7‑Day Belgium & Netherlands Highlights: Brussels & Amsterdam

Day 1: Arrival in Brussels & City Centre Exploration

Morning: Arrive at Brussels Airport (BRU) and take the Ekspres train to **Brussels Central Station** (GPS 50.8467, 4.3525). Check‑in at **Hotel Amigo** (Rue de l'Empereur 1, near Grand‑Place).

Afternoon: Wander the **Grand‑Place** (50.8466, 4.3528) and admire the Town Hall and the **Grote Markt**. Stop for a lunch of Belgian frites at a nearby café.

Evening: Enjoy a sunset stroll along **Galeries Royales Saint‑Hubert** (50.8462, 4.3530) and dine at **Chez Léon** for classic moules‑frites.

Day 2: Brussels Museums & EU Quarter

Morning: Visit the **Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium** (50.8420, 4.3570) and see works by Bruegel. Take the metro to **Bourse – Grand‑Place** station.

Afternoon: Head to the **European Parliament** (GPS 50.8389, 4.3810) via train to **Brussels-Schuman**. Explore the Parliamentarium for interactive EU exhibits.

Evening: Ride the **Brussels City Tour hop‑on hop‑off bus** (stop at **Place du Jeu de Balle**) and enjoy a Belgian beer tasting at **Delirium Café**.

Day 3: Day Trip to Ghent

Morning: Catch the Intercity train from **Brussels Central** to **Ghent‑St‑Pieters** (30 min). Store luggage at the station locker.

Afternoon: Explore **Gravensteen Castle** (51.0540, 3.7247) and the medieval **St Bavo’s Cathedral** with the **Ghent Altarpiece**.

Evening: Return to Brussels; enjoy a relaxed dinner at **Le Wine Bar des Marolles** near **Marolles‑Jacques Brel** station.

Day 4: Day Trip to Bruges

Morning: Take the direct train from **Brussels Midi** to **Bruges** (1 h 15 min). Walk to the historic centre.

Afternoon: Cruise the **Canals of Bruges** (51.2080, 3.2240) and visit the **Belfry of Bruges** for panoramic views.

Evening: Return to Brussels; enjoy a late‑night chocolate tasting at **Pierre Marcolini** near **De Brouckère** station.

Day 5: Travel to Amsterdam & Canal Belt

Morning: Board the Thalys high‑speed train at **Brussels‑Midi** to **Amsterdam Centraal** (1 h 50 min). Check‑in at **Hotel V Nes** (Nes 1, near Dam Square).

Afternoon: Join the **Amsterdam Hop‑On Hop‑Off Canal Bus** (stop at **Museumplein**) and explore the **Rijksmuseum** (52.3600, 4.8852).

Evening: Walk through the **Jordaan** district, dine at **Café de Klepel**, and enjoy the illuminated canals.

Day 6: Amsterdam Museums & Vondelpark

Morning: Visit the **Van Gogh Museum** (52.3584, 4.8811) with a timed entry ticket.

Afternoon: Picnic in **Vondelpark** and then head to the **Anne Frank House** (pre‑booked tickets, GPS 52.3752, 4.8839).

Evening: Experience the lively **Leidseplein** nightlife; try Dutch bitterballen at **The Bulldog**.

Day 7: Zaanse Schans & Departure

Morning: Take a regional train from **Amsterdam Centraal** to **Zaandijk Zaanse Schans** (15 min). Explore the historic windmills and cheese farm.

Afternoon: Return to Amsterdam, collect luggage, and board the Thalys back to **Brussels‑Midi** for your outbound flight.

Evening: Flight departs from **Brussels Airport**; reflect on a week of art, history, and Belgian‑Dutch charm.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Grand‑Place (2 h, €0 entry)
• Royal Museums of Fine Arts (3 h, €15)
• European Parliament visit (2 h, €0)
• Hop‑on hop‑off Brussels bus (1 h, €15)
• Ghent day trip (train €15, Gravensteen €12, St Bavo’s €5, 6 h total)
• Bruges day trip (train €18, Canal cruise €12, Belfry €10, 6 h total)
• Thalys Brussels‑Amsterdam (round‑trip €120, 2 h 40 min)
• Rijksmuseum (2 h, €20)
• Amsterdam Hop‑on hop‑off bus (2 h, €20)
• Van Gogh Museum (2 h, €19)
• Anne Frank House (2 h, €14)
• Zaanse Schans (3 h, €9 train + €10 entry)
• Hotel Amigo (4 nights, €180/night, €720)
• Hotel V Nes (3 nights, €150/night, €450)
• Meals & miscellaneous (≈ €35/day × 7 = €245)
• Total Estimated Cost: €1,738

Tips

If you have extra time, add a day in Antwerp to see the Cathedral of Our Lady and the Diamond District, or extend your stay in Amsterdam to explore the nearby town of Haarlem. To shorten the trip, skip the Bruges day and replace it with a half‑day bike tour of Brussels, which reduces travel time while still offering a taste of Belgium’s charm.