Usually, when I tell people I went to Antwerp for a weekend trip, I find them looking at me puzzled and wondering where is Antwerp. In fact, when my friends offered me to drive to Antwerp I was also really skeptical. But Antwerp is in fact the second biggest city in Belgium, with its history dating to the Middle Ages. Antwerp started booming in the 15th century and quickly became the leading commercial centre of western Europe, due to its port and diamond traders. Today Antwerp holds its legacy of a booming, vibrant city, which has so much to offer to curious explorers.
There is always so much to tell about a city, that is why I separate my articles into 3 very useful parts:
Part 1: Top Places to See in Antwerp
Part 2: Best Places to Eat in Antwerp
Part 3: Transport and Accommodation in Antwerp
Accommodation
Where we stayed:
We were a group of 5, so we wanted a big house for all of us, where we could relax in the evening and eat some Belgium Chocolate. We found such a place on airbnb, which was a totally awesome 3 floor apartment in a loft style with a big outdoor terrace.
The apartment was perfect for a big group, however next time I would definitely choose a more central location. I was not a big fan of the area and we always had to take a metro (12 min walk from the house) to the city centre. For me staying central is always the best, as you get to enjoy beautiful historic centre out of your window and can save time on travelling.
Recommended: For a budget of 60€/ night and under I will consider Hotels like Century Hotel Antwerpen Centrum, Tryp By Wyndham Antwerp and Ibis Budget . They are all located centrally next to the Main Train Station and from here you can reach the main shopping street in under 5 minutes by foot.
Transportation
Public transport
Antwerp has a good connected public city, with buses, trams and metro. One journey costs 3€ and can be used one-way within 60 minutes. A day ticket costs 7€ and is valid for 24hours. A three day pass will set you back at 14€. A day pass might seem like a good deal, however, if you are staying in central location I doubt you will need it, as Antwerp centre is relatively small and can be easily done by foot.
Bikes
Biking is very popular in Belgium and is a favourite choice of transportation for locals. That is why you can rent a bike nearly everywhere in Antwerp and pay only for the time you use it. The most common one is Velo, where you can buy a week pass for 10€ or a day pass for 4€. Then, the first 30 minutes of every ride is free. You can download their app on the phone to check available bikes next to you. For even more flexibility use Mobit, as you can leave your bike nearly everywhere with it and you pay per 20 minutes of the ride. Prices start at only 0.45€/ 20 minutes.
Travelling by car
Register your car! If you are travelling to Antwerp by car make sure to register it online on LEZ Antwerp. You will need your car registration documents for it. The process is free and takes around 10 days to get approved. If you don’t register your car you will get fined as there are cameras outside the city of Antwerp. Also, don’t panic if you are already in Antwerp and just found out about the need to register (like we did), you can register within 24 hours of entering the city.
For the best places to see in Antwerp and to try out local food in, see the other parts of my article:
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