Antwerpen lies to the north east of België, towards the Dutch border. Antwerpen was not – a bridge too far. Antwerpen shall be used throughout Bier-Traveller. Two letters more than the British have adopted, and as for the French, who has ever heard of Anvers? And if one is travelling north from Brussel to Antwerpen, one goes via Mechelen or Marines, make your choice. Anvers my…
Arriving in Antwerpen
The only was to arrive in Antwerpen is by train. Antwerpen-Centraal is one of the most magnificent railway stations on the planet. Before travellers become awestruck by the architecture of the entrance hall, surely they gaze both upwards then downwards to marvel at the four tiers which house the tracks.
Getting around Antwerpen
The distance between the station and the Historich Centrum is walkable, but hey-ho, this is the land of De Lijn. If one is in Gent, Brugge or Antwerpen, or all three, downloading this app is mandatory. Buying a single ticket on the app avoids finding change or worrying about fares. Buy a ten journey ticket, use them in all three cities, maybe Brussel too, and of not all are used, you have one year to come back and get your last cent’s worth.
The Metro I have found confusing. Why am I left to believe the front of the rolling stock says where the train has come from? After a few wrong turns, I’m getting better.
Alighting at Antwerpen Groenplaats Metro Station, one finds oneself in the lesser of the two main squares. The imposing – Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal – dominates Groenplaats. Note two very fine bars lie immediately around the far side: Elfde Gebod, a restaurant-bar with all its religious statues, and Paters Vaejte, it sells Bier.
If one has found these, then Grote Markt has revealed itself. Walking on towards the River Scheldt, the medieval fortress – Het Steen – completes the history lesson. Cafe Pardaf lies on the corner of the crossing. From there, three places listed below form a perfect arc leading back to Groenplaats Metro.
All good days in Antwerpen should end at Beerlovers, and maybe they began with either Pakistani or Afghani Curry? Antwerpen makes a perfect day trip from with Gent or Brussel, even Amsterdam. Note: the Ibis Budget behind Antwerpen-Centraal can be one of the cheapest places to stay in België.
Bars, restaurants and cafes visited:
Elfde Gebod – Torfrug 10, 2000 Antwerpen
Paters Vaetje – Blaumoezelstraat 1, Antwerpen
Cafe Pardaf – Suikerrui 2, 2000 Antwerpen
De Ware Jacob – Vlasmarkt 19, 2000 Antwerpen
Billies – Kammenstraat 12, 2000 Antwerpen
Cafe Kulminator – Vleminckveld 32, 2000 Antwerpen
Batavier – Sint-Laureiskaai 13, 2000 Antwerpen
‘t Waagstuk – Stadswaag 20, 2000 Antwerpen
Beerlovers Bar – Rotterdamstraat 105, 2060 Antwerpen
Le Royale cafe – Pelikaanstraat 3, 2018 Antwerpen
Imman Hallal – Diepestraat 101, 2060 Antwerpen
Afghan Darbar – Sint-Gummarusstraat 35, 2060 Antwerpen
Afghan Restaurant – Diepestraat 129, 2060 Antwerpen
Garden of India – Oude Koornmarkt 60, 2000 Antwerpen