Best time to visit · Antwerp · Belgium
The best time to visit Antwerp
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Zinneke, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Antwerp is May to September, when terraces are busy, days are long and the Scheldt quays are pleasant for walking. April and October are good for museums with fewer visitors. December brings the Christmas market; winter is otherwise grey but low-priced and ideal for museums and cafés.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–September
- Shoulder season
- April, October and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 24°C (75°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 6°C (43°F))
- Rainiest month
- December (~13 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Seasons
Antwerp has a mild maritime climate: cool, damp winters, mild summers and rain spread through the year, with grey skies common from November to February.
March–May
Spring
Mild days, terraces reopening and the marathon, with frequent showers.
June–August
Summer
Warm days, festivals and outdoor events; Tomorrowland weekends push up hotel prices.
September–November
Autumn
Settled September days, the cultural season and mussel season, then rain and grey skies.
December–February
Winter
Christmas market and lights in December, then cold, damp, quiet weeks with low prices.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C | 1°C | 12 | 8.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 7°C | 1°C | 10 | 9.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 11°C | 3°C | 11 | 11.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 15°C | 5°C | 9 | 13.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 19°C | 9°C | 10 | 15.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 22°C | 12°C | 9 | 16.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 24°C | 14°C | 9 | 16.1 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 23°C | 14°C | 10 | 14.6 h | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 20°C | 11°C | 10 | 12.5 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 15°C | 8°C | 11 | 10.6 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 10°C | 4°C | 12 | 8.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 7°C | 2°C | 13 | 7.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Winter sales in shops (usually from early January) |
| April | Antwerp 10 Miles and Marathon (usually April) |
| May | Sinksenfoor — Pentecost funfair (usually May–June) |
| July | Tomorrowland electronic music festival in nearby Boom (usually late July) |
| August | Antwerp Pride (usually August); Jazz Middelheim festival (usually August) |
| September | Open Monument Day — free entry to historic buildings in Flanders (usually second Sunday) |
| November | Sinterklaas arrival by boat (usually mid-November) |
| December | Christmas market on the Groenplaats and Grote Markt (usually December to early January) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–March and November, and the sights are quietest in January–March and November.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Antwerp?
The best time to visit Antwerp is May to September, when terraces are busy, days are long and the Scheldt quays are pleasant for walking. April and October are good for museums with fewer visitors. December brings the Christmas market; winter is otherwise grey but low-priced and ideal for museums and cafés.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Antwerp?
Usually in January–March and November. Cold and grey, but museums are quiet and sales start in shops.
+What is the rainiest month in Antwerp?
December, with about 13 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Antwerp get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 24°C (75°F) and lows of 14°C (57°F).