Road.TravelRoad.Travel
    12 Activities

    From Amsterdam to Brussels via Leiden, Rotterdam and Mechelen

    From Amsterdam to Brussels via Leiden, Rotterdam and Mechelen
    Starts from

    Amsterdam

    Transportation

    By Car

    Guidance

    Self-Guided

    Activities

    12

    Duration

    10 hrs 25 min

    Length

    101 mi

    Guide details

    Starts from

    Amsterdam

    Transportation

    By Car

    Guidance

    Self-Guided

    Duration

    10 hrs 25 min

    Length

    101 mi

    • History and Culture
    • Unusual Locations
    • Gastronomy
    Map preview
    Monika Fuchs

    Monika Fuchs

    Travel Expert

    • Take a walk through the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands.
    • Marvel at the impressive Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam.
    • Learn about Europe's largest port and why Rotterdam has so much modern architecture.
    • Be enchanted by the medieval flair of the old town of Mechelen at the Grote Markt.
    Translated by
    This route shows you how diverse the cities of the Netherlands are. Discover old cities that already played an important role in the Golden Age of Holland. The city of Leiden, with its canals and bridges, looks like you would imagine cities in Holland to be. Here you will visit the Hortus Botanicus, the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. Rotterdam, on the other hand, is ultra-modern with its skyscrapers and the breathtaking Erasmus Bridge. From there, you will set off on a boat tour of the container port, where you will learn a lot of interesting facts about Rotterdam, the port and the history of the city. In Mechelen, on the other hand, you feel transported back to the Gothic and Renaissance periods. The cathedral was built over centuries, and the Grote Markt presents a harmonious picture with its Renaissance buildings.
    Translated by

    Categories

    • History and Culture
    • Unusual Locations
    • Gastronomy
    This route shows you how diverse the cities of the Netherlands are. Discover old cities that already played an important role in the Golden Age of Holland. The city of Leiden, with its canals and bridges, looks like you would imagine cities in Holland to be. Here you will visit the Hortus Botanicus, the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. Rotterdam, on the other hand, is ultra-modern with its skyscrapers and the breathtaking Erasmus Bridge. From there, you will set off on a boat tour of the container port, where you will learn a lot of interesting facts about Rotterdam, the port and the history of the city. In Mechelen, on the other hand, you feel transported back to the Gothic and Renaissance periods. The cathedral was built over centuries, and the Grote Markt presents a harmonious picture with its Renaissance buildings.
    Translated by
    Monika Fuchs

    Monika Fuchs

    Travel Expert

    • Take a walk through the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands.
    • Marvel at the impressive Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam.
    • Learn about Europe's largest port and why Rotterdam has so much modern architecture.
    • Be enchanted by the medieval flair of the old town of Mechelen at the Grote Markt.
    Translated by

    Day Itinerary

    12 Activities
    Map preview

    Day 1

    99 mi2 mi

    Leiden, Rotterdam and Mechelen Invite You for a Flying Visit

    Explore the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands in Leiden. Marvel at the modern architecture of the Erasmus Bridge and the city of Rotterdam, and be impressed by Europe's largest port. You will be charmed by the medieval flair in the city center of Mechelen with the St. Rombout Cathedral and the Grote Markt.
    Translated by
    09:555 min

    Stadsparkeerplan - Parking Leiden

    Park your car here and walk to the Leiden Botanical Garden.
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    0.6 mi
    15 min
    10:201 hr

    Hortus Botanicus Leiden

    The botanical garden of Leiden is the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. It belongs to the city's university and was founded in 1590 for the university's students.
    Opening hours: From May 1 to October 31. daily from 10.00 - 18.00
    From November 1 to March 31 Tuesday - Sunday from 10.00 - 16.00
    Admission is required.
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    0.6 mi
    15 min
    11:355 min

    Stadsparkeerplan - Parking Leiden

    Pick up your vehicle for the onward journey to Rotterdam.
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    23.4 mi
    50 min
    12:305 min

    Parkeergarage Erasmusbrug

    Park your car here for the next few hours.
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    0.2 mi
    5 min
    12:451 hr

    Bar-Restaurant PRACHTIG

    In the bar-restaurant PRACHTIG you can have lunch directly on the Erasmus Bridge. The menu includes bar snacks, cold dishes, sushi, hot dishes and desserts.
    Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 Closed on Mondays.
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    0.1 mi
    5 min
    13:502 hrs

    Havenrondvaart Spido Rotterdam

    The harbor cruise lasts 75 minutes. On the way you will see the largest port in Europe and have beautiful views of the Rotterdam skyline.
    Departure times:
    January, February - 22 March Mon. Tues. Wed. 14.00 Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun. 11.00, 12.30, 14.00, 15.30 From 23 March, April and May Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 09.30, 10.15, 11.00, 11.45, 12.30, 13.15, 14.00, 14.45, 15.30, 16.15, 17.00
    June, July and August ' Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 10.15, 11.00, 11.45, 12.30, 13.15, 14.00, 14.45, 15.30, 16.15, 17.00
    September and October Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 10.15, 11.00, 11.45, 12.30, 13.15, 14.00, 14.45, 15.30, 17.00
    November and December Mon. Tues. Wed. 14.00 Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun. 11.00, 12.30, 14.00, 15.30
    It is best to book your ticket online. This will save you the waiting time at the box office on site.
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    0.2 mi
    5 min
    15:555 min

    Parkeergarage Erasmusbrug

    Pick up your car for the onward journey to Mechelen.
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    76 mi
    1 hr 30 min
    17:305 min

    Parking Indigo Mechelen Kathedraal

    Park your vehicle here for your stay in Mechelen.
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    0.2 mi
    5 min
    17:4015 min

    Saint Rumbold's Cathedral

    The Gothic Sint Rombouts Cathedral is worth seeing. Its construction was begun around 1200 and it was completed in its present form around 1500. It is one of the major works of European Gothic architecture. The church also houses a school of bell ringers, which is recognized worldwide.
    Opening hours: Mon. - Sun. 8.30 - 17.30
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    0.1 mi
    5 min
    18:0045 min

    Grote Markt

    The Grote Markt of Mechelen is one of Belgium's magnificent Renaissance marketplaces. Stroll around the square and take in the variety and beauty of the well-preserved houses.
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    0.1 mi
    5 min
    19:151 hr 30 min

    De Witten Vos

    At the Grote Markt you will find the restaurant De Witten Vos. Here you can dine on the terrace in summer with a view of the market and the cathedral. The kitchen serves regional and French cuisine. You can also find one or two Mediterranean dishes on the menu. Try a beer from Mechelen from the Den Anker brewery with it.
    Opening hours: Mon. - Fri.: 11:15 - 23:30 Sat.: 09:30 - 23:30 Sun.: 11:30 - 20:00
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    0.2 mi
    5 min
    20:505 min

    Parking Indigo Mechelen Kathedraal

    Pick up your vehicle for the onward journey to Brussels.
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