Street photography in Antwerp Central Station

Antwerp Central Station is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful train stations you can visit. Located right in the center of my hometown, it is a marvelous piece of eclectic architecture and a true playground for street photographers.

It is not just my personal bias speaking. Antwerp’s train station has been called the most beautiful train station in the world by Time Magazine. For a street photographer, this place is an endless source of inspiration. The constant flow of people, the dramatic light entering through the glass ceiling, and the building’s monumental scale offer opportunities you will not find anywhere else in Belgium.

Whether you are waiting for a train or visiting the city specifically for a photo walk, here is everything you need to know about capturing the magic of Antwerp Central Station.

The architecture of Antwerp Central Station

If you want to understand why this building is so photogenic, you have to look at the architecture. The station is split into two main visual areas, each offering a completely different vibe for your photos.

The main hall was designed by architect Louis Delacenserie in a highly eclectic style. It features grand staircases, marble columns, and a massive dome. This area is perfect for capturing scale. I love to position myself on the balconies to shoot people walking across the grand floor below. The arches also make it incredibly easy to use a frame-within-a-frame technique to isolate your subjects.

On the other hand, the terminal where the trains arrive is a completely different world. Designed by Clément Van Bogaert, this huge iron-and-glass structure spans 185 meters in length and 44 meters in width. The glass roof allows for incredible natural light to pour in. On sunny days, the harsh shadows and beams of light hitting the platforms are perfect for high-contrast black-and-white street photography.

History and fun facts

Before you start clicking the shutter, it helps to know a bit about the history of the place you are capturing.

• Construction: The current building started construction in 1895 and officially opened its doors in 1905.
• A puzzling layout: There are 14 tracks in the train station spread across multiple levels. However, you might find yourself confused when you are told to catch a train on track 24. This is because the tracks are numbered by level, leaving gaps in the numbering system.
• The modernization: The station underwent a massive modernization project to accommodate high-speed trains. They dug beneath the original terminal to create multiple levels of tracks, so you can photograph trains passing right beneath each other.

Rules for street photography in the station

When doing street photography, it is important to know the rules of the location. The station is managed by the SNCB (the Belgian railway company).

For personal street photography, you are generally free to take photos in the public areas of the station. However, you must keep your gear to a minimum. If you plan to use a tripod, light stands, or a flash, you will need to request official permission from the SNCB press office beforehand. Keep it handheld, be respectful of travelers rushing to work, and you will not run into any issues.

Always keep privacy in mind. While taking photos in public spaces is allowed, be polite if someone asks you to delete a photo that includes them.

My favorite photo spots inside the station

When I roam around the station with my camera, I have a few standard spots I like to check for interesting scenes:

• The main staircase: Standing at the bottom and shooting up gives a heroic angle to commuters walking down.
• The arrival platforms: I like to stand near the edges of the platforms where the light from the glass roof meets the shadows of the lower levels. It is a great place to capture the rush hour blur.
• The central clock: The huge clock in the main hall is an iconic meeting point. You can often capture emotional greetings and farewells here.
• There are long, partly desolate halls at the end of the train station, too. Worth a visit.

Gallery: around and nearby the station

While the inside of the station is incredible, the surrounding neighborhood is just as interesting for street photography. Once you step outside, you are immediately in the middle of the bustling city.

Practical information for visitors

If you are planning to visit Antwerp for a day of photography, navigating to and from the station is incredibly easy.

• Location: The station is located at Koningin Astridplein, right on the edge of the historic city center.
• Getting to the city center: You do not need to take a bus or a tram. Simply walk out of the main entrance, follow the De Keyserlei, and you will walk straight onto the Meir. From there, it is a straight line to the historic center and the Groenplaats.
• Facilities: The station has plenty of coffee shops and lockers to store your heavy bags if you want to walk around the city with just one camera and a prime lens. Though be careful with storing them.