Borgerhout Travel Guide

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.

Costs

Moderate: about $90 per day

City cafés, trams and midrange hotels make visits affordable.

Safety

Safe but stay alert in busy areas

Urban area with some petty crime; lively night scene but generally safe.

Best Time

April-October (spring to early autumn)

Warm, dry months are best for exploring streets and parks.

In This Guide

Why Visit Borgerhout?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

46,087

Infrastructure & Convenience

Excellent tram/bus links, bike lanes, walkable neighbourhoods and English-friendly services.

Popularity

Primarily a residential and local-cultural area; not a standalone tourist magnet.

Known For

multicultural cafés, street art, ethnic markets, lively cafés, community festivals, parks, local nightlife, vintage shops, proximity to Antwerp centre

Borgerhout was an independent municipality until it was merged into Antwerp in 1983 and is now a culturally diverse Antwerp district.

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.

Top Things to Do in Borgerhout

All Attractions ›

Grand-Place

Ornate historic square surrounded by guildhalls

Park

Atomium

Futuristic steel-and-aluminum structure representing iron crystal magnified

Church

Manneken Pis

Small bronze fountain statue of a urinating boy

Monument

Cathedral of Our Lady (Antwerp)

Gothic cathedral housing major artworks including Rubens paintings

Church

Cinquantenaire

Public park in Brussels dominated by triumphal arch

Park

Royal Palace of Brussels

Official royal residence used for state functions

Palace

Mini-Europe

Miniature park with scale models of European landmarks

Park

Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp

Large art museum with Flemish and European collections

Museum

Don't Miss

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.

Hidden Gems

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.

Day Trips

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.

Winter

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.

Spring

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.

Summer

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.

Best Time to Visit Borgerhout #

Climate

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.

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustSeptember

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

39°

Warmest Month

-14°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

1° – 6°

93%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

66 mm

Rainfall

4.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

8.2h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

1° – 7°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

52 mm

Rainfall

4.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

3° – 11°

84%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

65 mm

Rainfall

4.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

9°

Feels Like Cold

9°C

Temperature

5° – 14°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

50 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

9° – 19°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

63 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.1

UV Index

High

15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

12° – 21°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

76 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

16.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

14° – 23°

75%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

74 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

15.9h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

13° – 24°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

62 mm

Rainfall

3.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.1

UV Index

High

14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

11° – 20°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

74 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

7° – 15°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

73 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.5h daylight

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.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

4° – 10°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

78 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

2° – 7°

94%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

75 mm

Rainfall

4.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

7.7h daylight

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.

By Air

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.

By Train & Bus

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 #

Borgerhout is a dense Antwerp district that’s easy to walk around, with many shops and cafés within short distances. Public transport is excellent: trams and buses operated by De Lijn connect Borgerhout to Antwerp city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods. Cycling is common and bike lanes are available; buy tickets for trams and buses from machines, mobile apps or on board where permitted. Taxis and rideshares are also readily available for late-night trips.

Where to Stay in Borgerhout #

Budget

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.

Mid-Range

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.

Luxury

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.

Friture

Pizza

Sandwich

Regional

Italian

Kebab

Burger

Chinese

Thai

Sushi

Asian

French

International

Pasta

Turkish

Japanese

Pita

Indian

Belgian

Mediterranean

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.

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.

Nearby Cities #