Please note: the Christmas market opens on 4 December
The stalls, the ice rink and the winter bars are there from 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Until then you can walk the route past the squares and sights, but without the Christmas market.
In short
- Dates
- 4 Dec 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
- Route
- ± 3 km on foot
- Allow
- 2 to 3 hours
Start at Antwerp Central Station, finish at the Steen on the Scheldt. Each stop has a button that opens the place in Google Maps.
When is the Christmas market open?
The City of Antwerp has set these opening hours for the market:
- Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 to 22:00 (Operaplein until 21:00).
- Friday and Saturday: 12:00 to midnight (Operaplein until 23:00).
- 24 and 31 December: everything closes at 18:00.
At the time of writing, the opening hours of the ice rink, the winter bars and Hendrik Conscienceplein were not yet final. Please check winterinantwerpen.be before your visit.
The walking route in eight stops
The stops follow the walking direction from east to west, so you finish by the river, where it is easy to take a taxi home or to your hotel.
Koningin Astridplein
You start at Antwerp Central Station, the monumental station on the edge of the centre. The square in front of it is part of Winter in Antwerpen. Arriving by train? Then you are already on the route.
± 700 m · ± 9 min on foot from stop 1
Operaplein
Photo: DimiTalen, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons Walk along De Keyserlei to Operaplein on Frankrijklei, next to the opera house. This square has its own hours: it closes an hour earlier than the rest of the market.
± 750 m · ± 10 min on foot from stop 2
Hendrik Conscienceplein
Photo: Steven Lek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Cross the Meir and walk to this car-free square with the baroque St Charles Borromeo Church. It is one of the quietest spots on the route, ideal for a hot drink.
± 550 m · ± 7 min on foot from stop 3
Groenplaats
Photo: Rolf Kranz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Groenplaats is home to the Winter in Antwerpen ice rink, next to the statue of Rubens. From here you can see the tower of the Cathedral of Our Lady rising above the rooftops.
± 250 m · ± 3 min on foot from stop 4
Handschoenmarkt
This small square sits right in front of the cathedral entrance. Take a moment to look up: from here you see the tower in its full height.
± 150 m · ± 2 min on foot from stop 5
Grote Markt
The heart of the Christmas market. Around the Brabo Fountain, the stalls stand between the guild houses and the Renaissance city hall. In the evening, with the lights on, the square is at its most beautiful.
± 150 m · ± 2 min on foot from stop 6
Suikerrui
From the Grote Markt, the Suikerrui runs straight down to the Scheldt. You will find Christmas market stalls here too.
± 250 m · ± 3 min on foot from stop 7
Steenplein and the Steen
Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons You finish at the Steen, the medieval castle on the Scheldt, with the riverside promenades along the water. Part of Winter in Antwerpen is on Steenplein as well.
Fancy walking a bit further? Carry on to the Eilandje
From the Steen, walk along the Scheldt to the Eilandje, the old harbour district. Allow an extra hour.
± 1 km · ± 13 min on foot from stop 8
MAS – Museum aan de Stroom
Photo: Fred Romero, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons You will spot the red museum building by the marina from far away. The roof terrace, with views over the city, the Scheldt and the port, is free to visit. Check the opening hours in advance on mas.be.
± 1.3 km · ± 17 min on foot from stop 9
Havenhuis (Port House)
Photo: Edison McCullen, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons On top of an old fire station stands a glass structure by Zaha Hadid Architects that recalls a ship or a diamond. The square in front is called Zaha Hadidplein. You view the building from outside, at its best at dusk.
After the walk, we are happy to pick you up here and take you home or to your hotel.
Distances and walking times are estimates, without stops.
Prefer not to walk all the way?
By tram to the Grote Markt
Tram 11 runs above ground from Antwerp Central Station to the Melkmarkt, right next to the Grote Markt and the cathedral. You skip stops 2 to 4 and start at Handschoenmarkt (stop 5). For the way back, you can also board at the Melkmarkt.
Ticket: A ticket costs €3 and is valid for 60 minutes; a day ticket costs €9. Pay contactless with your bank card at the white terminal on the tram, or buy your ticket in advance in the De Lijn app.
Please note: because of works, no trams run under the Meir until spring 2027.
Tips for your visit
- Come on a weekday or early in the day. The Grote Markt and Groenplaats are busiest at weekends and in the evening.
- Best photos: the Grote Markt at dusk and the cathedral seen from Groenplaats.
- Warm clothes and good shoes: most of the route is on cobblestones.
- Coming by car? The centre has limited traffic and parking is expensive and scarce. Get dropped off at the station or at the Steen instead.
By taxi to the start or back home
We drop you off at Antwerp Central Station and pick you up at the Steen or the Havenhuis, at the time you choose. No walking back to a car park and no waiting for the last tram. Rides within Antwerp run on the licensed taximeter; for a ride to or from another city, you know the price in advance.
On 24 and 25 December and from 31 December to 1 January, the price can be different and a ride or a reply can take longer. You always see the price in your confirmation, and if we are running late, we let you know. For those days, please book early.
This guide on your phone
Scan the code to open this walking route on your phone.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Antwerp Christmas market cost?
The squares are free to enter. You only pay for what you eat, drink or buy, and for attractions such as the ice rink.
Where does the Antwerp Christmas market start?
The market has no fixed entrance. If you come by train, the easiest start is Koningin Astridplein at Antwerp Central Station, walking towards the Scheldt.
Is the Christmas market open on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve?
Yes, on 24 and 31 December, but everything closes at 18:00. Check the holiday hours on winterinantwerpen.be.
Can I take a taxi home or to my hotel after the Christmas market?
Yes. Agree a pick-up time and place in advance on WhatsApp, for example at the Steen. We drive 24/7.
Book your ride to Winter in Antwerpen?
Send us your pick-up address, date and time. We reply on WhatsApp within 15 minutes between 07:00 and 23:00.
Book on WhatsAppSources
- Winter in Antwerpen: info standhouders (data en openingsuren)
- Collegebesluit 2026_CBS_02361 – Winter in Antwerpen 2026-2027 (locaties, schaatspiste)
- Winter in Antwerpen – praktische info
- De Lijn – Ticket (prijs, geldigheid, kopen)
- De Lijn – Dagticket
- De Lijn – Tunnelrenovatie metro Antwerpen
- Slim naar Antwerpen – Tramlijn 11 rijdt opnieuw tussen Berchem en Melkmarkt
Photos
Photo: agracier, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (header).
Checked on 8 November 2026.