The volunteer guides of Urban Insight Tours
Meet our volunteer guides! Without these awesome people we would not be able to do what we love. A big thank you to all of our guides. Thank you for being great hosts, mesmerising storytellers and overall great people.
If you want to become one of our guides and join our incredible team, send in your resumé via urban.insight.tours@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you. For more information, go to our ‘Work with us’ page.
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Meet Shabnam – Antwerp’s warmhearted world explorer!
From the vibrant heart of India to the cobblestone charm of Antwerp, Shabnam has woven her life into a tapestry of cultures, curiosity, and connection. Warm, welcoming, and effortlessly friendly, she’s the kind of soul who turns strangers into friends and cities into homes.
A globetrotter at heart, Shabnam thrives on exploring medieval cities, losing herself in books, and hitting soulful notes when she sings. Her love for learning keeps her forever curious—whether she’s savoring crispy fish at Bia Mara (her go-to food haven) or sipping cocktails at Bar Brul, her favorite cozy haunt.
Art and history? The Mayer Van den Bergh Museum steals her heart. But ask her Antwerp’s best trait, and she’ll smile: “It’s magic—you can’t pick just one thing!” For Shabnam, life—like her adopted city—is a treasure chest of experiences waiting to be unlocked. Want to swap stories or explore Antwerp? She’s your guide!
Shabnam’s suggestions
Favourite bar: Bar Brul
Favourite restaurant: Bia Mara
Best museum: Museum Mayer Van den Bergh
Best thing about Antwerp: the city is magic!
Meet Anna Lena – From lecture halls to cobblestone streets!
Anna Lena is the kind of person who makes you feel instantly at ease—with a warm smile, a curious mind, and a heart full of stories. A medical student living in Antwerp, she’s been giving tours to friends since her second year in the city, turning her love for history and hidden gems into unforgettable walks.
By day, she studies to become a doctor; in her free time, she guides you through the cobbled streets, quiet courtyards, and quirky corners of her home. Whether she’s pointing out a centuries-old building, sharing her favorite local coffee spot, or recounting urban legends with a twinkle in her eye, Anna Lena’s tours are thoughtful, personal, and full of heart.
Her favorite way to unwind? A riverside stroll at sunset and a sweet treat from her go-to bakery. For Anna Lena, guiding is about more than just showing places—it’s about sharing wonder, connection, and stories that linger long after the tour ends.
Anna Lena’s suggestions
Favourite bar: Bar Paniek
Favourite restaurant: Aydo
Best museum: Red Star Line Museum
Best thing about Antwerp: Sunset at the Scheldekaaien
Meet Jeroen – Historian at heart, runner on the streets, guide on a mission!
Born and raised in Antwerp, Jeroen knows every corner of the city. With a deep love for history, geography and the wider world, he brings a thoughtful, well-rounded perspective to each tour, blending local stories with global insight.
Jeroen studied in Antwerp and now works in Antwerp. The city remains both his home and his playground. Whether he’s running the Antwerp 10 Miles, exploring the streets on foot or hiking in the great outdoors, Jeroen is always moving: curious, energized and eager to share what he’s discovered.
As a certified guide with a calm, engaging style, Jeroen loves helping others see the city through fresh eyes.
Jeroen’s suggestions
Favourite bar: Kassa 4
Favourite restaurant: De Bomma
Best museum: Plantin Moretus Museum
Best thing about Antwerp: Such a diverse history. Antwerp used to be the biggest trade city in the world and even now has the 2nd largest harbour in europe. A great city, completely explorable on foot.
Meet Sergio – Our global soul with a heart for connection!
Sergio is a true global soul—born in Honduras, shaped by the world. A traveler, listener, and connector, he’s lived in many countries and brings with him a deep appreciation for people, cultures, and the power of human connection.
Open-minded and endlessly curious, Sergio sees every tour as an opportunity—not just to share stories, but to create them together. His background as a social educator shines through in his warm presence and thoughtful reflections. Whether he’s guiding you through the streets of Antwerp or chatting over a coffee afterward, he’s the kind of person who makes you feel truly seen and heard.
For Sergio, the goal is simple but powerful: to help heal the world, one community at a time. And it all starts with connection. Join him for a tour full of heart, humor, and hope—you’ll leave with more than just facts; you’ll leave inspired.
Sergio’s suggestions
Favourite bar: Chatleroi
Favourite restaurant: Pho Viet
Best museum: KMSKA and the Cathedral (I can’t decide!)
Best thing about Antwerp: Antwerp reminds me of Porto, where I studied. Love its stone streets and serene views. It’s a piece of home away from home ❤️
Meet Muriel – Our history-loving, globe-trotting harmony seeker!
Muriel brings the past to life like few others can. With a degree in history and a lifelong passion for travel, she doesn’t just tell the story of a city — she helps you feel it. From ancient trade routes to forgotten local legends, Muriel connects the dots between then and now with warmth and insight.
When she’s not guiding, you’ll find her somewhere in the world exploring a new city, or closer to home singing her heart out in one of the several choirs she belongs to. Her tours carry that same energy — layered, melodic and full of moments that surprise you. Come ready to listen, look closer, and leave with a deeper love for Antwerp.
Muriel’s suggestions (Muriel is still exploring, adding soon…)
Favourite bar:
Favourite restaurant:
Best museum:
Best thing about Antwerp:
Meet Jolan – Mechelen runs through his veins, literally!
Jolan isn’t just proud to live in Mechelen — his family has called this city home for over 700 years. Among his ancestors? One of the city’s own councillors from the 1300s. So when Jolan tells you about Mechelen’s history, he’s not reciting facts from a book. In a very real sense, he’s telling his own family story.
When he’s not guiding, Jolan seeks out wide open spaces — hiking through mountains and immersing himself in nature. That same love of depth and discovery comes with him on every tour. With Jolan as your guide, Mechelen isn’t just a city to visit. It’s a place to truly understand.
Jolan’s suggestions
Favourite bar: Kaffee Zapoi (where weekly rock concerts attract the local rock ’n roll crowd)
Favourite restaurant: Také (a vegan street food concept with delicious Japanse and Thai dishes to enjoy)
On a rainy day you can find me in the Busleyden museum, but when the sun is out, I’ll be reading a book in one of the many parks – especially in the Silent Garden where silence is key.
In the weekends there is usually a concert in the Concertzaak, Zapoi or Kuub, where I’m always surprised by the local musical talent of our region! The quality of our cultural events surprises me each time again!
Meet Hans – The beating heart of Antwerp!
If Antwerp were a person, it might just be Hans. Vibrant, warm, and with an energy that fills the room, this former bar owner knows the city the way only a true Antwerpenaar can — from the grand squares to the side streets, from the golden age to last weekend. Hans has spent decades building connections with the people and places that make this city tick, and his passion for Antwerp is nothing short of contagious.
Tours with Hans feel like being taken around by your most entertaining local friend. Expect great stories, genuine laughter, and a city that suddenly feels a little more alive. Antwerp has never been short of character — and neither has Hans.
Hans’ suggestions
Favourite bar: Cabron
Favourite restaurant: Bar2
Best museum: KMSKA
Best thing about Antwerp: Everything is reachable by bike, Antwerp is cosy and small.
Meet Casper – Our gentle giant with a laugh that echoes through the ages!
At nearly two metres tall, Casper is hard to miss — and some visitors have been known to do a double-take, wondering if Lange Wapper himself has stepped off his pedestal to give tours. By day he works in IT, which means he’s every bit as sharp as he is tall. But what really defines Casper is his warmth: endlessly friendly, always up for a laugh, and genuinely happy to be here.
Outside of guiding, Casper loves a good board game evening with friends and sings in a choir — so he’s equally at home in a cosy living room or on a stage. On tour, his calm presence, sharp humour, and big smile make even the longest cobblestone streets feel like a breeze. Fair warning: his laugh is contagious.
Casper’s suggestions
Favourite bar: Pater’s Vaetje
Favourite restaurant: Taj Mahal
Best museum: KMSKA
Best thing about Antwerp: Wannes Van De Velde
Meet Laura – Our musical globe-trotter guide!
Laura is a warm and charismatic guide who brings joy and enthusiasm to every tour. A passionate traveler and lover of all things Antwerp, Laura has a knack for connecting with people and making them feel at home in the city. When she’s not guiding, you’ll find her singing her heart out in a local choir called ‘Zoveel Hertz’, sharing her love of music with the world. Laura’s vibrant personality and storytelling skills make exploring Antwerp with her a truly delightful experience. Join one of her tours and let her show you the city through her unique and melodic perspective!
Laura’s suggestions
Favourite bar: De Muze
Favourite restaurant: Pasta Hippo Vino
Best museum: MAS
Best thing about Antwerp: There’s always something great to do or explore!
Meet Leonard – Our people-powered guide!
Leonard isn’t just a guide—he’s pure energy on two legs! When he’s not leading an amazing tour, you’ll find him working as a personal trainer or building epic LEGO creations. Leonard’s charisma and passion for connecting with people make him the perfect guide to show you the hidden gems of Antwerp. With his fun personality and knack for storytelling, every tour with Leonard feels like a journey with an old friend. Come see for yourself why our guests leave smiling and full of great memories after a tour with Leonard!
Leonard’s suggestions
Favourite bar: Quinten Matsijs
Favourite restaurant: Verona
Best museum: Plantijn & Moretus
Best thing about Antwerp: Always a welcoming feeling when arriving in Antwerp
Meet Joris – Proud Antwerpenaar and founder of Urban Insight Tours!
Born and raised in the heart of Antwerp, Joris is the founder and driving force behind Urban Insight Tours. With a deep love for his hometown and a passion for history, storytelling, and travel, he brings the city’s hidden stories to life for both locals and visitors. Joris isn’t just a guide – he’s a true Antwerp native who lives and breathes the city’s vibrant culture, quirky corners, and rich past. Whether he’s exploring the world, battling through a board game, or diving into a good history book, his heart always belongs to Antwerp. Urban Insight Tours was born from his mission to show the city through the eyes of someone who’s grown up in its streets, soaked up its stories, and proudly calls it home. With Joris leading the way, every tour is infused with authenticity, curiosity, and local pride.
Joris’ suggestions
Favourite bar: Paters Vaetje
Favourite restaurant: ‘T Hofke
Best museum: KMSKA
Best thing about Antwerp: A great atmosphere you can’t find anywhere else!
