Brussels is a popular capital city in Europe to visit throughout the year. It turns into a true winter wonderland during the festive season though. Known for its cobblestone streets, elegant architecture, and world-famous chocolate, it’s hard to imagine Brussels becoming even more magical – but it does! For example, the Grand Place, one of Europe’s most impressive squares, sees its historic façades illuminated with dazzling light displays paired with sound effects. But what about the Brussels Christmas markets?
Every year, these markets draw in thousands of visitors. From handcrafted gifts to Belgian delicacies and ice skating under the twinkling lights, there’s something for everyone at the Brussels Christmas markets. The great thing about them is that they’re scattered around the city, so as you make your way between the locations you also get the chance to explore the old town and its landmarks. It’s easy to see why Brussels has become one of the top Christmas destinations in Europe.
Getting around Brussels
Getting around Brussels is very easy. The best way to travel between the Christmas markets in Brussels is by foot, but there are plenty of public transportation options available too. For longer journeys, I’d recommend using the metro which offers reliable connections across the city. You can purchase your tickets in one of the underground stations at a machine very quickly. If you prefer a more scenic travel route, using the buses or the tram system is also a good option. All STIB-MIVB public transport in Brussels accepts contactless payments to make things more convenient.
The best Brussels Christmas markets to visit
Marché aux Poissons
The Marché aux Poissons, also known as Vismet, is one of the largest sections of the Brussels Christmas markets. It’s located in the old fish market, so there’s a lot of history surrounding this area too. There are countless wooden chalets lined up here, selling things such as gourmet treats, frites, seasonal gifts, and artisanal crafts. Visitors can enjoy indulging in a local beer or a Belgian waffle while browsing the handmade gifts on offer.
At the far end of Marché aux Poissons sits a giant Ferris wheel, which offers sweeping views of the city’s skyline at night. As you can imagine, this Christmas market gets very busy, especially on weekends, so if you want to avoid being squished among the crowds I’d recommend visiting midday or when it first opens.
Food to try at this market: Salami pizza bowl, truffle tartiflette, Belgian waffles.
Place Sainte-Catherine
Sitting next to Marché aux Poissons is Place Sainte-Catherine. This smaller market offers a more traditional feel, as it’s framed by the beautiful St Catherine’s Church that was built in the 19th century. There are only a handful of stalls to see here, but they’re packed with a mixture of regional specialities and dishes from further afield. This makes it a great Christmas market in Brussels to visit for food lovers. It’s definitely one of the best spots to soak up the Christmas atmosphere, and it’s not a bad place to escape the chaos of Marché aux Poissons either.
Food and drinks to try at this market: Nutella waffle, mulled flambe wine (includes a stunning ceramic mug), bratwurst.
La Tour Noire
Before leaving this part of Brussels, there’s one more stop you should make. La Tour Noire is one of the oldest landmarks in Brussels, and it’s also the location of a rather unique Christmas market. I was pleased to come across a large Canadian stall here, selling things like maple syrup, beers, and other goodies from home. There are a few boutique-style chalets set up too, as well as a stage where there’s often events or concerts taking place. It’s a beautiful, intimate market to spend some time at, with a bit of Brussels’ history lingering behind the wooden huts.
Food to try at this market: Poutine, beavertails.
La Monnaie
La Monnaie (The Mint Square) is located in front of the Royal Theatre. It’s an interesting Christmas market that brings culture to an urban setting. This market is known for its artisanal stands selling everything from candles to locally made sweets, as well as its elegant decorations. You may come across some live entertainment while you’re here too, which adds a bit more charm to the festive experience. La Monnaie is very close to some popular shopping streets in Brussels, so it’s in a prime location if you’re planning to do Christmas shopping in the city.
Place De Brouckère
If you’re a fan of skating, you’ll want to head over to Place De Brouckère. This Christmas market in Brussels is one of the most popular thanks to its large outdoor ice skating rink. The rink is surrounded by cheerful wooden stalls selling all sorts of snacks and hot drinks. It’s a great spot to come for families as well as couples, though it can get very crowded at times. Apart from the skating rink and a couple of rides, there isn’t too much to do at this market. However, it’s still worth taking a walk through if you have some spare time.
Food to try at this market: Speculoos, crepe with lemon and sugar.
Rue de la Madeleine
An often overlooked Brussels Christmas market is located along Rue de la Madeleine. This street connects the Grand Place to Monte des Arts, and during the Christmas period it’s lined with beautiful wooden stalls. Since Rue de la Madeleine isn’t located in a square, some visitors completely miss out on it. We enjoyed walking along this street and taking in the elegant architecture poking out from behind the market stalls. You may even come across a street performer during your stroll.
Food to try at this market: Cheese and truffle croquettes.
Place de la Bourse
Apart from the fish market area, one of my favourite Brussels Christmas markets is located at Place de la Bourse. This is a very busy Christmas market that always has a buzz around it thanks to its central location. It’s another great place to come for food enthusiasts, as many of the stalls emphasize local gastronomy. I’d recommend coming here in the evening when the festive lights are in full swing, but be prepared for longer waiting times if you plan on eating or drinking here.
From Place de la Bourse you can easily access the Grand Place and enjoy the various market stalls set up between the two locations. Along the way you’ll find plenty of chocolate shops to visit too.
Food to try at this market: Pelmeni, tartiflette, bratwurst.
Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries
Although the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries isn’t a traditional Christmas market, it should still be on your itinerary if you’re visiting Brussels in December. This historic shopping arcade is one of the oldest in Europe, and it’s beautifully decorated with festive garlands and golden lights. Inside the arcade is a fantastic selection of chocolatiers, luxury boutiques, and cafes that create a refined holiday atmosphere. This is the perfect spot to escape the winter chill while still enjoying the festive spirit of the city.
Grand Place
The sparkling centerpiece of the Christmas celebrations in Brussels is the Grand Place. This is also not a market itself, but there’s a stunning light display taking place every evening leading up to Christmas that simply has to be seen at least once. The light and sound show is projected onto the walls of the ornate guildhalls and the town hall, turning the square into a winter wonderland. Visitors can also enjoy looking at the enormous Christmas tree in the centre of the square, as well as a life-size nativity scene.
Things to eat at the Brussels Christmas markets
Speculoos
No visit to the Brussels Christmas markets is complete without trying speculoos. These spiced short crust biscuits are a Belgian holiday staple, and you can find them at pretty much every market across the city. The warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves go really well with a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine. Speculoos can be found in many forms too, not just the traditional biscuit. Don’t be surprised if you come across some speculoos-flavoured desserts during your time in the city. And remember to grab a bag to take home with you!
Tartiflette
Tartiflette may originally be from the French Alps, but it’s quickly become a winter favourite in Brussels. We came across a few stalls selling tartiflette, and some even had alternative flavours including truffle tartiflette. This hearty dish combines layers of potatoes with melted cheese, onions, and sometimes bacon that are all baked together for a comforting meal. The portion size of this dish is quite generous, so expect to pay a higher price for it at any of the markets. I’d recommend ordering tartiflette to share so you can enjoy other dishes without being too full.
Belgian waffle
Whether you visit Brussels in December or another time of the year, you can’t leave the Belgian capital without eating a Belgian waffle. Every Christmas market we visited had at least one stall selling waffles, so you really have no excuse not to try one. You’ll find that each vendor offers a variety of toppings, ranging from powdered sugar to melted Nutella and fresh fruit. These waffles are made fresh too, with a crisp outer layer and a soft inside that will make you want to order a second round.
Where to stay in Brussels
MEININGER Hotel Bruxelles Gare du Midi
A convenient and budget-friendly hotel option during the Brussels Christmas markets is MEININGER Hotel Bruxelles Gare du Midi. Both the main train station and a metro station are just a few minutes away, making it very easy to reach any of the markets from the hotel. This hotel boasts modern, simple rooms as well as a communal kitchen and a cozy lounge space. It’s an ideal place to come back to after a long day of exploring the markets, and the prices at this time of the year for a private ensuite room are reasonable too.
Are the Brussels Christmas markets worth visiting?
The Brussels Christmas markets are 100% worth visiting. The combination of delicious food, wooden chalets, and joyful atmosphere that fills the streets from November to the end of December is incredible to experience in person. Unlike some Christmas markets in Europe, the ones in Brussels are spread out across the city, in a similar fashion to Berlin and Frankfurt, so you can enjoy exploring the city’s landmarks at the same time. Brussels during the holiday season is an ideal weekend getaway, but there’s no harm in spending a little longer here either.
If you have any questions regarding visiting the Brussels Christmas markets, or you have some recommendations for our next trip, please feel free to reach out. You can get in touch via email or through the contact form on my website. Don’t forget to follow along with my travels on Instagram and TikTok too, where you’ll hopefully come across more travel tips to help you plan your next adventure.
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