Image by Ysabel jongeneelen

In Antwerp we have a controversial building at the outskirts of town: The Law Courts. We call it also the ‘Vlinderpaleis’ (Butterfly palace) because it has strange ‘wings’ on the roof. A sweet name for such a building.

It was designed by the famous architect Richard Rogers. When it was finished in 2006 everybody spoke of it. Some people thought it was ugly, others thought it was a spectacular beauty. It cost a fortune and it took years to build it. The roof is made of stainless steel and looks like shark fins or waves. From a lot of places in the city you can see the threatening rooftops.

They used also a lot of glass. ‘They’ say they want to make every visitor at ease by the glass and the open character of the building. I don’t find it a reassuring place. It looks dangerous and impressive on the outside. The hall is enormous.

I go there sometimes for my work (Juvenile Court). Behind the glossy facade it is a sad place where they made some crucial errors in the design and for people who have unpleasant business to take care of it’s cold and hostile.

I live very close to this building. At night it can be special – like a big dragon in the dark. It is great for photographers. I can recommend everybody to pass by, to look inside, but remember: in the belly of the dragon there is mostly misery.

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Court house of Antwerp | Art & culture | Free
Bolivarplaats 20 | Zuid | +3232578011
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 12:30 & 13:30 – 16:00, closed on holidays

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 Ysabel Jongeneelen

A very black coffee, a magazine or newspaper, a free hot-spot to work a bit, good music and a pleasant atmosphere. One of my favorite places on the South side of the city is Revista (Spanish for magazine). It is a very good place to meet friends and be the first to arrive, way to early.

Revista has a big assortment of magazines and newspapers, national and international. The also offer music (USA imports) for sale. It is easy to stay and let the hours pass by. It feels like my living room on a pleasant Sunday afternoon. Even when it’s Thursday morning.

They sell fresh soup and sandwiches, so you could really stay there for days. But it closes at 20:00 so eventually you’ll have to leave…

I like it very much because I live nearby and I like places that make me feel at home. But after three coffees I have to drink something else, because the coffee is way to black for me… But they have a great sandwich (the one with Serrano ham I can really recommend!)

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Revista | Bars
Karel Rogierstraat 47 | Zuid | +327727880
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 20:00, Sat 10:00 – 20:00, Sun 11:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Ysabel Jongeneelen

There is a little shop in the Volksstraat in Antwerp where they sell strange but beautiful things. When it opened several years ago I didn’t expect that it would be such a success. Now I know why it is still there. It is one of shops that stays true to what they do…

The name of the shop means ‘Stone and Bone’ and that’s exactly what they sell. They have fossils, little skeletons of rodents (and sometimes bigger animals), antlers, pinned butterflies etc. It’s all very decorative and very classy. Of course they don’t sell anything illegal or any endangered species. They have also educational toys that stay true to the core idea of the shop. The result is a very cosy and warm shop where I like to come from time to time.

For example: when I’m completely desperate looking for a nice gift for somebody. A lamp made from a seahedgehog, some pearls of the sea, shells, a tooth of a shark. You can find great things for very little money. I’m enjoying just being there, or looking in the window. Nice owners with an eye for style. And it’s not expensive. That’s how I like it!

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Steen en Been | Shopping
Volkstraat 59 | Zuid | +3232372522
Tue – Sat 11:00 – 18:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

When I’m looking for a decent yet quick meal, I go to Lunch Cafe Walrus.

It has a very good kitchen with honest prices. The service is mostly with a smile and you just get what you want here: something to satisfy your hunger!

Whether for breakfast – brunch – lunch or dinner … they’ve got what you need! Don’t expect haute cuisine, but expect to be satisfied!

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Walrus | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Belgian) | Meal from € 15.00
Jan van Beersstraat 2 | Zuid | +3232383993
Mon – Fri 12:00 – 22:00, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 22:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

Deeply hidden in the the beautiful Belle Epoque neighbourhood of Antwerp is a little gallery inside a house. This gallery is owned by a passionate photography enthusiast who wants to enable young photographers to display their work. He goes around the world to find them and offers them a jump to Europe/Belgium.

It felt really strange to just walk up to a house, ring the bell and then enter someone’s house to see an exhibition. But it also adds charm and value to the concept. Take your time to look at the displayed work and talk to the friendly owner of the gallery. He can tell you an awful lot about the displayed artist and work.

So keep an eye on the website and whenever there’s something that you like, don’t hesitate to check it out. It might be a nice alternative on a rainy day. It’s not big, so you’ll be in and out in about 45 minutes. I really liked it!

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Stieg Litz 19 | Art & culture
Arthur Goemarelei 19 | Zuid | +3232484931
For opening times check website, depending on exhibition.

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Niko Caignie

This Café located in the South part of the city is probably the most famous café… Opinions vary about this spot, it’s just personal taste. But when you’re looking for a spot to enjoy some jazz this is one of the better options in Antwerp.

I ain’t much of a jazz lover but I can appreciate the soft sound while enjoying a beer. Gigs are organised twice a week on Sunday starting from 16:00 and on Monday evening. Occasionally there are more concerts, check their website for more details.

Besides the jazzy atmosphere of this café, its terrace is one of the best to capture the most sun during the day. The view on the Musée Royal des Beaux-Arts (see the Royal Museum of Arts article) adds even more value to the terrace.

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Hopper Café | Bars
Leopold de Waelplaats 2 | Zuid | +3232484933
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Igor Daems

Everybody needs to get away from it all sometimes. Away from the city noise, away from the crowds. Whenever I feel like that, I escape to Polderbos.

I take my bike and follow the river southwards. After a while you reach the petroleum site, the docking place for oil ships. This is the point where most people think they have reached the end of the world and turn back. I don’t, I keep on biking because only five minutes later you reach this beautiful nature reserve.

You’re very close to the river here and you have an amazing view on the left bank. Time seems to have stood still here: cobblestone streets, horses grazing in the green fields and only a few other people enjoying the silence.

Don’t expect a very big nature park. Its size is actually perfect for a 1-hour walk. And because parts of the park flood from time to time, the vegetation changes rapidly. Summer or winter, I really don’t need more to unwind completely.

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Polderbos | Relaxing
Polderbos | Zuid
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Tinneke Voet

Owner Misjel had a design shop for years. He got sick and tired of it and he started an ecological ‘French fries stand’.

When you eat in, you get wooden knives and forks and all the boxes are Eco. Only for those things you have to eat there… but the fries are real good too! MMM yummie, I Love Fries! Misjel also makes his own ‘meat croquettes’, tartare sauce and lots more!

So if you want to eat fancy but don’t wanna pay … go and eat some french fries at Haute Friture! Big chance you will spot me there

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Haute Friture | Snacks | Small box of fries € 2.00
Vlaamse Kaai 66 | Zuid
12:00 – 23:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp

Image by Tinneke Voet

When you walk from the south to the city centre, or the other way around, you have to walk through the Volkstraat. In this street, you can find this beautiful building.

This is one of the finest ‘Art Nouveau’ buildings of Antwerp. City Architect Bob Van Reeth rebuilt the inside, but the outside stayed original. Now it’s a Steiner (Waldorf) school.

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Steinerschool | Art & culture
Volkstraat 40 | Zuid
No entrance possible

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Antwerp