Erasmus in Antwerp

Information and tips for Erasmus students in Antwerp

Why do Erasmus in Antwerp? Below, we are going to tell you everything you need to know before you arrive in the city of Antwerp.

Antwerp is a multicultural city where you can meet young people from all over the world.  Don't worry if your first week is not what you expected, it will be your first contact with the city, the University and with other students like you.

There is no need to worry about how you will meet other students since, at the beginning of each semester, activities are organized so that all Erasmus students can get to know each other. They organize visits to museums, Erasmus parties, sports activities, etc.

Antwerp's transport system is very complete, even so, we recommend buying a second-hand bicycle to save on daily transport costs and it is also much more comfortable to move around the city in this way.

In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the cost of living, leisure, accommodation, etc. of the city of Antwerp to make your arrival as easy as possible.

Cost of living in Antwerp, Belgium

Life in Antwerp is not cheap but does to all the amazing things it offers, it is worth living your Erasmus experience here. The monthly budget that you need to live in Antwerp will largely depend on the cost of accommodation you choose. Be aware that the offer of accommodation in Antwerp is not very wide and that good student accommodation is rented out quickly. However, there is no need to panic, on the Erasmus Play housing search engine, we have grouped the best accommodations to make your housing hunt as stressless as possible.

You can find rooms for rent for € 350 per month.

Taking this into account, on average an Erasmus student living in Antwerp needs € 700-800 per month to live comfortably during their student experience.

Student life, Erasmus parties and leisure in Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp has many tourist attractions and areas for young people. In addition, as a city with so many students, there are countless bars, restaurants and nightclubs to go out to any day of the week.

For example, we recommend you take a look at the “Museum Aan de Stroom” (MAS) or “Red Star Line Museum”. 

If you like beer and want to try craft beers with your friends, you have several places to go, for example, one of them is the famous Meir Street, which is full of shops, bars and restaurants.

The nightlife in Antwerp is very good and you have parties every weekend to enjoy with your Erasmus friends. Once you are there you will discover the best places to go for a beer at a good price.

Also, if you are going to be in Antwerp during the summer you have to know that several festivals are held in July and August for both theatre and Jazz music.

Culture and gastronomy in Antwerp, Belgium

Belgian cuisine has developed its personality through multicultural influence. The different cultures have contributed to creating a truly unique and original food.

Fondue is a traditional dish made of aromatic herbs and meat cooked in melted butter along with bread, surrounded by Gruyère cheese. Another very typical dish in this region is "moules-frites", snails cooked in a sauce seasoned with onion and fried potatoes. Belgian fries, also known as 'frituur' or 'frietkot' are very popular for being very good. When it comes to desserts, "Waffles" are one of the best-selling sweets in Antwerp and throughout Belgium. And we couldn't forget the great selection of craft beers in the Antwerp region. In many restaurants, you can find a menu with more than 100 types of beer.

As we mentioned, Belgian culture is “multicultural” and in this region, the Dutch language predominates, however, Belgians can converse perfectly in English. At first, it may take you time to adapt to their culture, but in general, the young people of Antwerp are very open and friendly to help you with whatever you need. 

Advantages of doing your Erasmus in Antwerp, Belgium

• There are different Universities in Antwerp with great international prestige. This is a major reason why many Erasmus students come to study in Antwerp.
• Belgium is a multicultural country in which three different languages ​​are spoken in each region of the country. The languages spoken here are Flemish (Dutch) in the Flanders region, German and French are spoken in the south.
• You will be able to meet people from Northern Europe and learn about their culture and lifestyle.
• The vast majority of young people in Belgium speak fluent English, so it will be easier to learn this too during your stay in Antwerp.
• Antwerp has a great transportation connection to the entire country. You can visit other cities such as Brussels, Bruges or Ghent. 
• You will taste the best craft beers in the world. There is a wide variety of brands and flavours for all tastes.

Cheap student accommodation in Antwerp, Belgium

Are you looking for accommodation in Antwerp? In Erasmus Play you can find all the information you need to look for the best flats, rooms and apartments for students in Antwerp. Access our housing search engine and choose the ideal accommodation easily.

Frequently asked questions about doing Erasmus in Antwerp

Other Erasmus destinations

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Erasmus in Leuven

Erasmus in Ghent

Erasmus in Liège