Itinerary #1: Art Tour of the Netherlands & Belgium: Amsterdam to Brussels

This art-focused itinerary has you spending seven nights in the Netherlands and six in Belgium, checking out renowned museums, artworks, and historic sites. Visit the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem, and the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo. Transfer to Belgium and enjoy a street art walking tour in Antwerp, a visit to the Groeningemuseum in Bruges, and conclude with more world-class museums and art galleries in the capital city of Brussels.

Begin in the canalled city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and spend two days exploring the city’s most famous museums, such as the Stedelijk Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Rembrandt House Museum. Transfer to Haarlem via train and head straight for the Frans Hals Museum before spending the afternoon at the oldest museum in the Netherlands, the captivating Teylers Museum. In Leiden, take a walking tour with an art historian, visit the RMO National Antiquities Museum, and conclude with a stop at the Lakenhal Museum to see famous paintings spanning over four centuries.

See “Girl with a Pearl Earring” in The Hague on your way to an architecture tour in Rotterdam. Then on Day 6, transfer to Otterlo for the Kröller-Müller Museum, then cross into Belgium to Antwerp. Embark on a self-guided walking tour of Grote Markt and Steen Castle, then take the whole day to explore Rubens House. Stop in Ghent for modern street art, charming squares, and a medieval castle on your way to Bruges. Head to the Groeningemuseum and take a guided Legends of Bruges tour prior to boarding the train to Brussels. Experience the Magritte Museum and the Old Masters Museum before departing Belgium. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Cycle the Netherlands & Belgium

Another option for a two-week itinerary is to make like a local and cover the Netherlands and Belgium on two wheels. Explore 12 cities across the two neighboring countries as you traverse from Amsterdam to Bruges via stunning locales like Gouda and Kinderdijk in the Netherlands and Ghent and Oudenaarde in Belgium.

Land in Amsterdam and head straight for the colorful neighborhood of Jordaan to explore the pretty streets, canals, and houses. Cycle to Haarlem via the Kennemerland area and enjoy views of botanical gardens and forests. Continue to Leiden and spend the afternoon at the Museum of Archeology or the Museum Boerhaave, then pedal to the charming city of Delft via The Hague and either checkout the Vermeer Center or the Royal Delft Museum. Another 25-mile (40 km) cycling route will take you to the fairy-tale town of Gouda, where you can sample plenty of its namesake cheese before spending the night in Haastrecht.

See the windmills of Kinderdijk and Dordrecht, embark on an adventure into Biesbosch National Park and ride the waterbus in Rotterdam before crossing the border into Belgium on Day 8. On a food tour in Antwerp, indulge in traditional Belgian delicacies such as chocolate, frieten (french fries), and waffles. Cycle 34 miles (55 km) along the Scheldt River to Ghent, see the Gravensteen medieval castle and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral before continuing to Oudenaarde, Roeselare, and Bruges, where you’ll finish your cycling tour. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Culinary Tour of the Netherlands & Belgium

An excellent way to discover a country is through its food and this culinary tour of the Netherlands and Belgium offers just that. Spend two weeks indulging in local delicacies in each country, including savory eats like bitterballen and kibbeling and sweet treats like appeltaart in the Netherlands and chocolate, waffles, and Belgian frites in Belgium.

Two nights in Amsterdam affords you the opportunity to explore the labyrinth of canals and venture on an Amsterdam Grand Dutch Food Tour. Eat kibbeling (battered and fried fish nuggets), herring, and eel in Volendam fishing village and sample local produce at a cheese farm near Alkmaar. Visit an authentic Indonesian restaurant in The Hague, thanks to the Netherlands’ colonial history with the Asian country. Sample dozens of traditional Dutch snacks at one of the country’s best markets in Leiden before transferring to Rotterdam to eat your way around Markthal, the biggest indoor market in the country.

Take a day trip to Gouda to enjoy namesake cheese and stroopwafel at the Kamphuisen factory. Then you’re off to Belgium’s Antwerp on Day 9 to tour the independent Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie brewery. Spend the afternoon at Chocolate Nation Antwerp, the largest chocolate museum in the country, and schedule a walking gastronomy tour of the city. In Ghent, purchase herbs and spices at Tierenteyn-Verlent, old-fashioned sweets at Confiserie Temmerman, and jenever (Dutch gin) at ‘t Dreupelkot bar. Make your own confectionery delights at Choco-Story Bruges, then transfer to Brussels to depart. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Castles of Belgium & Luxembourg

Laden with castles, this scenic tour covers the impressive properties across Belgium and Luxembourg, and is well suited for travelers with a passion for history and/or architecture. You’ll pedal your way in Antwerp, spend four nights in Ghent on a scenic boat tour, kayaking the city’s canal, and visit Dinant’s many castles. Finish with three nights in neighboring Luxembourg to explore the compact country’s most beautiful castles, palaces, and cathedrals, including Château Vianden and Cathédrale Notre-Dame.

Commence at Antwerp’s beautiful train station, take a guided cycling excursion around the city, and tour the De Koninck Brewery to sip on amber-colored ales. Stop at Bornem or Wissekerke castles on your way to Ghent. Discover Gravensteen Castle, then enjoy a tipple at Brouwbar Microbrewery in the afternoon. Learn about the fascinating history of Poeke Castle and Ooidonk Castle on Day 5. Then spend a final free day exploring Ghent at your own pace before traveling to Chimay, stopping at Château de Beloeil. Try cheese and beer at Scourmont Abbey and visit the former home of the Prince of Chimay at Château de Chimay.

Explore the charming city of Dinant at your own pace, then gear up for a full day of exploring the nearby castles of Château de Freÿr, Walzin Castle, and Château de Vêves. Catch a train to Luxembourg City for the next three nights. Stroll along the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers, admire the romantic architecture of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame and the Pont Adolphe bridge, and pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Pétrusse Casemates. Conclude with a day trip to Larochette Castle, Château Vianden, Bourscheid Castle, and Château de Colmar-Berg before leaving Luxembourg. Learn more

More Great Belgium Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Belgium? Check out these other Belgium itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.