3 best Christmas Markets to visit in Belgium

Last Updated on November 11, 2023 by

It’s again that time of the year people! If you find yourself looking around for some amazing Christmas Markets around Europe, let me introduce you one of my favourite, yet underrated Christmas destinations: Belgium! Homeland of the most tastiest chocolate and yummy waffles, Belgium is a perfect festive destination to visit alone or with children. In this guide, you will discover 3 best Belgium Christmas markets to consider for your next European festive trip!

Things to know before visiting Belgium

If you are planning to visit Belgium over the festive period, particularly if you are travelling from the USA for the European Christmas Markets, is better to come prepared for your visit. Belgium is a small nation, but there are many things to know about it! Here you’ll find all the essential information you need to plan your trip to Belgium and have a fantastic time.

Getting to Belgium

Belgium is well-connected to the rest of Europe through air, rail, road and sea. If you are traveling from the US or from mainland Europe, you will likely arrive by air using one of the 2 Brussels’ airports (Zavantem or Charleroi). Londoners, like me, are slightly more luckier as we can take advantage of the efficient rail connection provided by Eurostar and being in Belgium in about 2 hours.

I visited Belgium several times, but on my last trip boarded the Eurostar and I was surprised how lovely is traveling by train! The ticket was quite cheap (£39 per person one way) and children under 4 don’t pay if you put them on the lap! Very recommended if you want to save on a expensive flight (especially over the Christmas period). Booking in advance is recommended to get the best fares.

Getting around Belgium

To get around Belgium you have essentially two choices. Renting a car or using their exceptional rail system. As I said before, Belgium is a small nation and getting around by train is the most efficient and eco-friendly way of exploring.

Traveling in Belgium by train

We personally explored by train (with two little children) and we found it comfortable and smooth. Moreover, many cities are quite close so it’s easy to get around.

SNCB is the main train provider and you can book your tickets in advance here.

Just take note that many Belgium cities have multiple train stations and present both French and Flemish names. If this is the case, to avoid getting confused, please note the “Central Train Station” of each city is always named as” Centrale/Centraal“. The North train stations are Nord/Noord. The southern stations are called “Midi” and “Zuid”. For example, in the case of Brussel South station this is Brux.-Midi/Brus.-Zuid. Always check which station is the closest to your final destination as might not the be the “central” one.

Main Train distances and prices (2023)

To give you an example, if your base will be Brussels, here are some distances and expected train prices. Take note that Belgian trains have a 50% off from 7 p.m. Friday to Sunday. Also valid during long weekends. Therefore is encouraged to travel during the weekend. The prices below, refers to standard tickets A/R.

• Brussels to Bruges – 1h and 16 mins – € 32.00
• Brussels to Ghent – 28 mins – € 20.40
• Brussels to Antwerp – 44 mins – € 16.80
• Brussels to Liège – 1h and 04 mins – € 33.60
• Brussels to Dinant -1h and 55 mins – € 29.00

Why cities in Belgium have multiple names?

Belgium is divided into two main regions, each one with its own language. On the one side there is the Flanders region. Here the main language is Flemish. This language, to non-native speakers, weirdly sounds as a mix of French, Dutch and German. This region speaks also a variety of Dutch dialects too. On the other side, the Wallonia region is Francophone. This means the main language spoken is French. Nevertheless a little part of Wallonia speaks German too.

That’s a very interesting melting pot of different languages for such a small nation! However, I found out that many people do speak both Flemish and French. English is widely spoken too. Public signs are always both in French and Flemish. Therefore, is not difficult to orientate yourself.

Is Belgium children friendly?

Belgium is regarded as one of the safest and most child-friendly countries in Europe. However, I have mixed feeling about this. Indeed, despite I love Belgium, my experience with children wasn’t as positive as the one we had in the Netherlands. This is mostly related to the services you can find around for families rather than for the activities one can do with the kiddos. Indeed, most restaurants we visited didn’t have baby changes or even high-chairs! Obviously, they didn’t have children menu too. This didn’t happen just in one city, but in multiple venues around the county.

In one restaurant we booked largely in advance, when we arrived, the guy told us to leave our (foldable) strollers outside under the rain because they weren’t allowed inside. To note our strollers become very small when folded (they can even go under a chair) and there was plenty of space. I was very surprised by the quite aggressive tone of the person. We didn’t leave just because it was raining and we didn’t have any alternative reservation, BUT it was the case to leave.

The good thing is that we are very flexible and our kids eat most of the time what we eat, but I couldn’t help to note certain patterns that I disliked. Therefore, if you are planning to travel with children, you might find useful some tips below (otherwise you can scroll down to the next section!).

Tips for Travelling with children in Belgium

• From our experience, I have the impression that Belgium might be an easier destination with older children. Indeed, despite my little twins are well-travelled, it was challenging to find kid-friendly restaurants, public baby changes etc. We adapted, of course, but less experienced travel families might have difficulties.
• Winter might not be the best for little ones. Of course, this depend on the child, but keep in mind that Belgium is quite windy and rainy so prepare for this.
• Research well restaurants and stops for your trip. Unfortunately, most restaurants don’t declare online if they have children menu. I stupidly assumed the had it, but that was a mistake. If you really want to dine in a certain place with kids, is worth to call the place and ask if they have a separate menu for children.
• High-chairs in restaurants are unpopular (except in McDonald’s!). So, if you have a very small child, it’s worth to invest in a Travel High Chair.
• Don’t forget some kids’ entertainment if you are planning extensive train trips.

What to wear in Belgium in winter?

European winters (unless you are travelling to Sicily) are normally very cold. Belgium makes no difference. Therefore if you are planning a trip over the festive period, get prepared to cold weather with plenty of rain and possibly even snow. Wear warm insulated clothes if you are planning to stay a lot outdoor and don’t forget to pack an extra pair of gloves.

Waterproof shoes are recommended but not essential if you are city hopping. A good pair of trainers or some winter boots might be enough.

Layers are an optimal choice, especially if, like us, will spend part of the trip indoor sipping delicious Belgian hot chocolate.

How many days should I stay in Belgium?

If you are travelling from the US, probably Belgium is not your only destination (after that long flight!). Therefore, it’s worth to spend at least a week to hit some of the nation’s best highlights. European fellows usually spend from 3 to 5 days, particularly if this is just a short festive trip. We personally stayed 5 days last time. However, I already been to Belgium before, and this trip was exclusively to hit the Christmas Markets. Belgium is quite a short trip from London, so it’s easy to get back at our convenience.

Why visiting Belgium in winter is a good idea

Well, Belgian chocolate alone should be reason enough to pack all your belongings and head to Belgium. However, Belgium is not only the ultimate chocolate destination; it offers a wealth of museums and fantastic architecture. Moreover, Belgium boasts one of the most fascinating historical backgrounds in all of Europe. My opinion is not very unbiased since I always visited Belgium in winter, but this nation has something special during cold months!

Despite the rain and foggy weather, it looks straight out of a fairytale and there is nothing more special than the festive feeling your are breathing around small cities like Bruges. They look like frozen in time in the most picturesque way.

Lastly, Belgium offers still a great value during the festive period compared to more renowned destinations such as Germany and Austria. Therefore, it might be a much more convenient location if you are on a budget or simply would like to explore a new destination.

Belgium Christmas Markets. What to places to choose for a festive trip

There’s a time of year when I decide on my annual Christmas Markets trip destination. Belgium came as an easy destination. Close to London, no fee to pay for children on the train and the perspective of the best chocolate in the world. The difficult part came when it was time to choose the places we wanted to visit. We decided to use Brussels as our base for the journey.

While it’s not my favourite place in Belgium, my husband had never been, and it offered an excellent starting point for day trips around the country. Along with other cities, we opted for Bruges (a personal favourite of mine) and a place I had never visited, Ghent. Dinant was also on the list, but we decided against the longer train journey, so Ghent won in the end.

We had initially planned to explore the city for three full days, but our Eurostar was delayed by more than five hours, effectively costing us a day of our trip.

Our choices were mostly influenced by my past experiences and the Christmas Markets I wanted to visit. Given more time, I would likely have added Dinant and Antwerp to our itinerary.

Brussels

Brussels very charming historical centre is worth a visit at any time of the year. Nevertheless, during the festive period the city becomes the centre of one of the most spectacular Christmas Markets in Europe: Winter Wonders. A stretch of 240 Christmas Chalets, illuminations and attractions displayed in a 2.5 km long route in the centre of Brussels. An incredible display of Christmas magic that makes this market the largest and most famous in the whole Belgium.

As this isn’t enough, my favourite place in the city, the Grand Place, becomes a place of wonder. Magical decorations, a giant tree and some of the most spectacular game of lights you’ll see in the city happen all here. There are not many places like the Grand Place in the world and during Christmas this place become even more special.

Best Christmas Markets to visit in Brussels

What’s unique about the Winter Wonders of Brussels is that, despite its appearance as a massive Christmas Market, it’s actually a collection of smaller markets scattered throughout the city centre. This might seems confusing at the beginning but if you plan ahead your stops, it will make sense. Therefore, all the below markets are all part of Winter Wonders. To help you orientating, the map above will show you the location of the main Christmas Markets in Brussels.

• Vismet/Place Saint Caterine (known also as Marche’ aux Poissons). Is the biggest part of the Winter Wonders. Here are located most of the chalets and you’ll find traditional alpine/Christmas food and gifts. Usually there is also a lovely ferry wheel.
• Place de la Monnaie Was my least favourite. Last year theme was “Apres-ski” so it was unfortunately populated with large groups of drunk people in a tight space to walk. This market offers food and drinks with two large curling rinks.
• Place de Brouckère has been one of my favourite stops. It typically features a charming ice rink, numerous festive chalets, and last year, they introduced the use of reusable tableware, which I found to be a wonderful eco-friendly choice. In fact, we enjoyed a delicious raclette, and if you recycled your bowl, you received a 2€ refund.
• Bourse Christmas Market is much smaller compared to the previous ones but it has still a lot of charme.
• Black Tower. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to stop here but this Christmas Market is famous for being “the Canadian stop”. Indeed, here they serve the Poutine, a traditional dish of Quebec.

Brussels Christmas Markets 2023 dates

This year Christmas Markets in Brussels will start on 24th November 2023 to 31st December 2023.

The opening times of Brussels Christmas markets are:

• Each day from 12h to 22h
• On Saturday 24 and 31 December 2023 from 12h to 18h

Bruges

If you’re looking for the most festive place in Belgium, that place is probably Bruges. There’s something special about this city that makes it the perfect destination for spending the Christmas holidays. It could be the abundance of chocolate shops, the charming streets, or the ice rinks nestled in the woodlands. I’m not entirely sure. What I can tell you is that on both of my visits to Bruges, during the Christmas season, I fell in love with it. Of course, the city has changed since I first visited as a naive 17-year-old. With the advent of social media, it’s now a bit more crowded during the festive period. However, that doesn’t diminish the city’s beauty. Moreover, there are now much more Christmas Markets to explore than years a go and this will make the city a perfect destination for Christmas shoppers’ lovers!

Winter Glow 2023

Bruges Christmas Market is famous as “Winter Glow“. Same as Brussels this includes various Christmas Markets around the city and some festive activities such as the Light Trail or Ice rink. Bruges is a much smaller city than Brussels, so there are just two main Christmas Markets.

The first one, is the Markt Christmas Market. This is located in the iconic Bruges’ central square. Here you can find everything, from traditional Christmas delicacies to souvenirs and, of course, chocolate. The second one is the Simon Stevinplein Christmas Market. This market is much smaller, just a couple of stalls across the lovely square. It is dedicated mainly to craft products. The markets are quite close to each other. Therefore it’s easy to visit both on the same day.

Bruges Christmas market 2023 dates

Winter Glow will be taking place in Bruges from 24 November 2023 until 07 January 2024.

The opening hours for Bruges Christmas markets are:

• Sunday to Thursday from 10.00 a.m. to 10 p.m.,
• Friday & Saturday from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 p.m.

Ghent

The last Belgian Christmas city I suggest you put on your travel map for this festive season is Ghent. Unlike Brussels and Bruges, I visited Ghent for the first time last year and immediately fell in love with it! I didn’t expect such a lovely town full of photogenic corners. I loved it so much that I am thinking of visiting again during the summer. One thing you should know about Ghent is that the historical centre, dating back to the 12th century, is now completely pedestrianised (except for the tram lines). This serves as a perfect setting for the city’s delightful Christmas Market, which spreads out from Sint-Baafsplein, along the Botermarkt and Klein Turkije to the end of the Korenmarkt.

An entire walking area immersed in the Christmas spirit, featuring more than 150 wooden stalls. And if that isn’t enough, the giant Ferris wheel and the funny roller rink provide additional stops to make this festive trip even more magical.

A last lovely stop for this festive trip to Ghent is the Castle of the Counts. This year, this will hosts its own Winter Wonderland. An additional occasion to enjoy the festive decorations and music in a very unique setting. However, while the main Christmas Market in the city centre is free, Winter Wonderland at the Castle has a cost of €13. Children aged 0-12 have free access. You can purchase Tickets in advance here.

Ghent Christmas Markets 2023 dates

The Christmas Market in Ghent will be open from 7 to 31 December 2023.

The opening times for Ghent Christmas markets are:

• Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm to 00:00 am
• Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am to 01:00 am

Other Belgium Christmas Markets to visit

If you have more than a week to get around Belgium, or simply want to swap one of the cities above with other destinations here below you’ll find a useful list of additional Christmas Markets you can visit in Belgium and their opening dates.

Additional Belgium Christmas Markets to put on your list!

• Antwerp Christmas Market. This is called “Winter in Antwerp” and differently from previous years is no longer taking place at Steenplein. Instead, Operaplein and Hendrik Conscienceplein will be the main Christmas Markets and festive displays locations. The Ferris wheel will be located on Astridplein. Winter in Antwerp will start on Friday 8 December 2023 to 7 January 2024.
• Liege Christmas Market is called “Christmas Village”. Located in Place du Marche’ it’s renowned as one of the oldest and biggest markets in Belgium with more of 200 chalets. The Market will open from 25 November to 30 December 2023.
• Leuven Christmas Market. This is located in Ladeuzeplein & Hooverplein and is one of the liveliest markets in Belgium. A peculiarity of the festive season in Leuven is the “Great Beguinage by candlelight”. A series of alleys, courtyards, gardens and parks with dozens of houses and convents built from traditional sandstone entirely lit by candlelight and enhanced by the sound of the carillon bells ringing and a choir singing.
• Mechelen Christmas Market is at a perfect reach from both Antwerp and Brussels. The town become very festive and is one of the few places where you can find waffles in display at the Christmas Market. The chalets are located mainly in Vismarkt, Haverwerf, Van Beethovenstraat and Korenmarkt. This year the market will be from 1st December to 31st December all around the city.
• Ostend Christmas Market. Displayed at Leopold Park and Wapenplein, this market is famous for its “Lichttunnel”. A spectacular 180 metres long tunnel featuring more than 230,000 coloured LED lights. The market will open from Friday 1 December 2023 to Monday 1 January 2024.

Where to stay in Belgium

For our stay in Belgium we chose Brussels as a base for all our day trips. However, moving in Belgium is very easy so you can decide to stay over different cities. Particularly if you are spending in the country more than 4 days. Here are some of my favourite hotels in Brussels, Bruges and Ghent.

Best places to stay in Brussels

• The Dominican in Brussels was one of my top choices. A former historical Dominican Abbey that is now turned into a stylish designer hotel in the heart of the city. A very exceptional option for couples and families with adult children. Not recommended to families with younger children as the rooms are not big enough to accommodate multiple small children unless interconnecting. Rates for the Christmas period start at £200 per night for a double.
• The Hotel Brussels is a wiser choice if you have small children. Not a historical location, but at just 15 mins walk from the Grand Place. Prices start at £200 per night for a double.

Where to stay in Bruges

• Guest House Bonifacius couldn’t be more perfect for a stay in Bruges. A 16th-century house perched on a picturesque canal. The house has a wonderful decor and impeccable style. There is a mininum 2-nights stay and prices starts at €376 for two nights for a double room.
• Hotel Adornes is tiny but with a lot of character. Blessed with a fantastic view over the canals, this hotel is just at a few steps away from Markt Square. The perfect location for your Christmas stops! Prices starts at £194 per night for a double room.

Where to stay in Ghent

• 1898 The Post is an exclusive location right in the centre of Ghent. The old Post Office couldn’t look more stylish in its new renewed life. A superb choice for history lovers that will grant you a direct access to Ghent Christmas Markets. Prices start at £319 per night for a double room
• Nonam Boutique Hotel Gent. You will be surprised by this lovely gem slightly out of the city centre. A carefully curated boutique hotel with nicely decorated rooms, impeccable style and reasonable prices. Rooms start at £153 per night for a double room during the Christmas period.

Plan your Christmas in Europe

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