Hello everybody. Today officially begins our journey into Belgium. The first city we’ll visit will be Antwerp. Let’s go to discover it.

Antwerp is a city located in the northern part of Belgium. It is the most important city of the Flanders region (you already know that Belgium is divided into three regions) and it is located next to the river Scheldt. The city also owns the largest port in the world (ranking second in Europe).

To know more (what to eat, where to eat, where to have fun, things to visit…) continue to read.

As always, we start from the typical dishes of the place.

TYPICAL FOODS

The culinary traditions of the city are varied and often influenced by French, German and the Netherlands cusine.

As in most countries of the North the most important meal is the dinner, for this reason we will find many unique dishes. Let’s go to see them.

• Pickled herring and horse meat are examples of local specialties.
•  Flemish Carbonade – another typical dish of the country. It is a stew beef cooked in Belgian beer with spices and onion.
• Belgian stoemp with carrots – a mashed potato mixed with vegetables, panna, nutmeg, pepper and bacon.
  

The city, as well as Belgium in general, is famous for its delicious French fries, Brussel sprouts but also meat and especially fish, in particular there is a widely consume of mussels, thanks to its proximity to the sea.

As for desserts, we can’t forget about the delicious and famous chocolate.

• Antwerpse Handjes – biscuits in the shape of hands, made from almonds or milk chocolate. These symbolize the folklore.
  
• Gaufre (known as wafel o waffle) – the dough is made from milk, water, butter, eggs, flour, sugar, brewer’s yeast and vanilla. They are usually sprinkled with powdered sugar or serve with panna, fruit or ice cream, butter, jam, dried fruit, and so on. Think that in the past were considered an omen of good luck and good health, but that’s not to be an excuse to eat lots of them haha! We can also find the salted variation with fish, cheese or meat.
  
• Mokatine – type of candy.
  
• Bolleke – typical local beer
  
• Elixir D’Anvers – local liquor.

WHERE TO EAT (RESTAURANTS/CAFE’..)

Now it’s time to eat but first we have to see where to eat.

• De Godevaart – typical French cuisine.
  
• Billie’s Bier Kafetaria – pub with typical Belgian, European, contemporary cuisine.
  
• Frituur Lescluze – Belgian and European fryer.
  
• Patty Cake – cafè.
  
• Verde Foodbar – vegetarian, healthy, soups.
  
• Heilig Huisken – typical French , Belgian, European cuisine plus soups.
  
• Bourla – typical French Belgian, European cuisine.
  
• Urban Wraps – typical French, Belgian, European, vegetarian, vegan cuisine.  Here there are served  wraps and other takeaway foods.
• The-Atro – perfect place for those who love tea.
  
• Bolivar Steakhouse – Belgian cuisine.
  
• Pazzo – Wine Bar, Italian  and Japanese cuisine.
  
• The chocolate line – chocolate shop.
  

PLACES TO VISIT (MUSEUMS/THEATERS..)

Now it’s time to lear something about the city.

• Grote Markt – is the main city square. It is considered one of the most beautiful squares of Belgium and of Europe, surrounded by Gothic and Renaissance architecture. In the center of the square there is a fountain, Fountain Brabone, dedicated to the founder of the city.
  
• Vleeshuis – old meat market. The historic building, now houses the museum of archeology and applied arts.
  
• Rubenshuis – is a museum, ex residence of the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens.
  
• Sint-Pauluskerk– Gothic building where there is a beautiful baroque furniture of the  XVII century.
  
• Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal – is the largest cathedral in Belgium, which has the tallest tower in the country and Europe. The hall is in Gothic style, with many paintings and various works of art. The cathedral is part of the UNESCO heritage.
  
• Sint-Carolus-Borromeuskerk – parish church of the city. It is the first and the oldest baroque church of Flanders.
  
• Sint-Jacobskerk – one of the most important religious buildings (in Gothic style) in Antwerp.
  
• Het Steen – a majestic and fairy-tale medieval castle. Before of the entrance we can find the statue of Lange Wapper, a giant who, as the legend says, was wandering through the streets of the city, scaring all the inhabitants.
  
• Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten – Royal Museum of Arts, hosts sculptures, collection of paintings and drawings of the period between XIV  and XX  century.
  
• Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen – modern and contemporary art museum.
• Fashion Museum in Antwerp (also called MoMu) – is a museum that is located at the Modenatie complex. This museum gives the opportunity to see and to study closely the Belgian fashion. There are various collections of the six famous designers from Antwerp (Walter Van Beirendonck, Ann Demeulemeester, Dries van Noten, Dirk Van Saene, Dirk Bikkembergs, Marina Yee).
• Museum aan de Stroom – museum located on the river Scheldt, precisely in the Eilandje district. It is a modern and the largest museum in the city. It has a very original and unique structure.
  
• Plantin-Moretusmuseum – the museum in honor of the two famous printers Christoffel Plantijn and Jan Moretus. It is located where there was the ancient printing. It also has a beautiful courtyard and since 2005 is part of the UNESCO heritage (it was the first museum to be added to this list).
  
• Museum Plantin-Moretus – offers a vast collection of typographic material plus a large library.
• Antwerpen-Centraal – the beautiful Antwerp station (has different levels).
  
• Zurenborg – an area located in the south-east of Antwerp, has a high concentration of houses in Art Nouveau style. Go and admire it!
  
• Vlaeykensgang – is a small and hidden alley in the center of Antwerp. It’s a very characteristic place and is perfect for an immersion in the medieval past and tranquility.

That’s for you, the most important theaters of the city.

De Singel Internationale Kunstcampus, Vlaamse Opera (De), Bourla Theater (Bourlaschouwburg).

 

ENTERTAINMENT (PUB/DISCO/PARKS…)

Ready to discover where to have fun in the city?  Let’s see!

• Zoo di Antwerp –  located in the city center, next to the central station, is one of the oldest zoos in the world. There are more than 6,000 animals, about 769 species.
  
• Out of The Box Escape Games and Antwerp Clue – escape games.
  
• Middelheimpark – nature park where you can play, walk and enjoy relaxing hours. The park also has some original sculptures.
  
• Antwerp’s Port – a place to enjoy the best view of the city.
  
• Nachtegalen Park – nature park where you can spend pleasant hours.
  
• Cyclant – bike tour. An interesting way to get to know the city.
  
• Groenplaats – the beautiful square of Antwerp, surrounded by restaurants, bars and shops. At night it is very enlightened… magnificent!
  
• Shopping Stadsfeestzaal – a beautiful mall (just in case you want to do some shopping or buy some gifts).
  
• St. Anna Tunnel – pedestrian tunnel 572 meters long, 31.57 meters below ground. Connects the old part of the city with the new.
  

Let’s see now what the city offers as regards the nightlife.

• Ikon – disco.
• Café d’Anvers – nightclub
  
• Bier Central – brewery.
  
• Café DeLux
• The popcorn – disco bar .
• Cafè hopper – local jezz with live music.

With this, our appointment ends here but you stay tuned to find out what will be our next destination.

Let us know your opinions about this place. If you liked it or not, if you have been or are you going to go? What did you like least and what more? In short, we are curious to read your opinions.

A big kiss to everyone.