Month guide · Antwerp · Belgium
Antwerp in January
What January is really like in Antwerp: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: DRG-fan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 6°C (43°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 8.4 hours of daylight. Cold and grey, but museums are quiet and sales start in shops.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 6°C (43°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 8.4 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Antwerp: days average 6°C (43°F) against a yearly average high of 15°C (59°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with December (7°C (45°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 7°C (45°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 08:40
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:03
- Daylight
- About 8.4 hours
Winter (December–February). Christmas market and lights in December, then cold, damp, quiet weeks with low prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Winter sales in shops (usually from early January)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Religious site · Oude Stad
Cathedral of Our Lady
Stand in front of the two Rubens triptychs in the transepts, then step outside to the Handschoenmarkt for the best view of the spire.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Museum · Oude Stad
Museum Plantin-Moretus
The home and printing business of Christophe Plantin and his Moretus descendants, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, keeps its 16th-century workshops, two of the oldest surviving printing presses, original typefaces and a library of rare books, around a courtyard garden.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Museum · Eilandje
MAS (Museum aan de Stroom)
Even if you skip the galleries, ride the free escalators to the rooftop at sunset.
- Time needed
- 1–2.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Architecture
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Museum · Het Zuid
KMSKA (Royal Museum of Fine Arts)
Reopened in 2022 after an 11-year renovation, the KMSKA displays Flemish masters including Jan van Eyck, Rubens and Jordaens in its 19th-century galleries, and the world's largest James Ensor collection, along with Magritte and other modern artists in new white galleries inside the old building.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 6°C, lows near 1°C and 12 wet days: 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.
Is January a good time to visit Antwerp?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Antwerp in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Antwerp?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and grey, but museums are quiet and sales start in shops.
+How warm is Antwerp in January?
Average highs are around 6°C (43°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Antwerp in January?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.