Borgerhout City
City in Flanders, Belgium
Antwerp neighborhood where immigrant bakeries, Turkish kebab shops, and Art Nouveau façades sit side by side. Visitors walk Turnhoutsebaan, sample Levantine sandwiches, and find late-night cafés and small galleries mapping the city’s changing face.
Why Visit Borgerhout?#
A colorful district of Antwerp, this neighborhood draws people for its multicultural streets and approachable city energy. Turnhoutsebaan and the Borgerhout Market are full of independent shops and food stalls, while plentiful Turkish and Moroccan eateries make it a spot for diverse dining. Short tram rides put central Antwerp’s museums and the fashion district within easy reach, so it’s an appealing mix of local flavor and urban convenience.
Best Things to Do in Borgerhout#
Borgerhout Bucket List#
Te Boelaerpark - Green park popular with families, featuring playgrounds, ponds, and shaded walking paths.
Borgerhout Markt - Central square with cafés, weekly markets, and lively local dining options.
Sint‑Antonius Church - Local parish church known for community events and a distinctive brick façade.
Borgerhout Street Art Walk - Neighborhood murals and independent galleries revealing Borgerhout’s multicultural creative scene.
Local Craft Breweries - Small breweries and taprooms offering Belgian ales and informal tasting sessions.
Independent Bookshops and Cafés - Cozy bookshops and cafés hosting readings, local music, and community gatherings.
Antwerp city center - Walkable Antwerp center with Cathedral, Grote Markt, and extensive shopping nearby.
Middelheim Museum - Open-air sculpture park featuring modern works and tree-lined walking routes.
Best Time to Visit Borgerhout#
Visit Borgerhout in late spring and summer (May-September) for warm days, outdoor cafés, and festivals. Winters are chilly and damp, though museums and bars stay lively year-round.
December - February
0-6°C (32-43°F)
Cold, damp winters bring short days, occasional frost, and steady drizzle; city life continues but outdoor terraces and parks are less inviting.
March - May
5-16°C (41-61°F)
Spring warms up pleasantly with blooming parks and fewer tourists - ideal for cycling, markets, and exploring Antwerp’s museums before summer crowds.
June - August
14-24°C (57-75°F)
Summers are mild to warm, great for canal-side drinks, festivals, and long walks; expect occasional rain, but mostly comfortable temperatures.
Borgerhout's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (808 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 78 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Borgerhout#
Borgerhout is a district of Antwerp and is easiest to reach via Antwerpen-Centraal train station or Antwerp International Airport for regional flights. Brussels Airport is the main international gateway with direct rail connections to Antwerp.
Antwerp International Airport (ANR): Antwerp has a small commercial airport with limited European routes; if you arrive here the city and Borgerhout are about a 20-30 minute drive away. Taxis and local buses connect the airport to the city centre.
Brussels Airport (BRU): For most international flights use Brussels Airport. From BRU you can take the train to Antwerpen-Centraal (about 35-45 minutes) and then tram or bus to Borgerhout; total travel time is typically 60-90 minutes depending on connections. Train fares BRU-Antwerp are around €10-16.
Train: Antwerpen-Centraal is the main rail hub for Borgerhout; frequent intercity and local trains connect Antwerp with Brussels, Ghent and other Belgian cities. From Antwerpen-Centraal you can walk or catch local trams/buses into Borgerhout (5-15 minutes).
Tram / Bus (De Lijn): Borgerhout is well served by Antwerp’s tram and bus network operated by De Lijn (trams 4 and 9 among others serve parts of Borgerhout). Single-ride fares are typically a few euros; buy tickets from machines or on board where permitted.
How to Get Around Borgerhout#
Public transport (train to Antwerpen-Centraal, then De Lijn trams/buses) is the simplest way to reach and move around Borgerhout. For short hops cycling or walking are convenient and often quicker than driving.
- Train (SNCB/Belgian Rail) (€7-16 (typical domestic intercity fares)) - Antwerpen-Centraal is the principal station for long-distance and regional trains. Trains from Brussels and other Belgian cities run frequently; the station is an easy starting point for exploring Borgerhout. Check SNCB timetables for intercity and local connections.
- Tram / Bus (De Lijn) (€2.50-3.50 single ticket) - De Lijn trams and buses serve Borgerhout extensively-trams 4 and 9 run through or close to the district. Tickets can be bought via vending machines, mobile app or on board (where allowed). Trams are the fastest way to move around central Antwerp.
- Taxi / Ride-hailing (€8-25 typical short- to medium-length trips) - Taxis and ride-hailing apps operate across Antwerp for door-to-door transport and late-night trips when public transport is less frequent. Expect standard urban fares and surge pricing for busy times.
- Bicycle / Velo-sharing (Variable (hourly or daily rates)) - Antwerp is bike-friendly with dedicated lanes in many areas; bike-sharing schemes and rental shops make short trips easy. Cycling is often faster than motor traffic during peak hours for short distances.
- Walking - Borgerhout is compact and pleasant to explore on foot-local shops, cafés and markets are within easy walking distance. Pavements are generally good and many attractions are reachable without public transport.
Where to Stay in Borgerhout#
Antwerp city centre (near Borgerhout) - €40-90/night
Borgerhout is largely residential; budget travelers often stay near Antwerp centre where hostels and inexpensive hotels cluster.
Hotel Julien - Affordable boutique near Antwerp centre.
Auberge Jan (Antwerp) - Simple rooms, close to public transport.
Antwerp Central / Borgerhout tram links - €80-160/night
Mid-range hotels near Antwerp Central give easy access to Borgerhout by tram; good balance of convenience and quality.
Radisson Blu Astrid Antwerp - Reliable mid-range chain near central station.
Hilton Antwerp Old Town - Comfortable rooms, central location.
Antwerp Old Town (short tram from Borgerhout) - €150+/night
No dedicated luxury hotels inside Borgerhout; top-end options are in Antwerp old town around the Grote Markt and along the river.
Hotel Rubens-Grote Markt - Historic hotel in Antwerp’s old town.
Luxury options in Antwerp (central) - Upscale choices within short tram ride.
Where to Eat in Borgerhout#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Borgerhout’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Borgerhout#
Shopping in Borgerhout mixes independent shops, bakeries and ethnic grocery stores along main streets. You’ll find everyday amenities and some designer and vintage shops, while larger department stores are located in central Antwerp. Markets and weekly stalls pop up occasionally; for a wide variety of retail and souvenir shopping head into Antwerp city centre.
Nightlife in Borgerhout#
Borgerhout has a lively local evening scene with neighbourhood bars, cafés and occasional live-music venues that reflect the district’s multicultural character. Nights often focus on community-oriented bars rather than big tourist clubs. For a broader range of nightlife - larger clubs, concert halls and cocktail bars - central Antwerp is only a short tram ride away.