The city of Antwerp isn’t just a host to Darklands, but complements it in a variety of ways. With rich history, a fantastic food scene and great shopping, there is a lot to explore that you otherwise might miss (frituur food and brown bars always come to mind!). This guide is intended to give Darklanders, both new and experienced, a look at what the city of Antwerp has to offer, in addition to practical information related to the festival itself. You’ll also find information concerning travel to/from Antwerp, day-trip opportunities, regional products, local laws, customs information, emergency information, public transport guides and so on. There is also a specific section for guests of CityBox, as this hotel is a favourite for many kinksters.
Please take a moment to look through the various sections with selected locations for food, shopping, drinks and more. At the top of most sections there is a link to a Google Maps layer that you can save to your phone.
Disclaimer: This guide accurate to the best of my knowledge as of February 2026 but laws, customs information, transport services and other information may change rapidly and I may not have the opportunity to amend this page on time to reflect that. As such, always check official sources before committing to any plans. Please also note that, aside from not being from Antwerp, I have not been to every single location on this list and I therefore cannot strictly endorse every listing. However, please be assured that I have made every effort to carefully select each place based on reviews, location and general research (which has occupied many nights across multiple weeks). There are, of course, many places that are here because I’ve visited them and had a good experience. This page is not, nor does it claim to be, affiliated with the Darklands organisers and has been my own project. At the end of the day, I’m just a Darklander like you with a passion for the fantastic city that we get to visit and enjoy every year.
Any questions, comments or suggestions, please reach out to Kobalt on Bluesky at @kobaltkinkster.bsky.social
P.S. This guide is best viewed on desktop but I have done what I can to make it functional on mobile.
Happy Darklands!
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🌍Country: Belgium 🇧🇪
📍Region: Flanders
🏙️City: Antwerp (Antwerpen)
💬Language: Dutch (referred to locally as Flemish)
- Official languages of Belgium: Dutch, French & German
- English is widely spoken in Antwerp
📞Dialling code: +32
🕐Timezone: GMT+1
💶Currency: Euro (Note that a comma is used in place of a point to mark a decimal)
🌡️Average March temps: Low of 2C, high of 11C. Rain likely. Umbrellas available for hire in the Citybox lift hallway. Current forecasts for Darklands 2026 show higher than average temperatures and some sun, but rain is still expected on some days.
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Access to additional tram lines from other Roosevelt platforms and the nearby Opera station (underground).
Surrounding area:
Map of the immediate surroundings of Citybox. Click to enlarge.
Drop-off info:
Travelling to the Darklands Venue (Waagnatie) from Citybox:
🚋By tram
🛴By eScooter (see app list):
🚶♂️On foot:
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Venue: Waagnatie Expo & Events (Rijnkaai 150, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium)
Program: https://darklands.be/program/
Festival guide: https://view.publitas.com/darklands/bd26-festivalguide/page/1
Cup return system in place - return cup with each order. €2 deposit.
Current access restrictions:
Due to ongoing construction works at the Scheldt Quays, the Waagnatie site is no longer accessible via the familiar route across the now-closed Reinkaai parking along the waterfront cranes.
The entrance to Beyond Darklands is accessible from street level. Visitors can reach the site via newly installed stairs and a ramp over the quay wall. Please plan your arrival accordingly and follow on-site signage.
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Emergency numbers:
- 112 (can be used anywhere in Europe) - 101 for immediate police intervention (Belgium only)
First-aid trained travellers: Argo, Screen, Eos
British travellers should bring their EHIC/GHIC to use with state healthcare. Click here to apply for one.
Download the 112BE app to make location and emergency (info, medications, allergies, etc.) available to emergency services in Belgium when calling through the app.
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🪪ID: Identification must be carried at all times. This can be in the form of a passport or national ID card. A UK driving licence DOES NOT COUNT and failure to provide ID may result in being escorted to a police station.
👕CLOTHING:
It is illegal to wear clothing that hides your face partially or completely in public places. You risk a fine of up to €137.50 euros and detention for up to 7 days. There is no exemption for tourists (however police have been known to turn a blind eye to things like pup hoods during mass walks).
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De Lijn (essential for trams & bus tickets/routes)
JustEat (for ordering after-party food - switch country to Belgium)
Voi (eScooter) Lime (eScooter) Bolt (eScooter)
112BE (Allows you to input emergency info for use by the Belgian emergency services when calling through the app)
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🚆Main train station: Antwerpen Centraal
🚏Main transport networks: bus and tram (operated by De Lijn)
Use the De Lijn app to buy tickets and plan routes. Click here for tram and bus map.
🎫Ticket price & validity: Single digital tickets cost €3.00 and are valid for 1 hour can be used on any bus or tram line with unlimited changes. Tickets must be activated before boarding.
🛴eScooters & bikes: Several companies operate rental bikes and eScooters. It is not recommended to traverse the city core on an eScooter as the roads are unsuitable, but there are several very good cycleways that circumvent the centre which are excellent for getting to and from Waagnatie (Darklands venue).
The cycle path along the waterfront (Jordenskaai, Orteliuskaai, etc.) is very good if popping out of the venue for something to eat as it’s a straight line to the medieval core. be sure to park in a permitted location.
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-The new EES (Entry/Exit System) registration system is in effect. Leave extra time to complete biometric registration at your port of departure on both your outgoing and return journey.
-There is currently a ban on bringing back most types of meat and dairy products from the EU to the UK. Penalties include a £5000 fine. Click here for more info.
-The Kennedytunnel generates a considerable amount of traffic, especially around mid afternoon.
-Random/selective border checks are currently in effect crossing from France or Netherlands into Belgium by car.
-Register/check your vehicle for the Antwerp LEZ here.
-If you are routed past Lille (France), take care NOT to enter inside the motorway ringroad without a CritAir emissions sticker. Using the ringroad itself is fine.
-CitéEurope shopping centre (excellent rest stop next door to Eurotunnel Calais, 15 mins from Calais ferry port)
-Brugge (historic medieval city, easy to see in a day or experience for a few hours)
-Ghent (large historic city)
-While Antwerp Rooseveltplaats is very central, Berchem is not and will require a train or tram to reach the city core. -Journeys to Antwerp Rooseveltplaats may be rerouted to a stop near the Stadspark due to construction works.
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