Are you visiting Belgium on a budget? Then you may be looking for the best free things to do in Antwerp. Fear not: a local — yours truly — is here to help. Antwerp is probably my favourite city in Belgium. Granted, I live here, so I may be a bit biased. But still: it’s undeniably an amazing city with great culture, history, nightlife, and restaurants. Are you ready to discover why I recommend visiting Antwerp to all my friends? Let’s jump in!
Before you start booking your train tickets or hostel rooms, there are a few things you should know about travelling to Antwerp.
First and foremost: if you intend to stay in Antwerp for two or more days, get an Antwerp City Card. It might seem a bit pricey, but this card will give you free entry to 16 major museums and plenty of other attractions worth your time. You’ll also get discounts all around the city and free access to public transport.
Buy the Antwerp City Card here.
Secondly: if you’re coming to Antwerp by train — and even if you’re not — don’t forget to admire Antwerp Central Station. It’s often mentioned in “Most beautiful train stations in the world” lists, and for good reason.
Lastly: Antwerp is one of the culinary hotspots in Belgium. Don’t let the extensive list of amazing restaurants in Antwerp pass you by.
Are you a visual learner? You’ll find each of my favourite free things to do in Antwerp on this interactive map.
(Is the map not loading properly? Try this link.)
Whether you’re looking for a new coffee table book, a present for your sister’s birthday, or a fun way to spend a few hours — there are plenty of independent bookstores in Antwerp worth your time.
Some of my personal favourites:
If you’re as much of a literary nerd as I am, you’ll appreciate this article about the best independent bookstores in Antwerp.
Joining a free walking tour is one of the best ways to get to know a city. That’s no different in Antwerp.
Legends Tours organises tours with knowledgeable, English-speaking guides every day at 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 8 PM. They’re rated #1 on TripAdvisor, and for good reason.
If you’re looking to join a tour, just book a spot on their website and come to the Grote Markt at your designated time slot.
After wandering through a narrow, cobbled alley, you’ll find yourself at the beautiful Hendrik Conscienceplein — unsurprisingly named after Flemish 19th-century writer Hendrik Conscience.
This square is home to St. Charles Borromeo Church, which is often called the most important baroque church in the Low Countries.
Thanks to the many cafés and restaurants and the street performers who also frequent the square, it’s one of the locals’ favourite places to hang out on sunny afternoons.
My personal favourite bar around this square is called De Zwaan — just so you know.
Antwerp is not only home to the second-largest seaport in Europe, but it’s also where you’ll find five monumental churches within walking distance.
*: Admission to the Cathedral of Our Lady is €8 (€6 for students and over-60s). Admission to St. Paul’s Church is €5 (€3 for students), but free every first Tuesday of the month. Both churches are free if you have an Antwerp City Card.
Each of these churches has a unique personality and story. And, perhaps more impressively in this day and age, they all still host vibrant Catholic communities.
One of the first things I discovered when I moved to Antwerp was the Kloosterstraat, and I still love it.
Let me explain: this street has the perfect mix of vintage interior stores, trendy boutiques, and impressive art galleries. And, best of all, almost all these shops are open on Sunday.
The vibes are immaculate, and you’ll be sure to find a few gems in the window displays. To this day, heading to this street on the weekend is one of my favourite free things to do in Antwerp.
While travelling to the big city — yes, Antwerp is a big city in Belgium — little spots of nature can be a godsend. If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air and some greenery, take a look at the following parks:
There’s no way you’re travelling to Antwerp without visiting the Antwerp essentials, right? You can cross the following sights off your bucket list in about 30 minutes, so you might as well give them a go.
Cities in Belgium and the Netherlands are often said to transport first-time visitors and long-time residents alike back in time.
Whether that’s also the case in Antwerp, you ask? Why don’t you head down to the Beguinage, the Vlaeykensgang, and Het Steen* and find out for yourself? Or discover the secrets that the city’s sewers (also known as De Ruien*) have held since the Middle Ages?
Spoiler alert: it is, in fact, also the case in Antwerp.
*: Het Steen and De Ruien are not free to visit unless you have an Antwerp City Card.
Down by the river, by the boats …
Well, if you’re looking for boats, there are better places to look than the riverside in Antwerp, but there’s still a great time to be had.
Start your afternoon at Het Steen with a walk along the river.
Gather your friends, get some snacks and cheap wine (or a non-alcoholic alternative) at the supermarket, and plump yourself down at the Scheldt Quays. Don’t get up before the sun sets — trust me.
I’ve been living in Antwerp for nine months at the time of writing this. That’s great news for me, because I love living here. But it’s also great for you. After all, I can now tell you all about the best restaurants around the city.
Vegetarian, Italian, Asian, or brunch — whatever you’re looking for, Antwerp has got you covered.
Most of my favourite places to eat and drink are in Het Zuid — the trendy neighbourhood in the south.
Discover the best places to get breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks around Antwerp:
When making a top-10 list of free things to do in Antwerp, there are bound to be some things that just don’t make the cut.
These are my honourable mentions — or, in other words, free things to do in the city if you have some time left over.
These were a few of my favourite free things to do in Antwerp — thanks for reading! Did I miss anything? Be sure to let me know in a comment.
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Antwerp is one of the main cities in Belgium, so it should come as no surprise that the city is home to several independent bookstores worth a visit. Whether you’re looking for a new coffee table book, a present for your sister, or the latest contemporary fiction, these bookstores in Antwerp will be sure to make your heart beat faster.
Note: The bookstores mentioned below are not presented in any particular order.
Before you go any further, take a look at the embedded map below to see all my favourite independent bookstores in Antwerp on a map.
If the embedded map isn’t working for you, check it out here: The 10 Best Independent Bookstores in Antwerp
For my favourite places to eat in Antwerp, check out this post:
Best Restaurants in Antwerp: The Ultimate Foodie Guide
Bookz&Booze is a unique concept bookstore in Antwerp that matches books with bottles — based on the book cover, the story, one of the characters, or another similarity between the two. How does a book about the Peaky Blinders TV series and a bottle of Sadler’s Peaky Blinder spiced dry gin sound to you?
The owners of Bookz&Booze are incredibly helpful and infinitely knowledgeable about their books and bottles. They love to tell you the story behind why they chose a particular bottle for one of their books.
You can purchase the books and drinks separately, and they’re perfect gifts for your loved ones.
Stad Leest is one of my favourite bookstores in Antwerp for the newest book releases. The inside of the store is massive — you could spend hours here and still not see everything — and the natural light makes your shopping experience all the more pleasant.
If you’re looking for a wide range of art and lifestyle books, children’s books, and contemporary fiction, Stad Leest is the place to be. It’s also one of the few bookstores in Antwerp with a considerable selection of English books, both fiction and non-fiction.
As if that’s not enough: there’s also an outlet store just around the corner, where you’ll find some absolute bargains.
International Magazine Store might not be a bookstore in the traditional sense of the word, but — as the name suggests — it’s a store dedicated to selling magazines. And trust me: that’s a lot more interesting than it may sound.
IMS has a vast selection of both domestic and international magazines, newspapers, and coffee table books (incidentally, one of my favourite types of books).
Whether you’re looking for the latest issue of Vogue, Condé Nast Traveler, or that vintage car magazine you keep telling your friends about — chances are you’ll find it here.
Panoply is one of the best second-hand bookstores in Antwerp, period.
At just a five-minute walk from what can only be described as the most beautiful square of the city — Hendrik Conscienceplein — you’ll find Panoply: a common townhouse transformed into a safe haven for used book hunters, record collectors, and solo travellers looking to pick up a hidden gem.
With its friendly and knowledgeable staff, I challenge you to leave this store empty-handed. (Spoiler alert: you’ll fail.)
De Groene Waterman is a bookstore that looks unassuming from the outside — but transports you to higher literary spheres when you enter.
With a comprehensive, eclectic collection of Dutch and English books — both fiction and non-fiction — you’ll be sure to find a book that will broaden your mind here. Prices are comparable to online retailers, so why not support a local store if you’re in Antwerp either way?
The best part about this particular bookstore? If you walk to the back, turn left, and go up the stairs, you’ll find the hidden bargains: books and magazines in great condition, sold at hefty discounts.
I walked into Demian on a sunny Saturday afternoon in November with no idea what to expect. What I found was a charming and well-stocked bookstore where the shelves are stacked with second-hand art and philosophy books, literary classics, and rare prints and manuscripts.
The owner, René Franken, has a tangible passion for all things literature and poetry. He mostly follows his own literary preferences when replenishing his stock, and he’s always ready for a stimulating conversation with his clients.
A special mention goes to the bookstore’s extensive collection of poetry on the mezzanine floor. Also worth mentioning is the upstairs room, where the owners regularly host literary exhibitions. In that upstairs room, you’ll find a permanent supply of valuable posters, photographs, invitations, manuscripts, and more.
I bought a 1966 copy of Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 at Demian for less money than that afternoon’s cup of coffee cost me, and I got René’s comments about this edition for free.
If you like books and wine, Luddites — pronounced luh-daits — will soon become one of your favourite bookstores in Antwerp. A beautiful building with high ceilings is home to this unique bookstore-slash-winery concept that saw the light of day in 2018.
Boasting Antwerp’s largest selection of English fiction and non-fiction books, stacked on floor-to-ceiling shelves, and a wine bar hidden upstairs, Luddites is Jorien Caers and Richard Bolte’s answer to the world that relentlessly keeps digitising.
There is no wifi available, so pick your poisons — a new book and a glass of exceptional, yet affordable wine — and unplug in the wine bar.
You don’t come to Copyright Bookshop to pick up the latest New York Times bestseller. You come here to enjoy the rich cultural heritage of the Belgian art and architecture scene.
The staff members are friendly and act as ambassadors of that Belgian history, with precision, respect, and sincere love for their profession.
The books you’ll find here will serve as your next favourite coffee table book if you’re at all interested in interior design, architecture, fashion, or photography.
In one of the many cobbled streets in Antwerp’s city centre, you’ll suddenly stumble upon De Markies. This is an independent bookstore that sells beautiful postcards and intriguing Dutch and English books at an affordable price.
What the bookstore is most known for, however, is its “blind date with a book” concept. You pay €5 and you get a book. The catch? You don’t know which book you’re buying. You base your decision on a book silhouette in plain brown wrapping paper, and a white sticker with a few keywords to describe the book.
It’s great fun, and it eliminates the option of judging the book by its cover. After all, isn’t that something worth promoting?
Are you obsessed with reading and pop culture, or do you know somebody who is? Then you’ll love spending time in The Other Shop.
Not only does this bookstore sell the most unexpected, quirky books — you will also find endless original gift ideas for the people in your life who seemingly already have everything.
How about a Charles Dickens jigsaw puzzle, a plantable pencil, or a book that opens up to a 360 degree reading light?
There are so many bookstores in Antwerp that it’s not easy to compile a top-10 list — and that’s an understatement. Here are some more independent bookstores that you should visit if you have the time.
CronopiO — a bookstore with a great selection of Dutch, English, and Spanish books, that also serves fantastic coffee.
Kartonnen Dozen — the mail bookstore regarding LGBTQ+ literature in Antwerp (and, by extension, Belgium).
Alta Via — a bright shop that specialises in travel guides, maps, globes, and travel-themed literature.
Have you travelled to Antwerp? What were your favourite things to do?
Thanks for reading!
-S
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Discover everything the Antwerp food scene has to offer, from Asian fusion sharing restaurants to vegan lunch bars and authentic, dusty bars. These are the best places to eat in Antwerp, as told by a local.
With a history dating back to the Middle Ages, Antwerp is now the second-largest metropolitan area in Belgium. And yet, the city somehow still remains under the international traveller’s radar.
I moved to Antwerp in August 2021, and I quickly had an ever-expanding list of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops I wanted to try. Now, I have another list — one with restaurants that won’t break the bank and that I can personally recommend because I’ve been there.
Take a look at the embedded map below or click the link if the map isn’t loading for you.
This article will also contain information about the restaurant’s price range:
Disclaimer: I compiled this list of the best restaurants in Antwerp based on my personal experience and budget. I know there are plenty of haute cuisine restaurants in the city, but I didn’t add them to this article because Ars Currendi is a travel blog for budget-savvy solo travellers.
That being said, let’s take a look at the best restaurants in Antwerp. Enjoy!
Skip ahead with the following links:
Why travel all the way across the world when there’s so much contemporary Asian food to be found in Antwerp? Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese cuisine are all widely represented in the city.
Sum Sum is anything but just another Asian restaurant. You’ll find a seasonal selection of tasty dim sum, as well as Japanese and Chinese dishes with a twist, and traditional bao buns.
If you’re eating here with friends or family, start off with a steamed dim sum mix. Are you travelling solo? Then I highly recommend the dan dan noodles.
Aside from the fresh sushi I ate in Japan, Fugu serves the best sushi I’ve ever eaten, hands down. And I’ve eaten quite a bit of the stuff. Their sushi rolls are surprising, unique, and definitely worth the price.
With just three words, you’ll want to book a table at BÚN the next time you’re in Antwerp — Vietnamese fine dining. The unique sharing plates and drinks to match are served in a pleasantly furnished interior.
Similarly, there’s no need to travel to the other side of the continent to experience the best Italian cuisine has to offer. Although I must admit, I completely understand if you want to visit Italy — even if it’s just for the food.
Livelli is a restaurant in the city centre that makes choosing your order easier than it’s ever been. The menu consists of just four dishes, and all of them are lasagna. Just so you know: reviews often mention ‘the best lasagna I’ve ever eaten’.
Simple, freshly made Italian food at honest prices — that’s what you’ll get at Pici. Located on the bustling Dageraadplaats, this restaurant will effortlessly transport you to Mediterranean spheres.
While travelling, it’s a good idea to follow the locals and venture away from the tourist hotspots. After all, that’s the only way you’ll find one of the best pizzerias in Antwerp — Orso. Beware: the restaurant is small, so making a reservation online is highly recommended.
Antwerp is a trendy city. In other words: our vegetarian and vegan friends won’t go hungry. These are some of the best plant-based and veggie restaurants in Antwerp.
Whether you’re vegan or not, the food at Humm is to die for. When eating here, I guarantee you won’t miss meat or dairy. Oh, and the staff is super friendly, as well.
Native is the place to be for a surprising lunch or drinks — whether that’s with your loved one, your friends, or just by yourself. The food is creative and delicious, and the interior design will make you feel right at home.
Camion’s tagline is ‘Only the good stuff’, and the staff goes the extra mile to make you believe it. The food is plant-based and elegant, and the restaurant itself is modern, yet welcoming.
Antwerp is one of my favourite solo travel destinations in Europe. One of the reasons why is because Antwerp is home to plenty of restaurants that cater to solo travellers — here are some of the best.
Healthy West African-inspired street food, friendly staff, and great music — the perfect lunch break while strolling through the streets of Antwerp, if you ask me. Insider tip: Loa serves delicious African pepper soup every Saturday and Sunday.
If you’re in town during the weekend, be sure to have a stroll around Theaterplein and sample delicious food and drinks of all cultures at the weekly farmer’s market. Saturday is the best day to visit for travellers, with an emphasis on fresh produce and food at reasonable prices. The closing time is 4 PM.
Ask 100 locals what the best Indian restaurant in Antwerp is, and 99 of them will say Mission Masala. The restaurant is known for its Desi soul food, gorgeous location, and unmistakably Indian atmosphere.
A coffee a day keeps the grumpy away. I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing I’d rather spend €5 on than a good cup of coffee when I’m travelling. These are my favourite coffee bars in Antwerp.
Located in the lively South district (‘Het Zuid’), Butchers Coffee is a solid coffee bar with an eclectic interior that reminds visitors of the building’s past as a butcher’s shop. The coffee is exceptional and the baristas always greet you with a friendly smile.
Inspired by the bustling coffee culture of Australia, Kolonel Coffee found its origin in 2012 and moved to its current location, the vibrant Troonplaats, in 2014. Come here for excellent, home-ground coffee in a spacious and industrial interior. (By the way: you can also buy their coffee beans on their webshop.)
As the name reveals, Nordica 31 gets its inspiration from Nordic culture, with excellent coffee and easy-going staff to match. Don’t miss out on the indulgent cinnamon bun, or any of its lesser known alternatives (cardamon, blueberry, or hazelnut).
Take a breather and relax on the sunny outdoor terrace at Georges Espressobar, or get your coffee fix on the go if you’ve got places to be. The coffee is served with delicious homemade cookies, and you’ll get the owner-slash-barista’s smile for free.
This café is fully dedicated to the art of coffeemaking, and — unsurprisingly — serves the highest quality of joe. You will feel and taste the staff’s passion for coffee in every cup they serve.
Breakfast is the unsung champion of meals — at least when travelling. Many travellers quickly munch down a granola bar and a cup of coffee when they wake up, but it’s well worth it to take your time for the most important meal of the day — especially on the road. These are my favourite restaurants in Antwerp to get breakfast or brunch.
Come to Stacks for the Instagram-worthy pancakes, stay for the surprising food pairings and beautiful interior. Additionally, the portion sizes are more than big enough to give you the energy you need for a morning of exploration around the city.
A brunch bar reminiscent of Grandma’s place (in the best way possible) with a wide range of tasty drinks and healthy food and an inner court to get away from the noise of the city? No wonder Maurice is one of the best places in Antwerp to get brunch.
Are you coming to Barchel? Then get ready for the best breakfast or brunch you’ve eaten in recent history. The food is fresh and full of flavour, the coffee is strong, and the location is inspiring.
No article about the best restaurants in Antwerp is complete without some recommendations for bars and cafés, right? These are some of the best places to get a drink in Antwerp.
A local favourite in the trendy Sint-Andries neighbourhood, Dansing Chocola is one of the best bars to hang out with friends or people-watch in the evening. With a wide range of beers at affordable prices, you’ll be sure to enjoy your time here.
Bar Salon is one of the many bars on the Dageraadplaats worth your time. The atmosphere at night is always lively and welcoming. This bar has a special place in my heart because it’s one of the first I went to after moving to Antwerp.
Hidden away on a street corner just behind one of the city’s major museums is an eclectic bar with a great ambience, named Chatleroi. The place to be for the authentic Belgian bar experience.
What do you get when you mix a love for literature, a taste for fine drinks, and a passion for live music? That’s right — Café Boekowski. Browse through the bookshelves with used books, sit down at one of the tables and lose yourself in a good story for the next hour or so.
On the outskirts of the city is another local favourite: Bar Brul. Located next to one of the biggest parks in Antwerp, this pub is a fantastic place to talk to locals over Belgian beer. Bonus: it’s easily accessible by public transport.
These honourable mentions are still among the best restaurants and bars in Antwerp, but they didn’t quite make the cut, for various reasons. However, I still wanted to share them with you, since they’re some of my favourite places to eat and drink around the city.
Takumi
Umami
Camino
Cafe Mombasa
Black & Yellow
Preparing for your trip to Antwerp?
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Travelling alone is one of my favourite ways to explore the world. Today, I’m sharing with you the best solo travel destinations to visit in Europe in 2022, whether this is your first time travelling solo or you’re a seasoned pro looking to expand your European horizons.
Note: I’m also listing two cities in the United Kingdom as ‘solo travel destinations in Europe’, even though I know they officially left the European Union in 2020. Sue me.
Europe is home to many of the world’s most historically and culturally relevant cities. For people like you and me, that means it’s got plenty of solo travel destinations to discover. In other words: you could spend days — or even weeks — in every major European city without getting bored.
These are my favourite solo destinations in Europe for a quick city getaway.
Ahh, the city that started it all. I went to Dublin on my very first solo trip, and that’s an experience I’ll always cherish. The Irish capital is a city with plenty of things to keep a solo traveller entertained for a few days. If you’re worried about solo travel safety: Ireland is consistently listed among the safest countries in the world to travel by yourself.
Read more: Budget Solo Travel in Dublin: Travel Tips and Tricks
Everything Amsterdam does, Rotterdam does better. At least for solo travellers. The city has the same culture, the same people and the same food, but better and cheaper. Especially if you’re not a fan of crowded cities with many attractions aimed at tourists, you’re better off in Rotterdam.
Read more: Where To Eat In Rotterdam: The Ultimate Foodie Guide
Then again, if you do happen to be a fan of crowded cities, London is the place to be if you’re travelling solo. Other travellers tend to agree: it’s the third-most visited city in the world, and for good reason. You could easily spend a week (or more) in each of the city’s 12 boroughs. London is home to world-class restaurants and museums, not to forget its historical districts and splashes of innovation, such as the Shard, Tate Modern, and the Sky Garden.
Are you looking for a bit of everything when you travel? Luckily for you, Europe is rich in cities that offer something for everyone. Culture, nature, adventure and gastronomy go hand in hand in these solo travel destinations.
The Maltese capital is not only a sight to behold — it’s also the perfect base for solo travellers to explore the three islands of Malta. Some highlights around the country are Rabat, Mdina, the Azure Window remains on Gozo, the Blue Lagoon in Camino, the Three Cities, and Marsaxlokk. English is one of the official languages in the country, so if you can read this, you’ll have no trouble getting around.
Read more: Solo Travel in Malta: A Conclusive Guide
With its impressive cultural neighbourhoods, modern art and electronic music scene, Berlin is the city that truly made me love travelling solo. Whether you just want to visit the essentials — Brandenburger Tor, Reichstag Building, Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall, for starters — or you’re looking to go off the beaten path: Berlin has something for everybody.
Read more:
A stunning historic city centre, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, and the Scott Monument walk into a bar… No idea what the punchline to that joke is, but the city is there to please every solo traveller. The cultural sights (you know, the ones from the joke in the first line), a breathtaking hike (Arthur’s Seat), plenty of shopping opportunities and the Royal Botanical Gardens make Edinburgh the amazing city it is today.
Read more: Edinburgh Solo Travel Guide — Things To Do In Edinburgh
Are you a seasoned solo traveller looking for a new thrill? Or just a first-timer who wants to do something just a little bit different?
Take a look at some of my favourite offbeat solo travel destinations in Europe.
The second-largest metropolitan region in Belgium and host of the 1920 Summer Olympics, Antwerp is a great, albeit slightly unusual, solo travel destination in Europe. (And, coincidentally, it’s also the city I call home at the time of writing this. Come say hi!)
Read more: Best Restaurants in Antwerp: The Ultimate Foodie Guide
If you’re a solo traveller with an interest in international politics, there’s really no competition for Strasbourg. The city is home to several European institutions and non-European international institutions. Its historic city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, although the city has been at the centre of violent disputes throughout history, it now serves as a cultural bridge between French and German culture.
Read more: 10 best day trips from Strasbourg for slow travellers
Bologna is known as the Fat, Red, and the Learn’d City — respectively due to its rich cuisine, the red Spanish tiled rooftops, and being home to the oldest university in the western world. Oh, and one of the best pasta sauces of all time — Bolognese sauce — is literally named after the city. But if that won’t convince you to travel to Bologna, I’m not sure what will.
Whether you’re looking for a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park or you simply want to absorb the atmosphere of the Central European lifestyle, Zagreb is where you want to be.
Read more: Zagreb (Croatia): Is It Worth a Visit or Not?
Just because you’re travelling alone, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy nature. Whether it’s snowboarding down a mountain slope, going for a hike in the mystical forest or catching waves with your surfboard that gets your adrenaline going, there are plenty of solo travel destinations in Europe for nature lovers.
The enchanting town of Braga is a budget-friendly alternative to bigger Portuguese cities, like Porto and Lisbon. The town is located in northern Portugal, between rugged mountains, mystical forests, grand valleys, and soothing plains. Additionally, Braga enjoys a warm Mediterranean climate with mild winters.
Many solo travellers avoid travelling to Switzerland because of its high cost of living. But what if I told you that you can also do it on a budget? Sivan from The Blonde Abroad gives plenty of tips on travelling to Interlaken on a budget in this blog post.
If you don’t know why Iceland is the perfect solo travel destination for nature lovers by now, I don’t know what to tell you. For example, you can bathe in the Blue Lagoon, chase the Northern Lights, explore an ice cave or discover the black sand beach with the unpronounceable name — Reynisfjara.
Looking for a big-hitter city with a lavish history where you’ll never run out of things to do? Consider the following solo travel destinations for culture lovers.
When you know that Dubrovnik was a filming location for Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Robin Hood, you’ll realise why it’s worth your precious travel time. The city on the Adriatic Sea is mostly known for its characteristic Old Town and ancient city walls, and many places of interest in Dubrovnik rely on its rich cultural heritage to attract travellers.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do, they say. The Italian capital might be one of the most romantic and charismatic cities on earth, but that doesn’t mean solo travellers will get bored in Rome. The city has been a major human settlement for almost three millennia, leading to a cultural history Romans are rightfully proud of.
Athens is the cradle of Western Civilisation and the birthplace of democracy. That’s why it’s the place to be for solo travellers looking to get all cultured up. For example: you can walk in Plato and Aristotle’s footsteps on the Acropolis, learn about the city’s culture in the Benaki Museum, and stroll through the labyrinth of streets in the oldest neighbourhood of Athens — Plaka.
As you can see, it’s not difficult to find the best places for solo travellers in Europe. It’s a continent so rich in cultural, natural and gastronomic history that you can spend years here and still not see everything there is to see.
If you’re a seasoned solo traveller, what’s your favourite solo destination in Europe and why? Be sure to leave a comment down below and inspire your fellow solo travellers.
-S
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Recently, the James Ensor House in Ostend officially reopened its doors to the public in a fully renewed experience centre. This wholly refurbished experience will shed new light on James Ensor’s life, his artworks and his love for the city where he lived until he passed away: Ostend.
In the interest of discovering your own country, I decided to visit this new James Ensor House. In this post, you will read everything about my experiences; the good, the bad and the ugly.
Spoiler alert: there’s a whole lot of good and almost no bad or ugly.
Skip ahead:
Since I know you didn’t come here for a history lesson, I’ll just give you the quick summary.
James Ensor was born in 1860 to English parents. He initially studied engineering, but quickly lost interest and left school at the age of 15 to pursue his passion for art. Eventually, he would go on to study at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, but he didn’t care for the rules and conventions of the Academy.
After leaving the Academy in 1880, Ensor started using the attic of his parents’ house as his art studio. In his artwork, nothing is off-limits – Ensor made his own rules. Critics regarded much of his work at this time as scandalous.
In 1888, Ensor painted his most famous work of art: Christ’s Entry into Brussels in 1889.
Ensor died, unmarried, at the age of 89 in Ostend.
Today, his works of art are on display in many leading museums around the world, including the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam), the Musée du Louvre (Paris), the Museum of Modern Art (New York) and the J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles).
Ensor’s paintings are easy to recognise by the depiction of skeletons, carnivals, puppetry and masks (which were inspired by the masks sold in his mother’s gift shop).
These works of art can best be described as eccentric and rebellious, a perfect representation of his life in and of itself. Through his art, Ensor criticised the establishment and expressed his outrage at concepts like hypocrisy, abuse of power and injustice.
In the late 19th century, Ensor eventually came into his most creative period. Although he was an atheist, Ensor often referred to and resonated with the suffering of Christ in his paintings.
James Ensor was, and for many remains to be, one of the unsung heroes of modern art. He was one of the driving forces behind artistic styles such as expressionism and surrealism.
If you call the James Ensor House a museum, I guarantee that you’ll get a few dirty looks from the people who work there.
I’m just saying.
The new James Ensor House is an interactive experience centre where you can learn about Ensor’s life in a new and exciting way.
Originally, the Ensor Museum was a small museum dedicated to the artworks of James Ensor, but a recent renovation and purchase of the neighbouring building gave this place a major upgrade.
Today, a tailor-made audio guide walks you through five rooms in the James Ensor House, each one dedicated to one specific aspect of Ensor’s life and art. Also included are accurate reconstructions of the house where Ensor lived most of his life, with authentic furniture and artworks.
Your visit comes to an end in the museum itself, where real works of art painted or sketched by Ensor are on display.
There are a few different ways to get to the James Ensor House:
If you’re not coming by train or by car, pop the following address into your favourite navigation app and follow the directions.
Vlaanderenstraat 29, 8400 Oostende
Since James Ensor spent most of his life living in Ostend, it should come as no surprise that the city decided to highlight this artist with other initiatives than the James Ensor House.
Along with the opening of the James Ensor House, Visit Oostende developed a brand new Ensor-themed walk that takes you to all the locations that played a major role in the artist’s life.
The app that accompanies this walk enables visitors to see the City by the Sea through Ensor’s eyes.
The tour is guided by Ensor himself, who talks about his own tumultuous life, his many friends and the city that stole his heart.
Best of all: the tour is free for anyone who purchased a ticket to the James Ensor House. However, if you only want to do the tour, you’ll have to pay a one-time fee of €5,49.
The app is available in five languages (English, Dutch, French, German and Spanish) and is free to download in the App Store.
Related: The 20 best apps for solo travellers
Mu.ZEE (Ostend’s museum of modern art) has an entire wing dedicated to the works of James Ensor and Léon Spilliaert, another renowned painter from Ostend.
The exhibition, which is titled Two Masters of Ostend, aims to let artworks by Ensor and Spilliaert take the visitor back in time, to the Ostend they knew and loved.
Every work of art on display in this exhibition is accompanied by one or more anecdotes, recounting the lives of people like Edgar Allen Poe and Willy Finch.
If you’re still looking for more information for your visit to the new James Ensor House, check out these websites:
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Image credits:
Design by NXNW.
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