The 19 Best Incl. Tips for the Ulitmate One Day in Rotterdam

Are you planning to add one day in Rotterdam to your Netherlands itinerary? Then you are in luck! We have lived in Rotterdam for many years and love how dynamic, diverse, and buzzing the second-largest city in the Netherlands is.

With only a day to spare, it is tempting to jam-pack an itinerary with all the main attractions this big and vibrant city is known for. After plotting out various routes, we created an ultimate one-day Rotterdam itinerary that is not only fun, but you will experience Rotterdam in different ways.

This itinerary combines walking, public transportation, history, and modern architecture. Of course, we included a stop at the best places for coffee with homemade pastries and restaurants serving delicious lunch and dinner.

After much consideration, we left out a visit to the museum. However, if you love museums we provide an alternative suggestion in our itinerary.

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Our one-day itinerary that takes you to the best things to see in Rotterdam is around 8 kilometers (5 miles) over an entire day. Make sure you wear your most comfortable walking shoes because the best way to see all of Rotterdam is on foot. 

Our Ulitmate One Day Rotterdam Itinerary

The second-largest city of the Netherlands is different compared to other popular Dutch cities such as Amsterdam and The Hague.

Nevertheless, it is a great place to wander and be amazed at how a city was rebuilt after being almost entirely bombed in WWII. Today it is appreciated for its modern architecture.

Luckily, you can still admire many historic buildings that still give this beautiful city the traditional Dutch charm. 

While this lively city is known for its unique architecture, I think the local shops, cafes, restaurants, galleries, and museums scattered around the city together with its people of different backgrounds and ambitions give Rotterdam its extra charm.

1. Central Train Station

We started the day at Central Station, where most people arrive when visiting Rotterdam. With its impressive pointed roof, the Central Station is one of many city icons.

However, while Rotterdam is proud to be a modern city, you can tell by a few details that the Dutch are pretty sentimental. In memory of the old train station, the huge letters CENTRAAL STATION and the clock are taken from the older train station. The old passageway to the platforms from the previous station was kept as well. 

Today this passage has been converted into the bicycle tunnel that runs under the rails and platforms of the current station. You will be surprised how small and narrow this passageway used to be.

I remember visiting Matt who was living in Rotterdam in 2001 and was always overwhelmed by how extremely crammed it felt to be coming down the platform stairs. Well, if you look at the bicycle tunnel now you can fully understand why. 

2. Westersingel: Murals and odd-looking buildings

Right in front of Central Station, you have the broad walkway in the middle of Westersingel. It is lovely to start the walking tour here as you soon spot several impressive murals and odd-looking apartments with the St Paul church in the same design. 

A small street just next to this church leads to the Schouwburg Plein. Many events take place at this main square. It is particularly nice in the summer. Kids love to play with the water fountains and many just relax on the grass carpet. 

Across the Schouwburg Plein, you’ll have the Korte Lijnbaan, one of the shopping streets of Rotterdam. We prefer to skip the shops in this area as they are mainly international branded shops.

If you love to shop check out locally owned shops located at Pannekoekstraat, Witte de Withstraat (which you will go to at the end of the day), and Nieuwe Binnenweg.

3. City Hall

The impressive Rotterdam City Hall is located at the end of the Korte Lijnbaan. Construction started in 1915 and it was one of the few buildings that survived the war. The area around the city hall is called ‘de Stadsdriehoek’. It has been the heart of the city center since the 16th century. 

We climbed up the stairs at the main entrance to take a peek inside. We were amazed at how stunning the inside interior was. If it isn’t too busy we highly recommend just going inside to admire the main hall. It’s open from Monday until Friday from 8:30 to 17:30

Left of the City Hall, you have the police station building. A bit further, you will find one of our favorite buildings in Rotterdam.

4. Timmerhuis

Behind the City Hall, you will find another architectural masterpiece: the Timmerhuis. It’s a modern building immersed in a historical building that was part of the city council. Today you can find apartments, offices, a parking garage, and the Museum Rotterdam. You can have a look inside. 

When you are here, take a moment to really look at this building. It took me a while to see how fascinating the architect created this extremely modern building which blends perfectly with the existing older buildings. It’s a relief to know that in Rotterdam not all old buildings have to make way for new. 

5. Cafe Brasserie Dudok 

Across ‘het Timmerhuis’ you can find Dudok Cafe Brasserie, named after the architect who designed it. The building was built in 1952 for a Dutch Insurance Company but was converted into a grand cafe in 1991.

The restaurant has kept all important elements of the former office making it a unique place to have a coffee.  We love the urban setting and the large windows.

We of course ordered a piece of their signature apple pie and some red velvet cake. Highly recommended…

If you don’t feel like having anything yet, don’t worry. The famous Markthal (The Market Hall) is just minutes away. 

6. Sint Laurens Kerk

On the other side of the Dudok building, past the small canal, you will see a little park with the Sint Laurens Church.

This is the only medieval building that partly survived the 1940 bombings. All that was remaining was several walls and the towers. Soon enough Rotterdam recontructed it into its former glory.   

Highlights Binnenrotte Plein

The Binnenrotte square isn’t located in the heart of Rotterdam, but you will find many highlights here.

This part of Rotterdam is also often referred to as Blaak which is similar to the station situated at this square.

7. De Markthal

Just on the other side of the Sint Laurens Church, you will find the huge Binnenrotte square. On Saturdays and Tuesdays, there is a big market here so it can get extremely busy.

On other days it is quiet enabling you to have a full view of the famous Markthal (Market Hall). If the sun is right, the surroundings are reflected in the glass panels making the building nicer. 

Since its opening in 2014, ‘De Markthal’ has been one of Rotterdam’s popular highlights. This arch-form building is already unique to see but once inside you can admire the colorful ceiling with the apartment windows and most importantly find great food at the many food stalls.

There are around 100 stalls offering food from all over the world, including the typical Dutch Kroket and Patatje (fries). You can also go for some typical Dutch stroopwafel cookies. An ideal snack to take with you for later in the day.  

Don’t be surprised if the choice of food stalls feels overwhelming. There are just too many types of food to choose from. One piece of advice, once you decide upon something, order and enjoy it. Don’t look at other stalls, because you will always see something you think might have been tastier.

After many visits to De Markthal we always find new places but eventually stick to our favorites:  bubble tea, a Caribbean pastry, or an Indian chickpea sandwich. 

It can get pretty crowded at De Markthal and seating is unfortunately pretty limited. On a nice day, you can sit outside on the benches along the square while watching the large diversity of nationalities passing by. 

8. Urban Surfing

When you walk through the rear entrance of De Markthal, you will find the latest addition to Rotterdam City: Urban Surfing.

Here you can watch (or even join) surfers tackle the artificial waves. Ok, it isn’t the typical ‘surfer-paradise-picture’ you usually see. The water is definitely not blue. But that is Rotterdam. No matter how they will create something with their own twist.

9. Cube Houses 

Just across De Markthal, you have the famous cube houses designed by the Dutch architect Piet Blom. Not only do the bright yellow colors stand out, but the tilted cubes have you wondering ‘How on earth do you live in it?’.

Well if you want to know how then there is a little museum where you can check out the different rooms. None of the rooms have straight walls, yet people and the Stay Okay hostel manage to live there. 

We enjoyed walking through the complex. Somehow it felt like we left the city buzz behind. It is surprisingly quiet, especially when you realize a road and tram rails are running right under it.

Harbors and the River Maas

Rotterdam is the city of water and harbors. It is the largest seaport in Europe and today many cargo ships navigate along the river Maas that runs through the city.

Within the city, there are still many old harbors too of which one dates back to 1350.

We love walking through these harbors at the big river, from where you have a terrific skyline view of other highlights of Rotterdam.

10. Old Harbor

At the other end of the Cube houses, you will end up at the Old Harbor. This is Rotterdam’s first-ever harbor. The first dock was built in 1350. Make sure you take a moment to admire the harbor view before leaving the Cube Houses. 

I love this view of the harbor where you can see Rotterdam’s second bridge: the red Willemsbrug together with the beautiful Witte Huis (White House), which the owner ordered to be built after visiting New York in 1898.

‘Het Witte huis’ is a magnificent building and was once Europe’s highest skyscraper. Luckily it survived the WWII bombing. The building still has bullet holes in its facade.

11. The Big River ‘Maas”

Passing the old harbour we crossed the big street and took the underpass towards the river Maas. Here you can get a good look at the red Willemsbrug and when continuing the walk, you will have a view of the Erasmus Bridge.

Believe me, this view will make you understand why Rotterdam is worth visiting.

It is lovely to walk here as it is for pedestrians and bicycles only. This path is called the De Boompjes and ends at the Erasmus bridge. 

12. Leuvehaven

Leuvehaven is another old harbor of Rotterdam located just behind the tall Intell Hotel Building. To enjoy the harbor to the fullest, take the stairs on the right of this hotel.

The great thing about this harbor is that it is part of the Maritime Museum and you are free to walk along the docks. You will see old cranes, warehouses, and boats which will give a good impression of how the harbor used to operate.  

As you can imagine, the horse in the crate hanging on a crane was always a highlight when my son was little. You’ll see once you are in Rotterdam…

13. Water Taxi Stop #47

At the harbor, just in front of the Maritime Museum, there is a jetty accessible to the public. There is a stop for the water taxi here too.  

Like any taxi, you can call them to pick you up and they will take you to wherever you want to go. You can also book a ride ahead online. You do have to give a specific pick-up time. In this case, the pick-up will be for stop number 47 and you want to be dropped off at Delfhaven Stop 75.

It can be busy on the weekends and during holidays, so it’s best to book ahead. For instance, when you have just finished admiring the Cube Houses, you can order a pickup at stop #47 45 minutes later. 

Once the taxi arrives, hop in and enjoy the most unique and thrilling ride. We love that in one ride you see the Erasmus bridge from a different angle, pass the highlights along the waterfront, and if lucky you will pass a huge container ship. 

Ticket: 7 euros for adults, 3,50 euros for children.

Delfshaven

14. Walk Through Old Rotterdam

Delfshaven is like an open-air museum which luckily survived the bombing in 1940. I always describe it as ‘little Amsterdam’, because of the similar beautiful old warehouses, buildings, and houses.

It’s pretty amazing how these houses built in the 1600s are still standing and that people still live in them. 

Not only is it one of the prettiest areas in Rotterdam but it holds a sentimental historic value. In the 17th century, the pilgrim fathers gathered at the Pilgrim Fathers Church in Delfshaven before setting sail in search of new land.

Together with other pilgrims from Southampton England, they boarded the ship ‘Mayflower’ for a dangerous journey across the Atlantic that led them to Cape Cod Bay.

These pilgrims are considered the first founders of the United States of America we know today. The service held as appreciation for their new land after their first successful yield is still celebrated as Thanksgiving (source: https://www.oudeofpelgrimvaderskerk.nl/)

Euromast Park

15. Hop on Tram #8 To The Euromast

From here a tram takes you from Delfshaven to the Euromast, another icon of Rotterdam. Walk to the stop at Delfshaven near the Metro station. Make sure you board the tram towards Kleiweg. Then disembark at the Euromast stop.  

Alternative itinerary: If you want to skip the following sights to visit a museum, we suggest staying in the tram for two more stops and disembarking at Kievitslaan where you can find the museums Kunsthal, Boijmans van Beuningen, and the Depot.

To get more information on how to arrange a ticket for the tram scroll down this page where we explain more in detail. 

Fare: €1,33

16. Euromast

The Euromast Observation Tower was built in 1960 and is the place for stunning views of Rotterdam, sometimes all the way to the Hague. The elevators will take you 96 m (315 ft) up to the crows’ nest. From here you can climb up the stairs to the open-air observation deck.  

The Euroscoop, located on top of the Euromast is kind of a huge elevator that can turn 360 degrees. Once you enter the cabin, all you need to do is take a seat and it will take you to the highest point (185m).

The cabin will rotate giving you enough time to take in the view. You will be able to see the whole of Rotterdam and if you choose so, the floor beneath your feet will clear up enabling you to see straight down. 

Make sure you have a jacket or something warm with you. On a summer day, we were shivering while waiting in line for the Euroscoop. Also, you might want to skip this if you have a fear of heights.

Once at the observation deck, I had a hard time climbing higher up the metal staircase, and every time my son looked over the railing my stomach turned into a knot. Next time Matt can go instead… 

Rotterdam River Front

The beautiful park at the Euromast leads to the river waterfront. Again, walking along this part of the river is one of our favorite things to do in Rotterdam.

You will be treated to a mix of modern and old architecture.

17. Riverfront Views

Once you arrive at the river, just walk along the riverfront up to the Erasmus Bridge.

There is always something going on in the river and the views are perfect. Additionally, the area ‘Scheepvaartkwatier’ has grand buildings and warehouses dating back to the 1900s.

You can see the historic Hotel New York across the water, surrounded by modern sky-rise buildings.

There is again another little scenic harbor here called the Veerhaven. It’s a picturesque harbor and a great place to get the best pictures of the city waterfront.

18. Erasmus bridge

The Erasmus Bridge is an 800-meter-long suspension bridge that connects the city center with the other half of Rotterdam. It is an elegant-looking bridge and is often referred to as the Swan.  

I think it looks more like a woman’s leg with her toe pointing upwards towards the sky. The 139m high steel pylon (in my case the leg) is secured with 40 cables. 

While the walk up the bridge might be intense, we still recommend you go up halfway for the best views of the Rotterdam skyline. Even though I have stood there many times, the contrast between the impressive tall buildings on one side and the traditional older buildings on the other still amazes me. 

Witte de Withstraat

From the Erasmus Bridge walk back towards City Center and head to Leuvehaven again. Once there continue to the Witte de Withstraat. This street is probably the most famous street in the Rotterdam city center.

19. Rotterdam’s most popular street

The most wonderful thing about the Witte de Withstraat is all the kinds of people with different backgrounds gathered here. It isn’t a big street yet the crowd ranges from backpackers to those parking their Porche Cayenne right in front of one of the many galleries.

It’s a lively street and during the summer evenings, you literally hear the buzzing sound of hundreds of people enjoying a night out here.  

There is a perfect mix of restaurants, cafes, galleries, and local shops. As for accommodation you have a couple of great hostels, including the KING KONG but there are also fancy hotels. As I said, Witte de Withstraat is for everybody to enjoy.  

Alternative itinerary suggestion: In the summer it can be light until 22:00, so if the weather permits check out the stunning Depot building at the Musuempark before diving into de Witte de Withstraat.

The glass Depot-building is a sight you don’t want to miss and is only a 10-minute walk from Witte de Withstraat. 

The End Of Your One Day In Rotterdam 

After dinner at Witte de Withstraat, we strolled back to Central Station. Along the way, we made one final stop at Kabouter Buttplug aka Santa Claus holding a pine tree.

It is one of the most famous and controversial sculptures in Rotterdam. It has even moved a couple of times before settling at Eendrachtsplein since there wasn’t an appropriate place for it.

In the end, this was the whole intention of the creator Paul McCarthy (don’t get him confused with Paul McCartney). Just look at the ‘little’ dude and decide for yourself what you think it actually is.

Alternative dinner tip: If you feel like serious Asian food, then walk further down towards Central Station. Soon enough you will see Chinese restaurants and on your left, you’ll have the Chinatown of Rotterdam. Here you can get great Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese food.  

Walk along the Maurtisweg straight back to Central Station and catch the train to wherever you need to be. Night trains run every hour between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, so you can make your one day in Rotterdam as long as you want…

If you prefer to go on a guided tour there area many choices that will show you the best of Rotterdam. 

How many days for Rotterdam?

While a day trip to Rotterdam would be enough to enjoy the city highlights such as the Cube Houses, Market Hall, Erasmus Bridge, Euromast and Delfshaven, from our experience 2 days in Rotterdam will give you more time to fully appreciate this diverse city along the river Maas without feeling rushed.

The dynamic and vibrant city of Rotterdam deserves to be visited in 2 days. You will experience this Dutch city more by taking the time and stepping off the crowded path.

So what do we suggest you do on your 2-day Rotterdam visit?

Day 1

Follow the one-day Rotterdam itinerary we suggested above. If you are in Rotterdam for a weekend trip or are coming from Amsterdam then we can imagine you want to check in your luggage first. 

So once you have done that, skip Central Station and head straight to Blaak where you can start the one-day itinerary at De Markthal. 

Day 2

For the second day in this port city we decided to get around by foot and tram again. But if you want, you can rent a bike too. The Netherlands is a bicycle country and there are special lanes for bikes only, making it more safe.

However, in Rotterdam, the traffic can be busy, and other cyclists expect you to be a confident driver. Mistakes are not really accepted here. So make sure you can handle the traffic. 

Oude Noorden including lunch

The great thing about having an extra day in Rotterdam is that you can visit the surrounding neighborhoods. Each neighbourhood has its characteristics and we can easily spend a whole morning in de Oude Noorden.

Oude Noorden means old North, suggesting that the area pretty much survived the war. Don’t expect a second Delfshaven though. In the past, this area of Rotterdam was pretty rough and many old buildings were demolished for convenient housing.

Luckily, like many neighborhoods in Rotterdam, this part of the city has been revived over the last 10 years and it is now the place for hip and vintage shopping, delicious breakfasts, and lunches. 

Oogstmarkt (Harvest Market)

On Saturdays, there is the local harvest market (‘Oogstmarkt) at the large square called Noordplein. Here, small and big local entrepreneurs sell their products. You can also eat all kinds of delicious snacks from all over the world: Japanese, Mexican, Greek, Turkish and of course Dutch fries (patatje).

Zwaanshals (little shops, cafes & restaurants)

To make sure we saw every little bit of the trendy part of Oude Noorden we started off at the square and walked along the river to the next bridge. There we turned left at the busy Zaagmolen Street and then left again where we walked into the shopping street Zwaanshals.

There is just so much going on at both sides of this street, that we decided to turn around back once we arrived at Noordplein again.

At the end, we headed back to the riverfront, but instead of walking along the shops, we climbed down the metal ladder leading to the wooden plateau at the water along Zwaanhalskade. A nice detail on this route. 

The shops and restaurants are all located along Zwaanshals Kade (along the water) and along the road parallel to it called Zwaanshals. 

Great places along the water for lunch or coffee are the Brunch Club, TOM’s Coffee and Friends, Wolly’s and Jordy’s Bakers. For something sweet go to Bakkit at Zwaanhals. 

Shops vary from vintage to designer and organic clothing to interior design and bookstores. 

How to get to ‘Het Oude Noorden’

To get to het Oude Noorden from Central Station hop on tram 7 towards Woudestein or tram 8 to Kleiweg. Get off at the stop Noorderbrug and cross the bridge. Depending on where you’re staying, it might be even quicker to walk. So check that out first. 

After lunch, we made our way back to the tram and took number 7 towards Willemsplein. 

Afternoon activities in Rotterdam

Suggestion #1

Tram 7 will stop near Museum Park where you can find great museums such as de Kunsthal and Het Nieuwe Instituut.

Unfortunately, the big Boijmans van Beuningen museum is being renovated and is expected to open in 2028. However, you can marvel at its new edition: the Depot.

At this depot, they have stored all the artwork that is not displayed in museums. And it is a lot!

You might wonder why would you want to look at stored art. But believe me, not only is the inside of the building fascinating but it is really interesting to see how art is stored and restored.  

Suggestion # 2

Remain in tram 7 till the very last stop. It will take you to the beginning of the Erasmus Bridge. On day one we mentioned crossing it halfway, but this time cross it all the way.

Head to Kop Van Zuid, enjoy the mix of warehouses, modern buildings and of course the view of Rotterdam City from the docks at Hotel New York.

There is a small pedestrian bridge that leads you to another great trendy area: Katendrecht. Here you can find the famous Fenix Food Factory and a bit further you have Katendrecht Deli Plein, a nice square with several restaurants. 

If you have more time left you can walk through the neighborhood and along the water to the SS Rotterdam, a historic Steam Ship that has now been permanently docked. There is a hotel, restaurant and great views from here.

The best time to visit Rotterdam

Rotterdam is an all-year-round destination. But if you could choose, then I would highly suggest the late spring (May, June) and summer (July, August). Somehow during these seasons, the city becomes more alive and everything takes place outdoors.

Nice warm weather makes it more fun to stroll and sit at the waterfront and have lunch at one of the many places with outdoor seating. 

Additionally, many events take place as soon as the temperature rises. Besides the bigger events such as the Rotterdam Unlimited Festival (June), North Sea Jazz Festival (July), open-air cinema (August), and World of Witte de Withstraat (September) there are many smaller ones taking place in parks, on rooftops, or in old buildings.

So make sure you check out what’s going on when you are planning your visit.

That said, in autumn and winter Rotterdam is a nice place to be as well. It is not always dark and gloomy during these seasons. But if it is raining (mostly in October and November) or it’s just too cold (December, January, February, March) there are still enough indoor activities in Rotterdam to make your visit worthwhile. 

What you should wear in the colder months

We do need to warn you that in the Netherlands the winter often comes with a heavy wind and it can feel extremely cold when it is coming from the East. The outdoor temperature might be higher than the perceived temperature.

And for Rotterdam, you need to wear extra warm clothing (scarf, gloves and beany can be essential) as the tall buildings and the open space along the river can literally blow you away. 

Our one-day Rotterdam itinerary includes a lot of walking and being outdoors. If you expect rain, don’t always rely on an umbrella. As mentioned it can get really windy here. We have seen many broken umbrellas chucked into the bin. So besides the umbrella, have a waterproof coat as well. 

The best way to get to Rotterdam

Like any big city, the best way to get to Rotterdam is by public transportation. Luckily the train connections to Rotterdam from other Dutch cities are excellent. The main train station of Rotterdam (Rotterdam Centraal Station) is perfectly located near the city center and within 15 minutes you can be either at De Markthal, the Erasmus Bridge, or Museum Park on foot.

Direct trains leave several times an hour from Amsterdam Centraal Station via Schiphol Airport, The Hague to Rotterdam. You can choose the intercity that stops at these major cities. The trip takes about 1h15 minutes.

If you want to get there within 40 minutes choose the intercity direct train however there will be a surcharge of 2.90 euros for both ways. You must buy an additional ticket above your regular train ticket for this surcharge. 

It will be the same option if you depart from Schiphol. With the regular train, it will take 52 minutes to get to Rotterdam. Want to get there without any stops? Go for the Intercity Direct. The ride will be only 26 minutes with a surcharge of 2.90 euro

Got yourself a direct flight to Rotterdam The Hague Airport? Rotterdam City Center is just 20 minutes away. Hop on the number 33 Bus and change for the metro at Metro Meijersplein. From there get METRO E towards Slinge and disembark at Rotterdam Central Station.

You can purchase a ticket at the ticket machine at the Rotterdam The Hague Airport or pay directly with your debit card every time you board and disembark the bus and metro. You will be there in 20 minutes. Unbelievable quick right?

Best way to get around Rotterdam

We love walking through towns and cities. We feel like we will see the little details more when we wander around at a slow pace. Rotterdam is a perfect city to discover on foot however since it is big we suggest combining walking with other types of transportation.

Here are our alternative suggestions:

By bike

If you are a bit familiar with the ways of the Dutch then you know that the bike is part of life, especially in the city.

In a city like Rotterdam, you are faster by bike than by car. There are a lot of bike rentals in Rotterdam and sometimes accommodations have bikes too. It is a fun and fast way to discover the city. It just takes you a little bit further than by foot yet you are so much more flexible than going by public transport. 

Do make sure you are a confident cyclist as traffic can get crazy at several points. Also, stay on the cycle path….and always…really always….stick to the traffic rules. Just make sure you make way for those coming from the right.

People in Rotterdam are known to be less aggressive than people in Amsterdam when it comes to traffic, but perhaps because Rotterdam has bigger streets drivers do tend to drive past the speed limit. 

If you happen to have a personal OV-chipkaart (public transportation) then you can pick up a bike at the train station for just 4,45 euros for 24 hours. If you are just visiting the Netherlands for a holiday then you won’t likely have this card. Luckily there are several ways to rent a bike in Rotterdam:

• Centrum Bikes & Rent A Bike Rotterdam: Schiedamsedijk 54a (4h, day rental, 24h or week-rental is possible)
• Zwaans Bikes Rotterdam: Weena 705 (do not rent for 24 hours, only within their opening hours 8:30 till 18:00, Sunday closed. Cheaper to book online. 
• Donkey Republic Bike sharing: you can immediately see the available bikes before even paying for anything. 24 hours is 10euro

By tram

The tram is an excellent way to get from A to B while doing some sightseeing along the way. If you buy a tourist day ticket for €14,50, you can travel all day by tram, metro, bus, and waterbus (not water taxi).

The tram map shows exactly which tram number you need to take. If you use Google Maps you can even see which stop you need to get off. It takes a bit more preparation but it is an excellent way to move around on a rainy day.

And don’t worry, Dutch people can speak English very well and are happy to help you if you feel lost. 

Another option is to pay with your debit card per ride. Just tap your card on the machine when hopping on and getting off.

We really recommend combining a walking tour with a tram ride. This enables you to cover more ground while seeing more of the city.

So in this case paying by debit card would be cheaper than the tourist day card. If you don’t have a debit card (for instance when traveling with children) then unfortunately you can not buy a single ticket on the tram. 

The most convenient and cheapest way is to download the RET app and buy a ticket through this app. Or get one beforehand at the RET ticket machine at Central Station or one of the Metro Stations. For children from 4 till 12 years old you can get a day ticket for just 5 euros. Under 4 years travel for free.

By Water Taxi

By water taxi? Yes! Can you imagine? This is probably the most fabulous way to enjoy Rotterdam if you don’t get seasick and don’t mind a bumpy ride. The tiny black-yellow boats will take you to any of their 47 stops in and around the city.

All you need to do is book a ride on their website  https://www.watertaxirotterdam.nl/ or call them  +31 10 4030303, and they’ll promptly pick you up.

Like a regular taxi, the fare depends on the number of zones. If you stick between the Willems Bridge and Erasmus Bridge, which are the two main bridges of Rotterdam, then it will cost you 4,50 pp and 2,25 for children under 12. 

If you want to experience more than just short rides and don’t mind sharing a boat with others, then check out the “Cirkellijn.” This hop-on-hop-off electric water taxi has a specific route along important sites.  

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).

The boat stops at each stop every 30 minutes. And if you just want to admire Rotterdam from the water you can stay put the entire route. They go during the summer months only.

Conclusion: How to spend one day in Rotterdam

As you can tell Rotterdam is an extremely diverse city. Not only is it different compared to the many other Dutch cities, but the big river and the harbors in town make it a city of water.

We love the combination of the water, modern and historic buildings, and the fact that you can easily move around in Rotterdam. You can see a lot in a day.

Rotterdam has become a popular city to visit for a day or more. You will notice that there are many travelers from all over the world here. As you can tell, we highly recommend heading to this buzzing city when visiting the Netherlands.

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