Why visit Rotterdam
Amsterdam is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, but if you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, make sure to include a day trip to Rotterdam, the second-largest city in the country. The city houses some of Europe’s most cutting-edge museums and markets, and the Cube Houses are a must-see, and you can even take a tour of one.
Rotterdam is one of the world’s greatest festival cities. A typical Dutch city once upon a time with narrow canals and narrow streets was redesigned after WWII to fit the modern standards with high-rise buildings and multi-lane streets, famous for its architecture, extraordinary skyline, and breathtaking monuments.
Best time to visit Rotterdam
Rotterdam is beautiful all year round, and you will find things to do whenever you visit. However, June to September is the best time because of the warm and sunny weather. November to March are generally more affordable, and tulips season is in April and May.
Transport in Rotterdam
Getting around in Rotterdam is even easier than getting there. Renting a bike is a fantastic option since the city is designed around biking lanes. Other options are water taxi, tram, metro or bus.
Travel tip: A very affordable way is to buy a day pass that allows you to visit all the places within the city.
Interesting facts about Rotterdam
- There are around 400 small red lights across the city. They mark the bombing sights from WWII. Have fun spotting them!
- Rotterdam is one of the world’s greatest festival cities – there are many events, festivals, concerts, and theatres: the Summer Carnival, International Film Festival, and World Port days.
One day in Rotterdam: the ultimate itinerary
The greatest thing about Rotterdam is that most attractions are within walking distance. You can use this itinerary as your tourist map and follow this guide to find the best things to do and see in Rotterdam in one day.
Rotterdam Central Station
Start your day at the Rotterdam Central Station. Admire this architectural beauty with an angled roof that points towards the city center. Visit the stores, shops, and food corners in case you want to grab a bite to eat before exploring the city.
St. Lawrence Church
St. Lawrence Church or the Great Church of Rotterdam is 15 minutes walk from the central station. Alternatively, you can take the inner city train to Rotterdam Blaak station.
The church is the only remaining medieval structure in Rotterdam. The Great Church was constructed between 1449 and 1525, and it is a perfect example of late gothic architecture and an important symbol of Rotterdam. St. Lawrence Church is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from March till October. The entrance will cost you €3. Climb up to see the entire city!
The Cube Houses
The Cube Houses in Rotterdam are one of the city’s most iconic attractions. Designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom, this residential development stands apart as its homes are literally cubes, tilted over by 45 degrees. The main idea was to optimize city space, while the design of houses represented a forest where each house was a tree.
You can walk around the tiny houses. People live here, but the tourists annoyed them so much that one resident decided to open a “show house” like a museum. The entrance is €3. Curious visitors can learn more about these apartments by exploring the Show Cube Museum. Or complete a memorable trip to the harbor city by spending a night in a cube.
The Cube Houses are located next to the Rotterdam Blaak railway station.
The Witte Huis
The White House at the Old Harbor was designed near the end of the 1800s by Willem Moengroek in the Art Nouveau style, and it’s Europe’s first skyscraper. It’s also one of the rare buildings that survived WWII bombings in Rotterdam.
Check out the White House and then walk along to the old harbor. This architectural piece is perfect for a postcard! Altogether the Willems bridge, water, boats, and the many cafés are magical.
Markthal Rotterdam
Markthal is the largest indoor market in Holland and the ideal place for real foodies wanting to spend a day in good taste.
The building is the most significant piece of art in the Netherlands. The unusual shape of the building has certainly caught the public’s imagination, but the interior is also a delight. This is where artist Arno Coenen created the Horn of Plenty, the world’s most well-known work of art. Its bright colors cover an 11,000 m2, making this creation known as Rotterdam’s very own Sistine Chapel.
If you want to try a local dish, try Kapsalon, a meal invented in Rotterdam, consisting of french fries, shawarma meat, and gouda cheese!
Maritime Museum
A short walk from Markthal will take you to the Maritime Museum, a must-see in Rotterdam. The museum was established in 1874 and dedicated to the Rotterdam naval history.
Here, you will see an extraordinary collection of working vessels and cranes and learn how the machines operated in the past. Check tickets here.
The Erasmus Bridge
The next stop on the itinerary is the Erasmus Bridge, a 10-minute walk from the Maritime Museum. Also known as “The Swan” because of its Swan-like shape, the bridge is 800 meters long and 139 meters tall.
The Erasmus Bridge is a remarkable engineering and a must-see fixture on every Rotterdam visitor’s itinerary. The bridge and its surroundings offer the curious visitor plenty, from enjoying the historic Delfshaven to exploring the futuristic Kop van Zuid with its skyscrapers, Hotel New York, and the Nederlands Fotomuseum.
The Euromast Tower
Head to the Euromast Tower across Het Park (get a ticket in advance), one of the highest in Holland, 185 meters. Architect Maaskant designed the tower for the occasion of the Floriade. You can take an elevator up and enjoy the spectacular view. On a clear day, you will even see Antwerp, which is 80 kilometers away.
You can try a cocktail at the bar, take the rotating glass elevator that takes you up to 185 meters, or even spend the night here and enjoy the most beautiful sunrise and sunset.
Delfshaven
End your day in Delfshaven, a small inner-city harbor with many historical buildings. Unlike most of Rotterdam, Delfshaven was spared during the bombings of World War II, so you’ll get an impression of what Rotterdam looked like before the bombings. This area’s rich history, architecture, and many bars and restaurants will make your visit worthwhile.
You can enjoy a beer at brewery De Pelgrim, the only city brewery in Rotterdam. You can also see the Pilgrim Fathers’ Church and De Delft, a replica of an 18th-century warship.
The Cool District
Check out The Cool District in the city center where you’ll find many essential sights and landmarks, including several famous shopping streets and Theater Rotterdam. The neighborhood’s Witte de Withstraat is particularly well-known for its cultural exploits and hosts many important avant-garde organizations.
Best day trips from Rotterdam
Kinderdijk
An hour away and a well-worth day trip from Rotterdam, Kinderdijk is home to the famous Dutch windmills. Discover the beautiful Kinderdijk windmills and see how the Dutch have managed the water for over 1000 years. A truly unique spectacle.
Built around 1740, these 19 magnificent windmills are part of a larger water management system to prevent flooding. Today they symbolize Dutch water management, and in 1997 they were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Surrounded by canals, hills, and mountains, it is a beautiful place to experience authentic Dutch culture. Enjoy this small village’s scenery, nature, history, and architecture, and spend the day relaxing by the waters of Kinderdijk! Try pastries from one of the bakeries!
The Kinderdijk windmills are not far from Rotterdam. You can get there by public transport or car (pay attention to where you are allowed to park), cycle a beautiful 15 km route, or take a waterbus.
I recommend the waterbus. The boat trip will show you the entire area, and you can also take your bike on board for free.
The Hague
Hague is an hour away from Rotterdam. Many people know Hague as the home to the U.N. International Court of Justice, so make sure to visit the Peace Palace where the court is located. You can also see beautiful art museums and have a day of high-end shopping.
Gouda
Go just 45 minutes west, and you will arrive at the Gouda, the city of cheese in the Netherlands. Make sure to check out the cheese museum! However, Gouda has much more to offer than cheese alone. There are plenty of things to do and discover in this beautiful historic city full of trendy hotspots and passionate people.
More Travel Tips
- Visit Europort – if you extend your stay, check out Europort, the largest European and one of the world’s busiest ports!
- Visit Mini World – It’s located two minutes from the Rotterdam Central Station and is a whole indoor miniature Rotterdam. Check the opening hours as they vary.
Save this one day to Rotterdam itinerary for your next trip!
