Often overlooked by travellers, Rotterdam, the Netherlands is totally worth visiting. Modern architecture, huge port or modern vibes are the trademarks this city offers. In the following, join my objective Rotterdam travel guide along with insider tips on visiting and eating.
I must confess that myself as well almost overlooked this city. I had to create a Netherlands itinerary, and being short on time, I wanted to omit Rotterdam. Now I’m glad I didn’t, so I can bring you the Rotterdam travel guide – a compilation of exciting things to see and do!
Check here my post on 30 things I wish I knew before visiting the Netherlands!
Travel to Rotterdam! Unlike a traditional Dutch city, Rotterdam surprises the visitor with its modern skyline, an impressive harbour and spectacular architecture. Learn about the city’s past to understand the present while wandering in a city that will change your perspective on the Netherlands!
Taste Rotterdam! Rich in many places to eat, Rotterdam has all the classic Dutch treats, from krokets to stroopwafels! Taste the vibrant bars of this lively city as well!
Feel Rotterdam! Architecture, bold ideas, environmental preoccupations are all part of the port city’s identity. Feel the free spirit of this lively city day and night!
Good to know
Our trip to Rotterdam
How many days you need in Rotterdam
When visit Rotterdam
Basic Rotterdam travel guide
Where to eat in Rotterdam
Interactive map of Rotterdam
Photo gallery – Rotterdam travel guide
Good to know
Here are some facts that will help you plan better your visit to Rotterdam:
- Rotterdam has the largest port in Europe and one of the busiest ports in the world. It covers an area of over 40 kilometers and handles millions of tons of cargo each year.
- Rotterdam was severely bombed by the Germans during World War II. The municipality decided to build a “new city” from scratch (almost). This explains the modern architecture in Rotterdam.
- Rotterdam boasts the iconic and classic Witte Huis and Hotel New York. However, you’ll find stunning new architecture all over the place, such as the Erasmus Bridge, Markthal or the Cube Houses.
- Rotterdam has a population of over 650.000 people, being the second largest city in the country after Amsterdam.
- In the Netherlands I saw many places called Kapsalon. Although it literally means hairdresser, it has a different meaning as well: it is a dish with shawarma, fries, lettuce, tomatoes and lots of garlic sauce. The Kapsalon was born in Rotterdam and is very famous for it.
- The Euromast is the observation deck of the Netherlands built for the 1960 Floriade, a horticultural event and garden exhibition.
- Rotterdam Centraal (train station) is covered in thousands of square meters of stainless steel. More than a third of the entire roof is covered in solar cells, estimated to generate eight percent of the daily electricity the train station uses.
Our trip to Rotterdam
I took this trip to Rotterdam with my teenage daughters and it all started from one of my daughter’s desires to see the tulip fields. So, I organized the whole trip around this goal. But then, step by step I wanted to include more and more of the Netherlands. Thus, we arrived in Rotterdam, took a day trip to Delft, went to Keukenhof for the tulips and ended in Amsterdam.
I didn’t know much about Rotterdam before visiting, so it was not on my list. But then a friend explained what an (modern) architectural gem it is, so I started considering it! And I’m so glad I did! My kids also loved the modern cultural vibes and young energy the port city exhales! We spent here one full day.
How many days you need in Rotterdam
You can visit the city’s highlights in a day, but if you have more time available, Rotterdam offers you attractions to keep you busy for two days. Besides, you can travel to Delft (10 minutes by train), a totally charming canal city!
When visit Rotterdam
Unlike with most destinations, in the Netherlands you will most likely not suffer from a heat wave. We visited end of April and the weather was whimsical. But where isn’t? However, temperatures were good for visiting.
Anyway, Rotterdam is a good visit destination from April to September, considering that temperatures in the Netherlands are mostly pleasant in summer.
Basic Rotterdam travel guide
Here is my Rotterdam travel guide that highlights the attractions we saw, but also others we would have liked to include in our trip.
Feel free to mix and match according to your wish and proximity! Most of the attractions are outdoors, that is why you can count many for a single day.
Rotterdam Centraal (Rotterdam Train Station)
I will start with the train station because this is where most people start their journey. Besides fulfilling its role, Rotterdam Centraal has a say. Opened in its actual version in 2014 to accommodate over 100.000 people every day, the station has not only gargantuan size, but part of the roof features solar cells to generate 320 megawatts per year…not to mention that Rotterdam is not the sunniest place. Of course, the station was designed to fit the title of architecture capital of the Netherlands.
Just a few minutes’ walk from the station you’ll reach a yellow pedestrian bridge, named Luchtsingel Brug. It was meant to connect three neighborhoods of Rotterdam, but is most interesting for its bright yellow color in the shape of a book cover. The cute part is that it is the city’s first crowdfunded public infrastructural project and, for some extra money people could write their names on the bridge. Nice, right?
Insider tip!: From the bridge you can see some glass buildings, but I was fascinated by an old communist-style grey building that displayed a clock. We spent there quite some time wondering whether the clock only displayed the odd numbers… Check it out!
The Cube Houses
Part of any Rotterdam travel guide, the Cube Houses were built in the 1980s by architect Piet Blom, an exponent of structuralism. Blom built 38 cube houses and 2 apartment-buildings, all tilted at 45 degrees. The houses are inhabited or rented out by flexible people who can adjust to 100 m2 on three levels, without any straight walls!!! I was fascinated by the inner yard destined as a community get together place.
(The bigger buildings are home to a hostel).
Insider tip!: The courtyard is free to visit, but you have to pay 3 euros to experience the inside. It is poorly decorated in the 80es style, so don’t expect much! The windows are quite inaccessible, that is why a good storm is always welcome to wash them on the outside!
Rotterdam Markthal
Right across the Cube Houses lies the Market Hall, another architectural highlight in the distinctive shape of a horseshoe arch. It is shelter to shops and restaurants, as well as underground parking and living apartments. However, the pièce de résistance of the Markthal is its fabulous painted ceiling. The inside roof is covered in dazzling images of fruits, flowers and vegetables on 11.000 m2, making it the largest artwork in the Netherlands.
Insider tip!: Some restaurants here offer the cheapest eats in all of Rotterdam, including mostly finger food and delicious snacks: krokets, stroopwafels or pide.
Witte Huis (White House)
The Art Nouveau building is among the few Dutch buildings that survived the prewar period. It is hard to imagine that the 45-m high building had an unprecedented height in Europe at the time of its construction, in 1898. Although surrounded by many contemporary brothers, Witte Huis dominates by its timeless elegance.
Insider tip!: Rent a boat and enjoy Oudehaven (Old Harbor), the historic hotspot of Rotterdam! The price for 4 people is 60 euros/hour or 75 euros/1.5 hours!
Maritime Museum
Consider visiting the Maritime Museum if you have a passion for boats or sea, but not only. It showcases the evolution of Rotterdam port and helps you understand the effect shipping had and still has on the city. The best part of the museum are the experiences.
Insider tip!: Travel with kids? Children have a lot of discovery opportunities and exciting experiences while engaging in many aquatic and maritime activities.
Depot Boijmans
Depot Boijmans is like a huge glass pot. Design wise, it is a new icon for Rotterdam with the provoking mirror aspect. If we had to explain it in one word, we could call it a museum, but it is slightly unfair. It is in fact the world’s first publicly accessible art storage facility while providing also behind-the-scenes peeping into how a museum works.
Unfortunately, we did not visit it, but reading about it made me so curious…. I really like the new concept. It says: “unlike most museums, the artwork of Depot Boijmans van Beuningen is organized not by art history periods, but by size and climate requirements across five different climate zones” (designboom.com).
Erasmus Bridge
Stroll along the Nieuwe Maas river to the Erasmus bridge, an engineering marvel and a must of any Rotterdam travel guide. You don’t need to be an architect to enjoy the fine shape of the pylon and cables. Visiting it, you’ll see why the inhabitants of the city lovingly nicknamed it “the swan”. The 800-metre-long Erasmus Bridge connects the north to the south with its skyscrapers.
Insider tip!: the name comes from a Renaissance scholar: Desiderius Erasmus, born in Rotterdam. He was an ambassador of education and centuries later he gave the name to the international education exchange programme.
Harbor sightseeing tour
If you want to discover the dynamics of Rotterdam port, opt for a harbor sightseeing tour. Although 75 minutes are not enough to cover the huge port, this tour takes you to shipbuilding companies, along imposing skyscrapers! It is an opportunity to get a glimpse of Rotterdam’s raw industrial charm! You will discover huge cargo ships and imposing vessels in the largest harbor in Europe!
Through the trip you have an excellent view of Rotterdam’s unique skyline but also get the opportunity to pass by former cruise ship ‘De Rotterdam’.
Take a walk in Delfshaven area
If you get nostalgic in Rotterdam, this is the place to be. One of the few places in the city that survived the war, Delfshaven has quite a picturesque look. Part of Rotterdam travel guide, this neighborhood comes with cozy cafés and beer breweries. Besides, this is the place historically known for the Pilgrim Fathers who left for America.
Insider tip!: In this area you can visit the Pilgrim Fathers’ Church. They entered history as an English separatist group who left for the New World in 1620 on Mayflower ship.
Euromast Tower
Built over 60 years ago, the tower is Netherlands’ observation deck. It offers dazzling 360-degree views over the city, and if the sky is clear, you can see as far as the Hague (apparently!). Needless to say, the tower has a brasserie and a place for high tea (literally)!
Insider tip!: The tower is open till late in the evening. Visit at sunset or golden hour!
Looking for adrenalin? The Dutch came up with a crazy idea! There is possibility for ziplining from the top of the Euromast (between May-September).
Where to eat in Rotterdam
This western Dutch city has a lot to offer when it comes to food and drinks. The range of restaurants is big and Dutch snacks are delicious. If you are heading to a restaurant, it is always best to book in advance! Remember that in the Netherlands in many places you have the option of card only, so be prepared!
Check here my post on The ultimate guide to cheap eats Amsterdam 2024!
Markthal is the most central place with a wide range of dishes on offer, mostly street food. Here you can try pretty much anything from krokets to pide, or from stroopwafels to cheese. Usually, the prices are affordable. Try Sate Lounge for grill or barbecue, Panzero for Italian streetfood and Het Kroket Loket for great krokets.
Golden Tulip Indian Restaurant offers very good curry and appetizers, and many vegetarian options. Gastrobar Hartig is a top place in Rotterdam which offers delicious and balanced dishes. Must try!
Brasserie Timmerhuis is a Surinamese restaurant that offers delicious dishes for a very decent price.
La Zia Maria Italiaanse Deli is another good and affordable restaurant in Rotterdam specializing in pizza and pasta. Het Eethuisje van Delfshaven is situated in the neighborhood with the same name and is very well rated. We tested it for dinner and unfortunately (and unbelievably) one of our dishes had a fly in it. So, with all sincerity, I cannot recommend the place.
Rodin Restaurant is not only well situated, but also comes with a selection of stylish Dutch, French and European dishes in a pleasant atmosphere! You can also opt for the French Bistro Zino! Their dishes not only look fancy, they also taste deli! Ready for a Michelin-star experience? Head to FG Foodlabs in a good area of the city to enjoy delicious flavours and palatable dishes!
Interactive map of Rotterdam
With red you’ll find the places to visit in Rotterdam, while the green shows the best places to eat in Rotterdam.
Photo gallery – Rotterdam travel guide
Have you been to Rotterdam before? Did you like it? Do you have any further tips for visiting or for restaurants? I look forward to reading your experiences!
