A getaway day - street photography in Antwerp
On last Tuesday they were going to install air conditioning in our office. “There’ll be some noise and mess,” my colleague warned me. I immediately knew that, for the sake of my own and his mental health, I shouldn’t be at work that day.
So, the plan was simple: take the day off.
At first, I thought I’d catch up on some things at home, sleep in, go out to shoot some photos in the morning, work on the blog and some side projects.
Then on Monday, on a whim, I checked train tickets to Antwerp. Train: €44 for a round trip. Departure from Delft at 7:00, return at 20:00. Perfect.
I packed the bare essentials: camera (Fujifilm X100V), three batteries, a notebook, a long-sleeve and a few sandwiches for the road.
At 8:40, I arrived at Antwerp Central Station.
To be honest, I could’ve spent the whole day inside. Four levels, including three with platforms, a mix of classic and modern architecture, great light.
But I did step outside.
First stop: the diamond district. As the name suggests, it's full of jewelry and diamond shops. But I wasn’t looking for diamonds. I was interested in signs of the Jewish community.
Antwerp has one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe, with a significant number of ultra-Orthodox Jews, many of whom are involved in the diamond trade.
On the streets, you see men in traditional dress, with payot and black hats, kids going to Hebrew schools, kosher food stores. It’s a visible, organized community that clearly operates within its own rhythm. A strong presence and an integral part of the city’s identity.
Then I walked toward the city center. I spent several hours there, well into the afternoon, walking through side streets.
Eventually, I reached the Scheldt river, rode the wooden escalators down to the underground (underwater?) pedestrian tunnel, had a local 0.0% beer, and ate some not-so-local ramen (I probably should’ve had fries). I crossed paths with the route to the cathedral and Grote Markt a few times - it’s hard to avoid. I hopped on the tram to get off near Groen Kwartier. First, I wanted to see PAKT (food/cultural centre with the city's largest rooftop farm), and at the same time walk through the Jewish quarter. From there, I walked back to the city center on foot.
Antwerp left the impression of an authentic city with a multicultural and nostalgic feel. A lot of art nouveau buildings - some well-preserved, others clearly worn down.
Maybe it was just in my head, but the mix of details, light, and rhythm of the place reminded me of Paris and Amsterdam. Which makes sense since Antwerp sits almost halfway between the two.
I got back to the station a bit ahead of schedule, just enough time to take a few more shots before the train home.
WhAT to do in Antwerp
Must sees:
The Jewish district – for those curious about multiculturalism and the history of the local community
Central Station – a treat for architecture fans, one of the most beautiful train stations in the world
Groen Kwartier and PAKT – if you’re interested in urban gardening and modern, green social spaces
Frituur 1 – an iconic spot for fans of Belgian fries and fries sauces
Zurenborg district – unique for its Art Nouveau architecture and graffiti, perfect for a peaceful walk
wooden escalators in St. Annastunnel – for technology enthusiasts and lovers of unusual engineering solutions
port of Antwerp – if you’re interested in industrial vibes and port spaces, a walk along the river is a must
local bars and breweries – for beer lovers, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
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