Antwerpen, Vlaanderen, Belgium
History of the « Eilandje » :
Eilandje started around 1550 and is the oldest port of Antwerp. In the 19th century, Napoleon Bonaparte had the first two docks excavated for an important naval base. This is followed by an intense flowering period in which several other docks will be excavated.
In the 20th century the port activities shift to the North. Most people move away and the « Eilandje » is a deserted area between port and city.
At the end of the 20th century, one can see the potential of the abandoned docks, quays and warehouses. The city writes, together with the organization "City on the River" an international architectural competition and in the early 1990s the Spanish architect Manuel de Solà-Morales draws an initial plan for The Island. In 1997 René Daniel's works out concrete plans for the Old Docks, the Montevideo district and the Cadix district. In 2002 the « Eilandje » gets its own Master Plan.
Nice website : (URL HIDDEN)
On the website (URL HIDDEN) you can find an interactive map of the « Eilandje » !
Don’t miss :
-MAS museum (URL HIDDEN) (opened since may 2011)
-RED Star Line Museum (URL HIDDEN) open tue-fri 10 am -5 pm, sat-sun 10 am-6 pm (free entrance every last Wednesday of the month) combination-ticket with MAS 10 €
-Montevideo Warehouses : look out of the window to take a look at this famous projevt of the 600 years old warehouses !
-Felixpakhuis (URL HIDDEN) Eating, events, culture etc
Godefriduskaai (PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN)dboot (URL HIDDEN) opened from 13 may-15 sept : may-june-sept : 12 am-6 pm, july-aug from 11 am- 8 pm daily, price 4€/hour
-Summer of Antwerp (URL HIDDEN) with the summer-bar at the « Eilandje ». Very nice with or without children ! (half june-half aug) Sloepenweg, Eilandje
-Kattendijkdok Tango (URL HIDDEN) every summer on the Kattendijkdok, South American Musicwith the greatest views over the Antwerp skyline, enjoying a glass of red wine.
Eating & drinking, personal favorites :
- Boer Bretel :If you don’t feel like making your own coffee ? Just take a step outside (10m) for your favorite coffee ! You can choose a cake and stay as long as you wish, enjoying the free wifi or reading a book from the bookshelves.
Nassaustraat 7, mon-wed-fr : 08.30 am- 6 pm, sat-sun 10.30 am-6.30 pm, closed on tuesdays. (URL HIDDEN)
- Sil’eau :You can have breakfast, lunch or brunch in this nice little place with view over the harbour. If it’s raining this place will be full ! You will also see a lot of people from offices around having lunch here. Always a good atmosphere.
Napoleonkaai 43, opened every day 09 am- 4 pm, reservations tel : (PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN) (URL HIDDEN)
- Bar du Port :This brown cafe is a classic on the « Eilandje ». Especially know(URL HIDDEN)after-work » aperitive-terrace, with free tapa’s from 5 pm. If you’re sitting/hanging in one of the lounge-chairs, looking at the boats in the yought-harbour, you will feel as if you’re in Saint Tropez !
Napoleonkaai 38, opened daily 9 am-11 pm, tel : (PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN)
- Cabo Verde :There’s no other place as easy-going, fun and with good food, as Cabo Verde ! This restaurant has live music on saturdays and sundays. It won’t be the first time that clients end their evening dancing on the tables ! Spanish and fish-specialties at decent prices. Try the grilled calamares with garlic…
Napelsstraat 116, opened mon-fr 12 am- 10 pm, sat-sun 1-10 pm, wed closed, tel : (PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN), (URL HIDDEN)
(URL HIDDEN)
Here you find many more nice addresses !
Where to get your grocery at the « Eilandje » :
-Supermarket Louis Delhaize, Nassaustraat 18, opened daily 8 am-7 pm. Tuesday closed. Sundays opened till 5 pm. (PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN)
-Bigger supermarket « Proxy Delhaize » Oude Leeuwenrui 32/36, opened 7/7 8 am-8 pm, tel (PHONE NUMBER HIDDEN)
-Haven Minimarket/ Nightshop, Londenstraat 11
