Antwerp presents a level of insecurity which increases from year to year. This can be a concern for tourists and visitors who wish to stay there.
But in this Belgian port city there is a great diversity of neighborhoods.
Some are dangerous due to crime and illicit activity, others are much safer.
This article can help you identify neighborhoods to avoid and those where you can stay safely.
Is Antwerp a really dangerous city?
Less dangerous than Brussels or Liège, Antwerp is still a city with crime problems.
Indeed, in terms of crime, if we compare on the ranking of European cities, Antwerp is average.
Indeed, it is ranked 61st out of 127. It is more dangerous than Sofia, Florence ou Belgrade but safer than Frankfurt, Glasgow ou Strasbourg.
Which neighborhoods to avoid in Antwerp?
Here is the list of neighborhoods to avoid for a tourist stay in Antwerp:
- Borgerhout : This is the most dangerous district of Antwerp. This neighborhood is particularly notorious for its violence linked to drug trafficking. Residents report frequent incidents such as shootings and car explosions, creating a climate of fear and insecurity. See article published on rtl.fr
- Although less publicized than Borgerhout, Kiel is also mentioned as a neighborhood to avoid, due to its reputation as a sensitive area.
- Among the least safe places in Antwerp, we can also mention in the city center, certain areas around the central Station and Meir Square. These places have high rates of crime, particularly pickpocketing and muggings.
- Deurne, Hoboken et Merksem are also unrecommendable neighborhoods because they are associated with security problems.
- Finally, the Red Light District of Antwerp also called the sailors' quarter or Skipper's quarters can also pose security issues. This is an area to be avoided at night by families and women traveling alone. Indeed, this neighborhood can be risky due to the illegal activities that take place there and the late alcoholic evenings which generate fights and attacks.
Safe and recommended neighborhoods for visitors
Among the many neighborhoods of Antwerp, there are several that are safe and pleasant for a tourist stay. Here are the most popular with visitors:
- Le historic center known as the Old Town, is one of the most popular with tourists. This is where the most beautiful monuments and the main tourist attractions of Antwerp are concentrated (see below).
- Another interesting neighborhood is the neighborhood South, which houses the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and numerous art galleries.
- The Diamond Quarter in Antwerp, also known as Diamantkwartier, is located near the train station. This district is the global center of the diamond trade, where the buying, selling and cutting of diamonds takes place. It is a neighborhood that can be interesting for certain business trips.
- Finally, the district of Zurenborg, in the east of Antwerp, is renowned for its Art Nouveau architecture and its chic and peaceful atmosphere.
Where to stay in the most beautiful district of Antwerp?
The most beautiful district of Antwerp is its historic center. It is the heart of the city where Notre-Dame Cathedral sits.
A few steps from the cathedral is the Grote Markt, the central square of the Old Town. Surrounded by gabled houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, this lively square is the beating heart of Antwerp. It is here that many traditional events and markets are held, offering visitors an authentic immersion into local life.
Other must-see sites in the Old Town include the Steen, a medieval fortress which now houses a museum dedicated to the history of Antwerp.
The historic district is therefore the ideal place to discover typical Flemish architecture and enjoy numerous traditional restaurants and bars.
Here is a hotel very well located in this beautiful area because right next to the Cathedral: HotelO Cathedral
