Rising beside the River Scheldt on the broad quay at Steenplein, the Antwerp Ferris wheel gives visitors a slow, sweeping turn above the historic heart of the city. Set close to the medieval Het Steen fortress and the old town behind it, the wheel makes the most of its riverside position, lifting riders high enough to take in the cathedral spire, the rooftops of the Grote Markt and the wide grey sweep of the Scheldt all at once. Observation wheels of this kind have become a familiar feature of European waterfronts, often installed on a seasonal basis around the winter holidays or the summer months, and Antwerp version follows that pattern, appearing on the quay to draw crowds during festive periods. Enclosed, heated gondolas mean the ride is comfortable whatever the weather, which matters on a windswept northern riverbank. The appeal is partly the view and partly the vantage point itself, since the flat layout of the old port city is best appreciated from above, where the relationship between the river, the fortress and the cathedral becomes clear. After dark the experience changes character, with the illuminated city spread out below and the lights reflecting on the water. A single rotation lasts several minutes and usually includes more than one circuit, giving plenty of time to pick out landmarks and take photographs. The location at Steenplein places the wheel at the very point where Antwerp meets its river, a spot that has been central to the city life and trade for centuries. Because it sits in the open on a public square, the wheel is easy to combine with a stroll along the renovated quays, a visit to Het Steen or the nearby MAS museum, and the cafes and restaurants of the old town are only steps away. For families, couples and photographers alike, the ride offers an inexpensive and memorable way to see Antwerp from a fresh angle, a brief but rewarding pause that frames the port city skyline against the moving water of the Scheldt. Tickets are sold on the spot for a short ride, with reduced rates for children, and no booking is normally needed. As a seasonal fixture the wheel comes and goes, so opening depends on the time of year, but when running it makes an easy, inexpensive addition to a walk along the renovated Scheldt quays, close to Het Steen, the cathedral and the cafes of the old town.

Type: Activity

Address: Steenplein, Antwerp, Belgium