Looking for an original day out? Try plane spotting. It might sound a bit nerdy — and to be fair, it kind of is — but there’s a surprising charm in watching aircraft take off and land.
Read on and discover the most exciting spotting locations in the Netherlands and Belgium — including practical tips and personal advice.
1. AMS: Polderbaan spotting
📌 Coordinates: 52°20'33.9"N 4°42'26.9"E
Schiphol Airport is a Mecca for spotters in the Benelux. With six runways, it’s a true all-inclusive paradise for aviation lovers. This is the most well-known spotting location at Schiphol. Expect benches, sometimes a food truck, and an unobstructed view of the runway. Planes take off and land right in front of you.
2. BRU: Spotting platform 25L – Transit Caricole
📌 Coordinates: 50°53'42.8"N 4°30'56.5"E
Brussels Airport’s main spotting hub. Close to runway 25L/07R, with a raised platform and great visibility.
3. AMS: IJweg (North) – Polderbaan
📌 Coordinates: 52°20'53.4"N 4°42'48.8"E
Prefer avoiding the crowds on sunny days? Head here instead. This lesser-known spot offers dynamic photos of aircraft just lifting off. Best accessed by bike or on foot.
4. AMS: Kaagbaan South
📌 Coordinates: 52°17'36.9"N 4°44'28.1"E
Aircraft fly very low here, perfect for dramatic compositions. Quieter than Polderbaan, but equally spectacular.
5. AMS: Buitenveldertbaan – McDonald’s
📌 Coordinates: 52°19'15.3"N 4°47'34.5"E
Spot planes from your car or while sipping a McFlurry. Perfect in rainy weather or for a comfortable, food-friendly outing.
6. BRU: Approach 25L - Kortenbergsesteenweg
📌 Coordinates: 50°53'59.9"N 4°31'38.9"E
A hidden gem for unique angles. Aircraft soar just above your head.
7. EIN: Official spotters area – Spottersweg
📌 Coordinates: 51°27'51.2"N 5°23'34.6"E
Eindhoven’s official spotters hill offers great views and easy access by car or bike.
8. OST: Ostend-Bruges – Legeweg
📌 Coordinates: 51°11'58.9"N 2°53'04.3"E
Catch a mix of passenger, cargo, and military traffic here. Low traffic, but stunning light and scenery.
9. BRU: Spotting platform 01/19 – Nossegem
📌 Coordinates: 50°53'19.2"N 4°29'47.0"E
Official platform with benches and info panels. Runway not often used but excellent for telephoto shots.
10. AMS: Kaagbaan East – Beechavenue
📌 Coordinates: 52°17'06.6"N 4°44'07.9"E
A favorite among photographers thanks to lower angles and soft morning/evening light.
11. EIN: Head runway 03 – Scherpenering
📌 Coordinates: 51°26'13.1"N 5°21'35.5"E
Relaxed vibe, aircraft fly right overhead. Expect Ryanair, Transavia — and maybe a military jet.
12. AMS: Aalsmeerbaan – Breguetlaan
📌 Coordinates: 52°17'17.9"N 4°46'48.9"E
A quieter, more local spot. You’ll hear planes long before you see them — intimate and impressive.
13. LGG: Liège-Bierset – Rue de l’Aéroport
📌 Coordinates: 50°37'47.5"N 5°26'07.0"E
Belgium’s cargo hub. Great for night and morning movements, especially 747s and A330 freighters.
5X why plane spotting is perfect for a date or day trip:
- It's cheap or even free
- You're outside, but don't need to walk far
- Pairs well with coffee, snacks or fast food
- It naturally sparks conversation — or peaceful silence
- It’s unique
Spotting checklist
- Flightradar24 or the Schiphol App for runway info
- Camera with telephoto lens (but your smartphone works too!)
- Thermos and snacks
- Folding chair or picnic blanket
- Sunglasses and windbreaker (polder runways are windy)
💬 What's your favorite spotting spot?
Do you know of any hidden gems in the Netherlands or Belgium? Share them in the comments below or on Instagram — I’m always looking for new locations to try my camera. Maybe I’ll see you out there!
By: Rico Valkenborgh | June 11, 2025
€12 plane ticket: treat for us, threat for the climate?
© Airbus SAS 2024
Top 8 biggest airlines in Europe
Which airlines operate the largest fleets in Europe? In this article, you’ll discover the top 8 largest European commercial airlines, ranked by fleet size.
How airlines make money: why profit is just one seat away
Where does the money we pay for a plane ticket actually go? An airline faces many fixed and variable costs, and what remains is often just a few euros per passenger. This means that a single empty seat, a delay, or an unexpected diversion can be enough to turn a flight into a loss.So how can a €19 ticket keep an airline alive? Below is a clear, structured explanation of where an airline’s money goes, based on typical European short- and medium-haul operations.
Fuel dumping in the sky: why airplanes release kerosene?
Airplanes releasing liters of kerosene into the air during a flight, it sounds strange, but it really does happen. Though rare, it only occurs in emergency situations. So how does it work exactly?
Shocking: This is the route a Ryanair plane flies in just one day
Have you ever wondered what happens with a Ryanair plane in a single day? The answer: a lot. A Boeing 737, the airline’s workhorse, can fly up to 8 flights a day for Ryanair. Read on to discover what goes on behind the scenes of this logistical operation.
The best places to spot planes in the Netherlands and Belgium
Looking for an original day out? Try plane spotting. It might sound a bit nerdy — and to be fair, it kind of is — but there’s a surprising charm in watching aircraft take off and land.Read on and discover the most exciting spotting locations in the Netherlands and Belgium — including practical tips and personal advice.
5 airplane fun facts you should know
Here are five fascinating airplane facts you might not have known, each with an intriguing reason why they exist.
Why not everyone can bring a trolley into the cabin
"Every passenger can store their trolley in the cabin." Something many passengers think, but in reality, it doesn't always work out. The struggle for cabin luggage space, let me explain it to you:
Airbus or Boeing? 5 ways to spot the difference
When you see an airplane in the sky, chances are it’s either a Boeing or an Airbus. But how can you tell them apart? In this blog, we’ll uncover the five most significant differences that make it easy to differentiate between a Boeing or an Airbus.
What you need to know about airplane wifi
Every flight begins with the same announcement: “Please switch your mobile devices to airplane mode.” But why is airplane mode necessary, and how does wifi work on airplanes?
Top 5 most remarkable world records in aviation
The world of aviation is constantly evolving while technology and performance continually surpassing each other. In this article, we dive into 5 impressive aviation records that captivate the imagination.
Top 10 aircraft liveries you must see
The aviation world is bursting with creativity and innovation, and special aircraft liveries are a stunning example of this. From iconic films to world-renowned festivals, airlines use their planes not only to transport people from A to B but also to tell stories and create cultural connections. Discover the top 10 special liveries in this blog.
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties