Leaving soon for a Viking Rhine cruise that, sadly, has to be diverted due to low water levels. We'll sail from Amsterdam to Belgium, where we'll have one day to explore either Antwerp or Brussels before taking a bus to Strasburg, via Luxembourg. Can someone share their opinion on which city would be the best use of our short time, and what sights we might look for in either location? And, what might we do, including a lunch, on a 3-hour stopover in Luxembourg?
Thanks.
What are you interested in? What do you like to do? Who is your travel group?
The art museum in Brussels entertained me for most of the time it was open the day I saw it. Also in Brussels is the Manneken Pis statue.
I will assume that, with only one day to rush through a city, you would like to skip the museums, walk the streets, and spend at least 2 hours at cafes or restaurants. I have never taken a cruise, anywhere. I don't see the appeal of it.
I would also like to know a bit more about your interests and who you are. It's no good recommending something that you wouldn't do in a month of Sundays :)
Lavandula
The best place to spend your limited time is the city where your river cruise from Amsterdam docks.
If that’s Antwerp, then there’s no reason to waste time on a trip to Brussels. If that’s Brussels, then there’s no reason to waste time on a trip to Antwerp.
... Unless there’s something in one of the cities that you definitely want to visit—which apparently isn’t the case, since you’re asking what there is to see.
Since you’re aware of the alternative bus route, that also means you’re less than 14 days away from your departure date. Aside from the usual sights, there aren’t really any spectacular events for the rest of October, neither in Antwerp nor in Brussels.
I agree that exploring where you will be docked/staying is probably fine. I like Antwerp better than Brussels, but for the first time visitor, Brussels has more "known" sights and a wider array of museums.
For Brussels, if you have specific interests, then take a look at the museums. In my view, I do not class Brussels museums as any that are "must sees" like you would find in Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and Madrid, but they do have some neat niche museums for Comics, Musical instruments, the works of Rene Magritte, Autoworld, a good Military museum, some Dutch/Flemish Masters, and more, you just need to have an interest in the subject of the museum.
As for Luxembourg, I assume you will be in Luxembourg City. If so, just wandering the town, maybe stopping for a snack will fill your time. It is a neat old town, some good views. We didn't go, but a tour of the Casemates du Bock, underground areas used for protection and storage for centuries, is popular.
We thought the Luxembourg City Museum was interesting for a few hours, particularly the table size relief maps of the city over the centuries. I was interested in the Casemates, but the timing didn't work out for us.
The bus may drop you off in Luxembourg at the Glacis parking BUS here https://maps.app.goo.gl/YGYU9sq7jdcD5MEg7
From here, you can take free public transportation to the city center.
However, my recommendation would be (if you’re able-bodied) to walk through the city park (Kinnekswiss Park) to the Panoramic Elevator overlooking the Pfaffenthal.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/iPyQkYCK4afuwT4z5
Enjoy the beautiful view from there. If you’re there during your lunch break, you can take the elevator down and enjoy a delicious lunch
Afterward, take the elevator back up and walk to the Place d’Armes for a digestif before rejoining the bus https://maps.app.goo.gl/uMvZcvko1s5Pk6EE7
If you’re from the U.S. and have an interest in World War II, know that you can take an Uber for about 60–65€ for a round trip, with a 15-minute stop to visit the Luxembourg Military Cemetery, where, among the graves of his men, the one at the very front is that of General George S. Patton
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8rvcZEfYenRTmhURA
Don't worry about having only one day for your choice. This part of Belgium is heavily visited in same-day train trips from a base city. I happen to like Antwerp better, and think it is has closer-together sights for walking. (See if you can find out where the boat will tie-up, in either city, and how close it may be to civilization.) Don't plan to return to the ship for lunch. You need rain plans, too.
The unified Fine Arts museum in Brussels has more than you can see in a day, all of it first-rate. And there are other museums.
You will get better advice if you say what interests you.
Agree with others that wherever your ship docks is probably the best choice, so ask Viking now which city it will be and how far the dock is from the center.
If you do get to choose: Antwerp is more compact and walkable (Grote Markt, the Cathedral with its Rubens paintings, and the free rooftop view at the MAS museum). Brussels has more of the classic sights (Grand-Place, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Magritte Museum). Either way, have lunch in town and a rain backup plan for late October.
For Luxembourg, keep it simple: wander the old town, enjoy the views over the Grund, and have a relaxed lunch. Windyram's suggestions above are great. Be back at the bus 15 minutes early.
Have a great trip!
