Antwerp: a guide through a beautiful Belgian city by Words & Wonders
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https://www.words-wonders.com/post/antwerp-a-guide-through-a-beautiful-belgian-city-part-1
Antwerp: a guide through a beautiful Belgian city
Of all cities I have ever visited, I know Antwerp the best. It is a half-hour busride from my home, and even though I have studied in Brussels, I know Antwerp better. And still it has many more secrets than familiarities for me.
Only this summer I discovered a new part of Antwerp, thanks to my parents, that has now became one of my favorite spots: the Kloosterstraat, extended by the streets Oever and Hoogstraat up to Suikerrui. It runs parallel with the river Schelde and is only ten minutes by foot from the big shopping street Meir.
The Kloosterstraat is known for its antique stores. You can also find several gallerys, contemporary interior & fashion shops and bookstores. If you are an art loving bookworm you should definitely check out Erik Tonen Books, an antiquarian bookshop with tons of art books and books with beautiful, old covers, in multiple languages: Dutch, English, French and German. This is not a store to just walk in and look for a specific booktitle in mind, this is a store to explore.
Adress: 48 Kloosterstraat, Antwerp
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One of my favorite interior stores in this street is Purdey D Design in the beautiful, renovated building Mercator Ornelius House, built in the 16th century. I love their interior designs and their showroom also serves as a gallery for the talented photographer Eddy Van Gestel, who also has a gallery further down the streat. As a young woman who is still in college, I cannot afford any of their beautiful stuff, but no harm in looking and dreaming about my future house, right?
Adress: 15 Kloosterstraat, Antwerp
When your legs are tired of strolling down this (not so long) streat and your eyes and heart need a break from the longing for all those beautiful stuff, you can sit down at the little café Me & My Monkey and have a nice cup of coffee or tea or a large glass of fresh juice, with a freshly baked piece of cake on the side, while listening to music of which you can immediately buy the vinyl records on the spot.
Take a look at their menu here.
Adress: 18 Oever, Antwerp
Click on the arrow to see more pictures.
I cannot believe I discovered the bookstore De Markies only this summer. They have an amazing collection of new books in beautiful editions, and so affordable. You can find any genre, from fantasy to classic literature, from architecture to cooking.
Remember that I told you I bought The Walt Disney Film Archives: The Animated Movies 1921-1968 for less than a 100 euros, while I could only find it for at least 150 euros online? I bought it at this store. The books in my hands in the picture below are all 8 euros or less. Do I need to say more to convince you to pay a visit to this bookstore?
Adress: 62-64 Hoogstraat, Antwerp
Lastly, I want to note that none of these recommendations are sponsored. I genuinely love these places!