Ten days, two countries, and more canals, cobblestones, and culture than you thought possible.
This Belgium and Holland itinerary is made for travelers who want the good stuff—art, history, and local flavor—without feeling rushed.
You’ll wander medieval squares in Bruges and Ghent, climb Gothic towers, sip Belgian beer, and see Rubens and Van Eyck up close.
Then it’s on to Dutch classics: Vermeer in Delft, canals in Utrecht, windmills, tulips, and Amsterdam museums that pack a punch. It’s the best of Belgium and Holland in one smooth route.
Overview of 10 Days In Belgium & Holland
Here’s a quick snapshot of what you can see:
- Day 1: Brussels
- Day 2: Brussels or Antwerp
- Day 3: Ghent
- Day 4-5: Bruges
- Day 6: Delft or The Hague
- Day 7: Utrecht
- Day 8: Leiden or Haarlem
- Day 9-10: Amsterdam
Of course, you can always reverse the itinerary and start in Amsterdam instead.
What To Book In Advance
When planning this kind of trip, it’s super important to secure tickets for the most popular attractions well before you go.
These cities draw huge crowds, and many top sights sell out days or even weeks in advance.
To avoid disappointment, make sure you pre-book essentials tickets and experiences like these:
Brussels:
Bruges:
- guided walking tour
- guided food tour
- beer and chocolate tour
- chocolate making workshop
- guided bike tour
- Chocolate Museum tour and tastings
I also highly recommend getting a Bruges Museum Card. You’ll breeze into the main sights without standing in line.
Amsterdam:
- Rijksmuseum
- Van Gogh Museum
- Anne Frank House
- Rembrandt House
- Canal cruise
- Bike tour
- Guided walking tour
Most attractions in Amsterdam are covered by the Amsterdam City card, except for the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House.
10 Day Itinerary: Belgium & The Netherlands
Day 1: Brussels
Begin your day at Brussels’ crown jewel, the Grand Place. The ornate guildhalls and Gothic Town Hall set the stage with a proper wow moment. And, yes you guessed it, it’s a UNESCO site.
From there, wander the historic center, dip into museums, and fortify yourself with the city’s holy trinity: chocolate, fries, and waffles. A guided chocolate tour is an option, but nibbling your way through the shops works just as well.
When you’ve had your fill of the Old Town, climb toward the Sablon and Upper Town. Pause at the Mont des Arts for sweeping views before ducking into a museum or two.
The Magritte Museum is the obvious choice if you enjoy a little absurdity: floating apples, raining bowler hats, and the world’s most famous pipe that insists it isn’t one.
Prefer your art a bit heavier? The Old Masters Museum serves up saints, sinners, and Dutch Golden Age precision. Jacques-Louis David’s Death of Marat is its star attraction.
As for the Atomium, it’s iconic, but only if you’re keen on ticking boxes. The futuristic spheres look striking from afar, but the long trip and queues rarely reward the effort. With one day in Brussels, your time is probably better spent elsewhere.
For dinner, avoid the tourist gauntlet on Rue des Bouchers unless you like being waved at like a passing parade. Instead, slip into the Ixelles district for a more authentic meal.
Overnight in Brussels.
Day 2: Antwerp
In the morning, take the 40 minute train to Antwerp. Antwerp may be Belgium’s “second city,” but it doesn’t play runner-up.
Once a powerhouse of trade and the hometown of Rubens, it was battered in WWII. But it’s since reinvented itself as a creative hub of fashion and design.
Begin in the Grote Markt, framed by ornate guild halls and the Renaissance city hall.
Grab a coffee on a terrace, admire the Brabo Fountain, then step inside the Stadhuis before heading to the Cathedral of Our Lady.
This Gothic giant holds Rubens’ masterworks, including The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross.
From there, stroll into the Fashion District for avant-garde boutiques, check out the riverside Het Steen Castle, and climb the rooftop of the MAS for panoramic city views.
Rubens fans should add a stop at the Rubenshuis, his former home and studio. And if shopping tempts you, wander Meir Street for big brands or Schuttershofstraat for high-end labels.
>>> Click here to book a city highlights walking tour
In the evening, take the train to Ghent (1 hour) for overnight.
Day 3: Ghent
Bruges may hog the spotlight, but Ghent delivers the magic without the tourist crush. It is compact, lively, and packed with character: castles, cathedrals, street art, and canalside cafes.
Kick things off at Gravensteen Castle. It’s a romantic fortress that looks medieval on Instagram but is mostly a rebuild.
Inside, you will find moody stone walls, city views, a torture museum, and a gloriously kitschy gift shop where you can buy your own knight costume.
The real gem is the audio guide, hilariously narrated by a comedian who makes the history stick.
>>> Click here to book a Ghent walking tour
From there, step into St. Bavo’s Cathedral to see Ghent’s showstopper, the Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck.
This monumental polyptych glows with jewel tones, microscopic detail, and enough intrigue to fuel a Dan Brown novel. It’s also one of the most stolen artworks in history.
The cathedral is free to visit. But you can only go back and see the Mystic Lamb with a pre-booked ticket. There’s also a Rubens painting to admire.
Refuel with lunch, then climb the Belfry for sweeping views.
Stroll the riverside quays of Graslei and Korenlei, lined with gabled guild houses.
End the evening in Patershol, a cobbled district of restored brick facades, cozy restaurants, and hidden courtyards. It’s the perfect spot for dinner or better yet, a guided food tour.
Stay in Ghent overnight.
Days 4–5: Bruges
Day 4 takes you from Ghent to Bruges. Or Brugge, if you want to sound like you belong.
It’s a storybook city of crooked lanes, canals, and more chocolate shops than seems even remotely reasonable. Two days here give you enough time to wander without elbowing through the crowds.
>>> Click here to book a historical walking tour
Start in Market Square with its carriages, chiming bells, and the Belfry looming overhead. Book a time slot online at least a few days ahead to climb it for the views.
From there, stroll to Burg Square to admire City Hall and peek into the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
Spend your afternoon with the Flemish masters at the Groeninge Museum. And end your day with a canal boat ride, candlelit dinner, and the Belgian beer of your choice.
>>> Click here to book a Groeninge ticket
On day two, head to the quieter Sint-Anna Quarter. Visit the Church of Our Lady to see Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child. Next door is the Memling Collection for haunting Flemish Primitive altarpieces.
After lunch, step into the Gruuthuse Museum to see how Bruges’ elite once lived among tapestries and carved interiors.
Wrap things up with a twilight walk, a cafe stop, or a final toast at the Half Moon brewery. Sleep in Bruges before moving on.
Day 6: Delft or The Hague
Head out of Bruges and make your way to Delft or The Hague, whichever city suits your mood or agenda.
Delft
Delft is lovely. Small. With blue-painted pottery and slow kind of pace.
It feels like Amsterdam caught in slow motion. Canals, gabled houses, Vermeer vibes. Perfect place to wander.
Start in Markt Square. You’ll find cafes, stroopwafels and Delft Blue boutiques.
The New Church looms over it all, with Gothic bones from the 1300s. Climb its 376 steps for views over the rooftops if you’re feeling brave.
Then drift to the Vermeer Center. Four floors of blue-and-gold light, historic pigments, and the painter’s studio setup. Very immersive and educational, though there are no original paintings.
After a canal-side lunch, take a boat cruise to see Delft from the water. Gliding past bridges and historic facades.
Then head to Royal Delft (Porceleyne Fles) for pottery in action and maybe paint your own tile.
Museum Prinsenhof tells Dutch independence stories. And the Old Church is humble, stained glass-filled, and Vermeer’s tomb lies inside.
>>> Click here to pre-book a Delft walking tour
The Hague
The Hague isn’t the capital, but it feels like one.
Parliament meets here, the royals live here, and the world’s courts pack into its polished streets.
The city grew out of the Binnenhof, once a hunting lodge, now the seat of Dutch government.
Wander its courtyards, peek at the Ridderzaal, then head to the Peace Palace, where diplomacy plays out in a building that looks equal parts fortress and fairy tale.
But The Hague isn’t all politics and gavels.
Scheveningen beach stretches out on the coast, leafy parks cut through the center, and the Escher Museum twists reality in a former palace.
Art lovers can go modern at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, home to Mondrian’s famous grids.
Or you can go classic at the Mauritshuis, where Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and Rembrandt’s Anatomy Lesson hold court. This was my chief reason for visiting The Hague.
Day 7: Utrecht
Day 7 takes you to Utrecht, maybe the Netherlands’ best-kept secret.
It has all of Amsterdam’s canals and cobbled charm, minus the tourist crush. Students keep it buzzing, history gives it depth, and the mix feels real rather than overly polished.
The canals sit below street level, lined with old wharf cellars turned into bars, boutiques, and cafes. It’s atmospheric and refreshingly free of tour groups.
Above it all looms the Dom Tower, the tallest spire in the country. Climb the 465 steps if you like pain. Or just enjoy it from Domplein Square with a coffee. The adjoining Dom Church hides a cloister garden that feels like a secret spot.
For museums, the Centraal Museum spans everything from Utrecht’s Caravaggisti to modern design and a full hall of Dick Bruna, father of Miffy.
Across the street, the Miffy Museum delivers child-friendly whimsy, while Museum Speelklok rattles with self-playing instruments that range from delicate music boxes to thundering mechanical organs.
If you’d rather slow down, stroll the Oudegracht canal or step into St. Martin’s Cathedral, famously split in half by a tornado.
And if you can squeeze it in, hop just outside the city to De Haar Castle. It’s a turreted, drawbridge-clad showstopper that proves the Dutch could do fairytales too.
>>> Click here to book a Utrecht walking tour
Day 8: Leiden or Haarlem
On Day 8, visit either Leiden or Haarlem.
Leiden
Leiden is one of the Netherlands’ most overlooked gems. It’s an academic hub, birthplace of Rembrandt, and last European stop for the Pilgrims. Think Oxford, but with more canals than Amsterdam.
The historic core is compact and atmospheric, with willows dipping into waterways, gabled houses, and hidden courtyards called hofjes.
Leiden is also chock full of museums, from antiquities to natural history. Though note they all shut on Mondays.
Leiden University anchors the city’s scholarly vibe. And right next door the Hortus Botanicus, founded in 1590, is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world.
>>> Click here to book a city walking tour
Haarlem
Alternatively, visit Haarlem, Amsterdam’s refined cousin. The historic center is threaded with hofjes, cobbled lanes, and a cafe culture that feels local rather than touristy.
Start at the Frans Hals Museum for Golden Age portraits. Then, head to the Teylers Museum, an old-school cabinet of curiosities with fossils, instruments, and sketches by Michelangelo and Raphael.
For something modern, De Hallen on the Grote Markt shows off Dutch Impressionists and contemporary art side by side.
End at the Grote Kerk, Haarlem’s showpiece. Its soaring nave houses the famous Müller organ, once played by Handel and Mozart. Step outside into the lively square for dinner or a drink before heading back.
Take the train and overnight in Amsterdam.
>>> Click here to book a 2 hour Haarlem walking tour
Days 9–10: Amsterdam
On day 9, you’re in Amsterdam, a bonafide cultural Mecca. And also home to the famous Red Light District.
It’s seedy. I’d skip it.
Start with a canal cruise to see the city’s elegant gabled houses. It’s great for photos early in the morning. And you’ll get a chance to orient yourself to the Canal Belt, the central district with a system of canal rings, water locks, and bridges.
Then, head to Museumplein for the Rijksmuseum, where Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer await in the Hall of Honor.
After that, refuel at Albert Cuyp Market with Dutch treats and international flavors. I even tried a Japanese eye ball, which was slightly frightening.
Spend the afternoon in the Jewish Cultural Quarter. Visit the Portuguese Synagogue, Dutch Resistance Museum, or Rembrandt’s House to see where he lived and worked.
Finish the afternoon with a walk through Dam Square & the Flower Market.
Follow this with dinner in Jordaan and perhaps the apple pie at Winkel 43 to cap things off.
On your second day in Amsterdam, begin with the Van Gogh Museum with a timed entry ticket.
It’s amazing, boasting the world’s largest collection of artworks by the artist.
The museum owns over 200 paintings, 400 drawings, and 700 riveting personal letters. It’s massive, emotional, and full of color.
After your visit, unwind in Vondelpark, a leafy refuge of ponds, paths, and modernist cafes. Lunch at Foodhallen gives you an easy way to sample many tastes in one spot.
In the afternoon, stroll through De Negen Straatjes (Nine Streets) for boutique shopping and cafe breaks.
Save the evening for something special: ferry over to Amsterdam-North for the A’DAM Lookout and its rooftop swing. Then dinner at the waterfront Pllek.
Tips For This Itinerary
Where To Stay
Base 1: Brussels (Days 1–3)
Stay here your first three nights.
From Brussels, you can easily cover the city itself, do a half- or full-day trip to Antwerp, and take a quick train ride to Ghent. Trains to both are under an hour, so there’s no need to pack up and move.
Hotels: Hotel Le Dixseptieme, Hotel Amigo, Juliana Hotel Brussels, Le Louise Hotel Brussels – MGallery
Base 2: Bruges (Days 4–5)
Shift to Bruges for two nights. It’s a small city best enjoyed after the day-trippers leave, and having evenings here makes the canals and squares feel much more magical.
Hotels: Hotel Heritage, Hotel Patritius, Grand Hotel Casselbergh
Base 3: Utrecht (Days 6–8)
From Bruges, travel into the Netherlands and stay in Utrecht for three nights.
Utrecht is central, less hectic than Amsterdam, and makes a perfect hub. You can day trip to Delft or The Hague (Day 6) and then Leiden or Haarlem (Day 8) without long backtracking.
Hotels: Grand Hotel Karel V, Hotel The Nox
Base 4: Amsterdam (Days 9–10)
Finish with two nights in Amsterdam. This gives you time to enjoy the museums, canals, and neighborhoods without rushing.
Hotels: Hotel V Nesplein, Hotel V Frederiksplein, Maison ELLE, Rosewood Amsterdam
Base-to-Base Transfers & Day Trips
You can travel by train or by car. I think trains make the most sense. They are frequent, fast, and drop you close to the historic centers.
But if you want to explore rural Flanders (battlefields, countryside villages) or the Dutch countryside (windmills at Kinderdijk, tulip fields in spring, small fishing towns), then a car might win.
Here’s how the train transfers shake out:
Bases
- Brussels → Bruges: ~1 hour direct
- Bruges → Utrecht: ~3–3.5 hours, 1–2 changes (usually Antwerp or Rotterdam)
- Utrecht → Amsterdam: ~25–30 minutes direct
Day Trips from Brussels
- Brussels → Antwerp: ~40 minutes direct
- Brussels → Ghent: ~35 minutes direct
Day Trips from Utrecht
- Utrecht → Delft: ~1 hour, usually via Rotterdam
- Utrecht → The Hague: ~50 minutes, usually one change
- Utrecht → Leiden: ~45–55 minutes, often with one change
- Utrecht → Haarlem: ~1 hour 15 minutes, usually via Amsterdam
I hope you’ve enjoyed my 10 day Belgium & Holland itinerary. You may find these related travel guides useful:
- One week in Holland itinerary
- Tips for visiting the Netherlands
- Best places to visit in the Netherlands
- One week in Belgium itinerary
- 2 days in Brussels itinerary
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