20 Days in Benelux: Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg

Benelux, the name for Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg is an amazing place. It's full of history, scenery, and lots of fun. This is a 20 day itinerary exploring the very best of Benelux.

I'll start with super basic itinerary, then list the best things to do, and then some hotels. I'll also tell you about the places in the itinerary, in case you didn't know.
Note: If you don't have enough time (most people don't have a whole 20 days for vacation, break this itinerary down into your favorite parts, maybe just choosing a particular country.)

The Itinerary

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Day 1- Arrive in Amsterdam, and explore
Day 2- Amsterdam
Day 3- Amsterdam
Day 4- Morning and lunch in Amsterdam, then take a 40 minute train to Leiden, and spend the day there
Day 5- Leiden
Day 6- Go to the Hague (it's super close by, so transportation shouldn't be difficult)
Day 7- The Hague (and if you have time, you can take a quick pop by Rotterdam)
Day 8- Take a train or a bus to Antwerp, Belgium in the morning, then explore
Day 9- Antwerp
Day 10- Take a train from Antwerp to Bruges, one of the most famous towns in Belgium
Day 11- Bruges
Day 12- Bruges
Day 13- Take a train to Ghent and explore
Day 14- Ghent
Day 15- Train to Brussels and explore
Day 16- Brussels
Day 17- Brussels
Day 18- Train to Luxembourg and explore
Day 19- Luxembourg City
Day 20- Luxembourg City, take a flight back.

City Search: Amsterdam, Leiden, The Hague, Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, and Luxembourg City.

The Netherlands...

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Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands, and is home to 827,000 people, as well as incredible history, food, and architecture.

Amsterdam

Things to do in Amsterdam

Rijksmuseum

An art museum that houses many famous works of European art.

The Anne Frank House

The House of the world famous Anne Frank, a girl during World War II who kept a diary of her experiences.

Van Gogh Museum

This museum has the largest collection of Van Gogh pieces in the world.

Vondelpark

The Vondelpark is a gigantic park with an open air cinema.

Rembrandt House Museum

A Dutch 17th century house

Royal Palace

The name speaks for itself, honestly.

NEMO Science Museum

One of the most fun things to do in Amsterdam, NEMO is a waterfont science museum.

Stedelijk Museum

A famous museum of contemporary art.

Some hotels in Amsterdam

Budget

The Alfred Hotel- An amazing value-for-money hotel with a beautiful exterior and in an amazing location.

Mid Range

Hotel Estherea- 4 star, but affordable hotel with amazing, classic decorations and in a super central area.

Luxury

Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Spa- A Hilton hotel with an awesome location and beautiful rooms. The area is awesome as well; this is a great luxury pick.

Leiden

Leiden is known for its old architecture and for Leiden University, which is the country's oldest. It is definitely overlooked by most people, but it is truly a gem, and you can't miss out on it.

Things to do in Leiden

Hortus Bontanicus Leiden

A botanical garden complete with a cafe, definitely a must see.

National Museum of Antiquities

A museum containing Greek, Egyptian, and Roman relics.

National Museum of Ethnology

Historic museum of cultures across the world.

Naturalis Biodiversity Center

Fun natural history center

Burcht Van Leiden

A park with remains of a medieval castle.

Some hotels in Leiden

Budget

The Flying Pig Beach Hostel Noorwdjik- This hostel is actually in a nearby beach town. It's rooms are whimsically decorated and it's right on the beach.

Mid Range

Rembrandt Hotel Leiden- This hotel's location is amazing, it's literally in the exact center of Leiden. The rooms are tastefully decorated with and everything is super clean.

Luxury

Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin- This large hotel is in the same town, Noorwdjik, as the budget hotel, and it's also right on the beach. The rooms are nicely decorated, but if you have a beach view room, the views are amazing.

The Hague

The Hague is a major city in the Netherlands, the capital of South Holland. It is home to the Dutch Seat of Parliament and the U.N.'s International Court of Justice. The overall city is very beautiful, and definitely a must-visit.

Things to do in The Hague

Madurodam

A large park with models of Dutch cities

Binnenhof

The place where you can go one tours of the waterfront Dutch Parliament

Mauritshuis

Collection of Golden Age Dutch paintings

Duinrell

An amusement park

Scheveningen Pier

A waterfront area with lots of food and activities

Kuntsmuseum Den Haag

Modern art museum

Panorama mesdag

360 degree works of art

Escher in Het Paleis

An old palace with graphic art

Some hotels in The Hague

Budget

StayOkay The Hague- This hostel has free breakfast and clean, comfortable rooms. I would really recommend this.

Mid Range

Hotel Indigo The Hague Palace Noordeinde- An affordable, clean hotel in the center of The Hague.

Luxury

To be honest there are really that many.

Belgium...

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Antwerp

Antwerp is known as the diamond capital, and diamonds are (and have always been) an important role of the economy of the city. In Antwerp, you can buy diamonds cheaper than anywhere else, because they have so many. But, as always, watch out for scammers.

Things to do in Antwerp

The Rubens House

Former mansion

Museum aan de Stroom

Modern museum showing the city's history

Cathedral of Our Lady Antwerp

Iconic 1300's structure with famous art by Rubens

ZOO Antwerpen

Animal park since 1843

Antwerp City Hall

Renaissance structure with tours.

Some hotels in Antwerp

Budget

YUST- A modern hotel with proper amenities and in the center of Antwerp.

Mid Range

Park Inn by Radisson Antwerp Berchem- Affordable hotel with a restaurant and clean, decorated rooms. Highly recommend.

Luxury

Hilton Antwerp Old Town- Fancy hotel with beautiful rooms and lots of special amenities.

Bruges

Bruges, one of the most famous cities in Belgium and probably the most famous tourist destination, is also called Venice of the North, because of all of its canals and bridges. It is very beautiful, and also super historical as well.

Things to do in Bruges

Markt

A famous plaza with lots of places to eat

Church of Our lady Bruges

A church with Michelangelo Art

Belfry of Bruges

An old bell tower in the main square

Basilica of the Holy Blood

Church and pilgrimage area with a famous relic.

Choco-Story

A chocolate museum with a shop.

Bruges City Hall

A city hall from the 1300's that also has a museum

Some hotels in Bruges

Budget

Charlie Rockets- A nice, casual hotel with a restaurant.

Mid Range

The Black Swan Hotel- Very nice, welcoming exterior with cozy rooms.

Luxury

Hotel Heritage- A famous, fancily decorated hotel in Bruges with lots of amenities.

Ghent

Ghent, famous for its markets and squares is a very classic place to visit. It has so much to do, with its medieval monasteries and pretty streets.

Things to do in Ghent

Gravensteen

A 1100's castle with a moat surrounding it

Het Belfort van Gent

14th century watch tower

Saint Nicolas' Church

Gothic church with artistic interior

Korenmarkt

Historic square with famous buildings

Saint Bavo's Cathedral

10th century cathedral

Museum voor Schone Kunsten

An amazingly decoated art museum.

Some hotels in Ghent

Budget

KABA Hostel- This hostel has nice cozy rooms, great breakfast, and is in a great location.

Mid Range

Charme Hotel Hancelot- A hotel with amazingly decorated rooms on the edge of Ghent.

Luxury

Ghent Marriott Hotel- Top-rated hotel in the center of Ghent with river views, pretty rooms, dining, and breakfast.

Brussels

Brussels is the capital of Belgium, and though it is a very popular tourist destination, it is sometimes overlooked. It is full of unique art and architecture.

Things to do in Brussels

Grote markt

The main market square of Brussels

Manneken Pis

An iconic 17th century statue

Atomium

A well known, huge sculpture depicting an atom

Royal Palace of Brussels

speaks for itself

Parc di Cinquantenaire

A large city park with military museums.

Mini-Europe

A mini park with famous European attractions (Like the Eiffel Tower and the Big Ben)

Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert

A fancy market place known for its glass ceiling.

Some hotels in Brussels

Budget

Menininger Hotel Bruxelles City Center- A nice, popular hotel with clean rooms in the center of Brussels.

Mid Range

Warwick Brussels- Nice, comfortable hotel with a fancy restaurant.

Luxury

Hotel Amigo- Top rated, 5 star hotel with a spa and a nice restaurant.

Luxembourg...

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Luxembourg City is the capital of Luxembourg and known as Europe's most powerful investment management center. The country itself is very beautiful, but it's so small, there isn't much else to say. Luxembourg is also the world's 2nd wealthiest country.

Things to do in Luxembourg City

Cathedrale Notre Dame

Cathedral built in the 17th century

Palais Grand-Ducal

The palace of Grand Duke

Adolphe Bridge

Iconic stone bridge from the 1900's

Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art

Outdoor sculptures and modern art

Monument of Remembrance

War memorial with a golden statue on top

Fort Thungen

Old fort with museums

Place Guillaume II

Llarge medieval square

Some hotels in Luxembourg City

Budget

Hotel Bistrol- A clean 2 star hotel in a nice location a 10 minute walk from the city center.

Mid Range

Grand Hotel Cravat- Affordable, comfortable in Luxembourg City. It has dining and breakfast.

Luxury

Sofitel Luxembourg Le Grande Ducal- A fancy hotel in Luxembourg City that's top rated and has amazing dining and breakfast.

To wrap my travel tip up, we explored many amazing cities and places in the itinerary, from all over Benelux.
Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!