Lille or Antwerp?

My boyfriend and I have Eurostar tickets to use this year, and we haven%26#39;t yet decided on our destination. We%26#39;ve ruled out Paris (too expensive) and Brussels (bit dull %26amp; been before), and the list is pretty much down to Lille or Antwerp - we visited Lille in 2006 and it was great for a short break, compact, easy to cover on foot, great food and not too pricey. However, we%26#39;re also tempted by Antwerp, as we%26#39;ve not been there before and it also looks very picturesque. We love sightseeing, preferably on foot, visiting galleries %26amp; churches, going to restaurants, and we hope to bring back plenty of gourmet food! Has anyone here been to both - is there enough to do in Lille to stand up to a repeat visit, what things might we have missed out the first time round?

|||

Personally we found Antwerp to be one of the most horrible places we%26#39;ve ever been to...but that may have been due to the fact that the whole place was a building site as they were in the process of building a new tram system in and around the city...I would check this out before you go....ie make sure that the tram system has been built and is finished....also the diamond area was awful...you%26#39;d be better off shopping in Hatton Garden !...have you tried Bruges for a short break?

|||

I went to Antwerp a couple of times to choose a diamond as a present to myself back 2004, and briefly explored Antwerp while I was there. There was building work all over the place due to building of the tram system. The trips were ok, but not memorable. It reminded me of Brussels - a bit dull!

I am planning to return to Lille for the 4th time (could be the fifth) as I really enjoyed my previous trips there. This time, I shall spend more time exploring the old town, as there are many quirky and interesting shops there. And I already know where I would like to eat and shop.

So yes, I believe there is enough to do in Lille to stand up to a repeat visit.

DK

|||

If I had to chose between Antwerp or Lille I would go for Lille. I went twice in 07 (Spring and for Christmas shopping) and loved it. A few minutes over the hour now from St Pancras International and no changing (you would with Antwerp). If you like galleries and have not been before catch the tram from Lille (Lille Europe) or metro line 3 (I think) to Roubaix and go to LA PISCINE DE ROUBAIX (an art deco swimming pool converted into a fantastic gallery and sculpture court; www.roubaix-lapiscine.com - easy to find and the web site gives directions. Any other ideas needed just ask!

I stayed at the Crowne Plaza as near (on top of the station) not the most quaint of hotels but very hand for the last minute dash for the Eurostar back home!

|||

Consider Ghent. It%26#39;s a hidden treasure. Less touristy than Bruges but just as beautiful and lots of nightlife. I%26#39;m looking into Lille as a possible visit on my eventual return to Ghent/Bruges.

|||

-:- Message from TripAdvisor staff -:-

This topic was inactive for 6 months and has been closed to new posts. We hope you'll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.

To review the TripAdvisor Forums Posting Guidelines, please follow this link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/pages/forums_posting_guidelines.html

We remove posts that do not follow our posting guidelines, and we reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

Removed on: 2:17 am, September 21, 2009