Is Antwerp Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Antwerp is generally regarded as a safe city for solo female travelers. Normal precautions should be taken as in any other major city, particularly at night. Public transportation is reliable and locals are often helpful. Street crime is relatively rare, but slight risk can mainly come from areas more frequented by tourists. Regardless of these minor risks, many solo female travelers have had positive experiences visiting Antwerp.

Safety rating

4.6 /5

Based on 6 experiences

4.5 /5

Based on research and crime data

Safety overview

Safety at night:Safe

Antwerp, generally demonstrates a high standard of safety, even during the night. It's a friendly city with well-lit streets and reliable public transport. Tourist areas and main streets are bustling with activity into the late hours, providing a good degree of safety. However, as in any city, certain neighborhoods might be less safe at night. Hence, it is recommended to stay vigilant, avoid isolated areas, and preferably stick to populated ones. Police are regularly patrolling, enhancing the overall sense of security.

Public transportation: Safe

Public transportation in Antwerp is generally efficient and safe. Trams and buses are readily available and are frequently patrolled. It's advisable to be cautious at night, especially in less crowded areas, but overall, the safety level is high and incidents are rare. You can also always find people willing to help if you need it.

Street harassment: Low

Antwerp is relatively safe for solo female travelers regarding street harassment. Most of the locals are respectful, and while it's not entirely uncommon, instances of catcalls or abusive language are few. Nevertheless, just like any place in the world, it's always important to be vigilant, especially when walking alone at night or in unfamiliar areas.

Petty crimes:Low

Antwerp is generally a safe city with a relatively low rate of petty crimes. Instances like pickpocketing or purse snatching can occasionally occur in crowded places or on public transportation, but they are not overly common. Visitors are advised to exercise general caution like keeping personal belongings secure and being vigilant in crowded areas. Overall, the risk of petty crime is relatively low in comparison to larger global cities.

Tap water:Very safe

Tap water in Antwerp is known for its high quality standards. It is thoroughly treated and tested on a regular basis to ensure absolute safety. Holland and Belgium have some of the best tap water in the world, so you have nothing to worry about looking for bottled water unless you prefer the convenience. Feel free to drink the tap water in Antwerp with confidence!

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Travel experiences

Overall rating

4.1 /5

based on 6 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.6/5

Food

4.6/5

Budget-friendly

2.8/5

Solo travel experience

I always felt very safe in Antwerp during the day but also at night. There is a lot to do a lot of cute cafés, cool museums and also a lot of political events happening all the time. It rains a lot there tho and it is a very windy city as well. The people I have met were all very friendly and spoke great English. A lot of men kept winking at me or whistling at me but never anything more.

Posted: November 20, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Agi

Agi (25)

Hungary

Solo travel experience

I visited Antwerp in September, which was a good choice as the weather was excellent for sightseeing: 20°C and the city itself lends itself to walking. If you only speak English, be prepared for some inconveniences as locals (understandably) might not be able to communicate in that language. Regarding the most important bit: I felt safe in the city and in my hotel, no one bothered me. I really recommend getting the Antwerp pass, as most museums are included in that and they have a great selection in the area and the price is absolutely fair. The city has amazing food, I recommend visiting the chocolate shops and getting waffles from street vendors-much cheaper and even better tasting! The prices can be higher then some other places in Europe, especially in restaurants so I recommend checking your options before going. Otherwise you will not spend too much money on activities if you buy the pass, so you can save money there. I do have to warn you, that the hotel, flights, food, and souvenirs may add up but it's worth it:)) This was my first solo trip, I loved the experience and I gained valuable insight during this short holiday!

Posted: November 2, 2023Experienced: August, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

It was amazing a bit mix of dutch french and german! Love it ! You will like it if you are fond of large cruise and diamonds. The architecture is so different! And people are nice! You can cover different spots nearby there is a castle on walking distance from station its very cool and you can have a view of al lcity!

Posted: October 21, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
Author:Instagram
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Solo travel experience

Things to do: - Stadsfeestzaal - Grote Markt - Sint-Annatunnel - The View Antwerp - Central Station Safety: I went solo and felt 100% safe and comfortable. Recommendations: Antwerp is beautiful.

Posted: September 16, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Things to do: - Central Station - Stadsfeestzaal - Cathedral of Our Lady - Rubenshuis - Vlaaikensgang - Plantin-Moretus Museum Safety: The city is extremely safe. Recommendations: Antwerp is a beautiful and diverse city, would definitely recommend. Plenty of museums, cafes and shopping.

Posted: September 9, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Things to do: - Museum aan de Stroom - Cathedral of Our Lady - Plantin-Moretus Museum - The Rubens House - ZOO Antwerpen - Grote Markt - Royal Museum of Fine Arts - Museum of Modern Art - Het Steen Safety: The city is generally safe for women. Recommendations: Antwerp is an awesome city, I highly recommend going there.

Posted: September 2, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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Local experiences

Beautiful buildings (old, with a lot of gold) and best party culture. In the weeks, you can party with the students and all bars are open. In the weekend, special places like the big market square are full of people singing and drinking.

Posted: October 30, 2023
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Meet locals in Antwerp

Nemo

Nemo

Speaking

About Me

I'm a 26 year old girl / woman living by myself in the city center of Antwerp (Belgium). Just like almost everyone here, I love to explore the world!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇮 Gibraltar, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

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fabienne

fabienne

Speaking

About Me

Hey! My name is Fabienne Schmidt, I'm 23 and currently doing my masters in Architecture in Antwerp. I joined this community because I have been using couchsurfing for so many years but only in Europe. After my exchange in Singapore I wanted to see more of Asia, so I decided to solo travel for a few months on a budget. And because Asia isn't Europa (safety wise) and I'm still a broke student (especially after living in Singapore for 4 months hahaha) I joined the Travel Ladies community. I also didn't wanted to give my mom a heart attack everytime she sees me sleeping at a different man's house (better to be safe than sorry). If there is one thing I love to do it's dancing and cooking and especially both at the same time! I can always go for a nice evening stroll or play board games at home or in a café. I love to share my experience with others or have a good laugh about all the crazy stories that I've gathered over the years whilst traveling. So lots to talk about or if you prefer we can also sit in silence. Xxx

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Fara

Fara

Speaking

About Me

Hi everyone! I'm Fara, a 24 y old medical student from Antwerp. Next year, I'll be doing my internship in Cuba, but I'd like to practice my Spanish a bit before I go. This is why I'm going to Spain in September and starting my traveling in Mallorca. It would be great if I could stay somewhere for a few days before I find a workaway. Am definitely willing to help around the house, cook you a homemade meal, or bake you your favorite dessert! I'm a big reader, nature lover, do yoga, and like to do things with friends 😊

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇨🇳 China, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden

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Stay with locals in Antwerp

fabienne

fabienne

Speaking

You can stay for:

3 days

About me

Hey! My name is Fabienne Schmidt, I'm 23 and currently doing my masters in Architecture in Antwerp. I joined this community because I have been using couchsurfing for so many years but only in Europe. After my exchange in Singapore I wanted to see more of Asia, so I decided to solo travel for a few months on a budget. And because Asia isn't Europa (safety wise) and I'm still a broke student (especially after living in Singapore for 4 months hahaha) I joined the Travel Ladies community. I also didn't wanted to give my mom a heart attack everytime she sees me sleeping at a different man's house (better to be safe than sorry). If there is one thing I love to do it's dancing and cooking and especially both at the same time! I can always go for a nice evening stroll or play board games at home or in a café. I love to share my experience with others or have a good laugh about all the crazy stories that I've gathered over the years whilst traveling. So lots to talk about or if you prefer we can also sit in silence. Xxx

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Nemo

Nemo

Speaking

You can stay for:

7 days

About me

I'm a 26 year old girl / woman living by myself in the city center of Antwerp (Belgium). Just like almost everyone here, I love to explore the world!

Countries I’ve Visited

🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇮 Gibraltar, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

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Mukta

Mukta

Speaking

You can stay for:

2 days

About me

Mukta Shilki Pakarina nasce in Italia nel 1971 e si considera una cittadina del mondo. Il suo sviluppo interiore e di risveglio spirituale è iniziato negli anni '90 Praticante Reiki Insegnante di Tai Chi Chuan Stile Yang Facilitatatrice di Respiro Circolare Rebirthing Portatrice della Sacra Chanupa, Pipa della pace Ricercatrice di Visione Facilitatrice di capanne del sudore Artigiana, viaggiatrice, cantante, narratrice, amante della Natura. Dal 2015 collabora con Santiago Andrade Leon, Uomo di Medicina ecuadoriano della chiesa Sumak Kawsay. Dopo 4 anni di Ricerca Della Visione è entrata a far parte del consiglio dell'Associazione Fuoco Sacro che organizza ogni anno la Ricerca Della Visione in Sicilia. Il suo modo di avvicinarsi alle persone si è sviluppato attraverso il suo viaggio interiore e l'interconnessione con persone di medicina durante i suoi viaggi in Guatemala, Siberia, Ecuador, Brasile, Messico, Inghilterra. Sa di essere solo uno strumento, ognuno è l'unico responsabile di diventare il Maestro della propria vita. In questo modo rispetta il tempo individuale di crescita, per risvegliare in ognuno l'autoguaritore.

Countries I’ve Visited

🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇿 Belize, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇪🇨 Ecuador, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇮 Gibraltar, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇬🇩 Grenada, 🇬🇹 Guatemala, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇲🇩 Moldova, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇸🇲 San Marino, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇺🇦 Ukraine, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇻🇦 Vatican City

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Safety in Belgium