‘The 500 Hidden Secrets of Antwerp’ reveals these good-to-know addresses and many, many more. It is an affectionate guide to the city, written by a British journalist who has lived in Belgium for more than 20 years. His aim is to reveal the 500 places and details that no one knows, like Dirk Van Saene’s fashion shop in an atelier without a sign, a secret street hidden behind an old gate, the art cinema that seats just 50 people and organises soft porn movie nights, or the ship that was rebuilt as a hotel.

Some are places to visit, others are bits of information, for example on the people who have shaped the Antwerp fashion scene or important dates in Antwerp’s history. The aim is not to cover the city form A to Z, but to inspire. The book also contains a number of maps, on which you can find all the numbered locations. This is a book for visitors who want to avoid the usual tourist spots and for residents who are keen to track down the city’s best-kept secrets.