Day trip to Rotterdam Netherlands
Our Netherlands road trip takes us on a day trip to Rotterdam Netherlands. Rotterdam is known for its riverside setting, lively cultural life, and maritime heritage.
It is also home to the second largest port in Europe, second only to Amsterdam.
The near-complete destruction of the city centre during World War II has resulted in a varied architectural landscape, including sky-scrapers, which is an uncommon sight in other Dutch cities.
We stayed here for a day on our way to Amsterdam and it was quite different from most cities we’ve seen here. It was surprising to see skyscrapers and a modern cityscape, but was beautiful nonetheless.
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How to get around Rotterdam
The best way to explore Rotterdam is on foot. The city is quite compact and you can easily cover it on foot. If you’re not up for the walk, there is a train station that was quite efficient and easy to use, with stops throughout the city.
Top things to do in Rotterdam
Day trip to Rotterdam: Markthal
One of the highlights of our visit here in Rotterdam, Netherlands was the Markthal, or Market Hall.
It is one of the most striking building in the city, and is the first thing you see as you exit the train station.
The Markthal is a residential and office building with a market hall underneath.
Here you will find some of the yummiest foods, everything from Asian cuisine to a meat market, imported tropical fruits and fresh produce.
It was one of the coolest indoor markets we’ve seen, and was totally blown away at all the food choices. It’s a definite must visit when in the Netherlands!
Go shopping in Rotterdam
Rotterdam is a great place to shop. One thing we noticed during a stroll are the abundance of shopping streets. Here you will find everything you need, as well as many cafes and restaurants to recharge after a day of sightseeing and shopping.
Oude Haven (The Old Harbor)
Oude Haven (Old Port, part of the Maritime District) a popular place for locals to meet, eat, drink and dance. The Oude Haven is part of the Maritime District and can be reached by metro or train.
Visit the Leuvehaven
The Leuvehaven, located in the Maritime District, was a busy commercial port hundreds of years ago. Today, it is home to the oldest Maritime Museum, and you will also find numerous restaurants.
See the Cube Houses of Rotterdam
One of the best things to do on a day trip to Rotterdam Netherlands is to admire the famous Cube Houses.
The Cube houses are a set of innovative houses built in Rotterdam designed by architect Piet Blom.
His design represents a village within a city, where each house represents a tree, and all the houses together, a forest.
It was quite an incredible sight, and was totally amazed by this architectural wonder!
You can actually stay in one of these houses through Airbnb, or stay in one transformed into a hostel.
Unfortunately, the rooms were all booked during our visit, so I recommend making reservations in advance if you want to experience staying in one.
Day trip to Rotterdam: Erasmus bridge
Admire the Erasmus Bridge and city skyline. Named after Desiderius Erasmus, one of Europe’s most famous and influential scholars. The Erasmus Bridge is a striking feat of engineering and a must-see in a visit to Rotterdam.
There is so much to see on a day trip to Rotterdam, Netherlands. There are a few museums to visit, as well as boat cruises you can go on. You can also take a water taxi to visit the nearby historic Kinderjik windmills. We had a great time exploring the city, and would definitely recommend a visit to Rotterdam, Netherlands.
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