Bike rental in Antwerp

Also known as the “Diamond quarter”, Antwerp’s central station district occupies a warren of narrow streets and alleys. With concrete office blocks and modern facades, the neighbourhood concentrates the world’s diamond trade. The train station is the main entry door to the city. Once there, rent a Donkey bike and head to Stadspark to get refreshed. On your way, don’t hesitate to stop by the Diamantmuseum on Koningin Astridplein.
Van Gogh spent a few miserable months living in this district behind Central Station. It is still a popular neighbourhood for young artists and writers

Perfect illustration of Antwerp’s gentrification, Het Eilandje embodies the most interesting area of the second largest city in Belgium. This docklands district, on the northern part of the municipality, re-emerged in recent years as a cool urban neighbourhood of new museums, loft apartments, waterfront cafes and design shops. Locals have built up a special relationship with the district, especially since the construction of the MAS, a remarkable sandstone-colored building close by the water basin. Nowadays, the district boasts waterfront cafés, lofts and another successful museum, like the Red Star Line, dedicated to the eponymous Antwerp cruiser company and the millions of emigrants it carried overseas.

As most of the European historical cities, The Old City is where it all began and is today where most tourists begin to explore the Antwerp of today. The buzzing Groenplaats Square gathers many cafes, outdoor terraces or typical restaurants, and street entertainers perform to crowds of onlookers. Don’t miss the Grote Markt (Grand Market Square), a vast public space surrounded by beautiful buildings and classical Renaissance-style architecture. With the majestic cathedral at its heart and some of Antwerp’s most famous sights such as the medieval fortress Het Steen, city hall, and several museums, it’s always lively and full of tourists and locals alike.

Locally known as ‘t Zuid, the South district is nowadays a revitalized cultural district with a ton of experiences and activities to do. Jump on your bike and explore the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten), the Muhka Gallery, the photography museum (FOMU) or the Museum of Contemporary Art (Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen). No matter if you are a tourist or a local, this trendy district thrives on everything you need, from high-quality restaurants to bars and nightclubs. Its layout of wide avenues and stately townhouses have inspired Antwerpenaars to give it the nickname “Petit Paris.” On Sunday, the whole of Antwerp strolls in the Lambermontmartre open-air art market to enjoy fine art and performances.

Infamous for a long time as “the parish of misery”, Sint Andries has been transformed into an exciting district with its design stores, cool cafes and antique shops. Nowadays, vintage shopping artery Kloosterstraat has started attracting more visitors while holding onto Sint-Andries’ village feel. The charming streets’ characterful cafés and furniture stores are starting to spill over into other parts of the area, while the summertime Markt van Morgen market showcases objects by local designers and a killer espresso-cum-food caravan.

It’s not easy to track down the hip new quarter called PAKT. It occupies an area of abandoned warehouses next to the Groen Kwartier in Berchem. You reach it through a dingy entrance at Lamorinièrestraat or by walking through the grounds of a restored 19th-century military hospital. Eventually you reach a hidden site that looks like somewhere in Berlin, with crumbling brick buildings, an overhead walkway, rooftop greenhouses, old rusted machinery and urban gardens. Several start-up companies are based here, along with restaurants, coffee shops and cafes. Be aware: a lot of places are closing for the weekend.

The neighbourhood of Zurenborg is the perfect place for an afternoon stroll. Ride your bike or take a walk down the Cogels-Osylei, which will allow you to fully appreciate the district’s fine architecture and grand buildings. In Zurenborg, the energy in the streets is absolutely vibrant with Moroccan cafes facing boho shops or Turkish delikatess boutiques that the fresh-faced families love to go to. Cultural and social pillar bar none is De Roma, a classic cinema from 1928 rescued by enthusiastic local volunteers. The abandoned pitch factory known as Pekfabriek is a constant source of impromptu underground dance parties for those in the know; concert hub Trix attracts alternative acts from across the globe, and young music festival Borgerwood bathes the neighborhood in local indie and electronic talent.