Our daytrip to Antwerp in 2011 left us interested in the city, so we made it the middle city of this trip and spent two nights in town.
The skyline of old town is dominated by Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal (Our Lady’s Cathedral) which can be seen from a number of vantage points around the city.
Nearby is the wide open Market Square with it’s narrow buildings all seeming to lean against each other.
Vlaeykensgang (hidden street) is a small medieval ‘street’ and nearby our hotel. It is quite amazing how fast the noise fades away once you are behind stone walls.
night and day
The old Het Steen castle and the odd statue of the giant Lange Wapper stand along the active riverfront.
A series of escalators takes you to the roof, and along the way were several interesting art installations.
Finally, we tried out the St. Anna tunnel which takes pedestrians and bicyclists under the river. To get down to the tunnel you can take an elevator or a rather unique old-timey wooden escalator
about a 10 min walk to the other side
Definitely worth a peak at the escalator!
Unlike last time we didn’t do much shopping, one of the signature things to do in fashionable Antwerp. Perhaps next time!