A Day in Antwerp

The train arrived at Antwerp Central Station, and I stepped out into what felt less like a station and more like a cathedral of movement stone arches, glass ceilings, and the soft hum of travelers. Light poured through the windows, catching the gold accents that crowned the walls. I paused for a moment, letting the sound of footsteps and distant chatter wash over me.

Outside, the city opened itself slowly. The streets were wide and elegant, a blend of history and rhythm. I walked through Meir, past shopfronts glimmering with autumn reflections, until the narrow lanes began to curve and twist toward the heart of the old town.

The Cathedral of Our Lady appeared almost suddenly, its spire stretching impossibly high, tracing the sky like a brushstroke. Inside, it was quiet. Dust floated in the air like tiny memories, and the paintings seemed to hold stories in their silence. For a while, I just stood there no rush, no noise, just the slow pulse of something older than words.

When I stepped back outside, the bells began to ring. Their echo followed me through cobblestone alleys that led to Grote Markt, where the square shimmered in the soft light of evening. The façades were gilded and proud, their windows glowing warm against the fading day. People lingered over small tables, voices blending into a hum of laughter and stories. I walked past them, catching the scent of roasted garlic, melting butter, and something sweet that drifted just long enough to make me smile.

The air cooled as twilight settled. Streetlights flickered on one by one, and the square turned golden again this time under a softer kind of light. I turned once more toward the cathedral in the distance, its spire glowing faintly through the mist.

In that moment, Antwerp felt like a secret whispered just for me gentle, timeless, and alive in every step I took.

#antwerp #europetrip #europetravel

Post by Fplore | Nov 1, 2025