Why offline?

A day offline in Antwerp, a digital detox. Are you intrigued by the idea, but not quite ready for it? We list the advantages of leaving your smartphone on the side for a day:

• you see and experience more
• you are more likely to meet people
• you enjoy the ‘now’
• you slow down and relax

Relax in the greenery

Antwerp has many parks that are ideal for an ‘offline’ walk. The Hoboken Polder, the Rivierenhof, the Nachtegalen Park… Enjoy it with all your senses and relax. Have you lost your way? Ask a passer-by for help. Who knows, a great conversation may arise and you will get great insider tips from a local? 

Take the Waterbus to Lillo

Take the Waterbus at the Steen fortress and enjoy a beautiful boat trip on the Scheldt. Get off at Lillo, a charming village in the middle of the vast harbour. Walk around, admire the small port and the mill and look at the passing ships on the dike. The wind is sure to blow all your worries away. 

Make time for slow art

With your mobile phone out of reach, it is easier to really take the time for a work of art. In slow art, you don't go through all the rooms in a museum to scan hundreds of works, but you choose some that you'll take in. Let your feelings guide you in your choice or follow our tips:

• De Dulle Griet (Mad Meg) in Museum Mayer van den Bergh: immerse yourself in this fascinating and mysterious painting by Pieter Bruegel
• Masterpieces by Rubens in the Cathedral of Our Lady: the majestic setting, masterpieces by a baroque master, the sacred silence of the cathedral: all ingredients are there for a special experience
• Fouquet's Madonna in the KMSKA: is it because of the modern design, the colours or the erotic dimension? One thing is certain: this absolute masterpiece from the 15th century invites you to keep looking

Watching animals in a green oasis

Looking for another special place to end your offline day? ZOO Antwerp is not only one of the oldest zoos in Europe, it is also a green oasis in the centre of the city. From penguins to elephants, giraffes and hippopotamus, you can admire more than 950 species of animals here. Science has shown that observing animals provides rest and relaxation in both your head and body.