Rotterdam is 2nd most populous city in the Netherland. They are located in South Holland grew into a major logistic and economic centre. It has Europe’s busiest port, ranking 3rd in the World. (Singapore was once #1). Rotterdam was also named the top 10 cities to visit in the world in 2016.
So these are the top 11 things to do in Rotterdam. If you are here 1 day tour, maybe you will be doing 8.
Rotterdam Welcome Card
Before you start to tour Rotterdam, I recommend you to purchase this Rotterdam Welcome Card from the Tourist Information Center.
Mainly these are the places to collect it after purchasing online.
- Rotterdam Tourist Information (By Train) - Stationsplein 20 (main entrance Central Station)
- Rotterdam The Hague Airport (By Plane) - Rotterdam Airportplein 60 (information desk)
- Rotterdam Tourist Information (In City Centre) - Coolsingel 114
- Novotel Rotterdam Brainpark (By Car) - K.P. van der Mandelelaan 150 - Park + Ride for €2
How much does it Cost?
- 1 Day - €11
- 2 Days - €16
- 3 Days - €20
You probably need 1-2 days to finish visiting most of the attractions. For us, we took 1 day to finish 6 / 10, though we started our day at 12pm.
And with the Welcome Card, you need not worry about travelling around the city as it is unlimited travel on public transport (Bus, Tram, Metro).
You can check out the discounts they have here
A 1 Way 1 Hour Trip for Metro or bus cost €3. So it is definitely worthwhile to get a Welcome Card.
1. Rotterdam Centraal Station
A place to purchase your Rotterdam Welcome Card, the centraal station serves 110,000 travellers daily and is also known as the International Gateway to Rotterdam. Central Station is also known as the international gateway of Rotterdam. Daily pass around 110,000 travelers to Central Station to use bus, tram, metro or train.
Here you must go and take a look at their largest bicycle park. Currently biggest in Netherlands. Able to accommodate 5,190 bicycles!
2. De Markthal
Markthal (Markethall) is the first covered fresh market place in Rotterdam. We probably have many of these in Singapore. It is like super big food court with aircon. Comparing to Singapore Lau Pa Sat maybe. Things you should really try is the Fish Food Stalls, Andalus Fish and Royal Fish (There is discount with Welcome Card).
Opening Hours
- Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 20.00
- Sunday 12.00 - 18.00
3. The Cube Houses
One of the key highlights in Netherlands is actually their contemporary architecture. The cube houses are one of them. The Cube Houses are built to solve the dilemma of having q houses on top of a pedestrian bridge.
Inside the Cube House of 100sqm, only a quarter is usable. Good to see from outside, but not good to stay. Nonetheless, still bigger than some of our HDB lah.
Pay €2 (UP: €3) to tour the Cube House with Rotterdam Welcome Card.
Alternatively, You can get a stay in the Cube Houses at Airbnb too!
Sign up through here to get discounts on your first Airbnb stay.
4. Witte De Withstraat
If you are looking for a lively spot to go out on the evening with choices of pubs, restaurants, this is the place. It is like the Boat Quay for tourist. And there are some coffeeshops along the stretch of the roads. Be sure to check them out.
5. Rotterdam Zoo
If you are into Zoo and you have spare time, you can visit the Rotterdam Zoo. The highlights are the 3 polar bears and hear say the reviews of the food inside is good.
25% discount with Rotterdam Welcome Card.
6. Erasmus Bridge
The Erasmus Bridge is a combined cable-stayed and bascule bridge in the centre of Rotterdam, connecting the north and south parts of this city, second largest in the Netherlands. If you are lucky enough, you can witness the bridge beside it rising up to allow boats and ferries to go past to the other side.
7. Port of Rotterdam - Futureland
Another interactive place to explore in South Holland. (Madurodam is one of them). Futureland showcase ultra-modern quays of Europe's biggest port.
25% Off to Futureland Express with the Welcome Card.
8. SS Rotterdam
SS Rotterdam, also known as "The Grande Dame" used to be a cruise ship and now they are parked and became a Hotel Ship. If you have not been to a cruise, this is the place to explore. Entrance is free! From here you can take a Water Bus Line 18 to Euromast or back to Erasmus Bridge.
WaterBus Line 18 is free for 1 way using Welcome Card.
9. Euromast
Euromast is an observation tower in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Usually for us, we will visit observation towers as it gives you a panorama view of the city. Best to visit is before sunset, where you can view the day, the sunset and the evening.
Rotterdam Welcome Card discount
10. Historic Delfshaven - The Old Harbour
It's a nice place that shows a little bit of Rotterdam's history and why the Netherlands had conquered the world in boats. It has a little boat museum near the place.
11. Fenix Food Factory
An old warehouse full of various foodfare, and you can sample variety of Dutch cuisine. From Cheese, Meat to local brewed beers. A stop over after walking Erasmusbrug while heading to SS Rotterdam.
Typical 1 Day Tour in Rotterdam
- Centraal Station (If you come by train)
- Markthal for lunch (Metro)
- Cube House (Walk)
- Cross over Eramusbrug (Walk)
- Visit Food Fenix Factory for some snacks (Walk)
- SS Rotterdam (WaterBus 18)
- Take Waterbus 18 to EuroMast
- Have your dinner along Witte De Withstraat
Unless you want to visit Futureland and Rotterdam Zoo, this will take another day though. With another day, I actually advise to visit The Hague or Kinderdijk.
Be sure to check out 4 Days itinerary in Rotterdam and The Hague and get your Welcome Card!
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See already, wanna visit Rotterdam anot?
Nice guide, I love the concept of the Cube Houses !