Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and home to Europe’s biggest seaport. Known for its modern architecture, museums, and galleries, it’s a great place to explore. When we lived in the Netherlands, we visited Rotterdam several times – and enjoyed it every single time. If you’re planning a short visit, our Rotterdam in a Day guide covers the best things to see and do.
With its close proximity to Amsterdam and direct connections to Brussels and Paris, Rotterdam makes a perfect one-day trip destination. Read on for practical tips, highlights, and suggestions to help you make the most of your time in this modern Dutch city.
How to get to Rotterdam
Travelling within the Netherlands is straightforward, thanks to its excellent public transport system. It takes under an hour to reach Rotterdam from Amsterdam by train. There are direct train connections from other Dutch cities too – such as The Hague and Utrecht.
Rotterdam is also well connected with Belgium – just 30 minutes by train to Antwerp and around 2 hours to Brussels. High-speed trains like the Thalys reach Paris in 2 hours 35 minutes, while the Eurostar gets you to London in approximately 3.5 hours.
Why Rotterdam Looks So Modern
Rotterdam’s history dates back to the 14th century, when it was granted city rights. However, you won’t find many historical buildings here – the city centre was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War.
In May 1940, the German army invaded the Netherlands. Hitler had hoped to conquer the country in a single day, but met strong resistance. On 14 May, the Luftwaffe bombed Rotterdam to force the Dutch army to surrender. The heart of the city was destroyed, with only a few buildings surviving the attack.
Looking at photos of Rotterdam after the 1940 bombing, it’s hard to imagine how the Dutch people endured such devastation – and even harder to believe how completely they rebuilt. From the ruins of war, they created one of the most admired and forward-looking cities in Europe: the modern Rotterdam.
Rotterdam in a Day
Central Railway Station
If you arrive in Rotterdam by train, you can’t miss the unique architecture of Rotterdam Centraal. The current station opened in 2014, following several years of construction to replace the old building with a modern, spacious design.
When we visited Rotterdam for the first time, the sight of Stationsplein (the public square in front of the station) and surrounding buildings told us we’re going to enjoy the city. Vast open spaces, greenery, canals, and striking modern architecture – this was Rotterdam’s welcome.
The Church of Saint Laurence
The Church of Saint Laurence (‘Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk’ in Dutch) is one of the few buildings that survived the 1940 bombing of Rotterdam. Originally built in the mid-15th century, it was carefully restored after the war – in post-war photos, it stands as the only major structure left in the city centre.
If you visit, be sure to explore the exhibits detailing the church’s history and consider joining a guided tower climb, available from April to October. The church is located at Grotekerkplein 15.
Market Hall (Markthal)
One of the major landmarks of modern Rotterdam is the Market Hall (‘Markthal’ in Dutch).
What’s so unusual about it? Quite a few things. It’s a combined residential and office building that arches over a market square! The market is fully covered making it comfortable place to visit in any weather. Inside, the curved walls are covered with high-resolution images of flowers, fruits, and vegetables, creating a vibrant and colourful atmosphere.
The large size of the Market Halls allows dozens of food stalls and shops to operate under one roof. Whether you’re after a quick snack, a sit-down meal, or something to take home, you’re bound to find something to suit your taste.
Market Hall is a relatively recent addition to Rotterdam scene – it was completed in 2014, the same year as the new central station.
Cube Houses
Located right next to the Market Hall are Rotterdam’s famous Cube Houses (‘Kubuswoningen’ in Dutch). These aren’t just architectural showpieces – they’re real homes, with people actually living in them.
What makes them so unusual is their design: each cube is tilted 45 degrees, resting on a corner rather than a flat side. Imagine the living space inside – with slanted walls and angled rooms that challenge every expectation of a typical home.
The Cube Houses were designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom. Each tilted cube represents a tree, and together they form an abstract urban forest – which is why they’re also known as the Tree Houses of Rotterdam.
One of the houses is open to visitors as a Show Cube, furnished like a typical home to give you a glimpse of what it’s like to live inside. You’ll find it at Overblaak 70.
Oude Haven (Old Harbour)
Just beyond the southern exit of the Cube House complex lies Oude Haven – Rotterdam’s Old Harbour. This historic basin is home to beautifully restored boats, including houseboats that serve as permanent residences for some locals.
What we loved about Oude Haven was its sense of calm. Only a few hundred metres from the bustle of the metro station, Cube Houses, and Market Hall, it felt distinctly different. Even with cafes and people around, it felt older, quieter, and very pleasant.
You can stop at Café Loos, a local favourite with outdoor seating and a great view of the harbour – perfect for a lunch or coffee break.
Witte Huis
Right in the heart of Oude Haven stands another Rotterdam landmark – and one of the few lucky survivors of the WWII bombings – the Witte Huis (White House). Built in the late 19th century, it was a remarkable engineering for its time. Despite its location near the water and on soft soil, the building reached a record height of 10 storeys, making it the tallest in Europe when it was completed.
Maritime Museum Rotterdam
The Maritime Museum Rotterdam is well worth a visit, especially if you’re travelling with kids. Together with the adjacent Maritime Museum Harbour, it’s a nice destination for anyone fascinated by ships, sailing, and exploration.
The museum is dedicated to naval history and features a wide range of exhibits, including historical vessels, detailed ship models, and plenty of hands-on activities for both children and adults.
There is a real Kids Marina in the same harbour as the Maritime Museum. It’s a great spot for children to learn about the port, its vessels, and how it all works. Kids can even try their hand at steering easy-to-control model boats.
For details on opening hours and admission prices, check the Maritime Museum’s official website.
Erasmus Bridge
The iconic Erasmus Bridge (‘Erasmusbrug’ in Dutch) is named after one of the Retterdam’s most renowned historical figures – Desiderius Erasmus. Erasmus was a philosopher and Christian scholar celebrated for his humanist ideas.
Erasmus Bridge connects the northern and southern parts of Rotterdam. It was designed by Dutch architect Ben van Berkel and officially opened in 1996 by Queen Beatrix.
Boat Tours
One of the ways to experience Rotterdam is from the water. Choose from a variety of boat tours – from relaxed harbour cruises to speedboat rides. You can opt for a short trip around the city’s waterways, sail past the iconic Euromast, or head out towards Europort – one of the largest and busiest ports in the world.
Euromast
Euromast is an observation tower in Rotterdam and remains the tallest building in the Netherlands. In addition to its panoramic viewing platform, it features a restaurant and a few suites that can be rented like regular hotel rooms (though they’re a bit more expensive than average).
One of the highlights is the rotating glass lift, which takes visitors for a 360-degree view of the city and its surroundings.
Het Park and Museumpark
One of the most pleasant green spaces in Rotterdam is simply called het Park – Dutch for “the park”. Despite its modest name, it’s a lovely spot right in the city centre, located next to the Euromast.
It’s not huge, roughly rectangular in shape, about 300 by 400 metres, but a lovely space. Het Park has everything you’d expect from a Dutch park: water features, lush greenery, mature trees, pieces of art, tulips in spring, and a café.
Right next to het Park is Museumpark – a compact but culturally reach green space. It’s home to two major attractions for art lovers: Kunsthal Rotterdam and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen houses an impressive collection of masterpieces, with works by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, Rembrandt, Rubens, Monet, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and many others. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in European art history.
Heading back to the train station, be sure to walk along Westersingerl. This quiet path follows the canal, shaded by trees and bordered by green lawns. Along the way, you’ll spot sculptures and art installations tucked into the landscape.
Rotterdam City Hall
Another remarkable survivor of the WW2 bombings is Rotterdam City Hall (Stadhuis). If you are nearby, it’s well worth a stop to admire the elegant neo-Renaissance architecture and the peaceful inner courtyard. Guided tours are available for those interested in exploring the building’s richly decorated interior and learning more about its history.
When I lived in the Netherlands, a colleague once told me that Rotterdam isn’t really a Dutch city – too new, too different, not representative of the country as a whole. I understood where that view came from, but for me, Rotterdam still felt distinctly Dutch. There’s a deep appreciation for housing and architecture, and a clear understanding of how to build cities people enjoy living in. The greenery woven through the urban landscape, the canals, and the abundance of street art – all of it felt very Dutch to us, and we liked it a lot.
After exploring Rotterdam, why not visit nearby Delft or The Hague? Both cities are just a short train ride away and offer their own unique charm.
For more inspiration, take a look at our What to see in the Netherlands post.
It was great starting off with the WWII picture. It highlights the incredible efforts by the Dutch to restore the city. Awesome blog about a great city.
Nice article. Rotterdam was never really on my list, but I guess now it should be! That’s incredible to see the city now when you see the picture after WWII bombings….
I’d love to visit the Old Harbour and take a boat tour too. The Witte Huis is so beautiful, I adore this architecture.
Elana, I would start with historical places like City Hall and check out the restored boats at Oude Haven. Then I would like to see Markthal and the cube houses. How can someone live in those? I would like to see the inside to see how they work. Rotterdam looks like a cool place to visit!
What a lovely city still not a country i have been to. Those square houses are cool would love to see inside. Those boat tours would be a must also