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Staying in Schoten: A Quiet Base near Antwerp
Schoten is a leafy residential municipality in the province of Antwerp, about 8 kilometres northeast of the city centre. It has no gay bars, clubs or saunas of its own, so it is not a nightlife destination — but it makes a pleasant, good-value base for visitors who want calmer, greener surroundings with quick access to Antwerp's LGBTQ+ scene. The accommodation here is standard and comfortable: a few bed & breakfasts and guesthouses in Schoten itself, plus a wide choice of hotels and serviced apartments along the northern edge of Antwerp, all within a short drive or tram ride.
Where to Stay
In Schoten itself, small bed & breakfasts such as The Pine House (Dennenlei) offer a quiet, residential stay. Just across the city boundary, the northern Antwerp districts of Merksem, Deurne and Het Eilandje add options like B&B Parkhuys, the serviced apartments at Arendshof, and hotels such as SKIPR and U Hotel near the Eilandje docklands. Closer to the historic centre you will find inns and aparthotels like Herberg Sint Jan beside the Cathedral, Mañana Mañana in the Zuid district, and Via Antwerp towards Berchem. None of these are gay-specific hotels — they are mainstream places that welcome all guests, chosen here for their location and value rather than any LGBTQ+ branding.
Getting to the Scene
Schoten has no railway station; it is served by De Lijn buses and trams. A bus on the 60-series lines towards Antwerp, usually with a tram connection at the city edge, reaches central Antwerp in roughly 25–30 minutes, while driving takes about 15–20 minutes. Antwerp's gay scene centres on the Van Schoonhovenstraat and Stadswaag area north of Central Station, with venues such as Café Hessenhuis and Café Den Draak and fetish/cruise clubs like The Boots. Antwerp Pride, one of Belgium's biggest, takes place in early August (5–9 August in 2026).
Practical Tips
The nearest international gateway is Brussels Airport (Zaventem): take a train to Antwerp Central, then a De Lijn bus or tram out to Schoten. Antwerp International Airport in Deurne is smaller but only about 8 kilometres away. Belgium is very welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers — same-sex marriage has been legal since 2003 — and both Schoten and Antwerp are safe and relaxed. Dress is casual; the local language is Dutch, though English is widely spoken.