A Spontaneous Solo Weekend in Antwerp: What I Learned

Jannah
Mar 2
3 min read

Last weekend, I booked a spontaneous trip to Antwerp.

It was last minute, slightly impulsive, and completely out of my comfort zone. I’ve never traveled solo purely for tourism before, so this felt new in a way that surprised me. I’m also deeply aware of how lucky we are to live in a place like Copenhagen, where hopping on a short flight or train can land you in another country within hours. That kind of mobility is a privilege, and I don’t take it for granted.

What I didn’t expect was how much I would enjoy being alone in a new city.

Here are a few things I learned, both practically and personally.

1. Choose the Right City (Especially for a Short Solo Trip)

When you’re traveling alone for a weekend, the city matters a lot.

It shouldn’t feel overwhelming. You don’t want to spend two days battling chaos, complicated transport, or safety concerns. Look for somewhere:

Walkable
Safe
With strong tourist infrastructure
Small enough to navigate easily
Full of things you genuinely love

For me, Antwerp matched my vibe perfectly.

It’s a city shaped by water, history, and trade, and I’ve realized I’m always drawn to cities with influential bodies of water. The port, the river Scheldt, the sense of movement and memory, it all felt aligned with my interests in history and storytelling. Compared to Brussels, Antwerp felt calmer, more contained, and easier to settle into alone.

And because it was short, that sense of ease mattered.

2. Accommodation Is Not Where You Cut Corners

When you’re alone, your accommodation becomes your anchor.

Do your research. Read reviews carefully. Check location. Even if it costs a little more, choose somewhere:

In a central or well-connected area
With consistently strong reviews
That feels safe and comfortable

Peace of mind is worth the extra euros.

And one more honest tip: don’t romanticize hostels as automatic friendship factories. You might meet people, but you might not. Go in without expectation. Solo travel doesn’t need to turn into group travel to be meaningful.

3. City Passes & Pre-Booking: Freedom Through Structure

I bought the Antwerp City Pass, and it changed how I moved through the city.

Paying upfront encouraged me to actually go to museums and cathedrals instead of debating every entrance fee. But because the pass didn’t require a strict hourly schedule, I could still be spontaneous.

That balance was perfect.

I could:

Wake up and decide based on mood
Change plans last minute
Walk into a museum simply because I felt like it

Traveling solo means you get to choose things you are 100% into. No compromises. No negotiations.

One highlight was De Ruien, the underground tour of Antwerp’s historic sewage system. It was damp, slightly uncomfortable, and at moments claustrophobic — but absolutely fascinating. Walking beneath the city, tracing its infrastructure and hidden histories, felt like stepping into a metaphor. As someone who loves history, it was everything I could have wanted.

Research beforehand matters. Know what’s available. But leave room for instinct.

4. The Inner Shift: What Solo Travel Teaches You

Traveling alone is exciting in a quiet way.

You learn:

How you make decisions
What genuinely interests you
How you handle uncertainty
How comfortable you are in your own company

There’s something deeply empowering about navigating a city entirely on your own terms.

So many people don’t go places because they lack company. They postpone experiences waiting for someone else’s schedule to align. I’ve done that too. But this weekend reminded me that waiting for company can sometimes mean waiting indefinitely.

You don’t need an audience to have an experience.