraat. <BR>Nice shopping area (small boutiques in mostly pedestrian streets) is around Huidevettersstraat, Groendalstraat, Korte Gasthuisstraat, etc. <BR>Enjoy!!

The Paul Rubens House is very interesting. It is where Rubens lived for much of his life. His house is located near the historical center of Antwerp.<BR><BR>Try to avoid visiting Antwerp on a Sunday. Most of the stores are closed then, and much of the downtown-historical area is deserted.

Thanks, Myriam and Joyce. I was just kidding about planning my day, but you have given me a great start. We'll be going to Antwerp on a Tuesday or Wednesday, it seems that many things are closed on Monday also. Thank you both.

Antwerp is a really interesting city. The central station alone is something to see. The cathedral is a must - hope you hear the carillon. The streets behind the cathedral are especially interesting. There is a new modern art museum out in an old industral area - but it is not far from the city center. The city is well worth the time. Enjoy.<BR>Regards, Kevin, Darien CT

The museum Kevin is referring to is the MUHKA (Museum for Contemporary Art), located Leuvenstraat 32. This is a bit out of the historical centre but still walkable (30 min. or so). You just have to walk along the river Schelde in southern direction. And there are taxis in Antwerp.<BR>Not far from the MUKHA is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Leopold de Waelplaats. <BR>This part of the city (Vlaamse Kaai, Waalse Kaai) is very trendy. It has lots of good restaurants like for instance Bizzie Lizzie (Vlaamse Kaai 16), 't Pakhuis (former warehouse with in-house brewery at Vlaamse Kaai 76), Kommilfoo (Vlaamse Kaai 17), Par Hasard (Waalse Kaai 10), Al Dente (Vlaamse Kaai 52), ....<BR>Sorry for you that you will only have time for one dinner!!

Thanks, Kevin and Myriam. It seems that finding great places to eat will not be a problem anywhere. Even we will only eat once in Antwerp (I'm thinking the Foyer of Bourla), I'm comforted that we will in Brugge that evening (moules and frites?) and I'm sure we won't go hungry. I'm putting the Cathedral, Rubenshuis and Het Steen on our itinerary. Thanks all for the great information!

Just as you exit the Central Station, you will see the Hotel Florida on your right. Exactly opposite, on the other side of Keyserlei, you will see an enormous cybercafe with more than 100 screens. Very low cost. Very helpful people. Very good coffee. As I recall, it has a bright orange sign. Great way to contact home.

<BR>To Oldtimer: the cyber caf&eacute; (Easy Everything) is no longer there. They went bankrupt a few months ago! I guess they were too cheap (like 50BF = 1.15$ per hour or so). If you need a cyber caf&eacute;, there's a small one at the Via Via travel caf&eacute; in the old centre.