7-Day Belgium and Netherlands Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Belgium And Netherlands tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffBelgium and Netherlands travel expert at TourRadar

• 6 Days in Netherlands & France, incl. Amsterdam and Paris

  Amsterdam's canals, Zaanse Schans windmills, and medieval Bruges highlight this 3-day Benelux tour. Traditional Dutch villages of Volendam and Marken charm visitors, while diamond workshop demonstrations and evening entertainment in Rembrandtplein round out the experience.

  

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  • Day 1

    Amsterdam Arrival

    Take the direct train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Centraal. Trains run every 15 minutes, cost €5.50 and take 20 minutes. Use your first afternoon to explore the city. One traveler suggests: "Start with a walk around the Jordaan neighborhood—the narrow streets are less crowded in the evening, and the canal houses look magical at sunset."

    
  • Day 2

    Dutch Countryside & Amsterdam

    Get an early start at 8:30 AM to visit Zaanse Schans. The working windmills are quieter before 10 AM. Next, drive 30 minutes to Volendam and catch a ferry to Marken (€10 round-trip, running every 30-45 minutes). Bring good walking shoes since Marken's wooden walkways can get slippery. Return to Amsterdam for a diamond cutting demonstration at Gassan Diamonds. End your day at Rembrandtplein for dinner but book ahead since restaurants fill up after 8 PM.

    
  • Day 3

    Amsterdam to Paris via Bruges

    Pack breakfast for the 3.5-hour drive to Bruges. Plan to arrive by 11 AM to avoid the crowds. A visitor notes: "The line for the Belfry Tower moves quickly before lunch—climb the 366 steps early, then reward yourself with Belgian waffles." From Bruges it's another 3 hours to Paris. Consider staying in La Défense for a quieter experience with good Metro access.

    
  • Day 4

    Versailles & Montmartre

    Catch the first RER C train to Versailles at 7:05 AM. The palace opens at 9 AM and early arrival makes a big difference. Spend your afternoon in Montmartre. You can take the funicular up or climb the steps for better Sacré-Cœur photos. Take a city tour to finish the day and sit on the right side for the best Eiffel Tower views.

    
  • Day 5

    Paris Highlights

    Your ticket includes second floor access to the Eiffel Tower. Book a morning slot when security lines are shorter. On your Seine cruise, sit left to see Notre-Dame. The afternoon is free to explore Le Marais where shops stay open late and streets get lively after 3 PM.

    
  • Day 6

    Paris Departure

    Flying from Charles de Gaulle? Take the RER B train (€10.30, 45-60 minutes). Add extra time for Terminal 2 since the airport shuttle between terminals takes 15 minutes.

    

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• 6 Day Benelux Itinerary, incl. Brussels and Amsterdam

  Belgium and Netherlands reveal their treasures over 6 days, from Bruges' Minnewater to Amsterdam's canal district. Ghent's medieval harbor, Dutch windmills, and central Brussels hotels await. Daily breakfast and expert guides enhance the experience.

  

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  • Day 1

    Brussels Arrival & Old Town

    After arriving at Brussels Airport head to your hotel in the city center where you can check in from 3 PM. Spend your first evening exploring the historic Grand Place which looks spectacular after sunset when lights illuminate the baroque guildhalls. A recent visitor noted: "The hotel's central location made it easy to walk to Grand Place for dinner and see the buildings all lit up at night."

    
  • Day 2

    Brussels Discovery

    Start exploring Brussels on the hop-on-hop-off bus starting at 9:30 AM. Visit the Comic Strip Center first to beat the crowds then make your way to the Atomium in the afternoon when the lighting is perfect for photos. Visit the Royal Quarter after 3 PM when most tour groups have left and the Place Royale area is quieter.

    
  • Day 3

    Bruges & Ghent Day Trip

    Leave Brussels at 8:45 AM for a 10.5-hour trip to medieval Ghent and Bruges. Get to St. Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent early to see the famous Ghent Altarpiece before crowds arrive. Head to Bruges after lunch and take a canal cruise. One visitor shared: "Bruges feels like stepping into a fairytale but book the canal tour before 4 PM when lines get long and the light is still good for photos."

    
  • Day 4

    Luxembourg & Dinant

    Begin this 12-hour trip at 8:15 AM. The drive to Luxembourg takes about 2.5 hours so bring something light to eat. Start at the Palace of the Grand Duke before the midday crowds arrive. Visit the Casemates underground fortifications in the afternoon when it's cooler. End your day in Dinant the birthplace of the saxophone.

    
  • Day 5

    Amsterdam Day Trip

    Leave at 8:15 AM for the 3-hour drive to Amsterdam. Stop at a traditional cheese farm on the way. Skip the busy Dam Square and explore the charming Jordaan neighborhood instead. Remember your bus leaves Amsterdam at 8 PM so plan your evening carefully.

    
  • Day 6

    Brussels Departure

    Check out of your hotel by noon. For late flights store your bags at the hotel and visit the Musical Instruments Museum or take photos at Petit Sablon garden. A traveler called it "a hidden gem that most tourists miss."

    

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• 7 Days in Netherlands & Belgium, incl. Amsterdam and Brussels

  

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  • Days 1-3

    Amsterdam and Dutch Countryside

    Base yourself in Amsterdam's city center near Centraal Station for easy access. Consider getting an I Amsterdam Card if you plan to visit multiple museums - it includes public transport and most major attractions. Take your canal cruise early on day 2. Book the 9:00 AM slot when the canals are quiet and the lighting is perfect for photos. Look for smaller boat operators in the Jordaan area instead of the busy tourist boats near Central Station. For the Van Gogh Museum, book your visit between 3:00-4:00 PM when the crowds are smaller. Plan your countryside trip on day 3. Pack extra layers since the North Sea wind can be cold at Zaanse Schans, particularly during spring and fall. Get there before 10:00 AM to avoid tour groups and see the windmills in the morning light. In Volendam, be careful on the wooden walkways - they get slippery in wet weather.

    
  • Day 4

    Amsterdam to Brussels Transfer

    The train ride takes about 2 hours from Amsterdam Centraal. Pick a seat on the right side to see the Dutch countryside. When you arrive in Brussels, explore the Saint-Catherine neighborhood first. You'll find better restaurants and fewer tourists than near Grand Place.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Brussels, Ghent, and Bruges

    Start your Brussels day at Grand Place before 10:00 AM to beat the crowds. Visit chocolate shops later in the afternoon when they're less busy. For Ghent and Bruges, start early in Bruges and visit Ghent later - most tourists do it the other way around. Wear good walking shoes for the cobblestone streets. A recent visitor to Bruges shared: "Visit the Minnewater Park early morning - it's peaceful before 9:00 AM and the morning mist over the Lake of Love makes for incredible photos. Just remember to bring cash - many of the smaller chocolate shops don't accept cards."

    
  • Day 7

    Brussels Departure

    If you're flying from Brussels Airport, take the train from Central Station. Allow 45 minutes for the journey, more during rush hour (8:00-9:30 AM). Look for signs to "Brussels Airport-Zaventem" on the lower level to find the right platform. Look for "dagschotel" in Netherlands and "plat du jour" in Belgium for good-value local food. These daily specials usually offer better prices than tourist menus. Bring adapters for Type C/F outlets in Netherlands and Type C/E in Belgium. While cards are widely accepted, small shops in Bruges and rural areas might be cash-only.

    

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