Summer city trips in Belgium #2: Antwerp

In summer locals flock to the banks of the river Scheldt, bike over to green lungs like the Park Spoor Nord, or take a dip in outdoor swimming ponds like the Boekenberg Zwemvijver. The city abounds with appealing bars, many with terraces, and there’s no shortage of (child-friendly) entertainment thanks to an annual summer festival and new attractions such as Comics Station Antwerp. Here are five great ways to spend a summer’s day.

Zomer van Antwerpen
Running throughout July and August, this festival offers an eclectic array of cultural events in unusual locations – think pop-up B&Bs, or burlesque theatre in abandoned warehouses. Alongside staples such as free concerts on the city’s squares, and a summer bar with palm trees, sand, pétanque and circus shows, visitors can enjoy late-night DJ sessions in old gasworks Zomerfabriek, or a pop-up cinema in a hangar on the Scheldt.

Kloosterstraat
Lose hours browsing antiques and vintage design wares on this meandering street – a rare beacon on Sundays, when the city shuts down. To refuel, try the chi-chi Chez Fred, or verdant Take 5 Minutes in Paris. On neighbouring Muntstraat, meanwhile, there’s food for thought at The School of Life. Finish at the flea market on Sint-Jansvliet, by the elegant Art Deco Sint-Annatunnel.

Eilandje
This fast-changing dockside neighbourhood is lined with waterside terrace cafes. For a cultural fix there’s MAS, the Red Star Line Museum, and new Middle Eastern art spot Pedrami Gallery. Browse travel books in Alta Via, or enjoy a lazy brunch at hip gig venue Het Bos. Further north are Zaha Hadid’s striking new Port House HQ, and industrial-chic summer haunt Bar Paniek on Kattendijkdok-Oostkaai.

M HKA
The city’s contemporary art museum reopened in April after a refurbishment by Belgian design icon Axel Vervoordt. Probe the links between art and futurology in its summer show, Temporary Futures Institute, or enjoy Sunday Family Day (tours for adults, arty games for kids). Summer also brings two-day children’s workshops, and a terrace bar overlooking the river.

Middelheim park
Part of the larger Nachtegalenpark, Middelheim housed the summer residences of well-to-do Antwerpenaars in the 16th century. Now its stately lawns play host to over 250 sculptures by greats like Auguste Rodin, Henry Moore and Ai Weiwei. Until September, Turner Prize-winning British artist Richard Deacon’s works will also animate the park, while August sees the Jazz Middelheim festival return to the adjacent Den Brandt park.

This article first appeared in The Bulletin Summer 2017. Browse the magazine here, pick up a copy in newsagents or subscribe today...