We are heading to Amsterdam and have a few extra days to do a day trip or a two day trip. We are thinking about taking the train to Bruges and doing two days there? Or should we scratch that… do a day trip to Ghent and another day trip to Utretch. Or is there another country worth flying too from Amsterdam for one full day a night and half a day. Such as southern
Belgium. Not interested in London or Paris. Any ideas are welcome. We need to fly back out of Amsterdam.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
717 posts
Will Amsterdam be your only Netherlands component? If so, other great options to explore would be Leiden, Delft, Utrecht as you mentioned. Others will chime in with more suggestions but Netherlands offers a lot. On our next trip there we are including some days in Rotterdam for the modern architecture and harbour/port goings on as both are of interest to us.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
We will be in Europe for a total of 6 nights. Right now we have Saturday through Tuesday planned for Amsterdam. So 4 days in Amsterdam. 2 days free. Either day trips or a two day trip.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2456 posts
We enjoyed Haarlem for a day and only less than hour from.Amsterdam.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
Thank yall! Do you have any thoughts on Antwerp?
Posted by
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
355 posts
I love Antwerp - great museums and churches. I spent two days there and haven't finished seeing all I want to see.
But with your schedule in Amsterdam, I'd do more day trips from there or nights in other Dutch cities. Save Antwerp for another trip.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
717 posts
It sounds like Belgium beckons for you given your reference Ghent, Bruges and Antwerp. All are very worthwhile and deserve a trip of their own. With your limited time, I agree with HK that choosing another Dutch destination would be good. The Netherlands is so much more than Amsterdam.
Posted by
The Netherlands
1613 posts
There is indeed much more to our country than just Amsterdam, but if you have a strong desire to visit Belgium then why not? Especially since you have 2 days, which is the minimum. Bruges is too far away for a day trip.
However it would help to know your exact itinerary. What time will you arrive? And when and from where will you be flying back?
Posted by
OP
9 posts
We have ruled out Brugge. Thank you for your responses. We want to check off a Belgian city so we are going to spend. 4 days in Amsterdam. 1 day in Antwerp (1 hour 15 min train). Then do another day trip for the final day, or stay in Amsterdam if we think we need another day there. We will fly out the following day from Amsterdam. The trip is a total of 6 full days. And the 7th day is flying day.
Posted by
11606 posts
I highly recommend spending all of your time in the The Netherlands. There is so much to explore! Leiden, Delft, The Hague for a start.