Amsterdam / Rotterdam / Brussels?

[lonelyweather]

Looking for a long weekend via Eurostar from London with 11 year old ds. We like to potter around nice cafes, enjoy a boat tour, a nice museum or two is good. Would you recommend any of these cities?

We loved Copenhagen. Paris was ok but not as compact and friendly.

What time of year? I used to love Amsterdam, but i think it's become more seedy and extremely expensive recently. I live in Brussels and there are plenty of cafes and museums - art, natural history, chocolate etc. We've been to Rotterdam a few times and would recommend it - especially as you can use public transport and also visit the Hague, Delft and the beaches. Madurodam and the water taxis. The Markthall for food and drinks. Lots of heated terraces even in the winter. Leiden is another favourite - like a mini - Amsterdam - which canal trips and a windmill. And Bruges and Ghent of course.

All three are great. Rotterdam has some amazing architecture and the market is amazing. Great art galleries In Amsterdam, and Brussels is just gorgeous for exploring on foot.

We did a DIY chocolate tour of Brussels, buying one truffle each in 8 of the famous chocolate shops; the Magritte museum was great, the city centre is beautiful with lots to see.

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I spent a day in Rotterdam this year and loved the modern architecture. Just wandering around was great and visiting the Markthal (amazing building) would be fun for 11 year olds. A big outdoor market was also nearby when we went.

If you want to see the only remaining bit of medieval Rotterdam, this was lovely: whichmuseum.co.uk/museum/st-lawrence-church-rotterdam-699

However, the highlight for me was this building - www.euronews.com/culture/2021/11/05/rotterdam-art-storage-museum-opens-entire-collection-to-public-in-world-first

Stunning building - 11 year olds surely would love the reflective exterior. Inside is fun too, although I didn't have time to do a tour or wander through the archives.

PS Agree with a PP about central Amsterdam being disappointing. I've been before but this year the old town was just awful. Rijksmuseum still worth it, and the kids might enjoy their re-opening promo Flashmob:

Been to Belgium and Netherlands in the last year or so and I much preferred Netherlands. Loads to see in Rotterdam/the Hague area (not made it to Amsterdam yet so can't comment on that). Found it very easy to navigate around, public transport a dream, people really friendly, everything very clean. Looking at going back next summer in fact.

If your kids are into waterparks you can go as a day visitor to the one at https://www.duinrell.com/tiki-pool

Sorry @MissAmbrosia I thought Brussels was underwhelming and quite scruffy and the public transport very un-tourist friendly (specfically trying to find the right sort of ticket!). That said we very much enjoyed the food (esp the waffles), mini europe and the atomium.

Thank you! We will be going in February half term. It sounds like Rotterdam might be a winner - assuming the weather will be cold and wet but it sounds like there will still be plenty to do?

Wow - he (and I) will LOVE that! Thank you!!

Rotterdam is less picturesque but plenty to do and see. There’s a big tennis tournament on in Feb if your DS likes sport and the dates line up.

Amsterdam can be quite overwhelming. Nearby Haarlem is great as a base, much quieter in evenings without the hordes of stag do’s etc, and easy to get into Amsterdam by train for a day trip.

Brussels would be my pick though. The comic book museum and mural trail is great for kids. As is musical instruments museum. Very walkable centre. Great parks.

Enjoy! Hope it works for y'all.

And (while I've enjoyed Brussels before, espec. the Atomium) if I went anywhere in Belgium, it would be Antwerp. Marvellous place: Art. Architecture. Genever. Decap Organs.

Also, you mentioned river tours: https://visit.antwerpen.be/en/info/boat-trips-in-antwerp-enjoy-the-city-from-the-water AND consider the unmissable https://museumplantinmoretus.be/en. And Antwerp station is another Flashmob venue and architectural masterpiece.

I would go to Arnhem or Hilversung in the Netherlands - we took our nephews to Arnhem for a weekend once and they loved it. Imo Brussels is really seedy in places. We took my parents and the walk from the railway station to the centre was the single most unnerving experience I have had in a European city. We also went to Bruges, which was lovely.

We love Brussels and go every year. It is scruffy in places, I’d say just relaxed and not self-conscious. There’s just so much to see and do. In my top 5 places in Europe.