The best time to visit Antwerp is May, June and September, when average highs sit comfortably between 18.9 °C and 22.6 °C with 11 rain days each and long, bright days. June, for instance, reaches an average high of 22.6 °C with 11 rain days and 11.5 hours of sunshine, making it ideal for strolling the Grote Markt. July and August are the warmest and busiest months — school holidays fill the city and lift prices — so the shoulder months offer the same warmth with more room to breathe. Winter, from December to February, is the quiet low season, cold and grey but calm.
Best months MayJuneSeptember
Antwerp month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6.5 °C | 1.9 °C | 14 | 3.6 h |
| February | 8.6 °C | 2.6 °C | 13 | 5.2 h |
| March | 11.2 °C | 3.7 °C | 14 | 7.3 h |
| April | 14.6 °C | 5.7 °C | 11 | 9.9 h |
| May | 18.9 °C | 9.6 °C | 11 | 11.1 h |
| June | 22.6 °C | 13.6 °C | 11 | 11.5 h |
| July | 23.2 °C | 14.7 °C | 12 | 11.7 h |
| August | 23.5 °C | 15 °C | 11 | 10.8 h |
| September | 20.5 °C | 12.4 °C | 11 | 9.1 h |
| October | 15.8 °C | 9.8 °C | 13 | 5.9 h |
| November | 10.2 °C | 5.2 °C | 14 | 4.3 h |
| December | 7.7 °C | 3.4 °C | 13 | 3 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
May is a top pick — warm, bright and uncrowded.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
June is the sweet spot; midsummer suits those who don't mind crowds.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is excellent; late autumn turns damp and grey.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
For festive charm and low crowds, not for the weather.
Notable events
- December
- Antwerp Christmas Market (Kerstmarkt) on the Grote Markt
- August
- Antwerp Pride
- Late spring (around Pentecost)
- Sinksenfoor funfair
- September
- Laundry Day electronic music festival
Frequently asked
Is August too hot in Antwerp?
No. August highs average 23.5 °C with 11 rain days, comfortably warm rather than sweltering — the main drawback is holiday crowds, not heat.
What is the rainiest month in Antwerp?
Rain is spread evenly, but January, March and November each see 14 rain days, the most of the year. May, June, August and September have the fewest at 11.
Is winter worth visiting Antwerp?
Only for the atmosphere. December has just 3 hours of sunshine a day and a high of 7.7 °C, so it's cold and grey — but the Christmas market and quiet streets have their own appeal.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Antwerp area guide →
Areas of Antwerp
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Antwerp — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.