Home > Amsterdam > Brussels and Antwerp Day Trip from Amsterdam
USD $98.00
Brussels and Antwerp Day Trip from Amsterdam
Amsterdam, Netherlands
With Belgian beer, chocolate, diamonds and art, Belgium has something of interest for every visitor. Check out its two largest cities, Antwerp and Brussels, on this day trip from Amsterdam, and learn about all-things Belgian from a guide. A visit to an Antwerp diamond factory and walking tours of both cities are included. See the gothic Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp, pose for photos by the Mannekin Pis in Brussels, and make the most of ample free time to shop for those all-important Belgian chocolates.
Leave central Amsterdam, and travel across the border by coach to beautiful Antwerp, Belgium’s second largest city. Start with a visit to one of its diamond factories to learn about Antwerp’s diamond heritage, and then explore the city center on a 30-minute walking tour.
Visit Market Square, and learn about the celebrated baroque artist Pieter Paul Rubens as you walk past Rubens House — a gallery dedicated to his work. Stop for photos by the Cathedral of Our Lady, a place of worship with the accolade of Belgium’s largest gothic church, and admire the charming buildings of Antwerp as you walk around. Architectural wonders abound in the little city, and your guide will point out the most interesting sights.
After your tour, make your way back to the coach for your journey to Brussels. Get your bearings in the Belgian capital on a 45-minute walking tour, and see the Royal Palace of Belgium, the buildings of the European Commission, the Grave of the Unknown Soldier and, of course, the bronze Manneken Pis statue.
With the top sights seen, you then have over two hours of free time to explore on your own or perhaps shop for souvenirs. It’s also a good opportunity to grab lunch, or perhaps treat yourself to some of Belgium’s famous chocolate and beer. Food, drinks and any entrance fees are at your own expense.
Later, at the prearranged time, return to your coach and relax on the 2.5-hour journey to Amsterdam. Your tour finishes back at the start point in the evening.
We felt the tour was very rushed. It was not as informative as other tours.
Review by: Catherine B, November 2017
This is a must..very convenient and enjoyable.
Review by: ckbergeron, October 2017
Our tour guide tried his best to give everyone as much time as possible in both cities but due to traffic issues and the disrespect of passengers who felt others could wait while they took their time returning, the trip was much too long! It turned out to be a 13 1/2 hour tour. Would recommend the Bruges day trip instead.
Review by: roban.sinead, October 2017
I enjoyed the tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and did a great job of restructuring things after we hit unexpected traffic in the morning. Antwerp did feel like a bit like it was just an extended rest. I'd suggest just having a nice sit down lunch here.
Review by: Carolyn P, October 2017
All the best highlights you could wish for in this tour of two spectacular European cities!
Review by: william l, October 2017
The Antwerp part of the trip was a total waste of time. They just wanted to sell top rated diamonds. People were not evenworking in the factory.
Review by: MPETROCELL, September 2017
I have mixed reviews about this tour. First, it started with the way we were to board the bus. You are advised to meet at the tour office but then you follow a very brisk walking woman through the streets, through the bus/train terminal to an upper stairway where the bus is waiting and full of seated passengers. There were 6 of us travelling together and some of us were senior citizens who found it difficult to keep pace with the leader not that she cared at all!. Needless to say we did not sit anywhere near each other not even on the same level because the bus was nearly full. The seats on the bus were exceedingly tight and not at all comfortable. There appeared to be a couple of first class seats which looked more comfortable - I assume these were more money but do not know because they were never offered as an option. The people occupying the seats were loud and often spoke over the tour guide who had to admonish them. The tour guide was exceptional - he had great knowledge of the geography and of Brussels and Antwerp specifically. He was very personable and is the only reason I am giving this 3 stars. The trip was very long and we could have used more time in both places - probably should be 2 separate tours. We enjoyed what we saw of Brussels and Antwerp and enjoyed listening to the tour guide but the transportation itself needs much improvement!
Review by: karichunches, September 2017
Tour was ok. The guide speaks little Spanish, which the tour was in Spanish, but in the end was in English with some poor translations. There was very little time in Brussels and the guide didn't explain us where to go. We couldn't find the Manneken Pis!
Review by: Jersey_T, September 2017
Alex tour was great. I really like his guidance. He was quiet knowledgeable. Antwerp church and train station was nice. Town was okay, we could not find square since guide took off to do diamond tour, so we were left alone in the city, but we got to do lunch there so it was okay. Atomium was okay. I really wanted to go up, but no time. Brussels was cool. Another town we went which have royal palaces. We just drove by so we did not get to see things well and rain did not help either. Brussels square was beautiful. We also stopped by to see Mannuniqin-Pis? which was smaller than I though. Overall trip was great. I give 4 star since there was no guide at Antwerp.
Review by: Barry C, September 2017
Best part was Belgian draft beer and the Belgian waffles to die for!._br/_ Historic buildings were very good too.
Review by: Barry C, September 2017
Best part was Belgian draft beer and the Belgian waffles to die for!._br/_ Historic buildings were very good too.
Review by: newnana25, September 2017
They can skip Antwerp, but Brussels was terrific.
Review by: Joseph M, September 2017
Really good trip, can get quite long and battled traffic in Brussels to be expected so the traffic sometimes cut into the time spent in the city cause there's a specific time limit we have. Other than that a good way to check off another country when in Amsterdam. Worth it.
Review by: Rhodora G, September 2017
It was a trip worth my time and money.
Review by: Alfredo, September 2017
It was a huge group that filled a double-decker bus. For the price I would expect a smaller group. The stop at Antwerp was disappointing, particularly the diamond factory. I enjoyed Brussels, however, the guide just left us in the central square for us to explore on our own without much explanation.
Review by: Amber K, September 2017
I really enjoyed this trip. I was worried there would be too much time on the couch and not much time to explore but this was not the case. Especially in Brussels we had over 3 hours to explore which was great. The tour guide Peter was really great, very informative and went out of his way to help
Review by: Patricia T, August 2017
Tour was nice, interesting place to visit. I wish we had more time to shop around though. Love the Belgium chocolates.
Review by: Nicholas F, August 2017
Great tour, very informative guide and comfortable coach. Worth every penny, lovely day.
Review by: Monica S, August 2017
It was a great trip. At Antwerp we skipped the diamond tour and explored the city instead. The train station was so beautiful ! In Brussels we took the 45 minute tour, our guide was wonderful! It was a long day, however well worth it ! U must eat the waffles !
Review by: Sandra W, August 2017
If you love diamonds and jewels, you'll love this trip
Review by: Heather W, August 2017
Our tour guide was great; he was very knowledgeable. Brussels was a beautiful city. Well worth the money. Make sure to try the Belgium waffles.
Review by: stephanie.middleton818, July 2017
What a wonderful way to see the highlights of these two cities. This brief day trip motivated me to plan a return trip with a considerably longer stay to explore the country.
Review by: alohadude4u, June 2017
This is not worth the money I paid for. The Antwerp portion is just a waste of time. The only thing that was done really was a visit to the Diamond Factory which is not even worth going to, then you are on your own to wonder about. The Brussels portion is a bit better. The tour guide took the time to explain the buildings at the Grote Markt and significance of those buildings. Then off to the chocolate factory and then you are off on your own to wonder about.
Review by: Lloydclevinger, June 2017
Long trip - minimum shopping but great meal!
Review by: Khadija Alshamsi, June 2017
it was long travel and it was good but not excellent
Review by: Thais, May 2017
Pegamos um dia atipicamente com muito transito o que realmente prejudicou ,mas ao conhecemos nada em Antuérpia e muito pouco de Bruxelas . Guia poderia ter nos levando em bem mais pontos turísticos .Não recomendo o tour
Review by: GORDANA R, May 2017
Excellent trip, which included everything you need to see in Brussels but you have only a few hours. I recommend to anyone who wants to enjoy the beautiful European capital. Alex made sure to provide all the information we were interested although it is a large group.
Review by: khizer.ak8, May 2017
This was so much worth it
Review by: Joyce, May 2017
Had a great day
Review by: Rachel Z, May 2017
This trip was disappointing. Antwerp was a dingy and depressing city. I'm sure there was stuff to see there, but we didn't spend enough time there to know. There is a cathedral. There is a museum that was Paul Reubens' house. Those things might have been interesting. Instead all the time we spend there was spent at a jewelry store called wait for it... DIAMOND LAND! I kid you not. Could something sound more like a tourist trap than that? Our time there was spent getting a lecture on the 4Cs. If we had some kind of tour focusing on the history of the Jewish quarter and the diamond trade it might have been interesting, but anyone who has ever been engaged knows the stuff we were being lectured about. We had a tiny bit of free time after that, but it wasn't enough time to sightsee. It was enough time to grab a fast food lunch. On to Brussels. We had a little more time there. It's a pretty city, but all we got was a short lecture and a stop at the Mannekin Pis. Not enough time to explore much. I was able to go inside the cathedral, but it was so late in the day they were about to close anyway. Our guide was just phoning it in. He wasn't very explicit or interesting.
Review by: Marilena P, April 2017
In my personal opinion the diamond factory is a waste of time. Too much traffic to get to Brussels, and not much free time to enjoy the square.
Review by: Patrick R, April 2017
Brussels was cool, but Antwerp could be skipped.
Review by: Shannon C, April 2017
very organized. very good tour! highly recommended!
Review by: T B, April 2017
Antwerp was the first stop and if you want to buy the diamond jewellery, this is the place as you will be visiting The Diamond Land shop. _br/_ Brussels is only 15 min by bus from Antwerp. One of the side roads from the Market Square has a pub to offer 6 reasonably big beer glasses to taste not for free but the whole experience is awesome. Strongly recommend.
Review by: TRAVEL, April 2017
Tour not worth the value, considering most of the time is on a bus you can't see anything from.
Review by: Erica S, April 2017
Great tour! The visit to Antwerp was not enough time.
Review by: Natalie, December 2016
The Antwerp part of this tour was underwhelming. Our hope to briefly visit any site connected with Rubens in the time allotted to Antwerp we never contemplated extra time for this purpose was completely frustrated. This happened not without the unwillingness, or perhaps unpreparedness, of our guide Adrian to help us by pointing out what within reach was possible to see or visit connected with Rubens. We naively thought that Rubens is the best Antwerp has to offer. The great impression the Brussels part of the trip made on us could not fully remedy our Antwerp experience. With this said, for those to whom Rubens is not of interest when in Antwerp, this tour may be very suitable, and to those we recommend it.
Review by: Losttraveler, November 2016
worth your time.
Review by: RAJESH V, November 2016
I think the diamond dealer tour was okay but not great. Probably need to look at other things to do in Antwerp.
Review by: Denise M, October 2016
This tour was overcrowded and lacking in substance. The diamond tour in Antwerp was interesting but then we were given about an hour after and encouraged to get something to eat during that time which, by the time done, needed to head back to the bus. Maybe the people that opted not to take the diamond tour had a little more opportunity to see what Antwerp had to offer. The trip to Brussels was a waste of time, we spent some time driving around int he bus and then given about two hours to walk around. Most of us was back at the meeting point after an hour as there was just not much to see. Did I mention the tour was overcrowded about 76 people and no room to breathe. Honestly if you are interested in seeing Brussels or Antwerp it is cheaper you take the train and plan your own trip as the tour did not add anything of significance!
Review by: wilcoxmh, October 2016
The tour in Brussels was good. The Antwerp tour of the diamond shop did not show a demonstration of diamond cutting and was only a marketing ploy to buy diamonds. The guide needed to speak in two languages which left one or the other group standing in the rain for long periods of time.
Review by: Claire M, October 2016
My family lived in Belgium in the early 70's and we were anxious to visit Brussels again since it is relatively close to Amsterdam where we were visiting. The coach was comfortable and our guide was helpful in pointing out interesting facts about the Netherlands and Belgium. The visit to Antwerp could have been eliminated in our view while the stay in Brussels could have been extended. The Grand Place in Brussels has been restored and it was beautiful as was the Atomium, even though we we unable to go inside. We learned quite a bit about the city and the region.
Review by: raychen168, October 2016
Taking coach bus to Belgium, so if the person siting in front of you decide to lay back....you might be crushed..._br/_ Over all a nice place to go, tour guide are very knowledgeable and will informed.
Review by: Lino E, October 2016
The tour was worth to do it again..thank you so much..
Review by: Austin M, October 2016
The tour starts with Antwerp which was okay. In Antwerp the stop isn't for long with enough time to visit the diamond factory and do a tour, possibly grab a quick snack or coffee and head back to the coach. From there you have a fairly quick drive to Brussels including a walking tour of the city and free time. I felt Antwerp should have been skipped allowing more time in Brussels. What is done in Antwerp can be done in Amsterdam and the tour we did the next day did just that we were unaware, however the presentation at the Amsterdam diamond factory was very similar, if not identical. The amount of time in Brussels was awkward as you do not have much time to do anything aside from again, grab a bite to eat.
Review by: RioRich R, October 2016
Nothing much to see except for chocolates and waffles.
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