In street photography, you go hunting for those special moments. Events that will never happen again. Or events that tell you more about the place you’re in. Often, you go roaming around to find those, but it can help to have some street photo spots you can regularly visit.
I don’t have a set route through the city. I try to have the people and the sun guide me through. But ofcourse, on days when you have neither of them, it can be helpful to have some photo spots you can go to.
Sometimes, these photospots can also serve as a great starting point for your walks. Use them as a warm-up to get your trigger finger going, dial in your settings, and get your eyes and brain focused.
My five favorite street photo spots in Antwerp
In this list, you won’t necessarily find the five most popular street photo spots of Antwerp—just my favorites. Some are limited to a particular little wall that has excellent light at a specific time of day. Others are more all-round.
Scheldekaaien
This is a long stretch of concrete along the Schelde River, from the Ledeganckkaai up to Sint-Jansvliet. It’s basically a barren plain of concrete and cobblestone. But here and there, there are interesting little corners.
It’s also a street photo spot that’s used for events from time to time. Like the Antwerp Pride parties, Antwerp Classic Car Event, and many others.
The Blue Wall
It’s a name I’ve given to this place. It’s just a piece of wall from a school at the corner of Lombardenstraat and Everdijstraat. I like the color and the brick grid pattern. Since it’s a reasonably busy corner too, there are usually people walking around.
And sometimes the light there hits just right.
Pelikaanstraat
It’s next to the tracks of the Antwerp Central Train Station. There’s a long stretch of unused land with a wall separating it from the street—a great photo spot for gritty street photos.
Again, it’s a busy street, so there are plenty of subjects walking past the graffiti-covered wall. And there’s currently just one tall building in the middle of that wall, giving it all a weird look.
Kinda reminds me of that one house Wily Wonka’s dad lives in, in the Tim Burton version of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.
Fietsersbrug
This is a modern-looking bridge over the Leien. Though it’s a very popular street photo spot, I still like it. You can use the holes in the walls as frames for your shots, or use them to focus the light when the sun is shining hard.
Beddenstraat
It’s basically an alley between two significant buildings in the city center. No windows, and at one point, there are a few loading docks. That’s about it. But sometimes the sun falls in just right, or it reflects off a nearby building, creating weird square hotspots of light.
I might be the only one enjoying this place, but I don’t think I’ll get tired of it any time soon.
Honorable mentions: 5 extra street photography spots in Antwerp
There are some other places I like to frequent. Some aren’t very unique, and you will see lots of (street) photographers there. But still, they can provide excellent photos.
Handschoenmarkt
This is the little square in front of the Cathedral. With the front entrance of the primary tourist hotspot of the city there, there are always plenty of people walking around. They can be an interesting subject for your street photos.
You also have the Nello & Patrasche statue there, which often attracts a crowd.
Draakplaats
One of the most over-photographed places in Antwerp, but it can still be a good place to warm up. Or wait for someone truly unique to pass by.
The tunnels under the train overpass provide a nice street photo spot with great framing opportunities, possibly interesting sunlight hotspots, and, of course, interesting subjects passing by constantly.
Belgielei bridge
One of the two main tunnels under the train tracks. This one I find more interesting than the tunnel at Plantin Moretus, as it shows more of the structure. This gives it more angles.
It’s also right in the Antwerp Jewish Quarter, which can help you add extra interest to your photos.
Zuiderterras
Recently renovated and reopened, the Zuiderterras is one of the few photo spots in Antwerp that offers a height difference. You can look down from it or up at it from underneath.
As it’s a bit of a tourist hotspot, you are sure to see lots of interesting sights there too.
Central Station
The prettiest train station in the entire world, which already makes it a great photo spot. You will probably see lots of people taking pictures there, especially at the stairs in the main hall.
But it’s a vast building, offering plenty of spaces to explore with your lens. And as the day advances, the light, of ofcourse, changes too, keeping this an interesting photo spot no matter how often you’ve visited it.
What’s your favorite photo spot in Antwerp? Let me know in the comments below!