Belgium, Amsterdam, and Luxembourg 7 Day Itinerary

Are you planning a trip to see Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, and Dinant? This Belgium and Amsterdam itinerary hits the highlights of Belgium, which is often overlooked when people plan trips to Europe, with an overnight stay in Amsterdam plus a day trip to Luxembourg!

You can check 3 new countries off your list in one 7-day European trip.

We originally planned our trip to Belgium thanks to a great flight deal on Going, our favorite place to find cheap flights! I've been to Europe several times, and have enjoyed visits to London, Paris, Italy (Venice - Florence - Rome), Greece (Athens - Paros), Germany, and Finland (Turku - Rovaniemi). While the Netherlands, specifically Amsterdam, was always high on my bucket list, Belgium was a country I had never seriously considered before.

I'm so glad I had the chance to see so much of this beautiful country! It far exceeded my expectations.

I met up with a friend who started her trip in Paris, and then met up with us in Bruges, so Paris is an easy addition to this trip if it's a city on your bucket list!

Here is our sample itinerary for visiting the heart of Europe (Belgium, Amsterdam, Luxembourg). Hope this helps you plan your dream trip!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Overview

Day 1 - Arrive in Brussels

Day 2 - Train to Bruges and Explore

Day 3 - Train to Ghent and Explore

Day 4 - Train to Amsterdam and Explore

Day 5 - Anne Frank House and Canal Tour in Amsterdam, train to Brussels

Day 6 - Day trip to Luxembourg and Dinant

Day 7 - Brussels and head home

Optional Add-On

Day 7 - Train to Paris

Day 8 - Explore Paris

Day 9 - Fly home

Additional Option

Add on 2 more nights in Amsterdam in the springtime for a day trip to Keukenhof Garndens.

Day 1: Arrive in Brussels and Explore the Highlights

We flew into Brussels on Aer Lingus. We have found affordable fares for both of our trips to Europe in the past year on Aer Lingus.

I was traveling solo with my 3-year-old, and we arrived after 6:30 p.m., so I hired a private transfer from the airport to our hotel. We used the company Welcome Pickups. It cost $62.96 for the private airport transfer, and the drive took about 45 minutes.

I was also impressed that a car seat was provided. We didn't bring our car seat along since we would mostly be using public transportation.

We stayed overnight at Holiday Inn Express Brussels Grand Palace which was €168.18 and included free breakfast. This was the perfect location since I wanted to be close to a train station for our journey to Bruges the next day. I was also glad to be able to fit in a visit to Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Got a stranger to take a photo of us in the rain in Grand Place in Brussels! We were on our way to the train station but I still wanted to take a moment to take it all in.

Grande Place is the main square in Brussels where you can see the Brussels Town Hall, the King's House, and some private residences.

If you arrive early in the day and have time to do some sightseeing in Brussels, here are a few recommendations:

Grand Place - the central square in Brussels and a UNESCO World Heritage site
Manneken Pis - a statue of a little boy urinating into a fountain, which is a popular tourist attraction located near Grand Place. Worth visiting for a photo.
The Atomium - a modern building in the shape of a unit cell which is also a museum and art center!
Mini-Europe - a park with all of the major European landmarks in miniature. This is a great place to go if you have kids!

Where to Stay

Holiday Inn Express Grand Place - includes free breakfast, and is within walking distance of Grand Place and the Brussels Central train station.

Day 2: Take a Train to Bruges and See the Canals

Bruges is a fairytale town known for its cobblestone streets, charming Flemish architecture, quaint canals, and a bustling historic city center. This medieval town should top your list of cities to visit in Belgium.

We got up early, had breakfast at our hotel, and walked toward Brussels Central train station. We purchased our train tickets ahead of time on the Belgian Train website. There are frequent trains from Brussels to Bruges, and the journey takes less than an hour.

We arrived in Bruges around 10:30 a.m. and decided to drop our bags off at the hotel. We stayed at Dukes Academie Bruges, a boutique hotel near Minnewater Lake, and we were delighted to find that our room was already ready!

You could spend days roaming the streets of Bruges and discovering new picturesque spots around town. If your time is limited, here are the highlights:

With my 3-year-old at Grove Market in Bruges.

Grote Markt (Market Square) - this is the main square in Bruges with the colorful Flemish buildings you'll often see in photos. There are plenty of restaurants and shops here, but we just enjoyed wandering around and getting some photos!
Take a Canal Cruise - If you want to see the city from a different perspective, hop on a canal tour. They run for 30 minutes taking visitors through the historic canals in Bruges. No need to buy tickets in advance.
Frietmuseum (french fry museum) - Belgium is known for its Friet, or Belgian potato fries, so the Frietmuseum is the perfect place to learn all about the history of the Friet! Lots of interactive exhibits, so great for adults and kids.
Quay of the Rosary - a bend in the canal with an iconic backdrop for photos.
Climb the Belfry - The Bruges Belfry is a medieval bell tower and a landmark in Bruges. You can climb the 366 stairs to the top for great views of the city.
Minnewater Lake - a small rectangular lake on the south side of Bruges. This idyllic park is quiet and peaceful, and a great place to sit and relax with kids.

Where to Stay

Duke's Academie Hotel - located near Minnewater Lake on the south end of Bruges. On a quiet street, and just a short walk from a grocery store. We paid for the breakfast when we booked the hotel and it was a great choice. The buffet breakfast was outstanding with tons of fresh fruit, waffles, bread, juice, coffee, and more. We booked a quad room for our group of 4, and our room was very spacious.

Day 3: Take a Train to Ghent and Explore the Historic Center

Ghent is another charming city in Belgium that is well worth your time. It's just a half-hour train ride from Bruges (or Brussels), and while it's a larger city than Bruges, it has a nice historic center. The regional trains run very frequently and are super affordable.

Like Bruges, Ghent still has buildings from the Middle Ages, avoiding damages from the bombings of World War II. When you leave the train station, you will have to pass a few blocks of modern architecture before you reach the historic center.

Once in the history city center, though, you'll enjoy picturesque canals, a castle, and more Flemish architecture. A few things to see and do while you're there:

Canal Tour: no need to book tickets ahead of time. Find an operator along the canal and wait for the next boat.
Saint Michael's Bridge: a stone arch bridge in the historic district that makes a great photo spot!
Castle of the Counts: the former fortress of the Counts of Flanders. You can tour the Castle, by buying your tickets online or in person. A humorous audio guide is available to liven up your visit!
Graffiti Alley: Werregarenstraatje, or Graffiti Street, is an alley where street artists are free to make the walls their canvas. If you're a big fan of street art, this is a must-visit location.
Belgian Waffles: stop for Belgium's signature food at House of Waffle in the historic district along the canal.

Ghent on a Belgium, Amsterdam, and Luxembourg 7 Day Itinerary.jpg

Ghent boat tour on a Belgium, Amsterdam, and Luxembourg 7 Day Itinerary.jpg

belgian waffles on a Belgium, Amsterdam, and Luxembourg 7 Day Itinerary.jpg

Where to Stay

Duke's Academie in Bruges - after enjoying the sights in Ghent we took an early evening train back to Bruges. Duke's Academie is only a 10-minute walk from the train station.

Day 4: Take a Train to Amsterdam and See the Flower Market

The Netherlands is located directly to the north of Belgium, so it makes sense to include an overnight stay in Amsterdam on your trip to Belgium. It's important to be aware that the train journey from Bruges to Amsterdam is no easy feat, though.

First, you need to take the regional trains from Bruges to Brussels, and from there you'll connect to the Eurostar which will take you to Amsterdam. You'll need to switch trains several times, but the hassle is well worth your time.

If you depart from Bruges in the early morning hours, you'll still have plenty of free time to explore Amsterdam in the afternoon! The train journey takes around 4 hours in total, so bring a book!

I would recommend spending your first day wandering along the canals of Amsterdam, checking out the Flower Market, getting parmesan fries with truffle mayo from Fabel Friet, and indulging in some stroopwafel.

Flower Market - stalls full of flowers and souvenirs lined up along the canals. A colorful and lively place near the city centre.
Fabel Friet - this famous fry spot usually has a small line, but don't let that deter you. It moves fairly quickly and they have a very organized system. I would recommend the parmesan fries with truffle mayonnaise.
Bike Tour or Walking Tour - a bike tour is probably the best way to see Amsterdam, so if you have older kids (or are visiting without kids), you may want to take a guided bike tour. If you're not comfortable on a bike, a guided walking tour may be more your speed.

Where to Stay

Amsterdam Wiechmann Hotel - we loved the central location along a canal, and the breakfast was included! The views of the canal at breakfast were idyllic. We stayed in one of the quad rooms, which was quite a climb up to the 3rd floor on steep and narrow staircases. Be ready to carry your luggage!

Day 5: Anne Frank House, Canal Tour, Stroopwafel, and Train Back to Brussels

On your second day in Amsterdam, you'll have time to see some of the city's museums! We started our day at the Anne Frank House, which you must reserve online several weeks in advance. We scheduled our visit for the first time slot, between 9:00 and 9:15 a.m. It was the best time to visit with fewer crowds.

Directly after we visited the Anne Frank House, we joined a canal tour. The boat ride was around 45 minutes with a local guide sharing information about the city of Amsterdam. The yellow boats were right across from the Anne Frank House, so we didn't have to search long to find it.

Anne Frank House - a walk through the secret annex where Anne and the Frank family, along with 4 other people, hid for several years during World War II. Recommended for ages 10 and up, but I took my 3-year-old in and she did fine. We left early when she started to get restless since I didn't want her to disturb other people's experiences. Be sure to book your tickets online ahead of time!
Canal Tour - no need to book ahead of time. There are vendors all along the canals, and you can simply hop on the next boat. See all the best places in Amsterdam from a different perspective. Hot tip: grab a coffee and some stroopwafel before you go to enjoy during the tour.
Van Wanderen Stroopwafel - one of the most famous cookie shops in the city! We happened to pass by when there was no line, which felt like a huge win! The stroopwafels are huge and you can choose from 3 sizes. I got the one covered in Oreo and chocolate - so good!
Van Gogh Museum - if you have some extra time, stop at the Van Gogh Museum and see his masterpieces including Sunflowers, Self Portrait with Grey Felt Hat, and The Yellow House. (Note: Starry Night is not found at this museum, but rather at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC).

Where to Stay

Hotel Indigo Brussels - we loved the central location of this hotel. It was an easy walk from the Brussels Nord train station after we took the train from Amsterdam to Brussels. Free breakfast was included!

Day 6: Day Trip to Luxembourg and Dinant

On our last full day in Europe, we took a day trip to Dinant (a small city in Belgium), and Luxembourg City. The tour was 12 hours long on a bus, and we had tour guides with us for part of the time, but they also gave us plenty of free time to wander the 2 cities we visited.

Dinant is known for its breathtaking views of the Gothic Collegiate Church of Our Lady set against an outcropping of rock with a citadel perched on top. It's also known for being the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. Beyond getting a few photos, there is not a ton to do in town.

You spend the rest of the day in Luxembourg with a short guided tour through town, and then a couple of hours to wander and eat. Luxembourg is small and clean, and it looks like a town straight out of a fairytale. I was so glad we got the chance to visit on this guided tour since I'm not sure that I would plan a separate trip to Luxembourg on my own!

You can book the tour we took right here through Get Your Guide. Thanks to Get Your Guide for hosting our group on this tour!

Where to Stay

Hotel Indigo Brussels - we loved that Hotel Indigo has several restaurants on-property so we had somewhere to eat when we arrived late at night!

Day 7: Brussels and Home

If your flight is later in the afternoon, you'll have some time to explore more of Brussels, including any of the tourist attractions you didn't get to on Day 1. Another option would be to take a walking tour or a chocolate-making class.

You can store your bags at the hotel until it's time to go to the airport.

Optional Add-On: Days 7-9 in Paris

If you're able to extend your trip by a few days and Paris, France is on your bucket list, take the Eurostar south to Paris! The train ride is just under 2 hours, and you can easily check out another country and check some amazing experiences off your bucket list.

Have a slow morning in Brussels, check out of Hotel Indigo, and head to the train station. You can arrive in Paris before noon, drop off your bags at your chosen hotel, and immediately begin exploring!

Having been to Paris twice myself, here are a few things I would recommend fitting into Days 7 and 8 in the city of lights:

Louvre Museum - see the Mona Lisa, of course, but take your time wandering this massive museum and finding many world-famous masterpieces.
Arc de Triomphe - I would recommend paying to climb to the top of the Arc so you can get views of the Paris skyline including the Eiffel Tower.
Eiffel Tower - we paid to go to the top (reserve your tickets ahead of time), which was an awesome experience. My favorite way to enjoy this iconic landmark, though, is to get a picnic dinner and sit on the lawn around the Eiffel Tower until twilight when it starts to sparkle.
Champs Elysee - this famous thoroughfare has lots of luxury shops.
Basilica of Sacre Coeur - be ready to climb a lot of stairs! But the views are so worth it.
Stroll the Montmartre neighborhood - the charming and hilly neighborhood is a great place to wander or grab lunch at a sidewalk cafe
Luxembourg Gardens - a beautiful area to relax or let the kids play on a playground
Sit at a sidewalk cafe - all I wanted to do in Paris was sip a cafe au lait and eat a croissant at a sidewalk cafe while people-watching. Have kids get a hot chocolate to enjoy!
Get macarons - these colorful cookies will have you addicted by the end of your trip!
Notre Dame - I believe this church is still closed to the public for restoration after the fire, but you'll still want to see it from the outside!
Half-day trip to Versailles (note that the tour linked is not for kids under 6) - explore the splendid royal residence of King Louis XIV

2nd Optional Add-On: Keukenhof Gardens in Amsterdam

If you are visiting during tulip season, I would recommend adding a day or 2 in Amsterdam to take a day trip to Keukenhof Gardens, a garden in the Lisse area of the Netherlands where 7 million bulbs are planted annually. It's one of the best places to visit in spring to see tulips and other flowers in bloom. It is only open from March 21-May 12 in 2024, which is why this optional add-on would only work during a short window of the year.

I would spend 3 nights in Amsterdam if you're visiting during spring and want to add Keukenhof Gardens to your itinerary. That way you could still spend a full day in Amsterdam, and a full day exploring Keukenhof Gardens.

Be sure to buy your tickets online in advance. You can book a tour from Amsterdam on the Keukenhof website, which seems like the most convenient way to get there!