Skip to Content

Port of Antwerp Boat Tour – Jan Plezier Pancake Boat

Port of Antwerp Boat Tour – Jan Plezier Pancake Boat

The Port of Antwerp is the second-largest seaport in Europe, after Rotterdam. And there is probably no better way to explore it than by boat.

Update: Please note that this is an old article and the company Jan Plezier that organized boat tours of the port of Antwerp now only offers boat tours for events. So not for tourists willing to explore the harbor in an hour or two. If you are visiting Antwerp and want to see the city and the harbor from the water, we recommend that you look at other boat tours.

One of the easiest ways to do it is to simply take a water bus from Steen Castle. Alternatively, take a look at the boat tours organized by Flandria – they have a nice selection of boat tours in Antwerp, including scenic harbor tours and pancake tours as well.

READ ALSO:
* Lesser-known & Cool Places to See in Antwerp
* Is Antwerp Worth Visiting?
* Best Things to Do in Antwerp
* Where to Stay in Antwerp
* Antwerp with Kids

 

When looking for a nice Antwerp harbor tour, we stumbled upon the Jan Plezier’s Antwerp harbor boat tours with pancakes (aka the pancake boat or de pannekoekenboot in Dutch). We just had to try it! Our boys were really enthusiastic about spending Sunday afternoon on a pancake boat.

Surprisingly, there are just a few port tours in Antwerp. So if you are looking for a nice boat tour, this might be a good place to start!

Antwerp port tour by boat – our experience

We started our Port of Antwerp boat tour at Het Eilandje (‘The Little Island’), the quickly growing new area North of the city centre of Antwerp. Some of the most impressive new landmarks of Antwerp can be found here: The MAS museum, The Red Star Line museum, and probably the most unique building of Belgium – The New Port House of Antwerp.

And while a few years ago all the main highlights of Antwerp were found in the old town, anno 2017 no trip to Antwerp would be complete without visiting this new bustling area, Het Eilandje.

The Port of Antwerp boat trip with Jan Plezier starts at London Bridge, and the very first thing you see is the impressive islet with the New Port House of Antwerp.

Jan Plezier boat tours of Antwerp harbour
Jan Plezier boat tours start at Londenbrug (London Bridge)
 

The drawing bridge opened as we sailed past the ‘Diamond Ship’ and into the Port of Antwerp.

Some of the world’s largest container ships stop at the harbor of Antwerp. Ships like Madrid Maersk, a 399m (1,309 ft) long and 58,6m (193 ft) wide giant, carrying over 20.000 containers, visit Antwerp harbor. I have difficulties even trying to imagine a ship like that!

New Port House of Antwerp - Havenhuis
New Port House of Antwerp
 

Antwerp port tour – what to expect

Almost immediately we saw some huge container ships and the ultra-modern handling of containers. The cranes were unloading heavy containers as if they were Lego bricks. It’s really impressive to see such a big harbour in action!

We passed some large ship repair companies, fruit terminals, and so much more. Antwerp harbour is the main European harbour for fruit and vegetable transport. It also has the world’s largest stock of coffee. Petroleum and tobacco are very important for the port of Antwerp as well.

Around 30,000 people work in the Antwerp harbour. Almost 100,000 people have jobs that are related to the harbour one way or the other. Needless to say that the harbour is extremely important to the city of Antwerp.

Port of Antwerp
We pass one of the big cargo ships at the Port of Antwerp
One of the best ways to see the Port of Antwerp is by taking a boat tour
Boat tour is one of the best ways to see the Port of Antwerp
Port of Antwerp is the second-largest sea port of Europe
Port of Antwerp is the second-largest sea port of Europe
 

Pancake boat

While I spent most of my time on the deck of the ship, the kids couldn’t get enough of the tasty all-you-can-eat pancakes inside.

Belgians love pancakes and they are a popular treat on many occasions, especially for kids. But we had never seen such an interesting pancake baking technology as on this boat!

They have a pancake ‘machine’ that bakes hundreds of pancakes per hour. And I have to say that the pancakes were really good too! As I’m updating this article a few years after we did this trip, our kids are still talking about the pancake boat and how we should do it again.

Pannekoekenboot Antwerpen
All-you-can-eat pancakes on the pancake boat tour
"<yoastmark
Belgian pancakes
Typical Belgian pancakes are eaten with brown sugar
 

After we all ate more pancakes than was good for us, we spent the rest of the trip on the deck outside.

On the way back we passed two more drawing bridges; always fun to watch for young and old.

We passed several drawing bridges during the Port of Antwerp boat tour
We passed several drawing bridges during the boat tour
 

Jan Plezier’s Antwerp harbor tour vs. pancake boat

If you really want to learn a lot more about the port of Antwerp, you should take one of the regular harbour tours with Jan Plezier. They have new interactive guides with iPads and headphones that will give you deeper insight into this fascinating side of Antwerp. Note that these regular cruises have no meals included. And the pancake boat doesn’t include the guided commentary.

In both cases you get to see just as much, but for those who have never been to Antwerp harbour before, I would suggest a regular harbour tour with commentary.

I have to mention that in addition to the harbour cruise and the pancake boat, Jan Plezier also offers other harbour experiences. One of them is a very popular spare ribs boat. But once again, if you really want to learn more about the harbour, just book a harbour tour with commentary. There are plenty of nice restaurants to have lunch or dinner before or after the boat tour.

Harbour boat tour starts and ends at Kattendijkdok in Antwerp
Kattendijkdok and Het Eilandje district in Antwerp
 

Conclusion

I would definitely recommend taking a boat tour in the Port of Antwerp – whether you are visiting Antwerp for a longer time or for just a day.

Walking to the boat is a nice experience by itself. You will pass beautiful places that are a bit outside of the main tourist routes. I recommend walking next to the river till you see the MAS museum on your right. From there it’s just a few more minutes.

And if you come on a weekday and take a regular harbor cruise, make sure you have lunch nearby. There are so many good restaurants and cafes in the area.

A boat tour of the Port of Antwerp is also a really nice way to discover more of Antwerp with kids.

Port of Antwerp boat tour is nice to do for families with kids as well
Port of Antwerp boat tour is fun to do with kids
 

Practical Info

Jan Plezier’s Antwerp port tours don’t run anymore. You can find the best alternatives for Antwerp port cruise here.

READ ALSO: Best Things to Do in Antwerp

More tips for your visit to Belgium:

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Discover a different side of Antwerp, Belgium, by taking a boat tour of the harbour
 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Alex

Wednesday 26th of July 2017

You had me at pancakes!

Jurga

Wednesday 26th of July 2017

:) Did I say you could have as many as you could eat!

Arianne

Monday 24th of July 2017

I really didn't know how fascinating this place was! Never heard of it before you but you really make wanna visit!

Jurga

Tuesday 25th of July 2017

Really? Never heard of Antwerp before? You really should come over to Belgium, Ari, and definitely include Antwerp in your itinerary. It's one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium!

melbtravel

Tuesday 18th of July 2017

I have never been to Antwerp before but all your lovely posts on the city makes me want to go more and more. I never knew that it is the second-largest seaport in Europe. Jan Plezier’s Antwerp harbour boat tours with pancakes sound like fun. I meant who wouldn't want to eat yummy pancakes while exploring :-)

Jurga

Wednesday 19th of July 2017

I will have to take you on a tour when you finally get here, Melissa. Antwerp is one of the most fascinating places in Belgium, there's so much to see and do!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.