A ten-minute walk from Berchem station in Antwerp brings you to an astonishing neighbourhood of Art Nouveau and eclectic architecture. The main street Cogels-Osylei is lined with buildings in every style imaginable, from mock Greek temples to Art Nouveau.
The flamboyant architecture continues in the surrounding streets where wealthy locals built grand houses decorated with turrets, balconies and ceramic tiles.
This used to be a forgotten district with almost no cafes or restaurants, but the squares De Dageraadplaats and Draakplaats are now surrounded by lively spots to eat and drink. And you can spend the night in this neighbourhood in a stunning B&B called Garden of Eden.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.
