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Benelux travel retail association (btra), search open yearbook.

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URL: http://www.btra.nl/

Protect and promote branch interests of producers, suppliers, sales and marketing organizations of consumer products and transporters who are involved in cross-border traffic and travel retail sales in the widest sense of the word.

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Un sustainable development goals **.

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Nigel Keal re-elected as European Travel Retail Confederation President

EUROPE. The European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) has re-elected Nigel Keal as President at the trade body’s annual general meeting yesterday (27 June) in London. He will serve for a further one-year term.

ETRC members were also presented at the AGM with a full update on campaigns and projects being undertaken by the trade body, as well as the impact of elections in the European Union, United Kingdom and France.

The trade body has also added two regional associations BTRA (Benelux Travel Retail Association) and FETRE (Federación Española del Travel Retail) over the past year to represent Benelux and Spain on the Supervisory Board.

Keal, a highly respected travel retail veteran, underlined the importance of supporting the national and regional associations in addition to ETRC, as the trade body is set to celebrate its 20th founding anniversary at the TFWA World Exhibition and Conference later this year in Cannes (29 Sept-3 Oct).

Nigel Keal said: “I am really excited to steer ETRC for the year ahead which coincides not only with our 20th anniversary but also the start of a new political cycle in Europe. I hope it will enable us to move some key topics on our agenda, including arrivals duty-free in the EU and UK.

“I thank the members of ETRC for their trust as well as my colleagues on the Managing and Supervisory Boards for their time and dedication to ETRC in addition to busy daily jobs.”

Keal is joined on the ETRC Managing Board by Donatienne de Fontaines-Guillaume (Vice President Brands); Piret Mürk-Dubout (Vice President Maritime Affairs); Nina Semprecht (Vice President Communications and Public Affairs); Tom Byrne (Vice-President Aviation Affairs); and Pedro Castro (Vice-President External Affairs). ✈

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Nigel Keal to continue as ETRC President after re-election at AGM

By Luke Barras-hill | Thursday, 1 July 2021 15:38

Nigel Keal has been re-elected President of ETRC for a second consecutive year.

Travel retail veteran Nigel Keal has been unanimously re-elected as President of the European Travel Retail Confederation.

It is the second time Keal has been re-elected in the post since he was first elected in 2019.

He will serve for a further one-year term after his nomination by members of the association was confirmed at its annual general meeting today (1 July).

TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS

“I am extremely pleased to accept this nomination to serve as President of ETRC for another year,” said Keal.

“The past year has been a tough one for the industry and has highlighted the crucial role that trade associations such as ETRC play in defending our sector in crisis times, and in that respect, we are immensely grateful for the support of our members during this period.

“I am looking forward to working closely with the Managing and Supervisory boards of ETRC, the national associations, ETRC’s corporate members and the wider industry in the year ahead.”

During the ‘well attended’ meeting, ETRC offered an update on various ongoing campaigns including ‘Destination Summer’; the campaign for EU arrivals duty free and duty free labelling; plus work on sector-specific issues including sustainability-related developments.

Keal also paid tribute to outgoing Vice-President François Bourienne for his years of dedication to the ETRC Managing Board, which comprises Jennifer Cords, Director Corporate Affairs & Compliance, Gebr. Heinemann; Donatienne de Fontaines-Guillaume, Vice President Commercial, TFWA; Paul Neeson, Director of Retail Ireland, Aer Rianta International; Jacques Parson, President, Benelux Travel Retail Association; and Eva Rehnström, Sales & Purchasing Manager Beauty & Fashion, Viking Line.

As reported , Bourienne announced he was stepping down from AGS Airports last year to take on a new challenge.

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European Travel Retail Council established

The formation of the European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) is an important step in achieving a strong, united voice in Europe…

The formation of the European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) is an important step in achieving a strong, united voice in Europe. With membership from Tax Free World Association and the European national travel retail and duty free organisations , the ETRC now represents in excess of 500 companies across all trade sectors, including all major brand owners and retail operators. Apart from strengthening the capability of the organisation to represent its members’ agreed common interests, both within the EU and across Europe, the ETRC’s mission is to promote the economic value of the industry. A further key focus for the ETRC will be to extend its representative base, to include participation, initially, from all EU Member States and ultimately, to include membership from all corners of Europe. It is also planned that the ETRC will become a resource centre for the industry in Europe, providing a focal point for vital research projects. Commenting on the creation of the ETRC, the newly elected President, Frank O’Connell said, For the first time Travel Retail in Europe has a single voice which can speak for all sectors of our industry and represent the interests of over 500 enterprises – this is a tremendous step forward and all of us are very much indebted to Alain Falque, former chairman of ITRC, who successfully steered the process through to completion. The ETRC will represent the Europe region on the Duty Free World Council. The elected officers to the Council’s Management Board are Frank O’Connell as President, with Donatienne de Fontaines-Guillaume , representing TFWA, Fulvio Fassone , President of the Italian association, ATRI, and Jacques Parson , Chairman of the Benelux Travel Retail Association as the three Vice-Presidents, and Barry Goddard of the UK Travel Retail Forum as ETRC Company Secretary. Representation from all national associations will continue through membership of the ETRC Supervisory Board. The new organisation will also be actively seeking associate membership from other trade associations linked to its business. The ETRC now represents the European travel retail and duty free industry in Europe, replacing the former International Travel Retail Confederation.

Theodore Koumelis

Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.

• The Meritage Resort & Spa presents Chef Cary Roy as Ember Steak’s inaugural Executive Chef
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Nigel Keal President Chair , UKRTF

Donatienne de Fontaines-Guillaume Vice-President Brands Vice-President , Tax Free World Association

Nina Semprecht Vice-President PR & Communications Director Corporate Communications and External Affairs, Gebr. Heinemann

Piret Mürk-Dubout Vice-President Maritime Affairs Alternate Member , Nordic Travel Retail Group (NTRG)

Pedro Castro Vice-President External Affairs Public Affairs Director, Avolta

Tom Byrne Vice-President Aviation Affairs Executive Director of Retail, ARI Ireland

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Global Business Traveller Report 2022 – Benelux

Nearly all business travellers are willing to travel this year, yet the way companies are managing the return to travel may prove problematic. The business travel trends show that most business travellers report their companies are returning to pre-pandemic travel levels but are spreading it among fewer employees, an approach that leaves the majority unhappy with their travel frequency. 

A majority of Benelux business travellers (60%) report their current travel frequency is not meeting their expectations. 

Nearly half of Benelux business travellers (47%) are traveling less than they’d prefer and 1 in 7 (14%) are travelling more than they would like.  

And while most of those traveling too little are willing to wait for things to improve, many who are on the road more than they’d like are ready to bring about the change themselves –even if that means a change of employers. But recruiting these eager travelers will come at a cost during this era of intense labor competition, as nearly all want extra perks to take a job requiring more travel.  

Meeting business travellers’ expectations is likely the better option for companies, which includes ensuring their travel schedules meet needs as well as offering the travel flexibility they deem essential. Business travellers are focused on safeguarding their well-being amid lingering COVID-19 health and safety concerns. Sustainable travel continues to be a key consideration for business travellers as well, offering an additional opportunity for employers to cater to employees’ travel requirements.  

These findings come from a survey of 3,850 business travellers across 25 global markets commissioned by SAP Concur through Wakefield Research.  

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• Retail & Trade

Retail trade in Belgium - statistics & facts

Retail chains and stores, international trade, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Production value of wholesale and retail trade industry in Belgium 2010-2021

Retail trade sales growth in Belgium 2004-2022

Rate of inflation in Belgium 2019-2023

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Key Figures of E-Commerce

Market size of e-commerce in Belgium 2015-2023

E-commerce share of total retail sales in Belgium 2012-2023

Consumer price index (CPI) in Belgium 2020-2023, by expenditure category

Further recommended statistics

• Basic Statistic Gross domestic product (GDP) in Belgium 2029
• Basic Statistic Gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate in Belgium 2029
• Premium Statistic Number of retail chains in the Benelux 2019-2022, by country
• Premium Statistic Share of retail chain stores in the Benelux 2022, by country
• Basic Statistic Rate of inflation in Belgium 2019-2023
• Basic Statistic Consumer price index (CPI) in Belgium 2020-2023, by expenditure category
• Premium Statistic Average footfall in Belgian cities in October 2023, by shopping street
• Premium Statistic High income visitors to shopping streets in Belgium 2022-2023

Gross domestic product (GDP) in Belgium 2029

Belgium: Gross domestic product (GDP) in current prices from 1989 to 2029 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate in Belgium 2029

Belgium: Growth rate of the real gross domestic product (GDP) from 2019 to 2029 (compared to the previous year)

Number of retail chains in the Benelux 2019-2022, by country

Number of retail chains in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (Benelux) from 2019 to 2022, by country

Share of retail chain stores in the Benelux 2022, by country

Share of stores belonging to retail chains in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg (Benelux) in 2022

Inflation rate in Belgium from January 2019 to October 2023 (CPI compared to the same month of the previous year)

Monthly consumer price index (CPI) in Belgium from January 2020 to October 2023, by expenditure category

Average footfall in Belgian cities in October 2023, by shopping street

Average footfall of high streets in cities in Belgium in October 2023, by shopping street (by number of pedestrians per month)

High income visitors to shopping streets in Belgium 2022-2023

Proportion of high-revenue visitors to high streets in cities in Belgium from June 2022 to May 2023, by shopping street

Retail sales & key figures

• Basic Statistic Turnover of the wholesale and retail trade industry 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Retail trade sales growth in Belgium 2004-2022
• Basic Statistic Production value of wholesale and retail trade industry in Belgium 2010-2021
• Basic Statistic Number of wholesale and retail trade enterprises in Belgium 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Retail trade sales volume trend in Belgium 2006-2022
• Basic Statistic Retail trade sales trend quarterly in Belgium 2019-2023
• Basic Statistic Retail trade sales trend monthly in Belgium 2019-2023
• Premium Statistic Distribution of retailers in Belgium 2022, by shopping area type
• Premium Statistic Top 20 retail chains in Belgium 2022, by shop floor area
• Basic Statistic Belgium: personnel costs of wholesale and retail trade industry 2012-2021
• Basic Statistic Belgium: wholesale and retail trade employment figures 2012-2021

Turnover of the wholesale and retail trade industry 2011-2022

Annual turnover of the wholesale and retail trade including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles industry in Belgium from 2011 to 2022 (in million euros)

Percentage change in retail trade sales volume in Belgium from 2004 to 2022

Annual production value of the wholesale and retail trade including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles industry in Belgium from 2010 to 2021 (in million euros)

Number of wholesale and retail trade enterprises in Belgium 2011-2022

Number of enterprises in the wholesale and retail trade including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles industry in Belgium from 2011 to 2022

Retail trade sales volume trend in Belgium 2006-2022

Sales volume of total retail trade in Belgium from 2006 to 2022 (as index*)

Retail trade sales trend quarterly in Belgium 2019-2023

Quarterly sales volume of total retail trade in Belgium from 1st quarter 2019 to 2nd quarter 2023 (as index)

Retail trade sales trend monthly in Belgium 2019-2023

Monthly sales volume of total retail trade in Belgium from January 2019 to June 2023 (as index)

Distribution of retailers in Belgium 2022, by shopping area type

Distribution of retailers in Belgium in 2022, by shopping area type

Top 20 retail chains in Belgium 2022, by shop floor area

Top 20 retail chains in Belgium in 2022, by shop floor area (in square meters)

Belgium: personnel costs of wholesale and retail trade industry 2012-2021

Annual personnel costs of the wholesale and retail trade including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles industry in Belgium from 2012 to 2021 (in million euros)

Belgium: wholesale and retail trade employment figures 2012-2021

Total number of employees in the wholesale and retail trade including the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles industry in Belgium from 2012 to 2021

• Premium Statistic Belgium's goods trade balance 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Value of the goods exported from Belgium 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Value of goods imported to Belgium 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic Value of goods exported from Belgium 2022, by country
• Premium Statistic Value of goods imported to Belgium 2022, by country

Belgium's goods trade balance 2012-2022

Belgium's goods trade balance from 2012 to 2022 (in billion euros)

Value of the goods exported from Belgium 2012-2022

Value of exported goods from Belgium from 2012 to 2022 (in billion euros)

Value of goods imported to Belgium 2012-2022

Value of goods imported to Belgium from 2012 to 2022 (in billion euros)

Value of goods exported from Belgium 2022, by country

Value of goods exported from Belgium in 2022, by country (in million euros)

Value of goods imported to Belgium 2022, by country

Value of goods imported to Belgium in 2022, by country (in million euros)

Online retail

• Basic Statistic Share of enterprises selling online in Belgium 2011-2022
• Premium Statistic Market size of e-commerce in Belgium 2015-2023
• Basic Statistic E-commerce share in enterprises' turnover in Belgium 2009-2022
• Premium Statistic E-commerce share of total retail sales in Belgium 2012-2023
• Basic Statistic E-commerce user penetration in Belgium 2010-2023
• Premium Statistic E-commerce user penetration in Belgium 2010-2023, by gender
• Premium Statistic Online C2C e-commerce penetration in Belgium 2006-2022

Share of enterprises selling online in Belgium 2011-2022

Share of enterprises that sell online in Belgium from 2011 to 2022

Total revenue of e-commerce sales in Belgium from 2015 to 2023 (in billion euros)

E-commerce share in enterprises' turnover in Belgium 2009-2022

Share of e-commerce as a proportion of total turnover of enterprises in Belgium from 2009 to 2022

E-commerce percentage of total retail sales in Belgium from 1st quarter 2012 to 3rd quarter 2023

E-commerce user penetration in Belgium 2010-2023

Share of the population buying goods and services online in Belgium from 2010 to 2023

E-commerce user penetration in Belgium 2010-2023, by gender

Share of the population buying online in Belgium from 2010 to 2023, by gender

Online C2C e-commerce penetration in Belgium 2006-2022

Share of individuals using the internet to sell goods or services in Belgium from 2006 to 2022

Offline and online shopping behavior

• Premium Statistic Consumers that would shop mostly online vs. offline in Belgium 2023
• Premium Statistic Consumers that would shop mostly online vs. offline in Belgium 2023, by gender
• Premium Statistic Consumers that would shop mostly online vs. offline in Belgium 2023, by generation
• Premium Statistic Interest in product categories in Belgium 2024
• Premium Statistic Sources of information about products in Belgium 2024
• Premium Statistic Most common offline purchases by type in Belgium 2024
• Premium Statistic Brand awareness by category in Belgium 2024
• Premium Statistic Researching products online in Belgium 2007-2022
• Premium Statistic Online shopping frequency in Belgium 2023
• Premium Statistic Most popular categories for online purchases in Belgium 2024

Consumers that would shop mostly online vs. offline in Belgium 2023

Share of consumers that would prefer to shop mostly online or mostly in-store in Belgium in 2023

Consumers that would shop mostly online vs. offline in Belgium 2023, by gender

Share of consumers that would prefer to shop mostly online or mostly in-store in Belgium in 2023, by gender

Consumers that would shop mostly online vs. offline in Belgium 2023, by generation

Share of consumers that would prefer to shop mostly online or mostly in-store in Belgium in 2023, by generation

Interest in product categories in Belgium 2024

Interest in product categories in Belgium as of March 2024

Sources of information about products in Belgium 2024

Sources of information about products in Belgium as of March 2024

Most common offline purchases by type in Belgium 2024

Most common offline purchases by type in Belgium as of March 2024

Brand awareness by category in Belgium 2024

Brand awareness by category in Belgium as of March 2024

Researching products online in Belgium 2007-2022

Share of individuals using the internet to find information about goods and services in Belgium from 2007 to 2022

Online shopping frequency in Belgium 2023

Frequency of online shopping in Belgium in 2023

Most popular categories for online purchases in Belgium 2024

Most popular categories for online purchases in Belgium as of March 2024

Further reports

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With over 1,600 retail stores across Europe, you will help to create unforgettable holidays for all of our customers with your personality, professionalism and personalised service. As the first point of contact for many of our customers, we are looking for dedicated people with a passion for travel and customer service. 

Our travel consultants think from the customer’s point of view. It is much more than just ‘booking a trip’. They provide additional information about accommodation, destination, travel documents, insurance, car rental and other travel-related products and services. This way we want to give our customers an unforgettable holiday. With continuous training through training, e-learning modules and study trips, we keep the quality of our services at a high level.

Belgium Retail Opportunities

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Belgium vacancies, netherlands vacancies.

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Information, cooperation, protection of intellectual property: a reliable partner for businesses

The Benelux Union is a reliable partner for businesses, whether that’s in the form of opening up trade borders, facilitating close cooperation between companies or protecting brands and ideas. The Union provides businesses with useful information and represents their interests.

The Benelux Union offers a wide range of services for enterprise. If you are looking to expand your business to other member states, we can tell you everything you need to know, either online or through a professional contact. Our focus lies on promoting retail, but our activities reach much further than that. We are tackling territorial supply constraints, we encourage cross-border exchange between employer organisations, and we guarantee the protection of your intellectual property.

One point of contact for nearly 198,000 retail businesses

Retail is a cornerstone of the Benelux economy. Almost one million people in the three member states work in this sector, with around 198,000 companies generating a turnover of more than 219 billion euros. As such, there is a pressing need for information. In response to that need, the Benelux Union has set up a portal for retailers that covers a comprehensive range of useful topics (link) . 

Targeting both existing companies and emerging entrepreneurs, our portal provides answers to questions surrounding:

• the national legislation in other member states
• doing business in another Benelux country
• setting up a business

Together for a market without territorial supply constraints

As a retailer facing territorial supply constraints, you have a committed partner by your side in the Benelux Union. We have been working together to remove these constraints since 2015, as a joint study has shown that they affect retailers across the Benelux, across a wide range of products and companies of all sizes.

More specifically, the Benelux countries have asked the European Commission to take legislative action to address the negative effects of territorial supply constraints, as they are incompatible with the principles of the internal market.

Intensive cooperation between entrepreneurs in future-oriented areas

Permanent exchange between trade associations is hugely important, especially in times of crisis and major changes. The Benelux Union has long encouraged and boosted such exchanges.

At a joint meeting in September 2022, for instance, the representatives of the Benelux employer federations (FEDIL, VBO-FEB and VNO-NCW) confirmed the importance of their close cooperation — particularly in the field of energy, logistics and worker mobility — and decided to further strengthen their exchanges in view of the internal market.

The Benelux: a laboratory for the internal market

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the European internal market, the leaders of the Benelux countries stressed the huge importance of further developing the internal market, as well as the added value of the Benelux’s driving role in it. Several recent successes in transport and retail achieved on the back of cooperation between the Benelux only serve to underline this trailblazing role. Future cooperation is possible in the field of territorial supply constraints, electronic invoicing, packaging and waste challenges, urban mobility, more sustainable road transport and the importance of the internal market for innovation and start-ups.

Protection of all types of intellectual property

Proper protection of your intellectual property can make all the difference to the success of your business. Clearly registering your rights enables you to carve out a strong market position for your business.

If, as a company, you are looking to protect your trademark, design or idea, the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) is here to help. BOIP is the official body for the registration of trademarks and designs or drawings in the Benelux. Using BOIP’s i-DEPOT, you can also register an idea for software, a game or text, for example, giving you a means by which you can prove that your idea existed at some point.

For the protection of other rights, such as patents for the protection of technical inventions, you can contact the competent national bodies in this field in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.  

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Suggested Itineraries in Belgium

The quintessential Benelux experience is a city one. Not many foreign visitors come for the Belgian beaches, even fewer for the Dutch mountains, and none at all for Luxembourg's vast empty spaces. On the other hand, Benelux cities -- big and small -- are among Europe's cultural and historical glories. This doesn't mean there are no places of scenic beauty; there are actually more than you might think.

Most important, bring as much time with you as you can afford. You might want to indulge yourself by stepping onboard an occasional slow train rather than always rushing to catch the high-speed Thalys or an InterCity Express; and drive on at least some country roads instead of zipping along on expressways. Even going by bicycle isn't out of the question.

Getting around Belgium, Holland, and Luxembourg is a snap, but deciding what to take in and what to leave out is difficult. I hope these suggested itineraries will help you organize your time as you plan your own trip to Benelux.

Taken together, the Benelux nations of Belgium, Holland (the Netherlands), and Luxembourg cover a small area, a mere 75,000 sq. kilometers (29,000 sq. miles) -- around one-fifth the size of neighboring Germany, and not much larger than West Virginia. But arguably, no other comparably sized place in Europe compresses so many points of interest. Topping the list are artistic masterpieces, cultural events, and substantial reminders of a long and colorful history. Space remains for scenery that, while mostly lacking in drama, can still be lyrically beautiful. Then there are the more mundane (but agreeable) advantages of convenience, economy, and friendly populations, not to mention a host of other travel delights -- the exquisite food and drink of Brussels, the exuberant sociability of Amsterdam, and Luxembourg's sidewalk cafes.

For a graphic image of Belgium's two ethnic regions, Dutch-speaking Vlaanderen (Flanders) and French-speaking Wallonie (Wallonia), draw an imaginary east-west line across the country just south of Brussels. North of the line is Flanders, where you find the medieval cities of Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp, and Belgium's North Sea coastline. South of the line is Wallonia. The art cities of Tournai and Mons, and the scenic resort towns of the Meuse River valley and the Ardennes, are the attractions of this region. Then there's Brussels, the capital, roughly in the geographic middle, and going off on a trajectory of its own as the "capital of Europe."

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Going Benelux? Done right, a growth opportunity for brands and retailers

What are the challenges and opportunities for brand expansion to benelux learn how to best tap the full potential of the benelux retail markets..

When considering new regions for brand expansion, Benelux countries may raise concern about their small size as well as the many different languages and other cultural particularities. But taken together, the relatively small countries of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg represent an often underestimated powerhouse.

The retail sector plays an essential role in Benelux’ economy, offering many business opportunities for retail companies in various areas of evaluation.

The Benelux region (Graphic: Wikimedia Commons)

Key Factors of International Market Expansion

When evaluating any country or region for international retail expansion, several key factors need to be considered and brand expansion Benelux is no exception. Four of the essential factors are detailed here:

Now, let’s take a closer look at how the Benelux countries perform on these four key factors of brand expansion.

Macroeconomics

The Benelux countries represent an economic area of around 28 million inhabitants, with each country’s GDP per capita well above EU average. The economic development across the whole Benelux region is set for a moderate but stable long-term growth path.

The Netherlands is the largest Benelux economy with around 17 million inhabitants. The country is experiencing a small economic boom with retail sales continuing to increase and a resilient private consumption indicator.

Hop & Stork, Utrecht (Photo: Ryan Plomp)

Belgium, in turn,  has around 11 million inhabitants. With rising consumer and business confidence, the country’s economy is recovering from the fallout of terrorist attacks in 2016.

With around 0.6 million inhabitants, Luxembourg is the smallest of the three Benelux nations. But Luxembourg is also well known as one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Retail sales and consumer spending are growing faster in Luxembourg than in its two neighbouring countries.

Retail Structures in the Benelux Region

The Benelux region is considered a so-called mature market and has approximately 350 retail locations available to mid-market brands. In its report ‘Destination Retail Benelux 2016’, JLL names 13 main retail cities across the Benelux Region: Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Hasselt, Liège and Luxembourg City.

(Graphic: Brand Pilots, Map Data: Google, GeoBasis-DE/BKG)

Consumers in the Benelux consist of a mix of local shoppers, international tourists and commuters from the surrounding countries. But as retail structures across the Benelux are diverse, a closer look at each individual country is necessary too.

With 500+ (mainly small) shopping centres that cover around 6mn sqm of floorspace, the Netherlands make for nearly 80% of the Benelux shopping centre landscape. Belgium’s retail structures, on the other hand, are still dominated by out-of-town schemes with a strong focus on hypermarkets and retail warehouses as well as High Street locations in city centres.

And Luxembourg’s small but dynamic retail market boasts the second highest shopping centre density in Europe (after Norway). The country is also showing the third largest pipeline of new developments in Western Europe and is therefore likely to soon remedy its current lack of retail supply.

(Photo: Royal Hamilius Luxembourg City)

International Brand & Retail Footprint

Benelux, with its key retail cities, continues to be an attractive destination for international brands in their expansion. Established brands and global fashion players have long built a broad store presence in Benelux, while ‘new entry’ brands, such as Isabel Marant, continue to open their first doors in the Benelux countries.

Isabel Marant Store, Amsterdam (Graphic: Isabel Marant)

According to CBRE, Benelux is well positioned in the second tier in terms of brand presence: Belgium ranks 18, while the Netherlands rank 24 and Luxembourg 55. These solid results are due to the Benelux countries’ internationality, central location and easy accessibility. Therefore, the Benelux region is often used as test market and springboard for the rest of Europe. H&M, for example, chose Brussels as the first location in continental Europe for its new retail format Arket.

Arket Store, Brussels (Photo: Arket)

Market Entry & Distribution

In general, foreign companies can buy or rent properties in Benelux without restrictions. The majority of international brands operate both own and partner retail stores in Benelux, depending on their choice of cities (Tier 1 or higher), location quality (premium or secondary), footfall and so on.

As consumers in general don’t differentiate between a brand’s own store and partner retail, the brand has to carefully select and pick the best retail partner for the relevant product category. As the Benelux consists of three countries with diverse consumer behaviours between them, it’s crucial that the partner has local market expertise to be in a good position to choose the best locations for the brand.

Rotterdam shopping centre (Photo: Dieter de Vroomen)

If you want your brand to become a Benelux one, please don’t fall into the trap of thinking that conquering this market is a no-brainer. As past examples have shown, even expansion plans into so called ‘safe’ markets can fail if they are not based on a research-led and well-developed strategy with a solid roadmap for execution.

So first off, do some deep market research – the four criteria for brand expansion introduced here are a good place to start. Define, which cities offer enough retail potential (respectively location opportunities) for your particular brand and determine the number of stores a particular city can support at most without harming your existing business.

Having done your homework, you can exploit Benelux’ potential and opportunities for global retailers and brands. Good luck and all the best with your brand expansion to Benelux!

About the Author:

Isabell Guidastri has worked with brands on their local and global market expansion strategies, including many well-known retail powerhouses.  She supports brands in their expansion and helps them find their footing in new markets.  Traditional wholesale in Germany, brand expansion Benelux or South America, and franchise in Turkey are just a few of her recent virtual project travels. You can  best   reach her via  email or read more of her work  here.

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Stylish and ornate, the atmosphere of Benelux cities holds the spirit of another age. Walk pathways between Dutch and Flemish houses that rise narrowly from the streets. Discover the balance modern influence holds for the past as belfries, old churches, cathedrals, and béguinages stand beside contemporary art and shopping. Decompress and relax in verdant green expanses when you’ve had your fill of urban fun. Explore the North Sea coast by bicycle or tram and roll through seaside towns framed between lonely sand dunes. Discover what each beautiful and historic country offers to the region beyond just a syllable from each of their names .

Your guide to discover Luxembourg and the Netherlands

My vibrant journey through the Netherlands and Luxembourg!

Extraordinary train journeys

Scenic, historic, hiking and nocturnal routes!

Touring Europe as a Senior Traveler

Post-retirement is an excellent time to go see the world, as you’re less likely to have pressing engagements and can spend more time at your destination. Europe is a great option for seniors as many of the top destinations are not too far from each other cutting down on travel time, while still providing an exciting and enriching travel experience. It’s also relatively easy to find a tour group that goes to the specific destinations you want to see in Europe, and travel in comfort at the same time.

Studying Abroad in Europe

When you travel to Europe, it’s not just about enjoying the sights and sounds. It’s about immersing yourself in the culture to get even more out of your trip. That means jumping in head first to education experiences that you might not do otherwise. Whether you’re studying abroad in Europe for school or on a month-long sabbatical from everyday life, enjoy a wide range of experiences to truly enjoy European culture.

The festive Netherlands

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Flandersʼ favorite: The Mystic Lamb

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Netherlands, recommended trips, swirl, smell and savor: a unique wine tasting trail.

Europe offers some of the most breathtaking vineyards, luscious grapes, and flavorful wines in the entire world. It’s no wonder people travel from near and far to taste and experience the best European wines. Pour a glass and enjoy a few of Europe’s beautiful regions on this detailed wine-tasting trip.

The Alps Experience

In the search for natural beauty and wildlife, each European mountain region has unique experiences and a character of its own. The deep gorges, snow-capped peaks, and glacial views of Europe are accessed by well-maintained trails creating more than just a paradise for skilled hikers and winter sport enthusiasts. Mountain lovers of all ages can ascend and experience the lakes, alpine trains and unique cultures that flourish in and around European mountains.

Following the Celtic Trail

Trace the path of the Celtic Trail on a journey across the distinct countries of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Explore the vibrant histories, myths and cultures surrounded by oceans on this fulfilling trip through stunning landscapes, charming towns and inspiring cities.

Pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela

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North Sea Coast & Beyond

The Tour de France and the Giro de Italia have made Europe synonymous with cycling. But you donʼt have to be a pro to enjoy the pleasures of pedaling past beautiful countryside and historic sites. Europe is covered with cycle routes and footpaths so you can enjoy the region at your own pace

Best of the Baltic

The easiest and most relaxing way to discover the Baltic region is of course to embark on one of the many cruise ships that sail from Copenhagen to Helsinki. However, if you are a land-lover, or simply prefer to explore at your own pace, you can easily drive through some of the smallest, least known but most beautiful countries in Europe.

Choose your interests

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A visit to Europe is unforgettable in itself, but people often find themselves dreaming about all the delicious foods they tried, long after they’ve returned. From sweet to salty and every flavor in between, fondly remember your trip when you bring home a taste of Europe.

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10 days in Benelux: An Epic Itinerary and Trip Report

• By Kavita Choudhary
• March 5, 2022

Firstly, Benelux is Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. I always wanted to do a 10-day trip to Iceland along with 10 days in Benelux as it fit perfectly together. I wanted to visit Amsterdam in May for Tulips. Moreover, in Iceland May is a shoulder season. So it fitted perfectly month-wise too. In our 10 days in Benelux, we saw a mix of touristy and offbeat places. In 10 days in Benelux, we saw a lot of charming city and towns, endless tulips, churches and square in each city and loved the ease of travel (English is spoken everywhere and vegetarian food is readily available).

Travel Dates – 6th May to 14th May

Day  1 – Fly to Amsterdam

We flew by KLM, and our plane was completely packed. We landed at 8 am, getting out of the airport was a breeze and took a taxi to our hotel.

Make sure to buy the SIM card at the airport. When we were there, there was a vending machine at the baggage claim for Vodafone SIM cards. We didn’t get it as the cheaper ones were sold out. When we searched in the city centre, shops were selling the same card for a higher price. Eventually, we had to go to a Vodafone store to buy one SIM card.

After a red-eye flight, the first day we keep for rest. We are exhausted after a flight as we can’t sleep on the small cramped seat in an upright position. So we ordered some room service and slept for most of the day. Though many people call this a crazy move and prefer to stay awake, the entire day and sleep only during the night, so their body clock gets adjusted. But we don’t have such problems and sleep pretty much the entire day and again in night.

In the evening, we were up and relaxed, so took a tram to the city centre. The first glimpse of Amsterdam blew us away. It was a couple of years since we had been to Europe and loved the fact that everyone spoke English, easy to get a taxi, vegetarian food is available at every nook and corner and fell in love with the beauty of Amsterdam.

Accommodation and Dinner

We stayed at Crowne Plaza Amsterdam South . I mainly chose this hotel as we were Gold members of IHG and in our experience, they have been more considerate than other brands to give an early check-in and inter-connecting rooms. We really wanted to check in at 8 am rather than the stipulated time of 3 pm. It is our worst nightmare to not get a room after an 8-hour red-eye flight. I literally begged them to give us an early check-in over various emails before our arrivals, and indeed they had both rooms ready early in the morning.

For dinner, we went to Indrapura. It is an Indonesian restaurant offering Rijsttafel. It sounded strange, but it was something unique to Amsterdam and we had to try it out.

Crowne Plaza Amsterdam South

Rembrandtplein Square opposite Indrapura

Day 2 – Amsterdam – Day trip to Keukenhof and Tulip fields

How to reach keukenhof.

1) If you plan to visit only Keukenhof, the best way to get there is by taking the Keukenhof Express bus from the Amsterdam airport (line 858). It takes you directly to Keukenhof in 30 minutes.

2) If you plan to visit tulip fields after Keukenhof, then rent a car for a day and drive to Keukenhof.

From our hotel, we took a taxi to the airport and then rented a car for a day. Being a Sunday, the city centre car rentals didn’t open early in the morning. So we had to rent a car from the airport. Shockingly, we forgot our passports, which is essential for renting a car. We had pre-booked a car on Avis’s website for 75 Euros, but they needed a physical copy of the passport. So eventually we paid around 100 Euros to get a car from Hertz, who accepted a digital copy of the passport. It was a bummer, but travel mistakes are a part and parcel of travel.

Tip – Before planning a trip, check on the Keukenhof website for opening dates and timings. 

We loved driving through tulip fields 🙂

A Day in Keukenhof

After getting our car sorted, we reached Keukenhof around 9 am (opens at 8 am). There weren’t any lines for tickets and we entered the park quickly. This was something we had dreamt to visit for years. Mom had actually dreamt of seeing tulips for 16 years when she saw it in the movie Silsila. She loves anything to do with flowers. However, before visiting, Kapil was of the opinion that it is over-hyped.

The moment we entered, we were blown away by the first glimpse of it. For a couple of hours, we just spent admiring beautiful, colourful tulips as far as our eyes can see. We strolled through the entire park in our own leisure time; clicking a million pictures. Since we visited late in the season and that year tulip bloom was early, I read on the travel forum that most of them were harvested. I was kind of not expecting much, but it turned out to be in one simple word – AMAZING. They make sure tulips last the entire season. We loved it so much that I’ll say this is one place you have to visit before you die!

In the park, they also have a boat tour which takes you around the tulip fields. We did this too, but most of the tulip fields around Keukenhof was already harvested.

A dream come true moment!

Surrounded by tulips in Keukenhof

Beautiful Colorful Tulips all around 🙂

Loved every minute spent in Keukenhof 🙂

Can’t get enough of tulips!

Keukenhof in all its glory 🙂

View from the boat ride

Tulip Fields

Everyone knows about Keukenhof, but there aren’t many who visit tulip fields in the Netherlands. Without visiting a tulip field, I’ll say your experience is incomplete. I had heard about a couple of them and there is also a tulip festival in Noordoostpolder. I had planned to visit the tulip festival and drive through the 100 kilometres route surrounded by tulips. Also had booked a helicopter tour over the tulips. For dates and all information, check its website. Since tulips got harvested early, they closed the season early and even the helicopter tour got cancelled.

So I was disheartened and had almost given up on seeing tulip fields. But then I read on the TripAdvisor forum, a review from a random person who saw tulip fields, north of Amsterdam, just a few days before our visit. We left Keukenhof at 4 pm and thought to call it a day. But since we took the hassle of renting a car and it was just an hour away, we decided to drive to it and try our luck. In GPS, we key in Schagen and started our drive.

Once near to the place, to our surprise, we saw a lot of colourful tulip fields. We just randomly drove around the area. Indeed, we saw quite a few tulips fields blooming in all their glory. We drove through  Schagen, Schagerburg, Sint Maartensvlotbrug, Belkmerweg, Burgerburg, and Petten. A few rows had already been harvested, but still, we saw many gorgeous tulip fields.

It was a dream come to true, and we cherished every moment we spent around the tulips. Around 6 pm, we drove back to the airport, returned the car, took a taxi to the hotel and called it a day.

A trip is incomplete without seeing tulip fields!

Tulips fields as far as you can see 🙂

Hotel – Crowne Plaza Amsterdam South

For dinner, we were lazy to go out and just called for delivery of Indian food. We used the Deliveroo app in Benelux, which served us well.

Day 3 – Amsterdam – City Sightseeing

To explore the city, buy a day pass for trams. They are very convenient to get around central locations. But we purchased a 24-hour ticket for Hop on Hop off Bus. We usually love the HOHO bus, but in Amsterdam, I wouldn’t recommend it. The wait times were too long and were overcrowded. Also, didn’t enjoy the route and the seats were uncomfortable too.

Anne Frank House

• We are not into museums, but once I heard about her story, we had to visit it.
• If you don’t know, it is the house where Anne’s family hid during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, and now it is a museum.
• You must purchase tickets online months in advance for a dedicated time slot. It is so popular that they don’t allow walk-in visitors.
• We spent an hour in the museum and were really moved by her story, how they lived and what all they had to go through.

After the visit to the museum, make sure to eat Amsterdam style pancakes at Pancake Amsterdam, right next to the museum.

HOHO Bus and Canal Cruise

From Anne Frank House, we took the HOHO bus. It took a lot of time to arrive and then it was full. We begged them to let us in and stood till the next stop. We took a whole round in the HOHO bus which was about decent and got off at the central station and then took their canal tour as we had purchased the combo ticket. Their canal tour was most boring and would suggest doing it with some other company. Albert Cuypstraat was a stop on their canal tour and we got off there.

Beautiful Buildings – clicked from the HOHO bus

4holidaymaniacs in Amsterdam

View from the Canal Tour

Albert Cuypstraat

• It is a street market with a lot of food stalls and shops.
• I love shopping for souvenirs and trying different food. This is what exactly I did here.

It was already mid-afternoon, and we saw Savarana Bhavan right on the corner of the Albert Cuypstraat market. Eating a South Indian meal in a foreign country is difficult to pass. We had either time to stuff our-self with Idli-Dosa or visit one of the art museums. We were tired to explore a museum and had a sit-down delicious lunch.

Albert Cuypstraat Market

Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum

• Both are art museums and if you are a sucker for museums, can visit both.
• We don’t like museums much, still wanted to visit one of them, but skipped it to eat dosas.
• For the Van Gogh museum – The average time of visit is 75 minutes. Take a peek at the third floor, where you can find works from famous impressionists such as Pissarro and Monet. Don’t miss masterpieces ‘Sunflowers’ and ‘The Potato Eaters’. Buy your tickets online and avoid the queue by entering through the priority line.
• For Rijksmuseum –  Look at the museum map to make sure you have seen all the famous masterpieces. Could spend days wandering around this magnificent museum, so make sure you plan your visit in advance.

Dam Square (250 meters from Red-Light District)

• It has some places worth checking out – Royal Palace, New Church, National Monument and World war 2 memorial.
• We reached at 5 pm when most attractions close in Amsterdam. Just wandered a bit, saw from outside and moved on.

Red-Light District

• You can take a guided tour and learn the history of the area.
• We reached there around 5:30 pm when there was hardly anyone there. From there we took a cycle rickshaw tour for 30 minutes which turned out to be a pleasant way to explore the area and then he dropped us at our next stop.

Red Light District during daytime

Friendly pedicab driver

A’dam Lookout

• This is a relatively newer attraction and a must-do thing in Amsterdam.
• You can visit the observation deck from where you get a panoramic view of the city.
• But the highlight of it is ‘Over the Edge’ which is Europe’s highest swing on their sky deck. You swing 100 meters above the ground, back and forth over the edge of the tower with Amsterdam below your feet.
• Surprisingly, the ticket for the observation tower is 15 Euros and the swing cost only 5 Euros extra. The swing is such a new and a thrill experience, that it can easily cost way more.
• To get here –  Get to Amsterdam Central Station, Follow the signs ‘IJ-Zijde’ (IJ-Side) and take the 2-minute free ferry to ‘Buiksloterweg’ and walk 2 minutes to A’dam Lookout. Do not take a cab from the central station, it will be a very long and costly ride.

View from the Observation Deck

Swinging into Clouds 🙂

We skipped dinner as we had a heavy lunch.

Day 4 – Amsterdam to Ghent

Train to ghent via antwerp.

• Make sure to book the train as early as possible to get the best price.
• We booked Thalys from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Brussels and got off at Antwerp as it turned out to be cheaper this way.
• We reached Antwerp at 8:30 am and explored a bit. The highlight is the Antwerp station, which we took some time to explore and ate some breakfast.
• After we were done, we took the next train to Ghent. We purchased the tickets at the station as prices were fixed irrespective of when you purchased it (at least when we visited). We reached Ghent around 10:30 am, took a cab to our hotel, dropped our bags and went to explore Ghent.
• Ghent is a tiny city and can visit most of the places in a day. Also, it is so small that you can walk everywhere.

Dragging luggage through trains is a task!

Antwerp Station – Isn’t it a masterpiece?

Breakfast at the train station 🙂

Antwerp Station from outside

• First, we did a canal tour. Our hotel was bang in the city centre, so the canal tour was right outside our hotel.
• Out of all the canal tours we did in Benelux, this was the best. In a brief time, it felt like they showed us the entire city from the comfort of the boat.
• The tour also had a guide who kept us entertained throughout the tour.

Canal Tour in Ghent

Beautiful Views from the canal tour

Must do a canal tour for such views!

It was almost mid-afternoon and for the rest of the day, we just walked around admiring stunning architecture and also visited church and bell tower. Ghent is so tiny that within a kilometre radius, you can check out all the sights.

• An attractive building that was formerly the old post office in Ghent.
• You can also go inside, which has now been converted into a shopping place.
• Also, houses a lot of restaurants.

St Nicholas Church

• Built-in the Gothic style, impressive from inside and outside.
• Worth visiting when in Ghent and doesn’t require much time to check it out.

St Nicholas Church – the picture was taken from the Belfry Tower

Stained Glass Window

Belfry and Cloth Hall

• From here, you can see the spectacular panoramic view of Ghent.
• Need to climb only 55 steps to the first floor and then there is an elevator to the top.
• Each floor has a small exhibit like the dragon statue and the various bells which ring every 15 minutes.

Belfry Tower

Lovely city view from Belfry Tower

St Bavo’s Cathedral

• Yet again a beautiful church, free to visit.
• It houses the mystic lamb painting for which there is a small entrance fee.
• They don’t allow photography.
• It was worth a quick visit to see the painting and the church.

Town Hall (Stadhuis)

• A quick photo stop.
• A strange massive building, one side was adorned with large rows of black marble columns, whereas the other side of the building was in distinct Gothic style.

Gravensteen Castle

• It is a medieval castle with a lot of history.
• They offer a free audio guide and it takes around an hour to visit.
• We were lazy to walk anymore, hence skipped it. We just saw it from outside during the canal tour.

Gravensteen Castle seen from the Canal Tour

Graslei and Korenlei

• It is the city centre of Ghent. Graslei and Korenlei are two quays on the banks of the river.
• Here you will find beautiful guild houses lined all along the river.
• Full of restaurants and cafes where you can sit and soak in views for hours. Or just sit around the waterfront admiring the stunning architecture.
• This is also the place from where the canal tour departs.
• Must check out Micheal’s Bridge, which is one of the best vantage points for panoramic views of Ghent
• During the nighttime, it becomes magical. To witness the nighttime views, we stayed in Ghent and did a day trip to Bruges rather than the other way around. It surely didn’t disappoint.

Guild Houses

Micheal’s Bridge

Night Scenes in Ghent

We stayed at the Ghent Marriott Hotel . Mostly I don’t choose city centre hotels and stay a little away from the city centre to get a wonderful hotel at a cheaper price. But here I made the exception. Ghent Marriott was right in the city centre, with one side facing the canals (pedestrian only) and the other side being accessed by a car. So we got the best of both worlds. Also, I had a gold membership, so they offered free breakfast but didn’t get an upgrade or an early check-in. Rooms and bathrooms were of a good size with all the amenities. 

We were slightly disappointed at check-in. We arrived at 10 am and they informed us that check-in time is 4 pm and was not ready to commit if they could give us rooms early. On asking by when they can give us rooms, to which they mechanically replied 4 pm. Even being gold members didn’t help. Eventually, we got rooms at 1 pm but we could plan things better if they could just give us an approx time on arrivals.

Another reason to stay in Ghent rather than Bruges is that many call Ghent the vegetarian capital of Europe. So I wanted to eat dinners in Ghent. I had an extensive list of places and it was difficult to choose where to have dinner. An Indian lady at our hotel’s reception suggested Holy Food Market, which is like a food court. Our experience was nothing great. Anyway, I guess it closed down permanently.

View from our room

Day 5 – Ghent – Day trip to Bruges

Most things in Bruges open at 10 am and close by 6 pm. So it is best to reach by 10 am to get an entire day to explore Bruges. Bruges is only a 25-minute train ride away from Ghent. Try to schedule your trip for a Wednesday as there is a farmer’s market on the main square. Like every European city, there has to be the main square, a couple of churches and a tower. Bruges was no different, and we spent the day checking out various sights.

Train to Ghent

From Train Station to Markt

• From the train station, you can either take a bus or a short 10-minute taxi ride to get to the city centre.
• Once at the centre, everything is within walking distance.

Grote Markt (1.6 Km from the station)

•  This is the main square, surrounded by dozens of tourist-oriented gift shops and restaurants.
• For sightseeing, you can do a 30 minutes Horse Drawn Carriage Tour or a 50 minutes bus tour. We chose the former as our taxi driver highly recommenced it. It was a fun way to see the city and would recommend doing it. Make sure to do this first thing in the morning as lines get long later in the day. We did it at 10 am and there were plenty available.
• At the square, there is the Belfry tower where you need to climb 366 steps to get a panoramic view of the city. We skipped it.
• Moreover, on the square, there is a farmer’s market on Wed from 10 am to 1 pm. There are many vendors selling fresh produce. Also, there were a lot of trucks selling all types of food like fries, waffles, chocolates, cheese, meat, etc. For veg, we found a truck selling delicious noodles and rice. We grabbed a box of it, sat on the stairs overlooking the square and relished every bite. Whenever we talk about Bruges, this is the first thing that comes up. Simple things make long-lasting memories!

Grote Markt

The best and lazy way to explore Bruges 🙂

Farmer’s Market

Veg Noodles and Rice from the Farmer’s Market

Historium Bruges (At Markt)

• It’s a museum where you can see how lively Bruges was during the Golden Age.
• You are taken on an audio Tour as a group through rooms where a story unfolds about the old 14th century Bruges. They portray the story through film, backdrops, animatronics, dramatic music and special effects.
• I’m not into museums, but Kapil wanted to visit them. It was an enjoyable experience and didn’t take much time to check it out.
• Also, make sure to visit the balcony for a panoramic view of the Market Square and the Belfry Tower. Here you need not climb steps.
• We also did an 8-minute virtual reality experience, which was a super fun thing to do.

View of the square from Historium

Frit Museum

• As the name suggests, it is a museum dedicated to fries.
• It explains the history of the potato and fries and the different condiments.
• Would be a fun thing with kids. We glimpse through the exhibit in half an hour and it was pretty boring.
• In the basement, they have a shop selling fries, but they fry in animal fat, so we couldn’t try it.

Fries anyone?

Right next to the Frit Museum is the Choco Jungle Bar from where we tried their hot chocolate. They presented in a very fancy way, but within minutes Kapil banged the table and dropped entire hot chocolate on me. They were so kind and gave us a fresh one and even refused to accept payment for it.

Hot Chocolate

Choco story

• After fries, we had to visit the chocolate museum. Fries and Chocolates are 2 staples of Belgium, so we couldn’t leave without visiting at least 1 chocolate museum.
• First, you walk through the exhibit focusing on the origin and evolution of chocolates.
• Then, we saw a short demonstration of how chocolate is made and even got to try free samples.
• It was nothing great. We have seen better chocolate presentations in the past. Also, it was more like been there done there like things.

Chocolate making machines

Chocolate Demonstration

Burg Square

• Yet another square worth checking out.
• Houses wonderful medieval buildings, church and souvenir shops.
• Town Hall (Stadhuis) – Beautiful building and can visit from inside to see the impressive Gothic Hall. We just saw it from outside.
• Basilica of the Holy Blood – Church is free to visit. But make sure to pay to visit the small amazing museum.

Town Hall at Burg Square

Basilica of the Holy Blood

Small but beautiful museum

Church of our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk)

• This was yet another popular church in Bruges which we wanted to visit.
• It closes at 5 pm and we reached around 4:45 pm. They didn’t allow us as ticket sales were closed for the day.

Church of Our Lady

St. Salvator’s Cathedral

• If you have some time and want to visit yet another church, you can check this out.
• We had time to visit this cathedral or do a canal tour. We chose the latter.
• After doing a canal tour in Amsterdam and Ghent, we did one here too. Dad loved these kinds of tours and has to do at each place.
• There are 3 different places to board along the canal and they are quite close to each other. If lines are long at one place, you can try others. All tours are the same. When we went, one place had closed for the day, but boats were running from the second boarding point.
• It was a fun way to see Bruges.
• But I’ll suggest doing the canal tour in Ghent and the horse carriage tour in Bruges.

Greenery as seen from the canal tour

After the canal tour, we had an early dinner at Chez Vincent, a rare place in Belgium serving fries cooked in vegetable oil (not beef fat).  It was past 6 pm when most things close in Bruges. I was looking to do some souvenir shopping, but all shops had closed too.

The Minnewater Lake (near the train station)

• It’s a beautiful lake. The area has a lot of swans.
• There are a couple of restaurants and cafes where you can sit and watch the world go by.
• On the horse carriage tour, they stopped here for a quick 10-minute break. So we didn’t bother visiting again.

Swans at Minnewater Lake

We loved our day spent in the charming city of Bruges and saw everything we had on our plans minus the one church. I was satisfied with one day spent in Bruges and didn’t wish to stay any longer. Then we took the quick train back to Ghent and spent the night there.

Wish had some time for Souvenir shopping!

Hotel – Ghent Marriott Hotel

For dinner, we were full from the fries we ate in Bruges and didn’t have dinner in Ghent.

Day 6 – Ghent to Brussels

Obviously, the easiest way is to take a train from Ghent to Brussels. Our initial plan was to rent a car in Brussels and drop it off in Paris. But then we decided to rent the car in Ghent itself and save on the train cost. The entire morning got wasted in renting the car, as the car I had booked turned out to be smaller and took a lot of attempts to fit our luggage. They didn’t have any bigger cars available and said we can change it in Brussels. When we went to their Brussels centre, they informed us that there was a miscommunication and they can’t give us any bigger car as we were returning it to Paris. All this took half a day, and we reached the hotel by 1 pm.

We check in to the hotel and were supposed to leave straight away and check out Atomium and Mini-Europe. But we got hungry and lazy, so just ordered food from a delivery app, rested a bit and left only by 3 pm. Thus, we had time to visit only a church and try some chocolates.

Notre Dame Du Sablon (Church of Our Lady)

• This was one of the most beautiful churches we visited during our 10 days in Benelux and is something you should not miss.
• From the outside, it is a masterpiece with stunning architecture and from inside it is huge with a high ceiling and lovely stained glass windows all around.
• After visiting the church, cross the street and check out the small park with a beautiful fountain.

Notre Dame Du Sablon

Notre Dame Du Sablon – Majestic from inside

A cute little garden with a fountain

• Gathered around this square, you will find Belgium’s finest chocolate shops. This is one of the more expensive corners of Brussels, but the quality of chocolate here is definitely worth your money.
• After visiting the church, we wandered around the square checking out different chocolatiers like Godiva and Pierre Marcolini, sampling various types of chocolates and bought boxes to take home for friends and family.
• At Sablon, we spotted a market from where we got some delicious Chinese food.

Pierre Marcolini

After that, we were heading to Grand Place Square, but it started raining. Hence we just went back to the hotel and chilled for the rest of the evening.

We stayed at Hilton Brussels Grand Place . It is next to the central station and a few minutes from the main square. Since Belgium hotel prices were relatively cheaper and we went in May, which is slightly off-season, I chose to stay here. In terms of location, it was perfect. But the rest of the things were meh.

Firstly, at check-in, we got no helped with the luggage. But during our stay, I saw various people getting help with it. On the bright side, they gave us an early check-in at 1 pm. We got the newly renovated rooms, but it felt lacking in some amenities. We got the interconnecting rooms, but it was for the namesake. It was interconnecting but didn’t have a latch that could keep the doors open. Hence you needed a key to access the inter-connecting door. Also, the room just had a tiny window. However, the bathroom was fancy and good.

I’d separate booking for each night. So they could not give me keys for 3 nights and wanted me to collect a new key each night. This was very painful. After a tiring day, had to go to reception to get new keys and even wait in line when they were busy. Also, each time they would ask for some document and had to explain to them that I’ve already given them. The last night, I encountered a rude staff, and it was tough to deal with him.

Considering, now they have increased prices a lot since I had stayed, I will recommend staying elsewhere.

For dinner, we ordered Indian food on Deliveroo and relished it in the comfort of our room.

Our room at Hilton Brussels

Room with a tiny window

Day 7 – Brussels – Day trip to Alkmaar & Windmills (Netherlands)

Every Friday, Alkmaar host a cheese market and they put together a small show. I really wanted to visit it and do a day trip from Amsterdam. Because of work issues, we reached Amsterdam only on Saturday. Also, we couldn’t visit Belgium first and Amsterdam later, as it would be late for the tulip season. I was really sad about leaving this and even at one point wanted to postpone the entire trip to the next year. But Kapil suggested let’s do a day trip from Brussels and he was totally fine driving 500 kilometres for it.

We left at 6 am and reached by 9:30 am. Try to reach early to get a good spot.

Drive to Alkmaar (250 Km, 3.5 hrs)

• There is a Cheese market at the square, Waagplein from 10 am to 1 pm.
• The cheese market is surrounded by a fun art and craft market. This is where you can find real Dutch ‘poffertjes’ (Little Dutch Pancake), herring, farm cheese, a clog maker, craft stalls and much more!
• The Cheese Market is in the town centre. You can use the PRIS (Parking Route Information System) to find directions to the car parks – there are boards with the symbol P, which displays where parking is available. It is better to use one of the car parks rings in the centre. If not available, you can use the P+R parking’s Bergermeer or Oudorp from where you can access the centre by bus.
• On the day we went, it was raining, which took the beauty away. The cheeses are laid out for inspection and then loaded onto stretchers, carried by the Cheese Bearers wearing traditional attire, and then the cheese is taken for weighing. It was more of a gimmick and touristy. The primary focus remained on selling cheese.
• We also checked out a small cheese museum which is worth visiting if in the area.
• From one stall we tried their cheese and veggie sandwich and it was so tasty that we went back for more.
• Surrounding the main square, there are hundreds of sellers selling an endless variety of cheese. We bought some to take home.

Cheese Market – Wish it hadn’t rained

Cheese Bearers putting up a show even in the rain

All about selling cheese!

Cheese Museum

Amazing cheese and veggie sandwich 🙂

Volendam (30 Km, 35 min from Alkmaar)

• Here you can visit the cheese factory and also has a lovely harbourfront area where you can grab something to eat and chill. 
• We weren’t done with cheese in Alkmaar and visited the Cheese Factory in Volendam . When we reached, they had just finished the demonstration, so we waited an hour for the next one. We saw big machinery and thought they will show us a live demonstration of how cheese is made. That’s why we wasted an hour. It turned out that in the demonstration they only talked about various kinds of cheese and nothing more. When it came to tasting time, they shoved everyone out of the room and forced them to go upstairs and buy their cheese. Again, it was all about selling cheese and nothing more. However, we got a dip from here, which was so delicious with the cheese that we miss it.
• We visited a stroopwafel factory, but they had no demonstrations available for the day.
• If you want more, visit Alida Hoeve Shoe and cheese factory. We didn’t have time for it. 

Cheese Factory in Volendam

These machines impressed us but they didn’t care to show it in action!

Various Cheeses

Would be a good souvenir!

Stroopwafel Factory

Kinderdijk – Windmills (117 km, 1.5 hrs from Volendam)

• You can’t leave Amsterdam without seeing windmills.
• Kinderdijk is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can see a unique collection of 19 windmills in an authentic Dutch landscape.
• Since we did a day trip from Brussels to Alkmaar, this was en route. If you doing a day trip from Amsterdam to Alkmaar, this will be in the opposite direction. From Amsterdam, you can do a day trip to Rotterdam and Kinderdijk. From Rotterdam, you can even take a 30-minute water bus to get to Kinderdijk.
• While entry to the area is free, you need to purchase tickets for the movie, entry to the two open mills and a boat ride. The boat ride is a fun way to see all the windmills, but we reached late and missed it.
• We walked along the path admiring the beauty of the area and checking out various windmills.
• Do not miss the opportunity to visit the museum and go inside an actual working windmill.

Windmills at Kinderdijk

19 windmills

Rotterdam (22 Km, 30 min)

• It was only a 20 km detour on our route. But it was almost evening, so we skipped it.
• Rotterdam is a modern city, worth visiting for its unique architecture.
• Some places to visit – Central Station, Erasmus Bridge, Markthal, Cube house and Euromast tower (to get a panoramic view of the city).

Moses Bridge (65 Km, 50 min from Kinderdijk)

• A random photo of this bridge popped up on my Facebook and aptly captioned it “the sunken bridge”.
• I google its location and found it to be only a 15-kilometre detour on our drive from Kinderdijk to Brussels.
• Our GPS took us to a spot that seemed out of nowhere. From there we walked 2 minutes and spotted the bridge with not a single soul around.
• We spent some time clicking photos and moved on.
• If you are there, can have a look around, else don’t make take any efforts to visit it from Amsterdam or Rotterdam.

Moses Bridge

Drive to Brussels (90 Km, 1.5 hr from Moses Bridge)

• Drive back to Brussels was uneventful, and we reached in daylight. The benefit of travelling during summer is that you have daylight till 8-9 pm.

In all, we covered a lot of places today. Yes, indeed we drove 500 kilometres but driving through highways, for the most part, didn’t make it tiring. I’ll say the cheese market was nothing special and definitely not worth driving 500 kilometres for it. My family still calls me crazy! But it would definitely be a fun trip if doing it from Amsterdam. The countryside of the Netherlands was good and it would be a perfect thing to do after visiting Alkmaar.

Hotel – Hilton Brussels Grand Place

Day 8 – Brussels

Today we spent exploring various sights of Brussels.

St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral

• It is within walking distance of Grand Place.
• We stopped here for a quick visit.
• It was yet another beautiful church, but by now we were bored with visiting endless churches in our 10 days in Benelux.

City Sightseeing Bus (Hop on and Hop of Bus)

• We love to explore any city by the city sightseeing bus (HOHO). We love to sit at the top deck, listen to the audio commentary, and admire the beauty of the city. It does waste a lot of time waiting for the bus at each stop and you land up covering fewer places. But it is perfect when you don’t want to visit too many sights in a day. Else, the taxi is obviously quicker and direct.
• On the HOHO bus, make sure to just sit and enjoy the full route. That’s why we mainly take the HOHO bus and normally do it when we are tired and want to give rest to our legs.

City Sightseeing Bus

Love seeing the city from the HOHO bus

Blue Route of HOHO Bus

First, we took the blue and boarded the bus from the Central station. We didn’t get off at stops 2 and 3 but managed to get a photo from the comfort of the bus. We got off at Mini Europe/Atomium, which is a must-visit place in Brussels.

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken as seen from HOHO bus

Church of Our Lady of Laeken

You can’t get perfect shots from HOHO bus

Mini Europe – Stop 4

• It’s a miniature model park just behind Atomium.
• There is a similar one in the Netherlands called Madurodam which we have seen in the past and had thoroughly enjoyed. So this time we visited the miniature park in Brussels.
• It is big and well presented. It houses sights and attractions from the entire European Union in miniature form. Whereas Madurodam had only Dutch attractions.
• We loved it and spent a couple of hours.

Mini Europe

Dinant – An exact replica of the city

Houses of Parliament, London

Sacré-Cœur Paris – loved the attention to details

Atomium – Stop 4

• This featured in Kapil’s textbook, and for many years we thought it is just a fictitious photo. When we found out that it is a real monument in Brussels, we always wanted to visit it.
• It is a symbol of Brussels and Belgium and indeed a masterpiece.
• From the outside, it is unique and impressive and I would highly recommend visiting it during your 10 days in Benelux. But from inside it is nothing special and seemed a waste of money.
• First, we took the elevator to level 7 from where we saw a panoramic view of Mini-Europe and the city in distance.
• The renaming floors have permanent and temporary exhibitions accessible by climbing 80 steps. We saw one on them on level 1 and was quite disappointed. So didn’t bother seeing others.

Should be in top 7 wonders of the world!

View of Mini-Europe from Atomium

After having lunch at Mini-Europe, we caught the HOHO again and completed the remaining blue route. We didn’t get off anywhere and admired the city from the bus. At the last stop, we changed to the red route and did this for the remaining day.

National Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Red Route of HOHO Bus

• It was late evening, so we just did the entire route admiring various buildings from the bus and didn’t get off anywhere.
• At stop 2, Royal Place, we saw Coudenberg Palace .
• Sablon, stop number 3, is where you will find Church of Our Lady-of-the-Sablon . We had already seen it yesterday. Else you must get off and see it out from inside.
• Justice Palace (Stop 4), we just saw it from outside. If you have time, can visit from inside.
• On stop 5, you can see various houses.
• Stop 6 is Flagey, a square with plenty of places for food and drinks.
• We wanted to do a 90-minute tour of the Parliamentarian (Stop 7) and even had time, but we were tired and didn’t get off the bus and just continued further.
• Cinquantenaire (Stop 9) houses Autoworld, the car museum which we wanted to see. But we reached there after the closing time. It also houses a Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History. Apart from that, you can just chill in the park (Parc Du Cinquantenaire). Also, don’t forget to go up the lift to the top of the arches for a beautiful view. 
• Last but not least, Royal Palace (Stop 11) which is a federal parliament and when we were there, it wasn’t open for visitors. So a quick photo stop.

Outside Coudenberg Palace

Outside Justice Palace

P. Hankar House – can’t get a perfect photo from a moving bus

Parliamentarian

Cinquantenaire

Do not miss various Tin Tin Mural Paintings located throughout the city.

Can you spot the Tin Tin Mural Painting?

Finally, after covering both the routes, we got off at the Central station and went to see the main square of Brussels.

Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert (100 meters from Grand Place)

• This is an indoor shopping place filled with restaurants and chocolate shops.
• Here, you will find half-a-dozen chocolate shops – Neuhaus, Godiva, Marcolini, Mary, Corné Port-Royal, Corné 1932 and so forth. Most places are chain and charge different prices at different locations.
• From inside, it was gorgeous. Worth just strolling around and doing some window shopping.
• We bumped into Haagen-Dazs and had to stop for their extravaganza ice cream at a premium price.

Isn’t it stunning?

Window shopping for chocolates!

Forget about calories in Belgium and dig in!

Manneken Pis

• It is just off the Grand Place.
• Everyone knows, it is a very small and overrated statue, but still, they have made it so popular that everyone just wants to click a picture.
• I was expecting it to be a tiny statue surrounded by a crowd. Indeed, it was much smaller than even my expectation.
• However, on the way to it, you will see many waffle shops and obviously, we couldn’t leave Brussels without eating waffles. We tried both varieties and loved both of them.

Why is he so popular?

Spotted this beautiful Tin Tin painting on the way to the statue

Grand Place (Main Square)

• By the time we reached here, we were dead tired and my family wanted to just call the day and crash. I pushed them as I couldn’t leave Brussels without seeing Grand Place.
• Once we reached there, the beauty blew away us. Also, our tiredness seem to vanish away and we just wanted to sit there admiring the stunning architecture all around and watch the world go by.
• If Manneken Pis is the most overrated statue, I’ll say this is the most underrate square.
• Around the square, you will find Town Hall and magnificent guild houses.
• It is filled with restaurants, chocolates, cafes, Belgium fries shops and waffle places.
• We wanted to see it in the nighttime when it looks magical, but the sunset was at 9:20 pm and waiting that long was an impossible task for us.

Grand Place

Mesmerized by all the gold on gorgeous buildings!

Town Hall at Grand Place

Maison Du Roi – Museum at Grand Place

The House of the Dukes of Brabant at Grand Place

I will visit again just to eat these waffles 🙂

Planete Chocolate

• This is between Manneken Pis and Grand Place, which you can visit for everything related to chocolates.
• They offer a 45 mins tour which includes a taste of hot chocolate and 4 samples of chocolate.
• Choc demonstration happens only at limited timings, so make sure to check timings on its website.
• We saw the chocolate museum in Bruges, so neither did we have the interest nor time to visit any other chocolate demonstrations. Though, I think we should have skipped the chocolate museum in Bruges and instead visited this one.

For dinner, we ate stir fry at Gatsu Gatsu.

Day 9 – Brussels to Luxembourg to Paris by Car (600Km, 6 hrs)

Our initial plan was to do a day trip to Luxembourg City from Brussels. But then I thought why not just rent a car and instead of coming back to Brussels, drive all the way to Paris. Driving 600 kilometres in a day is crazy and I would have liked to stay a night in Luxembourg City. But it was our last-minute plan, and we didn’t have an extra day. Also, once I started researching, I found a lot of interesting places in Belgium en route to Luxembourg, but we had time only for a few of them.

Namur Citadel (70 Km, 1 hr)

• Drive to the top and be rewarded with an excellent panoramic view of the city.
• Once at the top, we took the mini-train which takes you through the grounds of the citadel. It was a fun way to see the citadel and I would highly recommend doing it if in the area.
• We even did a tour of the citadel where they give you an audio guide wherein you can listen and see through the history of the citadel. It was boring and wasted time on our jam-packed day.
• They also have a tour of underground passages, which we didn’t do.

View from the Namur Citadel

The only interesting sight of Namur Citadel tour from inside

Mini train tour – Must do in Namur

View from the train

The train even passes through narrow gates

Les Jardins d’Annevoie (17 Km, 20 min)

• It is a beautiful garden between Namur and Dinant.
• We didn’t have time, so skipped it.

Dinant (15 Km, 20 min from gardens and 30 mins from Namur)

• It is a picture-postcard perfect city in Belgium.
• USP of it is the beautiful Citadelle with a mountain backdrop. It is so beautiful that I would recommend doing a day trip to Dinant from Brussels just to see this.
• Once in Dinant, we found it tough to find a parking spot near the Citadelle. Eventually, we found a pay and park place a few meters away from it.
• We took the cable car to the top and explored the Citadelle. It is a fortress and the best part was the views from up there. I guess you can also skip the cable car and drive to the top and park the car at the top (limited parking spots).
• After exploring the fortress, we took the cable car down and also visited the church.

Picturesque Dinant

View from the cable car

Top of Citadelle – Stunning Views all around

Loved exploring Dinant Citadel

View from the fortress

Beautiful Church in Dinant

Other places we wanted to visit but didn’t have time:

• Le Chateau de Lavaux Sainte-Anne – It is yet another castle that you can visit on this route.
• Euro Space Center – Lot of fun things to do here. Really wished knew about it earlier and had an extra day to visit all these places.
• Vianden Castle in Luxembourg – I thought I’ll have time to visit this, but unfortunately, we were rushing things as the long drive to Paris was haunting us. It takes around an hour to explore.

Luxembourg City (136 Km, 1.5  hrs from Dinant)

• We finally step foot in Luxembourg city in the evening. Since we were doing Belgium and the Netherlands, I could not miss out on this small, beautiful country. We had a max of 2 hours to see this beautiful city/country and probably we just touched it.
• Parking is scarce in Luxembourg city and we parked in one of the pay n park garages and then tried to explore the city on foot.
• We had plans to catch the mini-train but landed up at the wrong spot. Then tried to catch the HOHO bus, and it didn’t work out.
• I tried searching for one place I desperately wanted to visit the Corniche but couldn’t find it. The city was hilly and not walkable for us.
• From the old town, we followed the sign to Grund and took the elevator down. It was a picturesque little neighbourhood where we spent 5 minutes before taking the elevator back up.
• Also, it started raining. So we took shelter and devoured some pizzas and waffles.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Luxembourg City is pretty hilly!

This is the monument from the first world war, today it symbolizes freedom for Luxembourg

View of the garden from the Constitution Square

This pizza kept us filled till Paris

One last waffle before we say goodbye to Benelux

30-minute Taxi tour of Luxembourg City

• We had given up on seeing anything and almost went back to the car. That’s when Dad came up with the plan that let’s take a taxi to Corniche and tell him to show us a glimpse of the city. We would do these a couple of times in the old days when we wouldn’t drive. Hence, we hired a taxi who agreed to show us around but couldn’t give a fixed price and we have to pay by the meter. We agreed, and he turned out to be a delightful fellow, driving us through this small city in 30 minutes. Also, it was pretty reasonable and didn’t cost a bomb.
• Corniche is arguably the most beautiful balcony in Europe. Indeed, it was spectacular. I could have clicked a million pictures and starred for hours, but our taxi meter was running :).
• He also drove us through the picturesque old town with narrow, crowded alleys.
• There are other places which you check out if you keep time here unlike us – Pfaffenthal Lift, Casemates and many more.

Tip – Fuel is very cheap in Luxembourg, fill the tank.

Palace of the Grand Dukes – Can visit from inside only in summers

Panoramic View of Corniche

Le Chemin de la Corniche

Must visit Luxembourg city for these views 🙂

Casemates – Wish had time to walk through them

Our taxi driver drove through beautiful Grund

Drive to Paris (384 Km, 4 hrs)

By 6 pm, when everything closes, we started our long drive to Paris. Most of the drive was on the highway which was quick as the speed limit was 130 km/h. The drive was uneventful but returning the car to Paris was a nightmare that I have written about in the planning blog .

Drive to Paris after spending an amazing 10 days in Benelux

Afterwards, we explored Paris for 2 days, flew to Iceland and did an epic road trip for 10 days and finally flew back to India after 20 days of awesomeness.

That’s it on my 10 days in Benelux itinerary and trip report. We loved Amsterdam, and it is easily my favourite European city. Seeing tulips, which was a dream for 16 years, blew us away. Loved exploring all the charming towns and cities in Belgium. Many say don’t visit Brussels, visit Bruges instead. Bruges now has become so touristy that I’ll say visit Ghent instead. The thing with the advent of the internet is that in no time a beautiful tourist less place becomes overrun by tourists. But that is travel all about and visit a place which interests you. I loved all the places in Belgium and wouldn’t want to skip any. Luxembourg is a cute small country where we had only a few hours. In all, we had an epic 10 days in Benelux and except for having an extra day in Luxembourg, I wouldn’t change a thing.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below.

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Planning a trip to Iceland and 10 days in Benelux?

Check out all the other posts in this series:

Benelux, Paris & Iceland Trip Planning and Booking Vegetarian Food in Amsterdam: What we ate in 3 days Vegetarian Food in Belgium: What we ate in 5 days 2 Days in Paris: Trip Report & Our Misadventures 10 days in Iceland: An Ultimate Itinerary & Trip Report Accommodation and Vegetarian Food in Iceland

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Lots and lots of food for thought when planning a trip to the area. Very well presented , lots of good pictures and appreciated hearing what things were not worth spending the time with.

Thanks a ton for your kind words. Means alot!

Trying to pan a family holiday with the kids for July 2023 and just read your blog. Thanks for including all the notes about vegetarian/ Indian food as that is my major concern! Will now go through your Paris blog as well 🙂

Thanks so much

Quick question: I am assuming you had a schengen visa. Travelling from Netherlands to Belgium by train, did you have to cross any immigration? Did you require any seal of entry or seal of exit from the other countries in between?

Hi, Yes I applied for the Schengen tourist visa. No, there wasn’t any immigration checks between Netherlands and Belgium.

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Benelux Itinerary: The Highlights in 10 Days (+ Map)

If you want to see the best of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg in 10 days, this Benelux itinerary is for you!

With medieval cities like Amsterdam and Bruges, historical sites like the Castle of Vianden and plenty of local specialities ( Belgian chocolates , anyone?), this part of Europe has much to offer.

As I’m from Belgium and travelled around the Netherlands and Luxembourg extensively, I’ve gotten to know these countries pretty well. In this guide, I will share the best places to visit in the Benelux in 10 days.

So, let’s dive right into it, here’s the perfect 10-day itinerary for the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Day 1: Arrive in Amsterdam

Whether you’re arriving in the Netherlands by train, flight bus or car, day one of this Benelux itinerary is all about getting to Amsterdam.

It all depends on the time you will arrive, but if it’s not too late you, can start visiting this city already. There are plenty of things to do in Amsterdam , after all.

Day 2: Amsterdam

With its famous canals, interesting museums and vibrant nightlife, Amsterdam has something to offer to nearly any type of traveller . This is one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe, after all.

Some of the most famous things to do here are to take a boat ride on the canals, visit the red light district and perhaps head to one of the city’s coffee shops , but there’s more to Amsterdam than this alone!

From visiting the House of Anne Frank to discovering street art and heading to Madame Tussaud, there’s an abundance of things to do in this city, it all depends on your preferences.

Where to stay in Amsterdam: INK Hotel

Check out my post featuring the best Amsterdam souvenirs if you would like to bring something back from this city.

Day 3: Day Trip to Zaanse Schans (or Keukenhof)

Zaanse Schans is less than an hour from Amsterdam by train and this town is most famous for its traditional windmills. In fact, this is one of the last places in the world where you can see functional windmills!

If you would like to learn more about Dutch culture and history, Zaanse Schans is a must-visit. Apart from windmills, you will also find plenty of museums and workshops here.

Some of the best things to do at Zaanse Scham are to visit the Zaans Museum , which will teach you more about the region, visit the Bakery Museum and learn how Dutch cheese is made.

Alternative: If you’re visiting the Netherlands between March and May, you can also head to the Keukenhof Gardens to see the tulips.

Day 4: Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a 1-hour train ride from Amsterdam, and it’s completely different. This city was bombed during World War II and the historic centre was entirely destroyed. Because of this, Rotterdam is a pretty modern city full of unique architecture.

Some of the best things to do in Rotterdam are to check out the modern architecture, visit the old harbour and see the historic Delfshaven district.

One of my favourite places in this city is the Cube Houses , and if you’re into architecture or photography, this is a place you will love too. The Cube Houses were built by Dutch architect Piet Blom in the 1980s and they’re pretty unique, to say the least!

Where to stay in Rotterdam: Savoy Hotel

Day 5: Rotterdam to Brussels

It takes just 1 to 2 hours to reach Brussels from Rotterdam by train or car, so today, you have the choice to either spend more time in Rotterdam or head straight to Brussels, the Belgian capital.

Day 6: Brussels

Belgium’s capital, Brussels is one of the best places to visit in Belgium . This is also the capital of the EU and there are plenty of things to see and do here.

One day in Brussels will give you just enough time to see the city’s highlights. Some of the places that you cannot miss are the Grand Place, Manneken Pis, the Mont des Arts and the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries.

If you like visiting museums, it’s good to know that there are also plenty of great museums in Brussels . The Musée Magritte Museum, which features the work of the Belgian surrealist painter René Magritte is my personal favourite.

Where to stay in Brussels: Happy Guesthouse

Day 7: Day trip to Bruges

The medieval city of Bruges, a 1-hour train ride from Brussels, is one of these places that you cannot miss when you’re in Belgium. With its twisting canals, medieval architecture and cobblestone street, this is one of the country’s most enchanting sights.

If you’re heading to Bruges for one day , you will have enough time to see the best of what this city has to offer. Some of the best places that you cannot miss are the Quay of the Rosary, Markt, Burg Square, the Bonifacius Bridge, the Church of Our Lady and the Beguinage.

It’s good to know that it’s also possible to visit Bruges and Ghent in one day . This will give you less time to explore these places, though.

You can also spend the night in one of Bruges’ canal hotels , which is an amazing experience. However, it will take longer to head to Dinant from Bruges the next day, which is why I included Bruges as a day trip from Brussels in this itinerary for the Benelux.

Day 8: Dinant & Castles

Dinant, the city where the saxophone was born, is another great stop on a Benelux itinerary. It takes a little less than 2 hours to reach this city from Brussels by train.

Not only are there some interesting things to do in Dinant , but two of my favourite Belgian castles, Vêves Castle and Walzin Castle, are just a short drive from here.

The best way to visit these places is by visiting Dinant first, then head to Vêves Castle , which can be visited, and then hike to Walzin Castle. Although the latter cannot be visited, it’s perched high on top of a rock and it’s pretty spectacular!

Where to stay in Dinant: Les Terrasses de Sax

Note that Vêves and Walzin Castle are the only places on this itinerary that are not easily accessible by public transport. You will either have to rent a car or take a taxi from Dinant to reach them.

>> Read: 15 Castle Hotels in Belgium for an Enchanting Stay

Day 9: Luxembourg City

Today, it’s time to head to Luxembourg City, the capital of Luxembourg. It takes about 3 hours to reach this city by train from Dinant.

Luxembourg is a city that’s often overlooked by tourists, but it has some nice things to offer. This city has a rich history and its old part is full of medieval buildings and cobblestone streets.

The best part is that this city is walkable, so the best way to explore it is by spending the afternoon wandering around its streets and alleys.

Where to stay in Luxembourg City: Albergo Aida

Day 10: Day Trip to Vianden Castle

The charming town of Vianden is a 1.5-hour train ride from Luxembourg City and it’s home to one of Europe’s most important historical landmarks : Vianden Castle. It was built between the 11th and 14th centuries and was once home to the powerful Counts of Vianden.

There are plenty of things to see at Vianden Castle , from its Byzantine Gallery to the Arms Hall and the chapels. After all, this is one of the largest fortified castles west of the Rhine.

Apart from visiting the castle, I also loved seeing it from a distance. It looks like something straight out of a fairytale!

Map of the Benelux Itinerary

How to Get Around the Benelux

Except for Vêves Castle and Walzin Castle, all the places mentioned on this list are easily accessible by train.

If you’re using public transport, you will find how long it takes to get from one place to another below:

• Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans : 1 hour
• Amsterdam to Rotterdam : 1 hour
• Rotterdam to Brussels : 1 hour
• Brussels to Bruges : 1 hour (+ short bus ride or 20-minute walk to the city centre)
• Brussels to Dinant : 1,5 hours (+ 15-minute taxi ride to Vêves Castle)
• Dinant to Luxembourg City: 3 hours
• Luxembourg City to Vianden: 1,5 hours

If you want to rent a car in Belgium, I recommend using   Discover Cars .  This company compares car rental companies so that you can get the best price.

Benelux Itinerary: Final Thoughts

Spending 10 days in the Benelux will give you just enough time to see the highlights of Belgium , the Netherlands and Luxembourg. These countries have a lot to offer, especially if you like visiting medieval cities and enchanting castles.

Happy exploring!

• Backpacking Belgium: A Local’s Guide
• 28 Famous Landmarks in Belgium Worth Seeing
• 20 Amazing Places to Visit in The Netherlands

Pin it for later: Did you find this post helpful? Save it on Pinterest and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more travel tips and inspiration.

Laura Meyers

Laura Meyers is the founder of Laure Wanders. She was born in Belgium and has spent years travelling solo. She currently spends most of her time between Belgium and South Asia and loves helping other travellers plan their adventures abroad.

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Hi – Love the itinerary – perfect. Hydraulics is of interest; any museums / tours? Castles, per se, would be on the bottom of our list. Thanks!

Hi Andrea, I’m glad you like this itinerary. If you’d like to visit museums, I would recommend staying in Amsterdam or Brussels for an extra day instead of visiting the castles. There are plenty of interesting museums in both of these cities!

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