Urban exploring Antwerp, these locations you can't skip!

🏙️ Within Antwerp, there are many abandoned buildings, hidden tunnels and industrial ruins, making it the perfect place for urban exploring. The city has experienced a lot over the years in terms of trade, industry and military installations. That's why there are plenty of special places to be found. Whether you're an experienced urban explorer or just starting out, in Antwerp there are locations for everyone. In this blog we'll take you along to 8 places you can't skip in Antwerp.

The abandoned courthouse

⚖️ This old courthouse was used for legal proceedings for years, but is now largely empty. The abandoned courtrooms surrounded by long corridors still clearly show what used to take place here. Some parts of the path are still intact, but there are also plenty of spaces that have deteriorated. Broken windows and hanging ceiling tiles make it a real urbex location. Although it's not freely accessible, the exterior alone is impressive enough to see.

• Address: Britselei

• Type of building: former courthouse

• How to reach: car or tram, parking in the area

The old Luchtbal bunkers

🪖 Hidden beneath the modern Luchtbal district lie bunkers that were part of World War II. These defense works are largely abandoned and have been taken over by nature over the years. Inside, there are still plenty of elements from the military past to be found, such as the old metal doors. The cellars and tunnels complete this place entirely. Some bunkers are closed off, but others can still be reached with some effort.

• Address: Luchtbal

• Type of building: old military bunkers

• How to reach: bicycle or car, parking nearby

The abandoned Stuivenberg hospital

🏥 The Stuivenberg hospital is one of the oldest hospitals in Antwerp and was recently closed to make way for new health centers. The old hospital departments, operating rooms and long corridors are largely abandoned. The medical equipment and old beds are pretty much gone, but there are still plenty of other traces of the past to be found.

• Address: Lange Beeldekensstraat 267

• Type of building: abandoned hospital

• How to get there: car or bus, parking in the area

The abandoned cargo warehouses at Spoor Oost

🚂 On the outskirts of Antwerpen lies a site with old cargo warehouses that were once used for storing and transporting goods by train. Since the closure, many warehouses stand empty and graffiti artists have taken over the walls. The high roofs, rusty doors and broken windows make it the perfect spot for urban explorers. The site is nowadays partly used for events, but outside these moments it's an interesting location for urban exploring.

• Address: Spoor Oost

• Type of building: abandoned cargo warehouses

• How to get there: car or tram, parking nearby

The abandoned swimming pool of Antwerpen

🏊 In Antwerpen lies an old municipal swimming pool that hasn't been in use for years, but has still remained intact. The tiled walls, empty pools and old changing rooms show that time has stood still here. Some rooms are dark and humid, so be careful before just walking into a room. The old scoreboard and diving boards make this location complete.

• Address: exact location is often kept secret

• Type of building: abandoned swimming pool

• How to get there: car, parking nearby

The ruins of fort Sint-Filips

🏰 Fort Sint-Filips was once an important military fortress on the Schelde and was used by various armies throughout the centuries. Today, the remains of the fort are overgrown and partly collapsed. The fort is located in an industrial area and is difficult to reach. But for those who take the effort to find it, it's a unique mix of history and decay.

• Address: port area of Antwerp

• Type of building: abandoned military fort

• How to reach: car or bike, limited accessibility

The abandoned customs building at the port

🚢 This old customs building once played an important role in controlling goods entering the Antwerp port. After automation, the building was quickly abandoned. The offices, waiting rooms and archives are still largely intact. The architecture reflects the old glory of the port industry.

• Address: port area of Antwerp

• Type of building: former customs building

• How to reach: car, parking in the area

The abandoned industrial site Petroleum-Zuid

🏭 Petroleum-Zuid is one of the most notorious abandoned industrial sites in Antwerp. Once this was a bustling center for storing fuel and other chemical products. Today most buildings stand empty. Rusty storage tanks, abandoned warehouses and old piping make it a perfect urbex location. Some parts of the site are closed off for safety reasons, but other spots on this industrial site are still easily accessible.

• Address: Petroleum-Zuid

• Type of building: abandoned industrial site

• How to reach: car or bike, limited accessibility

Discover urban exploring in Antwerp!

🔍 Antwerp has a surprisingly large selection of abandoned and hidden places for urban exploring. From industrial ruins and abandoned bunkers to old hospitals and mysterious tunnels. Go well prepared and experience the hidden history of this city in a fun way.

🌍 Want to know more about urban exploring in Belgium or other places? Take a look at our website and go on an adventure!