Netherlands & Belgium — Canals, Beer, and Chocolate
A Netherlands and Belgium travel guide for UK working holidaymakers. Amsterdam is 4 hours by Eurostar, Brussels just 2. Practical travel tips and a 2-night/3-day itinerary.
KRW amounts shown next to GBP prices use the ECB reference rate £1 = ₩2,005 as of 1 Apr 2026. They are reference figures only and may differ from your actual bank, card, or remittance rate.
Brussels in 2 hours, Amsterdam in 4 — all on one Eurostar. These are small countries, but they're bursting with things to see, eat, and drink. Perfect for a weekend trip.
Getting There from London
| Transport | Destination | Duration | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eurostar | Brussels | 2 hours | £35~70 (approx. ₩70,163~₩140,327) |
| Eurostar | Amsterdam | 3h 52min | £40~80 (approx. ₩80,187~₩160,374) |
| Ryanair/easyJet | Amsterdam | 1h 15min | £20~60 (approx. ₩40,093~₩120,280) |
| Ryanair | Brussels (Charleroi) | 1 hour | £15~40 (approx. ₩30,070~₩80,187) |
💡 Eurostar vs Flying
- Amsterdam: Eurostar 4 hours vs flight 1h 15min + 1 hour to/from airport + 1 hour security = roughly the same
- Brussels: Eurostar wins hands down at 2 hours. Bruxelles-Midi station is right in the city centre
- Watch out for Brussels Charleroi Airport — it's a 1-hour bus ride from Brussels (about $19). That's the airport Ryanair uses
- Book early and you can get Eurostar tickets for £35~40 (approx. ₩70,163~₩80,187), so the price difference is minimal
Netherlands
Amsterdam
One of the most free-spirited cities in Europe. Canals, bicycles, world-class museums, and a culture all its own.
Must-See Spots
| Attraction | Admission | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Anne Frank House | €16 | Online booking essential (sells out daily). Tickets open 6 weeks ahead |
| Van Gogh Museum | €20 | Timed entry. Mornings are less crowded |
| Rijksmuseum | €22.50 | Home to "The Night Watch" and other Dutch Golden Age masterpieces |
| Canal Cruise | €14~18 | 1-hour route. Lovers or Blue Boat recommended |
| Heineken Experience | €23 | Includes 2 beers. Good fun if you're into beer |
Neighbourhoods
- Jordaan — The prettiest part of Amsterdam. Narrow canals, indie bookshops, vintage stores, and brown cafes
- De Pijp — Multicultural neighbourhood. Hit up Albert Cuyp Market for cheese, stroopwafels, and raw herring
- Vondelpark — Amsterdam's Central Park. Pack a picnic on a sunny day and do as the locals do
- 9 Straatjes (Nine Streets) — Nine small streets packed with boutiques, cafes, and galleries
ℹ️ Getting Around Amsterdam
- GVB Day Pass — €9/24 hours, €15.50/48 hours, €21/72 hours. Unlimited tram, bus, and metro
- That said, the city is compact and best explored on foot. Central Station to the Van Gogh Museum is a 30-minute walk
- You can rent a bike, but Amsterdam's roads can be pretty hairy for tourists (locals cycle fast and take no prisoners)
Amsterdam Food
| Food | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Stroopwafel | €3~5 | Best freshly made at Albert Cuyp Market |
| Kibbeling | €5~7 | Fried fish bites. Classic Dutch street food |
| Haring (Raw Herring) | €4~5 | Raw herring with onions. You'll either love it or hate it |
| Kroket (Croquette) | €2~3 | Grab one from a FEBO vending machine for the full experience |
| Pannenkoek (Pancake) | €8~14 | Thin Dutch-style pancakes |
| Gouda Cheese | €3~5 | Sample before you buy at the market |
Rotterdam
A completely different vibe from Amsterdam. After being levelled by WWII bombing, the city was rebuilt with bold modern architecture.
-
Cube Houses — Iconic yellow cube-shaped buildings. You can tour the inside (€3)
-
Markthal — Indoor food market + apartments. The ceiling mural is stunning
-
Erasmus Bridge — Nicknamed "The Swan." Especially beautiful at night
-
Kinderdijk — Just outside Rotterdam, a village of Dutch windmills. UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Amsterdam to Rotterdam: IC train, 40 minutes (from €17)
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Worth a half-day to full-day trip if you're into modern architecture
Belgium
Brussels
The unofficial capital of Europe, home to EU headquarters. Grand squares, chocolate, waffles, and beer.
Must-See Spots
| Attraction | Admission | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Place | Free | One of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Don't miss it at night |
| Manneken Pis | Free | Honestly, smaller than you'd expect. Worth a quick photo |
| Royal Museums of Fine Arts | €15 | Rubens and Magritte collections |
| European Quarter | Free (exterior) | Parlamentarium has a free exhibition |
| Mini-Europe | €18.20 | Miniature models of European landmarks |
Brussels Food
| Food | Price | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Belgian Waffle | €3~8 | Go for the Liege waffle (caramelised sugar crust). Avoid the tourist-trap waffles |
| Chocolate | €5~15/box | Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus, Leonidas |
| Frites (Fries) | €3~5 | Maison Antoine — even Obama ate here |
| Moules-frites (Mussels & Fries) | €18~25 | Chez Leon (open since 1893) |
| Belgian Beer | €4~7/glass | Delirium Cafe (over 2,000 beers on offer) |
💡 Real vs Fake Waffles
The flashy, topping-loaded waffles around Grand Place are mostly made from frozen dough. A proper Belgian waffle is Liege-style — sugar is baked right into the dough, creating a caramelised exterior. It's delicious on its own, no toppings needed. Maison Dandoy is the go-to spot.
Bruges
A medieval fairy tale come to life. Canals, brick buildings, and a bell tower preserved just as they were — a UNESCO World Heritage city.
-
Markt (Market Square) — The central square. Climb the Belfry for panoramic views (€14, 366 steps)
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Canal Boat Tour — €12, 30 minutes. The best way to see Bruges
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Begijnhof — A 13th-century beguinage. The tranquil gardens are lovely
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Choco-Story (Chocolate Museum) — €12. Includes a tasting
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Half a day to one full day is plenty. The city is small enough to cover entirely on foot
-
Brussels to Bruges: IC train, 1 hour (from €15)
Ghent
Less touristy than Bruges and livelier thanks to its large student population. More of a local feel.
- St Bavo's Cathedral — Home to Van Eyck's "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb"
- Gravensteen Castle — A medieval fortress with armour and weapons on display
- Graslei & Korenlei — Medieval buildings lining the canal. Stunning at night
- Brussels to Ghent: IC train, 30 minutes (from €10)
ℹ️ Bruges vs Ghent
- Bruges — Prettier, more touristy, pricier. "Storybook village" vibes
- Ghent — Less crowded, more local atmosphere, cheaper food and beer thanks to its student scene
- If you have time, do both. If you can only pick one: Bruges for photos, Ghent for atmosphere
Belgian Beer Culture
Belgium is a beer pilgrimage destination. Over 1,500 varieties, and the country's beer culture itself is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Beers You Need to Try
| Beer | Style | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Chimay | Trappist | Brewed by monks. Chimay Blue is the star |
| Westmalle Tripel | Trappist | Golden ale, rich and aromatic |
| Duvel | Strong Ale | Means "devil." 8.5% — pace yourself |
| Lambic/Gueuze | Spontaneous Fermentation | Sour and funky. Take the Cantillon Brewery tour |
| Kriek | Cherry Beer | Sweet and tart. Even non-beer-drinkers tend to enjoy it |
| Leffe | Abbey Beer | Widely available, even at supermarkets |
Brown Cafes (Bruin Cafe)
Traditional Belgian and Dutch pubs. Dark wood interiors, dim lighting, decades of atmosphere. A cosier, more intimate vibe than an English pub.
- Brussels: Moeder Lambic, A La Mort Subite
- Amsterdam: Cafe 't Smalle, Cafe Papeneiland
Suggested 2-Night/3-Day Itineraries
Option A: Amsterdam + Rotterdam
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | London to Amsterdam (Eurostar or flight). Canal walk, Jordaan neighbourhood, canal cruise, brown cafe |
| Day 2 | Morning: Van Gogh Museum or Anne Frank House. Afternoon: Day trip to Rotterdam (Cube Houses, Markthal). Evening: Dinner in De Pijp, Amsterdam |
| Day 3 | Morning at Albert Cuyp Market. Rijksmuseum. Afternoon: head home |
Option B: Brussels + Bruges
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | London to Brussels (Eurostar, 2h). Grand Place, chocolate shopping, beers at Delirium Cafe |
| Day 2 | Day trip to Bruges (train, 1h). Canal boat, Belfry, Chocolate Museum, waffles |
| Day 3 | Royal Museums of Fine Arts, frites, last-minute shopping. Afternoon: Eurostar back to London |
Option C: Amsterdam + Brussels (Eurostar Loop)
- London to Brussels (2h) — 1 day in Brussels — train to Amsterdam (2.5h) — 1.5 days in Amsterdam — Eurostar back to London
Budget Breakdown
Estimated 2-Night/3-Day Cost (Per Person)
| Category | Netherlands | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| Transport (return) | £60~100 (approx. ₩120,280~₩200,467) | £50~90 (approx. ₩100,234~₩180,420) |
| Accommodation (2 nights) | £50~100 (approx. ₩100,234~₩200,467) | £40~80 (approx. ₩80,187~₩160,374) |
| Food (3 days) | £40~70 (approx. ₩80,187~₩140,327) | £35~60 (approx. ₩70,163~₩120,280) |
| Attractions/Admission | £20~50 (approx. ₩40,093~₩100,234) | £15~40 (approx. ₩30,070~₩80,187) |
| Total | £170~320 (approx. ₩340,794~₩641,494) | £140~270 (approx. ₩280,654~₩541,261) |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- I amsterdam City Card — €135 for 72 hours. Worth it if you plan on hitting several museums
- Belgian rail Youth Ticket (under 26) — 10 rides for €56 (€5.60 each). Adults can get Weekend Ticket discounts too
- Tap water is safe to drink in both countries — refill your bottle and save on drinks
- Supermarkets: Albert Heijn (Netherlands) and Colruyt/Delhaize (Belgium) are your friends for cheap meals
The Benelux countries are small enough to be ideal for a short trip. Eurostar makes getting there easy, and 2 nights/3 days is enough to pack in a solid itinerary. Beer, chocolate, museums — mix and match to suit your taste.