One Day Rotterdam Itinerary: See the Best of Rotterdam in 1 Day

Last Updated on 21.09.2024 by Iliyan

Are you looking for the best itinerary for one day Rotterdam? Then you have come to the right place! Rotterdam is an important port city and the second largest city in the Netherland after the capital Amsterdam. It is very dynamic and vibrant city and it has a great mix of modern architecture, gorgeous museums, cultural diversity, rich history, trendy cafes, delicious restaurants, stunning landmarks and entertainment venues.

During WWII Rotterdam was subjected to heavy aerial bombardment in 1940 and its centre was almost totally destroyed. After the war, Rotterdam was slowly rebuilt and it became and still is the largest sea port of Europe. Apart from its famous port, Rotterdam has some amazing architectural masterpieces like the Erasmus Bridge, Market Hall, Cube Houses and many more. Due to its unique skyline and location along the banks of the New Meuse River (Nieuwe Maas) is called “Manhattan on the Meuse”.

However, let’s explore the top 14 must-visit places in this one day Rotterdam itinerary that will give you a taste of everything the city has to offer.

How to get to Rotterdam?

Due to its location, Rotterdam is very easily accessible. The city has its own airport, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, which is the third busiest airport in the Netherlands. If you arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport you can take a direct high-speed train from the airport to Rotterdam Central within 25 minutes. From almost everywhere in the Netherlands you can take a train to Rotterdam. There are also many international connections to Antwerp, Brussels and Paris. If you prefer to travel by bus there are also many buses from Paris, Amsterdam, Antwerp etc.

How to get around Rotterdam?

Getting around in Rotterdam is super easy as it is very pedestrian-friendly, especially if you’re near the centre. It is modern city with plenty of space for pedestrians to walk. In addition to that there are many cycle paths that make it easy to get around by bicycle. Cycling in the Netherlands is just part of the culture and even there are even more bicycles than people here.

The metro is also quick and easy way of getting around Rotterdam. The metro runs on 5 lines, serving more than 60 stations. In addition to all this, you can also use buses, trams and ferries.

One day Rotterdam Itinerary

In this one day Rotterdam itinerary I’ve recommend some of the top sights in Rotterdam. However, take a look below at some of the very best places in Rotterdam in this one day itinerary.

Central Station

For your day trip, starting in Rotterdam’s Central Station is a great choice. The current station building was officially opened in March 2014, although it has stood in this spot since 1957. A complete reconstruction of the station and its surroundings started in 2004 to cope with an increasing number of trains and opened to the public 10 years later.

The building has a striking modern design with a steel-sloping angular roof which points to the heart of the city. The clock and the letters from 1957 that are set in the station entrance were carried from the previous one to the new station. However, the Central Station is worth visiting for its modern architecture.

Market Hall (Markthal)

If you only have one day Rotterdam itinerary, its Market Hall is a must-see destination. It was opened in 2014 and it houses a large indoor food market in its center, 228 apartments, retail space, and an underground four-storey car parking. It is both impressive from the inside and the outside.

Once you step inside, you will be amazed by the unique artwork, and with over 100 food stalls and restaurants. The massive ceiling is beautifully designed with colorful flowers, fruits, vegetables, fish, and insects. It is known as the Horn of Plenty by artist Arno Coenen or The Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam.

From the outside the structure looks like a horseshoe, with a large grey glass exterior.

Cube Houses (Kijk-Kubus)

Designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom, the cube houses is one of the most iconic places to visit in Rotterdam. They are very recognizable and totally unique, thanks to their bright yellow color and unique cube-shaped upper stories, balanced on one corner. There’s a total of 38. The place is inhabited, but you can visit inside one of them – Kijk-Kubus Museum-house, which is open to visitors for €3. Alternatively, you can also stay in a cube house at Stayokay Hotel. The cube houses are located on Overblaak Street, right above the Rotterdam Blaak station.

St Lawrence Church (Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk)

St Lawrence Church or Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk is the only medieval structure that survived the bombardment of 1940. It was built between 1449 and 1525 as the first all stone building in Rotterdam. During WWII was heavily destroyed, but later it was saved from demolition and restored. Nowadays St Lawrence Church still stands proudly in the city of Rotterdam.

If you want to enjoy the city from above, I highly recommend climbing St Lawrence’s Tower. It is open for visitors from March to the end of October. Bear in mind that tower climbs are possible on Wednesday (2 p.m.) and Saturday (12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.) with a tour guide. The entrance fee is €7,50.

Next to the church you can see the statue dedicated to Desiderius Erasmus. He was a really important philosopher who was born in Rotterdam.

Rotterdam City Hall (Stadhuis Rotterdam)

Located in the center of Rotterdam the City Hall is an old gem among many modern structures. It is a brilliant piece of architecture with magnificent façade, built between 1914 and 1920 by Henri Evers in neo-Renaissance style and with Art-deco influences. The City Hall is one of the few structures that survived the bombardment of May 14, 1940.

If you want to know what the town hall looks like from the inside you must register for the City Hall Tour. The guided tours are on Mondays at 9 am and 3 pm and on Fridays at 9 a.m. and at 12:30 p.m.

White House (Witte Huis)

The White House or Witte Huis is located in the Old Harbor (Oude Haven) and it’s an absolute must-see during your one day Rotterdam Itinerary. It was built in 1898 in the Art Nouveau style and it used to be the tallest building in Europe with its 43 m (141 ft) tall. Well, it is small by today’s standards, but it is still beautiful and impressive. With its striking design and its history have made it a National Heritage Site in Rotterdam. The White House really stands out as it is one of the few buildings that survived the World War Two heavy bombing.

Williams Bridge (Willemsbrug)

Williams Bridge or Willemsbrug is an iconic cable-stayed bridge on the Rotterdam skyline since the early 80’s, even if it’s not as well known as the Erasmus Bridge. It was completed in 1981 with a total span of about 318 meters and replaced an old bridge that had been opened in 1879. It is painted in a red color to contrast the Erasmus Bridge which is painted light blue. This Williams Bridge is named after King Willem III of the Netherlands.

Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum is one of the largest of its type in the world. It was founded in 1874 by Prince Henry of the Netherlands and it is dedicated to naval history. The museum contains a huge collection which spans six centuries of maritime history displayed both in the Maritime Museum’s building as well as around the harbor itself, where lies the open-air museum.

Here you will find a great collection of historic vessels, various ships, cranes, navy uniforms, cartography, maritime memorabilia and many more. You can find more information about the working hours and prices here.

Euromast Tower

The Euromast Tower is a must-visit when in Rotterdam. Standing about 185 metres, it was the highest building of the Netherlands, but was surpassed by De Zalmhaven in 2021. However, If you want to get a nice view of the city you should go to the very top of the Euromast Tower. The view platform is separated into two areas. The lift takes you to the viewing platform to a height of 98 meters, where the main platform and the Brasserie are located. Then, you go upstairs and you wait to take the rotating glass lift, which takes you all the way to the top at Euroscoop to a height of 185 meters.

Once you get to the top, you’ll be able to see the port of Rotterdam, the famous Erasmus Bridge and the city center. There are wonderful 360-degree views of Rotterdam. Make sure to buy tickets in advance to skip the queue. There’s often a long line to get to the top.

Delfshaven

Delfshaven is a charming historic area of the city that was spared during the bombing of World War II. It is a well preserved Dutch harbor from the golden age, now embedded in multi-cultural Rotterdam. It gives you an idea of an older version of Rotterdam before it got bombed. However, Delfshaven is very different from the shiny new areas with old traditional buildings, narrow streets, canals and a windmill. It is located just 15-20 minutes walk from the Euromast Tower.

Erasmus Bridge (Erasmusbrug)

Erasmus Bridge is definitely the highlight of any one day Rotterdam Itinerary. It’s known for its iconic design and is even part of the city’s official logo. The Erasmus Bridge is a combined cable-stayed and bascule bridge, 802 meters long with 139 meter high steel pylon, which is secured with 40 cables. The Erasmus Bridge was officially opened in 1996 by Queen Beatrix and it is the second largest in the Netherlands. It crosses the Nieuwe Maas River in the center of Rotterdam, connecting the north and south parts of this city.

The shape of the pylon, resembles the neck of a swan, gave the bridge its nickname – the Swan. The bridge was named in honor of the great humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam.

De Rotterdam

De Rotterdam is just another example of the thinking outside the box when it comes to the new architecture of Rotterdam. It is a 149-meter-high building completed in 2013 and it is one of the unusual examples of modern architecture. The towers are shifted a few meters in different directions, which enhances the wind stability. In the original design they did not touch each other, but to keep the construction affordable they are connected in a few places. If you want to enjoy the view from Hotel nhow Rotterdam is situated inside. It is definitely a great place to stay in Rotterdam.

Hotel New York

Hotel New York is a must visit in every one day Rotterdam Itinerary. It is located on the banks of the river Maas in a charming building. It used to be the former headquarters of the famous Dutch cruise line Holland America Line (Holland-Amerika Lijn), a shipping and passenger line between America and The Netherlands.

This building symbolizes the departure of many emigrants to America with hope for better life. More information about free rooms and prices can be found here. The hotel still has an authentic decoration.

Where to stay in Rotterdam?

Whether you’re traveling for the very first time or staying just for a short time I highly recommend staying in the central part (Centrum) of Rotterdam. Here you will find plenty of places for accommodation for every budget. In addition to that, almost all of the main attractions in Rotterdam are located here. On the map below, you’ll find some great deals to stay in Rotterdam.

Booking.com

How many days to spend in Rotterdam?

One day Rotterdam itinerary is a great way to get to know the city, but it is absolutely not enough time to enjoy all of the best places and to truly appreciate this vibrant city. I highly recommend to spend at least 2 days and you will be able to explore many of the city’s highlights. If you have a few more days you can visit The Hague or Breda for a day trip. Both places are located about 25-30 minutes by train. In addition to that, you can also go to Antwerp, Belgium for a day. There are regular buses from Rotterdam to Antwerp with FlixBus. The journey takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to Antwerp Rooseveltplaats station (B5), which is only a few minutes’ walk from the main train station.

Is Rotterdam worth visiting?

Yes, Rotterdam is worth visiting. It is a vibrant and modern city that rise from the ashes after the World War II. Rotterdam is famous for its impressive architecture, diverse cultural scene, and the largest port in Europe. Don’t miss the iconic landmarks like the Cube Houses, Markthal, and Erasmus Bridge when in Rotterdam. However, Rotterdam is a lovely city and I am sure you’ll enjoy it.