What are the best areas to live in Antwerp?

You are moving to Antwerp, or coming for a few months, and every listing names a different neighbourhood. From abroad it is hard to tell which streets feel lively, which feel quiet, and how far each one is from your work.

The best areas to live in Antwerp, compared

The best areas to live in Antwerp fall into a few clear types. Think of the historic centre, the station district, Het Zuid, Eilandje, Zurenborg, Berchem and Borgerhout, and the greener south side around Middelheim. Each suits a different rhythm of life. This guide is part of our series on living in Antwerp.

Neighbourhood and district are not the same thing. Since Borsbeek joined on 1 January 2025, the city has ten districts, each with its own council and district house (stad Antwerpen). Names like Het Zuid, Eilandje and Zurenborg are neighbourhoods inside them.

Antwerp neighbourhoods at a glance

The descriptions come from Visit Antwerpen’s district guide and the University of Antwerp’s housing pages. The last column is our own advice.

Which is the best area to live in Antwerp for your situation?

The best area to live in Antwerp for you depends on three things. Where do you work, do you travel by train, and how much evening life do you want outside your door? Start with your weekly routes, not with the prettiest street.

• You work in the centre or study at the city campus. The historic centre, the university district and Borgerhout keep you close. Expect more noise and more visitors.
• You commute by train to Brussels or the Netherlands. Live near Antwerpen-Centraal or Antwerpen-Berchem station. Zurenborg and Berchem give you quieter streets near both.
• You move with children. Zurenborg has squares and playgrounds, and the south side has parks. Check schools and daycare in the district you choose.
• You work at Antwerp Expo, a south-side hospital or across the Kennedytunnel. Antwerp South, Berchem and Wilrijk save you a daily trip through the centre.

Rents differ by area too. Our guide to rent in Antwerp explains how to compare them without guesswork.

What is Antwerp South like as a place to live?

Antwerp South, the area around the Olympic Stadium and Middelheim Park, is calmer and greener than the old centre. Our building at VIIde-Olympiadelaan 19, 2020 Antwerpen, stands there, so this is the one area we describe first-hand. Everything else in this guide comes from public sources.

The University of Antwerp describes postcode 2020 as a greener belt of parks south of the Singel, with the Middelheim campus. From the building, the Olympic Stadium is about 0.5 km away and Antwerp Expo about 1.2 km. Middelheim Park is about 1.9 km away, and the ring junction about 1.4 km. You can read more in our guide to Antwerp South and Middelheim Park.

Trams 2 and 6 stop near the building. Our guide to getting around by tram 2 and 6 covers tickets and routes. The building is outside the low-emission zone, and P+R Olympiade nearby has a low daily rate set by the city.

Be honest with yourself about the trade-off. The Grote Markt is about 4.2 km away in a straight line, so nights out in the centre mean a tram ride home. If you want cafés on your doorstep every evening, Het Zuid or the centre will suit you better.

How do you choose the best area to live in Antwerp from abroad?

Choosing the best area to live in Antwerp from abroad works best in two steps. Shortlist two or three areas online, then live nearby for a few weeks and walk the streets yourself. Listings rarely show noise, traffic or how a square feels after dark.

1. List the places you go every week: work, school, sport, the station. Then check which tram or bus lines connect them.
2. Look at the numbers. The city publishes figures per district and neighbourhood on Stad in Cijfers, from population to green space.
3. Visit at different times. A street that is quiet on Sunday morning can be busy on Friday night.
4. Keep the paperwork in mind. Address registration comes once you have a home of your own. Our guide to registering your address in Antwerp explains the steps.

Tip

Arrange viewings for one or two weeks after you arrive. You will judge areas far better once you know how the trams and the ring work.

Accommodation in Antwerp South while you choose

Hoost has four furnished apartments in one building in Antwerp South, for stays from 2 nights to 6 months per booking. Many guests use a stay as a base while they compare areas and visit homes.

Every apartment has a kitchen, bed linen, towels and a dedicated workspace with Wi-Fi and Ethernet. The building has a shared washing machine and dryer. Arrival is by self check-in with a lockbox, and we can invoice your company. Electricity, heating and water are included, and no deposit is asked.

Your official address stays where it is during a stay: address registration is not possible at Hoost. Send us your dates and we will tell you which apartment fits.

When Hoost is not the right choice

Hoost is not the right choice in a few situations, and it is better to know that before you send your dates.

• You need to register your address right away, for example because a procedure asks for it. Address registration is not possible during a stay.
• You want to live in the historic centre or Het Zuid and walk home from a night out.
• You need parking on site. There is none; P+R Olympiade and paid parking are nearby.
• You need more than 6 months in one booking. A longer stay continues with a new booking.
• You travel with a pet. Pets are not allowed.

For the bigger picture of your first months, read our guide to what daily life in Antwerp is like.