Image by Ysabel Jongeneelen

At a stone’s throw of the big market you can find the delightful peace of the ‘Conscienceplein’. It is a small square with a big baroque church (check the Carolus Borromeus article by Niko) that on one side overrules the square, but on the other side you don’t notice the church and you see only the cute square with the white stripes on the ground and the strange fountain and the tree.

For me the ‘Conscienceplein’ is the square I spent the first years of my life. I fell in the fountain under the statue there when I was three and almost drowned. I made my first snowman there. As a kid I ran over the stripes like they were bridges over a cliff.

Now I love especially the quietness and friendliness of the place – it is an oasis in the middle of the city center.

The fairy-like tree puts you in the shadow when it’s hot and gives you shelter when it rains, and the ‘writer on his chair’ (Hendrik Conscience) is always watching over you. And under the square is the biggest and oldest library in town.

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Hendrik Conscienceplein | Art & culture, Relaxing
Hendrik Conscienceplein | Meir
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Ysabel Jongeneelen

If you are tired of the classic tourist bus, I can recommend a safari trip with tram 12. There are eleven trams in Antwerp, but this one is the most interesting.Tram 12 has its terminus at the famous Antwerp courthouse (check the Courthouse article) and when you get in there you are sure of a seat…

So you start at the trendy South, where you can see Antwerp in all its glory. Tram 12 drives you over the Leien (also called ‘den Boulevard’), the former ramparts of the city. You see the nice building of the National Bank and also by the beautiful opera building on the Amerikalei. You’ll see the impressive Central Station.

By now the tram is probably full of people with of all kinds of colours. And then you travel straight into a different world. First: the notorious De Coninckplein. On this square addicts and tramps gather. But remember: behind the glass you are safe!

Tram 12 goes on through the poor part of Antwerp where 181 different nationalities live! Eventually you’ll get to the Sportpaleis, the big arena for events (Proximus Diamond Games, concerts). On its way back tram 12 also shows you Chinatown and a piece of Africa…Tram 12 doesn’t travel through the old city centre but it shows an interesting part for the visitor that wants a deeper insight into Antwerp.

Tip: With a 10-ride card (€9) you can travel 10 times with all the trams in the city for 1 hour.

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Tram 12 | Art & culture, Relaxing | Ticket (in tram) € 1.60
Bolivarplaats – Schijnpoortweg | Zuid
05:40 – 00:40 daily (every 10 or 20 minutes)

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by BMX by Niko Caignie

Not so long ago I was a passionate skateboarder, but then real life, body weight and other stuff kicked in. So my favorite sport got a bit left behind… but that doesn’t stop me from visiting the skate-parks where I used to hang out.

So if you are enjoying a stroll in the Antwerp City park make sure you make a stop at the north side of the park where a fine skate-park is located. Take a seat on to the ground and watch a variety of skaters and BMX’ers showing off their skills. It’s worth a little stop, especially if you’re into this kind of sports.

more pictures – full screen

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Live To Ride | Relaxing | Free
Quinten Matsijslei | Meir
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

One of the things that makes Antwerp attractive is the river “Schelde” which runs on the side of the city. Seen from a historical point of view, this river has been the vein that kept Antwerp alive. And it still is, but it’s not only functional, it also provides some nice views over the city: Antwerp is located in a curve of the river.

Whenever there is sun you can find lots of people here: enjoying the view, some wine or beers, the sunset over the water, the sound of the wind. Although they are not allowed, bbq’s happen very often… and apparently no one has ever got a fine for that!

So after you shopped all day, had a nice dinner somewhere and before you’re ready to step into the nightlife: come for a walk and enjoy the sunset at the river bank. You’ll see Antwerp in all of its aspects.

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River bank | Relaxing
From De Gerlachkaai to Rijnkaai | Eilandje
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

In the middle of the shopping neighbourhood of Antwerp you can find this small park. Actually it’s a botanical garden which houses more than 2000 different rare or remarkable plants. It’s a very nice place to walk around, even if you’re not at all interested in plants whatsoever.

The park is a welcome change from the busy shopping area. You’ll find many locals on the benches just sitting or reading. Most of them are enjoying the instant calmness.

At the back of the park a big solar greenhouse which houses an enormous variety of cactusses. I met the guardian or gardener once. He was a weird guy with a funny sense of humor. Talk to him, he’ll show you some great details about these, at first sight, boring plants!

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Botanical Garden | Relaxing
Leopoldstraat | Meir
09:00 – 22:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

Just a little bit outside of Antwerp, 10 minutes by metro, you can find this little park.

This park is very well maintained and has lots of activities inside. There is a free swimming lake, a volleyball field, a tennis field, … and most of all it’s just nice to walk there and escape from the busy city for a while.

There is also a small natural historic museum inside. (€ 1.00 entrance fee)

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Boekenbergpark | Relaxing | Free
Gouverneur holvoetlaan | Zurenborg
08:00 – 22:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

As mentioned before, there are a lot of different aspects in Antwerp, even contradictions and that’s why I love this city. There is no better place to perceive them all than on the outer limit of the city near the river Schelde. This is a little green point in the corner of the river. You’ll find little boats there, some old wooden docks for ships, … it looks like the city has forgotten about this place in the last 20 years.

But from this point you can see Antwerp stretch alongside and across the river. A bit further to your right you’ll get a glance at the chemical factories and their high, always burning flames.

Really, in one look you can see the river that built the city, the way it stretched along its vein, and expanded over it, a great city to live in, with the high cathedral and many other historical buildings, and the current economical heart by the big port of Antwerp. How’s that for a view!

And on a hot summer night, I love to have a picknick here with my girlfriend. There are not many people around and the ones that are will not bother you: they are here for the same reason… relaxing!

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Antwerp contradiction | Relaxing
Sloepenweg | Eilandje
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

It’s a park… no it’s a museum… no it’s a park… anyway, who cares! This park is a museum as well. Throughout the park you will find many statues of famous and less famous artists. So while you are walking through the park you can enjoy a wide variety of statues.

Statues aren’t really my cup of tea so whenever I’m there I just look at the trees and enjoy the nice environment.

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Middelheim Museum | Art & culture, Relaxing
Middelheimlaan | Zurenborg | +3238271534
Winter 10:00 – 17:00 daily, Summer 10:00 – 20:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

Antwerp hosts many libraries, some of them practical, some big, some renowned and some of them are not accessible for public visits. The Nottebohm Library is one of those closed libraries. Only once or twice a year the public is allowed to have a peek at its rich and beautiful content.

Today I was lucky enough to enter the library and view it in its full glory. I was amazed by the massive old books stored there (over 35 km if placed next to each other) and this all in a great historic room. It opens occasionally – check the website for opening weekends. It’s definitely worth a visit.

More pictures here – full screen

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Nottebohm Library | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Hendrik Conscienceplein 4 | Meir
Check website for opening times

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Igor Daems

Want to be thrown back into time? Then walk through the Vlaeykensgang, a tiny alley in the middle of the historic centre. The entrance is no wider than an average door so be sure not to walk past by it.

Install yourself on a bench here and let your imagination do the rest. This is what Antwerp used to look like in the time of Rubens and Van Dyck. Those days, in the middle ages, there were many more of these alleys. But almost all of them were destroyed during history. Except for this one, Vlaeykensgang is now completely restored.

Very strange: you’re in the heart of the city and still you hear nothing but complete silence here. That’s why this is an ideal place for listening to the carillons of the Cathedral. If I want to surprise my foreign guests, I take them here. They are all amazed, every time.

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Vlaeykensgang | Art & culture, Relaxing
Oude Koornmarkt 16 | Meir
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp