Comparison · Amsterdam vs Brussels · Netherlands / Belgium
Amsterdam vs Brussels
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum; choose Brussels for Grand-Place, Manneken Pis, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Brussels is generally less expensive, and the two are about 173 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 173 km
- Less expensive
- Brussels
- Best time for Amsterdam
- April–June and September
- Best time for Brussels
- May–June and September
Side by side
| Amsterdam | Brussels | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Netherlands | Belgium |
| Known for | Canals, Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum | Grand-Place, Manneken Pis and Atomium |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September | May–June and September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $220–$360 | $170–$300 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 22°C (72°F) | July, 24°C (75°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 6°C (43°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 8 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | AMS | BRU, CRL |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Amsterdam for…
Canals and Rijksmuseum. Amsterdam's 17th-century canal ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, curves around a compact medieval centre where almost everything is within a 30-minute walk or a short tram ride. The Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House draw most…
Choose Brussels for…
Grand-Place, Manneken Pis, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Belgium's capital pairs one of Europe's grandest squares, the Grand-Place, with the Art Nouveau townhouses of Victor Horta, the Magritte Museum and the Atomium. The compact Lower Town around the Grand-Place and Sainte-Catherine is walkable, while the Upper…
Top sights compared
| # | Amsterdam | Brussels |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rijksmuseum | Grand-Place |
| 2 | Van Gogh Museum | Manneken Pis |
| 3 | Anne Frank House | Atomium |
| 4 | Canal Ring walk | Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium |
| 5 | Canal cruise | Magritte Museum |
Food compared
| Amsterdam | Brussels |
|---|---|
| Stroopwafel | Moules-frites |
| Raw herring | Belgian frites |
| Bitterballen | Brussels and Liège waffles |
| Kroket | Flemish beef stew |
Which is cheaper?
Brussels is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $170–$300 per person there, against $220–$360 in Amsterdam (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Brussels on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Amsterdam and Brussels are about 173 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Amsterdam and 3 in Brussels.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Amsterdam or Brussels cheaper?
Brussels is usually less expensive: about $170–$300 a day mid-range against $220–$360 (estimates).
+Is Amsterdam or Brussels better for a first trip?
Pick Amsterdam for Canals and Rijksmuseum, or Brussels for Grand-Place, Manneken Pis, lower day-to-day costs and free sights.
+How far is Amsterdam from Brussels?
About 173 km in a straight line.