1 week in the Benelux itinerary
The Benelux region consists of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and it's one of the best places in Europe to explore by train. There are diverse cities packed full of history, beautiful architecture and charm. The region also has a great train network and small distances, which means that if you only have 1 week in the Benelux you’ll be able to get a good taste of these fascinating countries.
Itinerary in short
Day 1: Brussels
Grand Place at night
Visit the Grand Place, the central square in Brussels. It is a hive of activity and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
Sample fries, chocolate, waffles and beer all around the city.
Explore the works of some of Belgium’s finest cartoonists at Maison de Bande Dessinee.
Get the obligatory photograph of Manneken Pis - a small but world-famous statue of a little boy urinating.
Day 2: Bruges
Belfry Tower in historical center of Bruges
Walk the quaint canals of Bruges’ medieval centre.
Get the best aerial views from the top of the Belfry Tower.
Visit the famous Halve Maan Brewery and taste their local brew, the Brugse Zot.
Watch the movie In Bruges after your visit - laughs guaranteed!
There are direct trains from Brussels to Bruges every few minutes. The journey time is under 1 hour and no reservations are necessary.
Day 3: Rotterdam
The Erasmus bridge within the Rotterdam building
Architecture is key in Rotterdam! Check out the Erasmus Bridge and walk the Beurstraverse for its fascinating shops and impressive archways.
Explore Delfshaven to get a taste of historical Rotterdam.
Fan of Dutch art? Visit the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen for a collection of some legendary artists.
Most trains from Bruges to Rotterdam require a connection in Brussels. You can make the journey by regional train (no reservations required) in only 3 hours.
Days 4 - 5: Amsterdam
Rijksmuseum
Walk or cycle along the canals to take in the remarkable architecture in Amsterdam.
Visit the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum to see some of the greatest masterpieces in Dutch art.
Learn more about the difficult and remarkable life of Anne Frank at Anne Frank's House.
There are direct Intercity trains between Rotterdam and Amsterdam every few minutes. No reservation is required and the journey takes only 40 minutes.
Day 6: Luxembourg City
Grand Ducal Palace
Take a guided tour of the Grand Ducal Palace, the elaborate residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg.
Visit the beautiful Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Walk the historical district of Bock, located on high cliffs overlooking the Alzette River.
Take the Thalys high-speed train from Amsterdam to Brussels. This train needs an advance reservation. From Brussels, an Intercity train will take you to Luxembourg. The total travel time is around 5 hours and 30 minutes.
IS 1 WEEK IN THE BENELUX ITINERARY FOR ME?
1 week in the Benelux is enough time to get a good overview of several iconic cities and towns. The Eurail Benelux Pass makes it possible to get around easily by train, and you'll be surpised of how much you can see with only seven days to explore the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
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