Belgium Travel: Exploring Brussels and Antwerp By Train

Travelling to Belgium is an essential part of European adventures. Amid medieval town cores, delightful chocolate, and overflowing beer, Belgium cities are lively centres for all things history, culture and sweet treats. The country’s beauty extends into the natural wonders as well, through forest-edged kayaking rivers and rural chateaux to scenic North Sea beaches. There is something on offer for every type of traveller.

This post however, will focus on exploring Antwerp and Brussels, the two largest cities, and most popular destination for admiring everything from castle to carnivals. Wander the beautiful streets with a handful of traditional Belgian fires – thick-cut and drizzled in mayo – and take in all the wonderful sights in their historic or contemporary prestige.

Travel and Accommodation In Brussels and Antwerp 

I absolutely love the convenience of air travel. However, I am also an advocate for exploring by rail whenever possible. So, because I was travelling to Belgium from London, I decided to leave high altitudes for scenery and purchased Eurostar ticket.

Typically Eurostar is more expensive than budget airlines, but depending on when you book, flight and train prices could come up to around the same. It’s up to you and your travel preferences on which mode of transport to take, but if you’re looking for an opportunity to experience international rail travel, this would be the time to do it.

The following is an overview for exploring Antwerp and Brussels by rail:

Travel From London To Antwerp By Train

• London St Pancras International to Antwerp Central Station
• Journey time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours

Travel From London To Brussels By Train

• London St Pancras International to Brussels Central Station
• Journey time: 2 to 3 hours

Travel From Antwerp To Brussels By Train

• Antwerp Central Station to Brussels Central Station or vice versa
• Journey time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Tickets on Trainline cost around 10 euros – and that’s even without a railcard!

If you are exploring Brussels and Antwerp in the same trip, I would recommend starting with Antwerp. I also explored both cities in 4 days so Belgium can be the perfect weekend getaway!

Accommodation in Belgium is much like any other country in Europe. With a mix of chain hotels and Airbnb options, there is quite a lot to choose from. However, regardless of your style of lodging, I highly recommend staying close to the city centre. Great options include:

• Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Antwerp
• Four Points by Sheraton Brussels  

Fourteen Things To Do In Antwerp and Brussels

ANTWERP ITINERARY

Antwerp Central Station 

If there is one reason to travel by rail to Belgium, it would be so your adventure truly starts the moment you enter the city. In all its gothic glory, Antwerp’s Central Station is a vision that graces visitors with incredible splendour and has been rated as one of the most beautiful train stations in the world by Times and the Telegraph. It really is the perfect place to start your holiday on a high note.

Museum Plantin-Moretus 

Plantin-Moretus is no ordinary museum. The medieval building is home to the world’s oldest printing press and is rightfully, one the most impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country (and only museum in the world on this list). It is one of the most understated attractions here, despite is great importance, so it is a lovely place to admire the history of literature and art in a unique space. As expected from a printing house, the you will also find a 17^th-century library filled with an impressive collection of valuable artworks to admire. 

The most exciting feature of Plantin-Moretus Museum however, is its extraordinary collection of 14,000 woodblocks. They are more than fine examples of true craftsmanship and details that went into book production.

Grote Markt / The Town Square 

Like many town squares in Europe, the one in Antwerp is the perfect place for a meal or a stroll in a setting dating back to the 16^th century and surround by gorgeous Guild Houses. It is almost always bustling with activity, and there is so much to look at in terms of architecture from this period. The town hall is the centrepiece built in Renaissance and Gothic styles, while the statue of Brabo, a legendary giant slayer from 1887, is an increasingly popular landmark of the city as a whole. 

Rubenshuis 

This is a small, but frequently visited museum located in the former art studio and home of Peter Paul Rubens, who built and designed it himself during the 17th century. The already impressive building also contains a remarkable selection of Rubens’ artwork, including his self-portrait, and depicts how the artist lived.

Cathedral of Our Old Lady 

Famed for being the tallest gothic building in the Low Countries, the cathedral and its striking spire is visible from all around the Antwerp. It is an iconic structure for its external beauty, but is also well-known for its grand treasury containing Baroque decor and some of Ruben’s best artwork.

Het Steen Castle 

The fairytale structure is not only the name of a small but lovely castle lying along the Scheldt River, it is the city’s oldest building – coming to life from the early 13^th century. This is a great place to take stunning photographs even on the gloomiest days, and the perfect place for anyone hoping to learn about the story of Antwerp.

Café De Muze 

A jazz café that opened in 1964, Café de Muse is a representation of everything the city stands for; talented artists, forgotten writers and up and coming musicians. At least three times a week new bands test their jazzy beats on the public.

BRUSSELS ITINERARY

The Grand Palace

Dating back almost 300 years, the Grand Place is at the top of my list because it is too gorgeous to miss. The cobblestoned square surrounded by gilded guildhalls is a step back into the city’s magnificent history and how it had emerged victorious through centuries of fires and bombs. The estate could be considered the central meeting point, and through out the year, gathers crowds for vibrant season events, markets and art installations.

Royal Palace of Brussels 

The official residence of the Belgium Royal Family is open to tourists in the summer months and draws attraction for a notable room in the palace where the ceiling is covered with the wings of beetles, forming an oddly striking mosaic. 

Notre Dame Du Sablon 

Notre Dame Du Sablon is a spectacular Gothic cathedral that started as a chapel in the 14th century and was expanded over the next century. The locals believed that the Madonna statue, which was located within, had healing powers, but was allegedly stolen by a husband and wife duo and was never recovered. 

Manneken Pis 

As you can see from the picture below, this is a small statue of a little boy peeing and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and a highlight for travel in Belgium. While I don’t personally understand its importance (and no one truly knows why it was made either), the statue is well known for being stolen and retrieved several times over the past centuries. The most recent theft was in 1965 and was also the worst heist because the perpetrator broke the statue off at the ankles. The current statue you will see is a replica made in 1967 while the original stands in the Maison du Roe at the Grand Place.

The Atomium

Located in Heysel Park, The Atomium is a jaw-dropping 100 metres tall model of an atom that was sculpted in 1958 to welcome a new and atomic age to Belgium. Personally, I don’t think it is necessary to view it up close, but instead, find a high viewing platform and enjoy it from afar to truly appreciate its scale. It definitely an ironic and interesting attraction serving as a highlight for travel in Belgium.

Parc Du Cinquantenaire &  Triumphal Arch 

Gracing the city since the reign of Leopold II to mark the 50th anniversary of Belgium’s independence, this collection of French-style gardens dominated by the three arches and a bronze quadriga offer panoramic views of the capital and is a great place to have a picnic or even appreciate the vast collection of artefacts housed in the nearby museums.

Discover the various museums in Brussels by following this link.

Visit A Local Pub

You cannot make a trip to Belgium without grabbing a drink at a local pub. The lively atmosphere and overflowing drinks might be the most authentic Belgian experience you could as a tourist. 

I was so lucky to visit during the 2014 World Cup during a Belgian match, and it was probably the most surreal and meta moment of the trip. The streets were alive with excitement, the bars loud, and celebrations continued even after Belgium lost the game. Like I said at the beginning of this post, Belgians truly are some of the most down to earth people and this experience only reinforced this fact.

The Street Food: if there is one thing that that travelling to Belgium did to me, was made me fall in love with street food. Gorge yourself on all the Belgian fries, chocolate and waffles you can – they’re a real treat!

Average Cost For Four Days Of Travel In Belgium

Transport (Eurostar from London + local travel): £150

Accommodation: £250 (£500 per double)

Attractions: £100

Food and amenities: £300

Practical Information About Brussels and Antwerp

Location: Belgium, Western Europe 

National Languages: Dutch, French and German 

Currency: Euro

Neighbouring Countries: Netherlands, France, Germany and Luxemburg