The View is a 55-metre ferris wheel set up on the Steenplein, the riverside square next to the medieval Het Steen fortress and the Scheldt quayside. Its 42 gondolas carry you in a slow, roughly ten-minute revolution that rises high enough to look down on the river bend, the cranes of the old docks, the tower of the Cathedral of Our Lady and the red roofs of the historic centre. The wheel is lit with LED lighting after dark, which makes it a landmark of its own along the water, and one gondola is designed to be accessible for wheelchair users while another is a VIP cabin for a more private ride. It is not a major sight and does not pretend to be, but because it stands at the end of the Grote Markt walk it is an easy way to add a high viewpoint and a bit of fairground fun to an afternoon in the old town.
What it is
A ticketed ride on a large observation wheel, not a museum or a guided experience. You buy an entry ticket for a single revolution, board a gondola with your group and are carried round at a steady, unhurried pace. The ride lasts around ten minutes, so think of it as a short treat rather than an outing in its own right. The gondolas are enclosed, which helps on windy or cool days, and there is an accessible gondola for visitors who use a wheelchair.
Planning the visit
The wheel is shown as running every day from late morning until late evening, but temporary wheels like this can be moved or taken down for part of the year, so check that it is in place on your travel dates before you plan around it. Weather matters more than the clock: a clear day gives the best view of the Scheldt and the skyline, while low cloud or rain takes away most of the point.
Evening rides catch the lit-up cathedral spire and the glow along the quay, and are the better choice for couples. Queues tend to build on dry weekends and school holidays, so a weekday or an early slot is calmer.
Making it count
Combine the wheel with a walk through the Grote Markt and past Het Steen, then follow the quay along the river. If you are short of time, it is the first thing to drop; the cathedral and the MAS rooftop give higher and more varied views, and the MAS rooftop is free. If you are travelling with children, or you simply enjoy a ride, the wheel gives a reliable few minutes of fun in the middle of the old town, and the position by the water makes it a good spot for photographs before you board.
What to expect
The experience
A single revolution on a 55-metre observation wheel in an enclosed gondola, with views over the Scheldt and the old town.
Best time
A clear day for the view or after dark for the lights; weekdays are quieter than dry weekends.
How long
The ride lasts about ten minutes, so allow around fifteen with boarding and queueing.
Tips
Check that the wheel is in place on your dates, ask about the accessible gondola when you book and pair it with a walk past Het Steen.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and anyone who wants a quick high viewpoint beside the river.
- Families
- Easy, short and fun, with enclosed gondolas that most children enjoy.
- Couples
- Choose an evening ride for the lit-up skyline and the river glow.
- Pair with
- Grote Markt, City Hall and Het Steen, all within a few minutes on foot.
- Time needed
- About fifteen minutes for the ride, plus time for the surrounding walk.
Good questions
How high is the Antwerp ferris wheel?+
The View stands 55 metres tall and carries riders in 42 gondolas.
How long is the ride?+
A single revolution takes around ten minutes.
Where is it?+
On the Steenplein, the riverside square beside Het Steen, a short walk from the Grote Markt.
Is there a wheelchair-accessible gondola?+
Yes, the wheel has a gondola designed to be accessible, and there is also a VIP gondola for a more private ride.
Is it there all year?+
Wheels of this kind can be moved or removed, so confirm that it is operating on your dates before planning around it.
