Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by admin
Check out these best things to do in Rotterdam, a modern city full of architectural marvels, museums, artsy cafes along the port and international cuisine.
Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands. Often suppressed over Amsterdam, there are many attractions in Rotterdam that must not be missed by tourists.
With many other cities in the Netherlands having colonial architecture like Utrecht, The Hague and others, the modern architecture in Rotterdam take centre stage.
Rotterdam has served as a major port of the Dutch East India Company since the 13th century. The port city of Rotterdam was heavily bombarded during World War II and its centre was almost completely destroyed.
Thanks to the never say die spirit, Rotterdam was rebuilt with modern architecture and port services. Check out these Rotterdam sightseeing places.
Table of Contents
THINGS TO DO IN ROTTERDAM
Walk on the Erasmus Bridge
Erasmus Bridge is the highlight of Rotterdam. It is locally known as Erasmasbrug.
This bridge is constructed over the Rhine river. Due to its massive length of 802 meters, Erasmus Bridge is the second largest bridge in the Netherlands. It is a combined cable-stayed and bascule bridge in the centre of Rotterdam, connecting the northern and southern parts of the city.
The bridge is nicknamed the Swan due to its large upright mast that resembles the neck of a swan.
In the centre of the bridge, there is a bascule section that opens to allow larger ships to pass through the waters.
It is an architectural marvel and can be visited by going on a run over it, taking a tram which crosses it, driving a car over it or hailing a water bus under it.
Swoon over Markthal Rotterdam
The Markthal or Market Hall in Rotterdam is a stunning combination of the market selling food, restaurants, apartments, parking, and public transportation, all under one roof.
Constructed in 2009, the Markthal Rotterdam has a unique structure with a large semi-circular grey façade and a large windowed section facing out to the surrounding courtyard.
The inside of the structure has the world’s largest artwork on the ceiling. Fruits, plants and flowers in bright colours cover an area of 11,000 square meters. Visiting Markthal is one of the best things to do in Rotterdam.
With a tram station just outside the Markthal, it is one of the best places to visit in Rotterdam.
Visit the Rotterdam Zoo
Also known as the Diergaarde Blijdorp, the Rotterdam Zoo is a lovely place to have a family picnic. The zoo has a Botanical garden and Oceanium.
The zoo is divided split into several different themed areas such as a Chinese garden, a Malayan Forest, Mongolian Steppes and a crocodile river. Animals include the Black Rhino, Greater Kudu, Sumatran Tiger, Asian Elephant and the Amur Leopard.
Rotterdam zoo also operates breeding programs to help endangered species such as the Red Panda.
This zoo can be enjoyed both by adults, kids as well as tourists.
Reach the top of Euromast Tower
The Euromast Tower is an observation station in Rotterdam.
The tower stands at 606 feet, making it the tallest building in Rotterdam.
The Euromast has a restaurant, a conference room for business meetings, a hotel suite and an observation deck. The observation deck provides panoramic views of Rotterdam city.
Euromast also paints a pretty picture across Rotterdam city as it can be seen from everywhere.
Visit Rotterdam Centraal Station
I love how most Dutch stations are architecturally mindblowing!
A visit to the Rotterdam Centraal Station is one of the best things to do in Rotterdam.
Among all the beautiful buildings in the city, Rotterdam Centraal station has iconic architecture. The building has a triangular shape that points towards the sky at a protruding angle. The entrance has a wall clock and large letters that were transferred from the old station to retain some of its memory.
The Rotterdam Centraal Station has many eateries and pack-and-go food counters for commuters. There are also souvenir shops and shops selling tulip buds. There is a free bike parking stand.
The station connects to many other destinations in the Netherlands and neighbouring European countries.
Visit Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk
Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk is a church constructed in the 15th century. Also known as the Church of Saint Laurence, it is the only medieval architecture remaining in Rotterdam.
Located in the old town centre, near the Maritime Museum and the Erasmus Bridge, the all- stone church stands out against the relative modern skyline of Rotterdam.
The interior of the church is exquisite with decorated arches, high vaulted ceilings, a variety of stone reliefs and rich religious decoration.
Watch cargo ships at Europoort Rotterdam
Rotterdam port is one of the busiest ports in Europe.
Europort serves as an entry point in the Netherlands and entire Europe.
Located in Zuid-Holland, Netherlands, Europoort Rotterdam has an impressive selection of attractions and things to do in Rotterdam.
Other than watching huge cargo ships go by, visitors can take a guided tour to FutureLand to learn about automatic container transhipment and the world’s biggest container ships.
Boat tours are a great way to view the port and you will see many immense cargo ships, a large number of quays, storage facilities and boat yards.
Explore Rotterdam Maritime Museum
The Rotterdam Maritime Museum is one of the unique and largest maritime museums of its type in the world. It has a huge collection of cartography, maritime memorabilia and art.
Some of the interesting exhibitions include a controversial painting of the Battle of Trafalgar, a collection of figureheads from various ships, different navy uniforms and flags from sea battles.
Visit Delfshaven
Delfshaven is must see in Rotterdam.
It is an old district of Rotterdam, that survived World War II. Because it survived, it still retains the medieval architecture making it one of the most popular tourist spots in Rotterdam. Its brick houses, cafes, and chill atmosphere are well worth a stroll.
The historic district of Delfshaven is believed to be the birthplace of Admiral Piet Hein, a 16th-century hero of the country’s long war against Spain. This is commemorated with a memorial and bronze tablet.
Enjoy at the Fenix Food Factory
Wondering about the fun things to do in Rotterdam? Then head to Fenix Food Factory.
A food factory that has unique and interesting cooking workshops, cheese and meat tasting sessions and an open market that promotes fresh local produce.
If workshops are not our thing then visitors can simply chill soaking in the vibes with a freshly roasted coffee or a home-brewed beer.
Get awed by Miniworld Rotterdam
As the name suggests, Miniworld Rotterdam hosts all the main landmarks of the Netherlands on a miniature scale. However, a large portion of the miniatures is of Rotterdam itself.
It is set up in a large warehouse and covers an area of over 535 square meters.
There is also a 2.3-kilometre-long network of model rail tracks, with over 150 trains running around the area.
Visitors can also learn how the trains are controlled from the command centre, including how the whole display is lit up when night falls – an event that happens every 25 minutes in Miniworld Rotterdam.
Take a Rotterdam Boat Tour
This is of the Rotterdam things to do, I highly suggest visitors do.
A boat tour is the best way to see the port city of Rotterdam.
These boat tours take visitors on a ride around the port as well as along the Rhine river overlooking all the Rotterdam architecture. These are guided tours with audio commentary.
The boats have plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and large wide windows for unobstructed viewing.
Visitors can also enjoy food and drinks on the boat.
Visit Museum Rotterdam
Museum Rotterdam is one of the best Rotterdam Attractions.
Established in the 1950s, the museum displays a rich collection of documents and artefacts, including artworks from the 17th and 18th centuries.
More recent history is also featured at the museum’s Coolhaven annexe. Dedicated to World War II, Museum Rotterdam ’40 -’45 NU opened in 2015 and features exhibits relating specifically to the Dutch wartime experience.
A notable artefact on display is the original flag of surrender used in May 1940 after Germany invaded the country.
Photograph the Witte Huis
The iconic Witte Huis (White House) is a 10-story building built in 1889. It is one of the buildings to survive World War II and proudly stands in central Rotterdam. It has been declared a National Heritage Site.
The striking Art Nouveau style of this building, makes it stand out with its white façade, ornate turrets and decorative roof giving it great character.
Explore the Cube House Rotterdam
Cube houses are a set of innovative houses based on the concept of “living as an urban roof”.
Each house is tilted 45 degrees and rested upon a hexagon-shaped column that contains the entrance and stairway.
The architect wanted to represent a village within a city, where each house represents a tree, and all the houses together, a forest.
The exterior, as well as interior of Cube Houses Rotterdam, are sure to amaze the visitors. Aside from being residential spaces, some of them also serve as hostels and pedestrian bridges for people and tourists to cross one of Rotterdam’s busiest streets.
You can experience staying in these houses by spending a few euros. Book here.
Must try food in Rotterdam
While talking about things to do in Rotterdam, how can one forget about the must-try food in Rotterdam?
Poffertjes
Poffertjes is one of the most famous Dutch dishes and is found across the Netherlands. Poffertjes are small pancakes, baked in an iron skillet, and traditionally served with melted butter and dusted with icing sugar.
Kapsalon
Another popular Dutch street food is Kapsalon. It consists of French fries topped with meat, various types of cheese (typically Gouda), salad greens, and various sauces (typically garlic sauce). For vegetarians, there is a special version of the dish where falafel is used instead of meat.
Stroopwafels
A stroopwafel is the go-to Dutch snack. Popularly available as street food as well as in restaurants, Stroopwafel contains two thin, round waffles sandwiched with a caramel filling.
The traditional way to eat the stroopwafel is to place it on top of a cup of hot coffee, tea or chocolate. This heats the waffle and slightly softens the syrup making the waffle soft on one side and slightly crispy on the other.
Places to visit near Rotterdam
The Netherlands being a small country, most cities are close to each other. Rotterdam has good inter-city transport with good frequency so it is possible to go on day trips from Rotterdam by train or weekend trips from Rotterdam to the following places. Some of the places I went during my 3 weeks in Rotterdam –
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the most popular destinations in the Netherlands and in Europe. Brimming with amazing culture, incredible nightlife, world-class museums and historical gems, Amsterdam is one city not to miss. Amsterdam to Rotterdam is 60 km and takes approximately 40 minutes on a fast train.
The Hague
The Hague (Den Haag) is the home of the Dutch royal family and the seat of government for the Netherlands. With magnificent gardens, world-class museums, and a lively culinary scene, The Hague is a gorgeous and culturally rich destination. Rotterdam to Den Hague is 25 km and 20 minutes train ride away.
Keukenhof / Lisse
With coverage of over 80 acres, Keukenhof is probably one of the largest outdoor gardens in the world. Famous for the tulip gardens, Keukenhof is a must-visit when the flowers bloom in spring. Rotterdam to Lisse is 40 km and is 40 minutes train ride away. Check out this Keuhenhof guide.
Utrecht
Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands and also one of the oldest. The city’s history goes back to the 1st century which makes Utrecht one of the most beautiful cities in the Netherlands. Rotterdam to Utrecht is 48 km away and takes 50 minutes to reach by train.
Kinderdijk’s Windmills
Windmills are an iconic structure that is synonymous with the Netherlands. To get the perfect photos of the countryside overlooking the windmills, head to the small village of Kinderdjik which is 20km to the east of Rotterdam.
What makes this village special is that 19 windmills line the canals here. All of the windmills have been restored to their original condition and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Rotterdam, it is possible to sail directly to Kinderdijk from the Erasmus Bridge with Line 21.
Brussels
The capital city of Belgium is full of rich culture, fascinating historical sites, and some very lovely cafes. Not to mention, Brussels is also the hub of many cartoon museums and Belgium chocolate shops. Rotterdam to Brussels is 118 km and takes 1.30 hours by train. Check out this guide on things to do in Brussels.
How to Reach Rotterdam
By Flight
Rotterdam The Hague Airport is located 8 km away from the city centre. Rotterdam airport is connected to a few European cities. Visitors can get to the city centre by bus, taxi and car.
By train
One of the fastest and easiest ways to get to Rotterdam is to travel by train. Intercity trains are available from most cities in the Netherlands that make a stop at Rotterdam Centraal Station. The fastest connection between Amsterdam to Rotterdam is the NS Intercity Direct.
By road
Rotterdam can easily be reached by car, using the A4, A13, A15, A16 and A20 motorways from all major cities in the Netherlands and neighbouring countries.
Getting around in Rotterdam
Rotterdam also offers many other forms of public transport, such as the bus, metro and even a water taxi. However, the local’s favourite is the bike.
By Bike
The most obvious way of getting around any Dutch city is by bike. If you haven’t brought your own wheels, then there are several places where you can rent a bike in Rotterdam.
By Public Transport
Rotterdam’s excellent public transport system includes buses, trams and metros, all run by the RET. To travel by public transport, you will need a valid public transport card, known as an ‘OV-chipkaart’. There are various types of cards available, and for up-to-date information, it’s best to see the RET website.
Where to Stay in Rotterdam
If you have loved all the things to do in Rotterdam, and if you are here for more than a day trip to Rotterdam then it’s time to look at the stay options in Rotterdam.
If you’re visiting Rotterdam for the first time and want to see some of the city’s top sights, the best area to stay is in the city centre. There are options for luxury and mid-range hotels and great hostel options as Rotterdam is a student hub.
Luxury Hotels: Mainport Hotel, Rotterdam Marriott Hotel, Hilton Rotterdam
Mid-Range Hotels: citizenM Rotterdam, Ibis Rotterdam City Centre, Holiday Inn Express Rotterdam
Budget Hotels: easyHotel Rotterdam City Centre, Bienvenue, Hotel Baan
Hostels: Hostel The Golden Stork, Hostel ROOM Rotterdam, Sparks Hostel
Frequently Asked Questions about Rotterdam
Is Rotterdam worth visiting?
Yes! Although Rotterdam is a business city and has many universities which means it caters to businessmen and students it is equally a great place for tourists. This port city has trendy nightlife, chic shopping places, and many museums to explore. Exploring modern architecture is one of the best things to do in Rotterdam.
How many days do you need in Rotterdam?
Ideally, 2 days in Rotterdam are enough to explore all the architectural wonders, museums and parks.
What’s Rotterdam famous for?
Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture as the city was rebuilt after World War II. It is also famous for its Europoort Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe.
Is Rotterdam expensive?
Rotterdam is the 3rd most expensive city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam and Utrecht. One can stay in Rotterdam and take day trips to other cities in the Netherlands to explore and save costs on accommodation.
Sustainable tips for Things to do in Rotterdam
- Rotterdam is an extremely bike-friendly city so use the bike or the city’s efficient public transportation to get around.
- Try the local items on the streets rather than going to the chain restaurants. It gives a fair chance of earning for the locals.
- Do not litter in market/palace squares. Dispose of plastics in the designated waste bins.
- Respect the churches, museums, walls and old architectural buildings by not sitting on them.
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5 comments
I visited Amsterdam a few years back, but Rotterdam is what I regret to have missed. Lovely place it is.
I gotta check out those cube houses! And having a stroopwafel for breakfast with coffee sounds heavenly.
I’ve been to THE NETHERLANDS a few times and never visited Rotterdam – you have changed my thinking so next visit I will include Rotterdam in my holiday plans. Thanks for the inspiration.
Rotterdam is truly a great city…modern architecture takes your breathe away….way different than wonderful Amsterdam.
Love them both.
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