5 Best Rotterdam Day Trip Itinerary Stops: A Brilliant 1 Day Guide
First Visit To Our Favourite Dutch City
In 2019, we spent a day of our Netherlands trip exploring Rotterdam. As usual, we parked our car at a parking lot and walked around the city exploring different attractions. Here is what we did during our first visit to this beautiful city.
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Arriving in Rotterdam
- Via Train or Bus: Rotterdam is centrally located with excellent rail connections through Brussels, Paris, and Frankfurt. To check schedules and book your ticket, use the Busbud platform here.
- Via Flight: Fly into Rotterdam The Hague Airport to experience the beautiful city of Rotterdam. To find the best deals on airfare, search and book your flights here.
Getting Around and Staying in Netherlands
- Going Around:
- Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
- Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
- Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.
- Stay Connected: To navigate the city like a local and share your photos in real time, we recommend getting an eSIM. Pick the option that suits your needs:
- We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
- Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
- Where to Stay: To make the most of your trip, I recommend booking one of these hotels.
1. Markthal and the Marten Toonder Statue
We parked our car near Markthal, so it was the first place we explored. It is an extremely unique indoor market with loads of products being sold. We bought small cheese wheels for some family members and got incredible reviews about the taste later on.
We also came across a Dutch fried fish stall and obviously had to have some fish for lunch. The market was extremely beautiful and colourful. During our exploration, we came across a life-size chess board that added to the beauty of the area. We spent more than an hour going around the different floors of the market.
As we walked away from Markthal, we came across the Marten Toonder Statue. It is a stunning statue featuring what we thought were four different dragons. The statue is a monument dedicated to Marten Toonder, who is a famous Dutch comic artist.
2. Kijk-Kubus Museum-House (Cube Houses)
The entrance ticket to the Kijk-Kubus Museum-House, also known as the Cube Houses, is 3.50 Euros.
These are literally yellow coloured, tilted cube houses that have a mind-boggling architecture. Looking at them felt as if we were experiencing an optical illusion. While the outside felt extremely unnatural, the inside was not discomforting at all. The house was completely furnished and we even identified Star Wars and Lord of the Rings figures in glass cabinets.
3. Oude Haven (Old Port)
We walked towards the Oude Haven, which means Old Port, after leaving the Cube Houses. The old port had a lot of old boats and ships docked. It felt as if we were transported to the old ages. We spent a good amount of time admiring the old port before continuing our tour.
4. Erasmus Bridge and Flag Parade
We left the old port and walked towards the modern Erasmus Bridge. The bridge is considered one of the icons of Rotterdam, so it was definitely a must-see for us.
During our walk, we came across Flag Parade Rotterdam. This area included large flagpoles with flags of different countries. We played a game of identifying the country by their flag and had an enjoyable experience. The view of Rotterdam with the flags and the Erasmus bridge over the Nieuwe Maas River was absolutely stunning.
On our way to have some food, we crossed the Maritime Museum Rotterdam and spent some time exploring the outdoor exhibits of the museum.
5. Essalam Moskee Rotterdam
After dinner, we went back to the parking spot and started our journey back to our lodging. As we were driving out of Rotterdam, we came across the beautiful Essalam Moskee Rotterdam. The mosque had an awesome white architecture that looked wonderful in the evening.
Final Remarks
Our day-trip to Rotterdam wasn’t extremely happening. However, we enjoyed ourselves a lot and loved the vibe of Rotterdam. We return to Rotterdam whenever we are visiting Netherlands to eat some Halal food. Our highlight of this particular trip was the Cube Houses and Erasmus Bridge. We would definitely recommend a trip to Rotterdam to people visiting Netherlands.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is a day trip to Rotterdam worth it?
Yes, a day trip to Rotterdam is highly worth it. The city offers a unique contrast of historic areas like Oude Haven and futuristic architecture like the Cube Houses and Markthal.
How much does it cost to visit the Rotterdam Cube Houses?
The entrance ticket to the Kijk-Kubus Museum-House is 3.50 Euros per person, allowing you to see how these tilted structures look from the inside.
What is the best way to get around Rotterdam?
Rotterdam is a very walkable city, but it also features an excellent public transport network including trams, buses, and the metro. You can also easily explore the city by car or bicycle.
