12-Day Netherlands Itinerary Including Amsterdam Marathon and Dutch Highlights

Day 1: Arrival & Local Exploration

Amsterdam, Netherlands on October 15, 2025

9:00am

Arrive Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and reach accommodation

Land from Mumbai and take a train to central Amsterdam; check into a budget-friendly bed and breakfast near Centraal Station for easy public transport access.
EUR50, 1h30m

11:00am

Breakfast at Pancakes Amsterdam

Try authentic Dutch pancakes at Pancakes Amsterdam, located near Centraal Station. They open from 8am and serve a variety of sweet and savory pancakes.
EUR12, 1h

12:30pm

Canal Belt Walk and Museumplein overview

Stroll through the famous canal ring to get your first impressions of the city and visit the exterior areas of Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum (interior visits for later days).
Free, 2h

3:00pm

Lunch at Broodje Bert

Enjoy a hearty Dutch sandwich from Broodje Bert, open from 11am; perfect for a quick, budget-friendly meal near the Jordaan district.
EUR8, 1h

5:00pm

Explore Jordaan district and shops

Wander through the charming Jordaan area, exploring galleries and shops; the area is lively and offers a cosy atmosphere.
Free, 2h

7:30pm

Dinner at Stach

Have a relaxed dinner with fresh, healthy options at Stach, a casual bistro open until 9pm.
EUR20, 1h
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Day 2: Amsterdam Culture Tour

Amsterdam, Netherlands on October 16, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at your B&B

Start the day with a wholesome breakfast included at your accommodation to fuel up for sightseeing.
Included, 1h

9:30am

Rijksmuseum visit

Explore Dutch art history at the Rijksmuseum, open 9am to 5pm. Entry fees apply but it is a must-visit for first-timers.
EUR20, 2h30m

12:30pm

Lunch at Van Stapele Koekmakerij

Famous for their chocolate cookies, a sweet stop for a light lunch or snack near the museum quarter.
EUR10, 1h

2:00pm

Anne Frank House tour

Book tickets in advance for the Anne Frank House, open 9am to 10pm. The tour is emotionally moving and educative.
EUR15, 2h

5:00pm

Relax at Vondelpark

Take a peaceful walk or sit and relax at Vondelpark, a beautiful public park near Museumplein.
Free, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at Moeders

Enjoy Dutch home-style cooking at Moeders, renowned for its traditional dishes and warm ambiance.
EUR25, 1h30m
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Day 3: Light Sightseeing & Marathon Prep

Amsterdam, Netherlands on October 17, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at B&B

Enjoy an early, nutritious breakfast to prepare for light activities and marathon prep.
Included, 1h

9:30am

Visit NEMO Science Museum

Explore interactive exhibits at NEMO with views of the city’s waterfront, open 10am–5:30pm.
EUR15, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Foodhallen

Enjoy a wide variety of street food from multiple vendors at Foodhallen, open 11am–11pm.
EUR15, 1h

2:00pm

Leisure walk along the Amstel River

Relax with a gentle walk along the Amstel River to stay loose for marathon day.
Free, 1h30m

4:00pm

Early dinner at Pizzabakkers

Have a light early dinner with excellent Dutch-style thin-crust pizzas, open till 10pm.
EUR20, 1h

6:00pm

Rest and marathon preparation

Return to your accommodation to rest and prepare for marathon day with minimal physical exertion.
Free, Till bedtime
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Day 4: Marathon Preparation Day

Amsterdam, Netherlands on October 18, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at B&B

Nutritious breakfast to fuel marathon preparations, included in your stay.
Included, 1h

9:30am

Light mobility exercises and pick up race pack

Perform light stretching and pick up your marathon race number from the event expo, open 9am to 6pm.
Free, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Bagels & Beans

Healthy sandwiches and coffee at Bagels & Beans, open daily from 8am to 8pm.
EUR12, 1h

2:00pm

Rest at hotel

Minimise movement and rest to save energy for the race.
Free, Afternoon

7:00pm

Early dinner at Maoz Vegetarian

Light vegetarian meal ideal for runners, open till 10pm.
EUR15, 1h
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Day 5: Marathon & Recovery

Amsterdam, Netherlands on October 19, 2025

7:00am

Amsterdam Marathon

Run or watch the Amsterdam Marathon, scheduled in the morning. Focus on hydration and pacing.
EUR50 (entry), 4h

12:00pm

Post-race lunch close to finish

Enjoy a light recovery meal at a nearby café such as De Bakkerswinkel, open from 9am to 6pm.
EUR18, 1h

2:00pm

Rest and minimal movement

Head back to accommodation and rest extensively to recover from the race.
Free, Rest of day

7:00pm

Dinner at hotel or nearby eatery

Have an easy, healthy dinner close to your lodging to avoid unnecessary exertion.
EUR20, 1h
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Day 6: Day Trip to Haarlem

Haarlem, Netherlands on October 20, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at B&B

Start your day with breakfast included at your accommodation.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Train to Haarlem

Take a 15-minute train from Amsterdam Centraal to Haarlem; trains run frequently every 15 minutes.
EUR5, 15m

9:30am

Visit Grote Markt and St. Bavokerk

Explore the vibrant central square and the famous Gothic church with a remarkable organ, open 9am-5pm.
EUR6, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Café Brinkmann

Enjoy local and international cuisine in a casual setting near Grote Markt, open 11am to 10pm.
EUR18, 1h

1:30pm

Teylers Museum visit

The oldest museum in the Netherlands featuring art, natural history, and science, open 11am to 5pm.
EUR12, 2h

4:00pm

Train back to Amsterdam

Return by train to Amsterdam for the evening.
EUR5, 15m

7:00pm

Dinner at La Perla Pizzeria

Savor excellent pizza in a cozy Amsterdam West spot, open till 11pm.
EUR22, 1h
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Day 7: Utrecht Day Trip

Utrecht, Netherlands on October 21, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at B&B

Fill up with a nutritious breakfast before travel to Utrecht.
Included, 1h

8:30am

Train to Utrecht

Travel by train from Amsterdam Centraal to Utrecht, approximately 30 minutes by direct train.
EUR8, 30m

9:00am

Dom Tower Climb

Climb the tallest church tower in the Netherlands for panoramic city views, open 10am-5pm.
EUR9, 1h

10:30am

Canal Boat Tour

Discover Utrecht’s unique canals which have two-level wharfs; tours run until sunset.
EUR15, 1h

12:30pm

Lunch at Broodje Mario

Popular small sandwich shop serving tasty, fresh sandwiches for budget-friendly lunch options.
EUR10, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Museum Speelklok

Explore fascinating musical clocks and antique instruments, open 11am-5pm.
EUR14, 1h30m

4:00pm

Train back to Amsterdam

Return to Amsterdam to relax for the evening.
EUR8, 30m

7:00pm

Dinner at The Dutch Weed Burger Joint

Try innovative and eco-friendly vegan burgers open till 10pm.
EUR18, 1h
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Day 8: Giethoorn Excursion

Giethoorn, Netherlands on October 22, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at B&B

Early breakfast to prepare for a full-day trip to the 'Venice of the North'.
Included, 1h

8:00am

Train and bus to Giethoorn

Take a morning train to Steenwijk (~2.5 hours), then bus 70 to Giethoorn for a scenic village experience.
EUR25, 3h

11:30am

Boat rental in Giethoorn

Rent a whisper boat or canoe to explore picturesque canals; rentals operate daily from 9am to dusk.
EUR25, 2h

2:00pm

Lunch at De Grachthof

Enjoy lunch at this cozy canal-side restaurant featuring Dutch specialties, open 12pm to 8pm.
EUR25, 1h30m

4:00pm

Return trip to Amsterdam

Bus and train back to Amsterdam, arriving by evening.
EUR25, 3h

8:30pm

Casual dinner near B&B

Opt for a light meal or snack close to accommodation to end a long day.
EUR15, 1h
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Day 9: Zwolle & Middle Netherlands

Zwolle, Netherlands on October 23, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at B&B

Breakfast before another day trip north-east of Amsterdam.
Included, 1h

8:30am

Train to Zwolle

Direct train to Zwolle, the charming Hanseatic city, approximately 1h 15m journey.
EUR15, 1h15m

10:00am

Discover Zwolle Old Town and Museum de Fundatie

Visit the art museum and explore the historic city center, with shops and cafés; museum opens 11am to 5pm.
EUR12, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Brownies & Downies

Enjoy tasty food in a relaxed atmosphere, open till late afternoon.
EUR15, 1h

2:30pm

Visit Sassenpoort City Gate

Explore this impressive medieval city gate and snap some photos.
Free, 30m

3:30pm

Train back to Amsterdam

Return to Amsterdam for the evening to rest.
EUR15, 1h15m

7:30pm

Dinner at Foodware Lounge

Fine yet affordable international cuisine near Amsterdam Centraal, open till 10pm.
EUR25, 1h30m
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Day 10: Maastricht Visit

Maastricht, Netherlands on October 24, 2025

6:00am

Early breakfast at B&B

Packed nutritious breakfast to prepare for a long day taking train down south to Maastricht.
Included, 30m

6:30am

Train to Maastricht

Take early Intercity train (approx 2h 45m) to Maastricht for a full-day exploration.
EUR35, 2h45m

9:30am

Walk around Vrijthof Square

Historic square lined with cafés, churches, and street art. Great starting point for sightseeing.
Free, 1h

10:30am

Visit Bonnefanten Museum

Modern and contemporary art museum open 11am to 5pm with great architecture and collections.
EUR12, 1h30m

12:30pm

Lunch at Toine Hermsen Cuisinier

Try refined Dutch cuisine at this highly-rated spot, open noon to 2pm and dinner hours.
EUR30, 1h30m

2:30pm

Stroll along Maas River and explore caves

Walk the beautiful riverbank and visit the caves at St. Pietersberg Nature Reserve if time permits.
EUR8, 2h

5:00pm

Train back to Amsterdam

Return train journey to Amsterdam, arriving around 8pm.
EUR35, 2h45m

8:30pm

Light dinner near B&B

Enjoy a casual meal or snack close to your accommodations after a long day.
EUR15, 1h
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Day 11: Rotterdam City

Rotterdam, Netherlands on October 25, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at B&B

Fuel up for an exciting day in progressive Rotterdam.
Included, 1h

9:00am

Train to Rotterdam

40-minute train from Amsterdam Centraal to Rotterdam Centraal.
EUR10, 40m

10:00am

Visit Markthal & Cube Houses

Explore the modern market hall with fresh food stalls and the famous innovative Cube Houses, open markets 10am-8pm.
Free, 2h

12:30pm

Lunch at Fenix Food Factory

Sample craft and artisanal food in this warehouse food hall by the river, open 11am-7pm.
EUR15, 1h30m

2:00pm

Euromast Tower visit

Climb or take the elevator up Euromast for sweeping views of Rotterdam, open 10am-7pm.
EUR10, 1h30m

4:00pm

Train back to Amsterdam

Return to Amsterdam for the night.
EUR10, 40m

7:30pm

Dinner at Mama Kelly

Enjoy delicious rotisserie chicken and more with a trendy vibe near Amsterdam Centraal.
EUR30, 1h30m
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Day 12: The Hague & Departure Prep

The Hague, Netherlands on October 26, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at B&B

Begin the day with breakfast to prepare for your last day out.
Included, 1h

8:30am

Train to The Hague

30-minute train ride to The Hague from Amsterdam Centraal.
EUR10, 30m

9:30am

Visit Mauritshuis Museum

World-renowned art museum that houses masterpieces like Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, open 10am to 6pm.
EUR15, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch at Simonis aan de Haven

Seafood restaurant located near the harbor, serving fresh local fish dishes, open 12pm-9pm.
EUR25, 1h

1:30pm

Walk through Binnenhof and Hofvijver Pond

Famous Dutch parliament buildings and beautiful ponds are great for a sightseeing stroll.
Free, 1h

3:00pm

Return Train to Amsterdam

Head back to Amsterdam for last night to pack and rest.
EUR10, 30m

7:00pm

Farewell Dinner at Cafe de Klos

Enjoy hearty Dutch and BBQ ribs in a cozy atmosphere near your accommodation.
EUR30, 1h30m
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Day 13: Departure Day

Amsterdam, Netherlands on October 27, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at B&B

Have a final Dutch breakfast before checkout.
Included, 1h

8:30am

Travel to Schiphol Airport

Take a train from Amsterdam Centraal to Schiphol Airport, approximately 15-20 minutes.
EUR5, 20m

10:00am

Flight Check-in and Departure

Arrive early for international flight check-in from Amsterdam back to Mumbai.
Included with flight, 2h+
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