🚆 Day 6: Sunday, April 27 - Antwerp & Utrecht
Explore the historic city of Antwerp before traveling to Utrecht in the Netherlands
Morning Departure
Breakfast & Check-out
- Early breakfast at hotel or nearby café
- Check out by 11:00 AM
- Store luggage at hotel if exploring more of Ghent before departure
Train to Antwerp
- Take train from Gent Sint-Pieters to Antwerp-Central
- Journey time: approximately 50 minutes
- Cost: around €10-15 per person
Luggage Storage in Antwerp
- Luggage lockers available at Antwerp-Central station
- Cost: around €5-7 for a medium locker (4-5 hours)
Antwerp
Antwerp: Historical Background
Antwerp (Antwerpen in Dutch) has a storied history as one of Europe's most important trading and cultural centers. During the 16th century, it was the wealthiest city in Northern Europe and one of the world's most influential financial centers. The city's golden age came during the Renaissance when it attracted artists like Peter Paul Rubens (who lived and worked here) and became a center for publishing through the famous Plantin-Moretus printing house.
Today, Antwerp seamlessly blends its rich history with cutting-edge modernity. Since the 1980s, it has been known as a global fashion capital after the "Antwerp Six" designers established their international reputation. The city is also home to the world's diamond district, handling approximately 84% of the world's rough diamonds.
With its impressive mix of medieval, Renaissance, and contemporary architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and reputation as Belgium's capital of cool, Antwerp offers a distinctly different experience from the more preserved medieval cities of Bruges and Ghent.
Hidden Historical Gem - Het Steen Castle
Het Steen ("The Stone") is Antwerp's oldest building and a rare remnant of the medieval city. Built in the early 13th century as part of the city's fortifications, it served as the city's fortress protecting the vital river access. The castle's name refers to the fact that it was one of the first stone buildings in a city where most structures were made of wood.
Over the centuries, Het Steen has served many purposes, including as a prison from the 14th to the 19th century. Today, the recently renovated fortress houses a welcome center for tourists and a new interactive experience about Antwerp's history and future. The striking contrast between this medieval structure and the modern port facilities surrounding it perfectly encapsulates Antwerp's blend of historical significance and contemporary relevance.
Don't miss the unusual statue of Lange Wapper outside the castle - a folkloric giant who, according to legend, terrorized drunk citizens returning home at night. The statue depicts him stretching across two houses, reflecting the tales of his ability to change his size.
- Location: Steenplein 1, 2000 Antwerp
- Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Entrance fee: €8 (to the experience center, viewing the exterior is free)
Exploring Antwerp (3-4 hours)
Walking Route
- Start at Antwerp-Central Station - one of the world's most beautiful train stations
- Walk down Meir - main shopping street with historic buildings
- Visit Rubenshuis (Rubens House) if interested in art
- Continue to Grote Markt (Great Market Square) with its guild houses and City Hall
- See Cathedral of Our Lady - impressive Gothic cathedral
- Walk to the Scheldt River for riverside views
- Return via the Fashion District and Het Eilandje neighborhood if time permits
Historical Context for Key Sites
- Antwerp-Central Station - Often ranked among the world's most beautiful train stations, this monumental building is sometimes called a "railway cathedral" due to its impressive architecture and soaring spaces. Built between 1895 and 1905, it features a monumental terminal building designed by Louis Delacenserie in an eclectic style with a massive dome, while the train shed features a remarkable iron and glass vault designed by Clément Van Bogaert. The term "railway cathedral" is a metaphor that refers to its grandeur and architectural similarity to religious buildings, not an actual religious designation. The station underwent a comprehensive renovation in the early 2000s, adding underground platforms while preserving its historic grandeur.
- Grote Markt and City Hall - The heart of old Antwerp features the Renaissance-style City Hall (1561-1565) and colorful guild houses that showcase the city's wealth during the 16th century. At the center stands the Brabo Fountain, depicting the legendary Roman soldier who, according to folklore, defeated a giant who cut off the hands of sailors who refused to pay tolls (this legend is said to explain the city's name: "hand werpen" or "to throw a hand").
- Cathedral of Our Lady - This Gothic masterpiece took nearly 170 years to build (1352-1521) and houses four masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens among its treasures. At 123 meters tall, it's the highest Gothic building in the Low Countries. Though intended to have two equal towers, financial constraints meant only the northern tower was completed.
Afternoon Travel to Utrecht
Train to Utrecht
- Return to Antwerp-Central station
- Take train to Utrecht Centraal (typically with transfer in Rotterdam)
- Journey time: approximately 2 hours
- Cost: around €25-35 per person
Arrival in Utrecht & Check-in
- Inntel Hotel Utrecht Centre
- Daalsesingel 59, 3511 SW Utrecht
- Check-in: 3:00 PM
- Check-out: 11:00 AM (May 2)
Utrecht
Utrecht: Historical Background
Utrecht is one of the Netherlands' oldest cities, founded as a Roman fortress (Trajectum) around 50 CE. By the 7th century, it had become the religious center of the Netherlands, with the impressive Dom Tower and Cathedral standing as testament to this heritage. The city served as the most important city in the Netherlands until the Dutch Golden Age, when Amsterdam took prominence.
What makes Utrecht unique are its wharf cellars ("werven") along the canals - a two-level canal system not found anywhere else in the world. These were created in the 12th century when the city diverted the Rhine River to create canals through the city center. The old wharves and cellars at water level now house restaurants, cafés, and shops, creating a distinctive atmosphere.
Despite being the fourth-largest city in the Netherlands, Utrecht maintains a more relaxed pace than Amsterdam. With its central location (the Dutch rail network was designed with Utrecht as its hub), historic university (founded in 1636), and lack of overwhelming tourism, Utrecht offers an authentic Dutch experience with all the charm but fewer crowds than Amsterdam.
Hidden Historical Gem - Rietveld Schröder House
Unlike the medieval and Renaissance buildings that dominate much of the Netherlands' historical landscape, the Rietveld Schröder House represents an architectural revolution from 1924. Designed by Gerrit Rietveld for Mrs. Truus Schröder-Schräder, this UNESCO World Heritage site is considered the only complete realization of the design principles of the De Stijl art movement.
The house's revolutionary features include a flexible open-plan interior with sliding walls that can transform the upper floor from one open space into separate rooms. The use of primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) alongside black, white, and gray created a three-dimensional realization of Mondrian's famous paintings. Every aspect of the house, from the furniture to the color scheme, was designed to challenge conventional living and promote a more fluid, modern lifestyle.
Visiting the house offers a glimpse into both architectural innovation and social progressivism of the early 20th century. Tours are conducted in small groups and must be booked in advance.
- Location: Prins Hendriklaan 50, 3583 EP Utrecht
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, tours at set times (advance booking required)
- Entrance Fee: €18.50 (includes guided tour)
- Note: Book through the Centraal Museum website
Evening in Utrecht
Evening Stroll
Take a gentle walk to get oriented:
- Stroll along the Oudegracht (Old Canal) with its unique wharf cellars
- Walk to Domplein and see the Dom Tower lit up at night
- Explore the Twijnstraat area with its small shops and cafés