We turned a fast weekend into a perfect introduction to two vibrant capitals. Friday in Brussels for waffles, chocolate, and grand architecture, Saturday exploring Amsterdam’s canals, and Sunday with tulips before flying out. An ideal trip for a short European break, taking advantage of excellent train connections.
Getting There & Practical Info
- Arrive in Brussels Friday morning, depart Amsterdam Sunday evening.
- Train Brussels → Amsterdam: 1 hour 53 minutes (frequent high-speed services).
- Recommended stays: Central Brussels near Grand Place; Amsterdam in Jordaan or near Dam Square for walkability.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Friday – Brussels Arrival & Highlights
Walking tour in order: Manneken-Pis, Maison Dandoy – Tearoom & Waffle, Grand Place (Brussels Town Hall, King’s House, and Guild Halls), Belgian Waffles, Royal Gallery of Saint-Hubert, Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Mont des Arts, Whirling Ear, Palais Royal de Buxelles, Eglise Notre-Dame.
Brussels is a very walkable city, and can be seen in one day. I arrived at the train station early in the morning, dropped of my bags at Nannybag Luggage Storage and began my tour. First stop was Manneken-Pi’s, a 1619 statue of a small boy peeing (the original statue is inside the museum). This area is also great to stop at one of the many chocolate shops in the city. In Belgian fashion, my next stop was waffles at Madison Dandoy- Tearoom & Waffle. Just around the corner is the Grand Place where I admired the Brussels Town Hall, King’s House, and Guild Halls. Since there was no guarantee I would come back to Brussels, I stopped at Belgian Waffles for my second waffle of the day. I then continued my walking tour through the Royal Gallery of Saint-Hubert, a gorgeous shopping center with restaurants and cafes that are a great spot to sit down, eat, and enjoy the view. For the second half of my day I stopped at Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, Mont des Arts, Whirling Ear, and Palais Royal de Bruxelles. All of these stops are close together and worth the visit. I ended with a quick stop at Eglise Notre-Dame before picking up my luggage and heading back to the train station to catch my train to Amsterdam.
If you have more time in Brussels: Comic Book Route, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Halle Gat, Atomium, or Palais de Justice.
Saturday – Amsterdam Canals
- Explore the famous canals: Singel, Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, Herengracht.
- Stroll the Nine Streets and Jordaan Neighborhood.
- Tour canals by boat.
- Visit Dam Square, Royal Palace, Damrak, and the Anne Frank House (book tickets in advance).
Amsterdam is a great city to go out in with no plan. Choose a direction, walk or bike, and enjoy the charm. If you go in the spring like I did, start exploring and when the rain comes quick and heavy, use the time to grab a coffee or eat while you wait it out.
Sunday – Tulips & Departure
- Visit Tulip Fields (seasonal highlight – bike rental or guided tour recommended).
We took a train to Hillegom station and then transferred to a bus to arrive at the Ruigenhoek stop. There are tours that leave from Amsterdam, but if you go independently plan for around an hour to commute one way. Once we arrived, we rented bikes and rode through the picturesque tulip fields. There are different routes that take different times, but since I had to fly out in the evening, I opted for a shorter one. It was the last week of April so some of the fields had been harvested, but it was still a gorgeous view and fun experience that I would definitely recommend.
Worth it in Brussels
- Grand Place (UNESCO masterpiece) – gorgeous and definitely grand.
- Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert – cute spot to grab a coffee.
- Mont des Arts viewpoint – beautiful overlook.
Worth it in Amsterdam
- Historic Canal Belt (UNESCO) – must see.
- Anne Frank House – historical necessity.
- Jordaan & Nine Streets – beautiful around every corner.
- Dam Square & Royal Palace.
- Tulip fields or Vondelpark (seasonal).
Wasted
- Brussels: Mannekin Pi’s is underwhelming, if you don’t have time skip it.
- Amsterdam: Red Light District – interesting for a few minutes, but don’t need to spend a lot of time there.
Local Food & Drink to Try
- Brussels: Brussels/Liège waffles, praline chocolates, Belgian beers (lambic or Trappist), mussels-frites.
- Amsterdam: Stroopwafels, bitterballen, fresh herring, rijsttafel (Indonesian-Dutch), jenever (Dutch gin).
Tips & Recommendations
Book Anne Frank House early. Wear comfy shoes—both cities are walkable. Use city passes for attractions. Spring is ideal for tulips. If you go in the spring, don’t forget an umbrella!