How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Rotterdam Itinerary

Last Updated on 29th January 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

Rotterdam is a cool and vibrant city in the Netherlands that is easy to visit as a day trip from Amsterdam but also merits a visit in its own right. Here’s your ultimate guide to spending the perfect one day in Rotterdam itinerary, as well as top attractions, and what to know before you go.

Why visit Rotterdam?

After the city was largely flattened during WWII (known as the Blitzkrieg), the city’s architects’ decided to take a wholly new approach to rebuilding the city, resulting in a futuristic smorgasbord of skyscrapers and other modern buildings.

Rotterdam is like no other city in Europe, making it a must-see on any trip to the Netherlands. For more inspiration during your trip, be sure to check out our free and self-guided Rotterdam walking tour and how to spend one week in the Netherlands itinerary.

What to know before visiting Rotterdam

In order to be comfortable when exploring the Dutch city, you’ll want to wear comfortable shoes that you’re able to walk a fair distance in.

Some travel guides may say that trainers are a no no, but this is no longer the case and many Europeans wear sneakers on a daily basis, especially if they’re the plain white ones such as Vejas or Nike Air Force 1. 

Rotterdam, like much of the rest of Europe, is not a place for high heels or brand new shoes. Many people speak a fantastic level of English, especially in the more touristy areas such as in Rotterdam, but note that the local language is Dutch.

Is one day enough time to stay in Rotterdam?

Thanks to the fact that all of the main attractions in Rotterdam are grouped fairly close together and can therefore all be seen on foot (or by hopping on a bus from place to place), you can easily see all of Rotterdam’s highlights over the course of a day.

Another way to get around the city is to do as the locals do and rent a bicycle for the day. Bicycle parking is available throughout the city (locks can be rented with your bike rental). Exploring via bicycle means that you’ll be able to go further afield which might otherwise be too far to traverse on foot.

With this being said, if you’re the kind of person who prefers to travel at a slower pace, visiting all the museums, and taking the time to enjoy a coffee here and there, you’ll want to set aside two or three days to exploring the Dutch city.

How to get to Rotterdam

Rotterdam has its own international airport but can also be reached by train from many other destinations in Europe. It is also reachable in only 40 minutes from Amsterdam making a perfect day trip option.

Suggestions for how to spend one day in Rotterdam

Marvel at the views from the Euromast 

Many people enjoy discovering a new city from a bird’s eye perspective and so start your stay in Rotterdam by heading up the Euromast. Presiding over the surrounding area, the tower stands at a staggering 184.6 metres high (when counting the antenna spire).

For a fee, you can go up the Euromast tower and enjoy 360 degree views of the city sprawling out below you. It’s on the pricier side of things and a visit will take you around an hour. Check prices and availability here.

Museumpark

Directly next to Euromast, visitors will soon come across Museumpark. As its name suggests, the area is home to several museums, including the Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam (Natural History Museum), which is particularly great for visiting families and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, an art museum.

Explore Delfshaven 

While much of the city was flattened during the war, some parts survived, including large swathes of Delfshaven. This part of the city is where you can see the Rotterdam of old and highlights of Delfshaven include a small inner city harbour, traditional brick houses, and going beer tasting.

Eat lunch at Markthal 

Somewhere between the Grote Kerk and Piet Blom’s Cube House, Markthal Rotterdam is the first oversized indoor market of its kind in the Netherlands and is the largest glass-window cable structure in Europe.

So beautiful is the Markthal ceiling, that it’s since been given the nickname ‘the Rotterdam Sistine Chapel’ and you can enjoy it for yourself during lunch in Rotterdam. After all, the great marketplace has plenty of stalls serving up delicious speciality coffees, sandwiches, salads and more.

Visit Rotterdam Cathedral

You’ll know you’re in the right place when you spy a statue of Erasmus on the lawn directly in front of the ecclesiastical building. Known in Dutch as Grote Kerk, the cathedral is dedicated to Saint Laurence and is one of the only buildings in the city to have survived the Blitzkrieg.

See the Cube Houses

If you’ve ever seen a photo of Rotterdam on Instagram, you’ve likely spied the cube houses. Designed by award-winning Dutch architect Piet Blom and built in the 1980s, there are forty cube ‘dwellings’ in total.

Living in a house such as this is said to take some practice since only a quarter of the living space is actually habitable! One of the houses has been transformed into a museum so that, for a fee of a few euros, you can pay to go and look inside.

Visit the Oude Haven 

Literally translated into English as ‘Old Port,’ the Oude Haven is a delightful port where all the locals come to hang out. After all, it’s here where you’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants, including the award-winning Noah Cocktail Bar and Restaurant.

Of particular note is the Witte Huis, which is translated into English as the White House and is so-called thanks to its colour. Situated on the fringes of the Oude Haven, the building was constricted between 1897 and 1898 and is one of the first tall buildings in Europe.

See the view from Erasmus bridge 

Undoubtedly the most famous bridge in Rotterdam, the Erasmus bridge offers stunning views over the city and is a must-photograph destination for the photo lovers out there.

Nicknamed the swan (and once in front of the bridge it quickly becomes apparent why!), the Erasmus Bridge is named for the most famous Rotterdammer, Erasmus.

Have drinks in the Cool District 

End your one day in Rotterdam by heading out for drinks and food in one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the city: the Cool District. Rather surprisingly, this area is so-called not because its a fun or quirky place to hang out.

Instead, the name Cool appears as far back in the records as 1280, when a town called Cool was attested for the first time.

The town was eventually absorbed into the fabric of Rotterdam in 1816 and has since become one of the trendiest areas of Rotterdam. While in the Cool District, be sure to wander along the Witte de Withstraat strip.

If you have more time in Rotterdam…

If you have two or three days in Rotterdam, or even longer, then the good news is that there is plenty to keep you entertained in the city for many days thanks to a plethora of hidden gems and quirky museums.

Take a day trip

Of course, Rotterdam’s status as one of the largest cities in the Netherlands means that it boasts excellent transport links to the rest of the country, meaning that it’s the perfect place to base yourself to explore the wider Holland region.

Between beach escapes and city breaks, the little country of the Netherlands is home to more than its fair share of stunning attractions, cities, and scenery. Some of the best day trips from Rotterdam include going to the political city of The Hague and visiting the ceramic city of Delft.

Where to stay in Rotterdam

While Rotterdam is an escape from the hustle and bustle of the crowds of Amsterdam, the city can still get pretty busy! This is especially true of the high season (summer) when events like Summer Carnival take place. As a result, you’ll want to book your place to stay as far in advance as possible. Check here for the best Rotterdam accommodation rates.

Enjoyed reading about how to spend one day in Rotterdam? Pin this article now, read it again later: