Is Rotterdam worth visiting? 10 Reasons Why You Should Go

When we decided to move to the second-largest city in the Netherlands in 2011, many people just couldn’t understand. It was considered ugly and many would not say that Rotterdam was worth visiting.

But over the years Rotterdam has undergone many changes. This vibrant city is different from other Dutch cities and is not yet appreciated by many.  

So is Rotterdam worth visiting when visiting the Netherlands?

Rotterdam is worth visiting for at least one whole day. Today this dynamic and vibrant city is known for its modern architecture, thrilling activities along the river Maas, great neighborhoods, and unlimited cultural development. So it’s not a city you want to miss when visiting The Netherlands.

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Why is Rotterdam different and still worth the visit?

The thing is, Rotterdam doesn’t have a beautiful historical center with narrow cobbled streets and canals like Amsterdam or Utrecht. Instead, it has something pretty unusual for European cities.

Instead of having a historical city center with modern outskirts, in Rotterdam, it is the other way around. The historical hundred-year-old buildings surround the modern city center.

Just like Amsterdam the capital of The Netherlands, Rotterdam used to be the place for wealthy merchants during colonial times and trade in the period of the Dutch East India Company from 1602 and 1795. While this history isn’t always one to be proud of, the buildings are still evidence of prosperous times.  

Unfortunately today Rotterdam isn’t like an ‘open-air museum’ such as Amsterdam. During World War II in 1940, Germans bombed the entire city center.

Rotterdam Center was destroyed except for the Sint Laurens Church which has to be partly rebuilt but remains to hold its original features and Het Witte Huis. This building is considered the first ‘skyscraper’ in Europe. 

After the war, the people of Rotterdam were determined to rebuild the city as soon as possible. They pushed all the rubble into the existing canals and then closed them.

This is the reason, why Rotterdam does not have many canals like other Dutch cities.

The whole country was recovering from the war. Understandably Rotterdam did not have the money to rebuild it to its original grandeur. Instead, the buildings were built quickly and cheaply. And this is the reason why people consider Rotterdam city center ugly compared to other Dutch cities.

10 Reasons why Rotterdam is worth visiting

Here are 10 good reasons that we have come up with to get you excited about visiting this previously underrated city.

One day in Rotterdam will give you enough time to enjoy the highlights of Rotterdam and get a sense of why it is such a great city. Two days or more enables you to explore the diverse neighborhoods that make Rotterdam so unique. 

1. Great day trip from Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the first thing travelers plan to go to when visiting The Netherlands. We fully understand. But Rotterdam is not a place to skip. Especially if you realize that it’s just a 44-minute train ride by fast train from Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is full of history and around every corner, you will be amazed at how magnificent these 17th-century old houses are.

Rotterdam is the total opposite. It is young and dynamic and you can feel that things are going on here. It offers a platform for innovation whether it is cultural, artistic, or architectural with its contemporary high-rise buildings.  

Both cities are great and both should be visited so you can experience the diversity and their differences. 

So if you are staying in Amsterdam for a couple of days, head to Amsterdam Central Station and jump on the direct train to Rotterdam Central Station. There are even night trains between these two cities, making it easy to return if you just can’t get enough of Rotterdam. 

If you are arriving from Schiphol and want to spend a couple of days in Rotterdam then there is a direct train taking you straight to the city center. From here you can take a tram or metro to wherever you need to be. 

2. Less busy than Amsterdam

According to the numbers on the website of the City of Amsterdam (Amsterdam Gemeente) in 2022 7,4 million visitors stayed in Amsterdam and 13 million visited it for a day.

Wow, can you imagine how busy it can get? 

So how about Rotterdam? 

1,1 million visitors had booked an accommodation in Rotterdam in 2022 (Rotterdam Partners). That is almost 6 million less than Amsterdam! 

Additionally, Rotterdam is larger than Amsterdam and has fewer inhabitants. This does make a huge difference when it comes to experiencing a crowd or not.  

The whole set-up of Rotterdam is much more spacious than Amsterdam. The streets are bigger, the paths along the river are broad and are for pedestrians and bicycles only.

Everything seems to be more organized for modern times. Which, understandably Amsterdam isn’t able to do. This city has to cope with modern demands within a historical setting.

3. Friendly people

Ok, ok…there might be many who will object to what I am about to say. And perhaps I am biased since I have lived in Rotterdam for a long time and consider this as my city in The Netherlands.

But that said….(I know many who experience this as well), in Rotterdam people seem to be more easygoing, less rushed, and less stressed out. Generally, they seem to be more down-to-earth and friendly. 

I am not sure if it is because Amsterdam is known as the place where money is made and the people in Rotterdam are considered tough labor workers.

Probably the latter refers to how hard the people of Rotterdam worked on rebuilding the city after the war and creating a harbor that is now one of the biggest in the world. Or Amsterdam is just overcrowded and the people living there don’t have the patience anymore. 

For instance, when arriving at the train station you need to have your things up and ready. One little hesitation with your train card at the gate will lead to people bumping into you, and looking back at you with a look of irritation.

Believe me, that happened and I even traveled by train a thousand times in The Netherlands.

In Rotterdam, everything is far less crowded and the streets wider, making it more clear where you are walking. It’s the perfect place to wander around aimlessly and be able to stop for a moment to look around without anybody bumping into you or vice versa. 

4. Easy and fun to explore

Rotterdam is an extremely walkable city and the best way to explore this Dutch city is by foot. You can walk a whole circle through the city and along the main river and see the highlights. Each highlight is just around a 10-minute walk from each other.

Additionally, each neighborhood in Rotterdam has something special to offer plus there is always a nice place to sit for coffee or lunch, making your walk through the city more enjoyable. 

One of the best things to do in Rotterdam is to combine your walk with accessible public transportation.

For instance, hop on tram number 8 to Spangen and disembark at the Euromast station. From there walk through the beautiful park towards the river. Here you will see the best view of what makes Rotterdam special: high-rise modern buildings with a mixture of old, the Erasmus bridge where huge container ships pass.

Find a water taxi stop along the river and see the city from the water. 

The tourist information offers a nice map of a walking tour through Rotterdam, while the Rotterdam Tram service even has tickets that let you explore the whole city. 

If you want to explore the city the Dutch way, then hop on a bike. Some hotels in Rotterdam rent out bicycles, but there are also great tours that will take you to all the best spots by bike.

While bicycling is a great way to move around Rotterdam, make sure you feel confident cycling in traffic. Rotterdam has bicycle lanes, but it remains a big city with lots of traffic.

5. Rotterdam’s Architecture

The great thing about Rotterdam is its mixture of contemporary architecture and historical buildings. It isn’t just tall modern buildings. They all seem to come with a twist.

Here are a few iconic buildings and structures that make Rotterdam so attractive:

• De Kubus Woningen (Cube Houses) designed by the Dutch architect Piet Blom
• De Markt Hall (Market Hall) where you can find stalls serving all kinds of delicious food
• De Rotterdam, the 5th tallest building in the city looks like it isn’t neatly stacked properly and is known as the ‘vertical city’ because it houses cafes, restaurants, offices, a hotel, and residential apartments

• Witte Huis (White House), built in 1897 the first ‘skyscraper in Europe’ and is a historical building inspired by the owner’s travels to New York 
• Museum Boijmans van Beuningen Depot has a stunning glass facade that reflects its surroundings perfectly
• Van Nelle Factory. This formerly coffee, tea, and tobacco factory was built in 1925 and played a huge part in the development of modern architecture in Europe.
• Erasmus Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that connects the north part of the city with the south. Some say it looks like a swan. I think it looks more like a lady’s leg. What I love most about this bridge is that it seems to be popping up between the buildings wherever you are in Rotterdam.  

• Timmerhuis, in my opinion, is the building that exactly describes Rotterdam’s perfect mix. The architects OMA have been able to immerse this modern building within the existing historical buildings around it while connecting it perfectly with the Stadstimmerhuis which is a municipal building built in 1953.

6 . Historical events that have shaped the city

While Rotterdam is a modern city, its historical past is still very much present. You will be able to visit places where important events in history have taken place. 

The most well-known is Hotel New York. Built in 1901, this Jugendstil-style building used to be the headquarters of the Holland America Line. Here, thousands of people boarded the ships to set sail to America in search of a better life.

With the rise of the aviation industry in 1971, the Holland America Line focused more on cruises.

Today this beautiful building houses a hotel and a restaurant. Cruises still dock here at the terminal a few hundred meters away. 

Rotterdam also aims to show visitors the events that have taken place in the city. For instance, just across the water from Hotel New York, you can find a 100-year-old warehouse (FENIX 2).

Currently, the city is renovating this warehouse as a museum about the migration that had taken place plus it will be a new cultural and culinary hub. It will be opening in 2024.  

Another area that you don’t want to miss is Delfshaven, a harbor created in 1389 to connect the city of Delft with the river Maas. While over the many hundred years a lot of historical events have taken place in Delfshaven, the one most people know is the Pilgrim Fathers Church where pilgrims would gather to leave for America in 1620. 

We love walking along the canal in Delfshaven. This is the last remaining place where you can see what Rotterdam looked like when it was founded in the mid-13th century.  

7. Diversity in neighborhoods around Rotterdam city center

Like any city, Rotterdam has several neighborhoods surrounding the city center. And the great thing about them is that they all have a different feel.

If you plan to stay a night or more in Rotterdam then we highly suggest looking for a nice accommodation in one of these neighborhoods. It will give you a different experience than staying in a Hilton, Holiday Inn, or Manhatten in the city center. 

Crooswijk and Oude Noorden

These two areas used to be a real working-class neighborhood. Today it is a place for young families.

Here you can find shops (many design and vintage) along Zwaanshals, great cafes and restaurants such as Mecca along the Noordsingel, Tosca at Branco plein and Toms Coffee & friends, The Brunch Club, the Mangiare along Zaagmolenkade.

It’s not far from the city center and a great place to check out when staying in Rotterdam for a couple of days. 

De Kop van Zuid

De Kop Van Zuid is sometimes referred to as the Manhatten of Rotterdam. This is where the tall buildings are, just across the Erasmus Bridge from the city center.

Here you will find the famous Hotel New York but also great places such as the Food Hallen (for great food), the Nederlands Fotomuseum, and Lantarenvenster for movies, jazz, and live music.

The Mate Bruno, with its colorful hotel rooms, is located in the same warehouse as the Food Hallen and is a great place to stay as well.

From the city center, you can cross the bridge on foot to get there or take the tram or metro to Wilhelminaplein. But the best option is to board one of the many water taxis that you can order to pick you up at any of their stops.  

Katendrecht

From De Kop van Zuid you can cross the little pedestrian bridge that connects these two piers. Katendrecht used to be the place where sailors and people who worked at the harbor would spend their off time. It was mainly known for its prostitution and as a place to avoid.

However, in the last 2 decades, this area has changed dramatically.

Today this hip area is popular with the local entrepreneurs, the huge ship SS Rotterdam, and impressive new buildings such as the Fenix 1 and more are planned in the future.

Along the Deli Plein in Katendrecht, there are nice places for lunch and dinner such as De Matroos en ‘t Meisje (french restaurant), Vis Lokaal Kaap (fish restaurant), Cafe Sosoe or Namaste (coffee, breakfast, and lunch), Il Gatoprado (fine dining) and CEO Baas van het Vlees (dinner for meat lovers).

The popular Fenix Food Factory is located at Katendrecht as well, just as the Steam Ship Rotterdam. If you feel like walking along the harbour front then we highly recommend checking this cruise ship out.

Delfshaven

As mentioned earlier, Delfshaven is an area you should visit when in Rotterdam. This is part of Rotterdam that resembles a bit of what you can find in Amsterdam. So definitely one of the best places in the city to experience how it all used to be.

You can find little restaurants and cafes here such as Cafe de Oude Sluis, Het Wapen van Delfshaven, the beer brewery ‘Pelgrim Rotterdam’ next to the Pilgrim Fathers Church, and t Oude Bruggetje. The pinball museum is extremely fun and highly recommended.

Delfhaven is connected to de Nieuwe Binnenweg, a long road leading to the city center. On this street you can find all sorts of shops, restaurants, and cafes.

From Delfshaven you can also easily walk along the river towards Het Park where you can find the Euromast, a 185-meter observation tower. A great way to see Rotterdam from above. 

Kralingen

Kralingen is an area somewhat further away from the city center. However it is a great neighborhood to explore by bike or tram. It is known for two opposite things. The east side s the place for student housing. So you will see a lot of (international) university students here. While on the other side, it is a posh villa neighborhood with amazing old houses.

It is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Rotterdam to live in. You will be so surprised that these houses exist in a city like Rotterdam.  The ‘Vijverlaan’ is the most expensive street in Rotterdam where you can find houses worth 1.7 million euros or more. 

How to explore Kralingen:

Kralingen is pretty much an established neighborhood and you won’t find a lot of tourists walking around here. But if you love taking a peak outside the tourist highlights then we recommend hopping on tram #7 from Central Station and disembarking at Mecklenburg laan.

From there walk to the shopping street Lustfhofstraat where you can find a couple of nice lunch places. Continue walking straight to Avenue Concordia, and admire the beautiful houses here.

We love walking through this neighborhood, particularly along Avenue Concordia and towards the Vijverlaan and Vijverweg. It is very picturesque here. You will find the Tropenburg Gardens & Aboratum here as well. From there cross the busy Oostzeedijk towards the river.

You can walk back to the city center along the Maasboulvard where you will have nice views of the city and its two main bridges. Or you can hop on a water taxi (stop 25) which will take you on a thrilling ride back. 

8 Activities along the river and harbor

Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe and it is located in and near the city. Within the city, you have little harbors which you can easily explore.

At Leuvehaven you can visit the Maritime Museum Rotterdam and explore the oldest part of the city harbor. The ‘Oude Haven’ (Old Port) near the Cube houses is surrounded by tall buildings. Today it is a popular place to have a nice drink on the terrace or a bite to eat. 

And at the Veerhaven you can see the beautiful contrast of a little old harbour set against the modern buildings.

Besides the harbors, a lot is going on along the river Maas.  

To fully enjoy the outdoor activities along the river you can either walk a loop by crossing the red Willemsbrug and the Erasmusbridge.

Another exciting way is to hop on a Water taxi. This little yellow taxi will buzz you along the big container boats and drop you at the many points along the river. It is a fun and unique way to discover the city. 

How to arrange a Water Taxi in Rotterdam

To secure your ride, you can either visit their website at https://www.watertaxirotterdam.nl/ or give them a call at +31 10 4030303. They will pick you up ASAP. The fare for each journey depends on the number of zones covered. If your pick up and drop off points are between the Willemsbrug and the Euromast zone then it will cost 4.50 euros per person. Children under 12 pay half price.

If you’re open to sharing your boat trip with others and want to explore the highlights of Rotterdam, don’t miss the “Cirkellijn.”

This hop-on-hop-off electric water taxi tour lasts one hour and takes you to many highlights of the city. You can disembark at Hotel New York (Kop van Zuid/Katendrecht), Boompjes (centrum/Markthal), Veerhaven (Scheepvaartkwartier/Wereldmuseum), Euromast (Het Park), and Katendrechtse Hoofd (ss Rotterdam). Alternatively, you can simply enjoy the entire journey without getting off the boat.

9 Contemporary and Outdoor Art

As the name already suggests, Museum Park in Rotterdam is the place to be to find a diversity of museums.

The Museum Boijmans van Beuningen has an extensive collection that includes Old Masters, contemporary masterpieces, and an eclectic mix of artifacts. The building The Depot is located next door. Art that is not displayed in the museum is stored in this stunning glass building. Which is pretty unique.

Het Nieuwe Instituut reflects Rotterdam’s forward-thinking culture, focusing on design, architecture, and digital culture.

On the other side of the park, you can find the contemporary art museum De Kunsthal. Here they exhibit a large variety of art forms. It’s a dynamic museum with exhibitions changing regularly.

In addition to art and culture, Museum Park is home to a natural history museum. This museum highlights the wonders of the natural world.

If you love art, just a couple of 100 meters from the Museum park you can find the buzzing Witte de Withstraat. Hidden between the cafes, shops, and restaurants you can find interesting art galleries such as Milly and TENT. 

Rotterdam Street Art

Besides art within the buildings at the Museum Park, you can find impressive street art throughout Rotterdam.

Large buildings are professionally decorated with the most amazing murals. And along the street, you have sculptures in all shapes and sizes.

Art comes in all sorts of forms, from the famous and controversial Kabouter Buttplug (Gnome holding a buttplug), to the war memorial ‘The Destroyed City’ which depicts the pain Rotterdam had gone through after the bombings in World War II.

The huge statue of an ‘ordinary’ woman in front of Central Station called ‘Unveiling the Emotions Within’ is the newest edition. The artist questions the fact that statues are only made of powerful people in history and not of regular people. 

Everywhere in this modern Dutch city, you will find these art forms. This makes it fun to discover them while walking around the city. Even after living in Rotterdam for many years I still discover new and old street art. 

10. Rotterdam is near Delft & the Unesco World Heritage site Kinderdijk

Are you staying longer than a day or two in Rotterdam? Then Rotterdam is an excellent home base for exploring two historical sights. 

Delft

Rotterdam is located in Zuid-Holland, a southern part of the Netherlands, and just a short distance from the charming city of Delft. This small city has an amazing historical center and is a lovely place to walk around.

Delft is mainly famous for its Royal Delft. You can find the last remaining Delft Blue factory here dating from the 17th century.

At the main square, you have the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church). This church is quite special as Willem of Orange (the Governor of Holland who rose successfully against the Spanish in the 16th century) and the royal family are buried. It’s an impressive church, just like the city hall across it. 

You can visit the Vermeer Museum, the Dutch painter who painted the famous Girl with a pearl earring.

Delft is just a 15-minute train ride from Rotterdam Central Station. 

Kinderdijk

If you want to check out a real typical Dutch landscape then you need to visit Kinderdijk, a Unesco World Heritage site. At Kinderdijk you can find 19 mills from the 18th century.

The most fun way to go to Kinderdijk is by Waterbus number 21. This waterbus leaves from the Erasmus Bridge and you can get off at Kinderdijk.

You can either take the same boat back or hop the ‘Driehoeks ferry’ to Ridderkerk and from there get the Waterbus number 20 to Rotterdam. The whole trip takes about 40 minutes

You can also do this by bike. The waterbus allows you to take one with you. Hop on number 20, disembark at Ablasserdam, and from there go on a 15-minute cycle to Kinderdijk. 

Final thoughts…

As you can tell Rotterdam is a wonderful destination for a city break or a day trip from Amsterdam (and even Antwerp!). We hope we have managed to get you excited to start planning your visit to the second-biggest city in the Netherlands. 

The best time to visit Rotterdam is between May and September. That is the time of year when you can enjoy being outdoors more. Wandering through the streets, eating lunch along the river and it gets dark pretty late.

December and February can be very chilly but with clear skies, you will have a terrific time.

If you do happen to end up in Rotterdam on a rainy day then check out this article with all the great things you can do. There are a lot of activities that you can do when the weather is bad (rain or cold). And if you want to check out our Rotterdam Itinerary for 1 or 2 days then definitely have a look here.