The Best Things to See in 24 hours in Rotterdam

(Last Updated On: 02/04/2020)

Wondering what to see if you only have one day in Rotterdam? Planning a trip can often leave you in a predicament of what to do first, especially when time is limited. This guide will help you plan your time in Rotterdam efficiently, outlining all the best things to see in 24 hours in Rotterdam! As an added bonus, I’ve included some free things to do in Rotterdam too!

What to see in Rotterdam in One Day

A myriad of high rise buildings and modern architecture, Rotterdam may well make you reconsider every picture you had in your head of The Netherlands. 

Whether you are planning a day trip to Rotterdam from Amsterdam or you are just wondering what to do in Rotterdam for a day, this post is for you! I’ll be sharing all the not-to-be-missed iconic buildings in Rotterdam, unique street art, brunch & restaurants; as well as tips of where to stay in Rotterdam to get the most out your trip to this vibrant city.

Street Art in Rotterdam

Rotterdam is hands down the most colourful city I’ve visited in The Netherlands, it’s so vibrant and full of character. Colourful displays can be seen on the modern architecture, station platforms and dotted around the streets of Rotterdam.

As a lover of street art, I was keen to spend 24 hours in Rotterdam following the various street street art walking tours of rotterdam. Download The Rewriters App street art app to find best street art routes in Rotterdam during your trip.

One of the best free things to do in Rotterdam is without a doubt exploring the street art in Rotterdam. Though, I’m still kicking myself for not finding the John Travolta Pulp Fiction street art mural!

Architecture in Rotterdam

Erasmus Bridge

Nicknamed the Swan of Rotterdam, due to the distinct shape of one asymmetrical pylon, the Erasmus Bridge is a beautiful example of modern architecture in Rotterdam. It also serves the purpose of connecting north and south Rotterdam.

Carry on reading this post to find out where to get the best skyline view to see the bridge lit up at night!

Euromast

Head to the Rotterdam TV Tower, Euromast to enjoy a great view over the city. Looking for more adventurous things to do in Rotterdam, why not take in the views at a greater scale by abseiling down the Euromast?!

Cube Houses in Rotterdam

The tourist attraction in Rotterdam I was most interested to see were the iconic Cube Houses.

True to social media, these cube houses are a must-see for 24 hours in Rotterdam and make a great picture for Instagram!

Designed by architect, Piet Blom in 1984, these yellow geometric houses represent a village within a city, with the concept that each house represents a tree and the houses collectively, a forest.

Tilted to a 45-degree angle, the cube houses are designed to optimise space and one, Kijk-Kubus, is a museum you can explore internally for under 5 euros.

*As one of the best things to in Rotterdam in one day – why not use your Rotterdam Card to get discounted entry to view one of the Cube House inside?*

Where to stay in Rotterdam 

If you are looking to spend more than one day in Rotterdam, I have some great suggestions for places to stay.

Why not stay in one of the iconic cube houses for a truly unique place to stay in Rotterdam? StayOkay has opened a hostel in the larger cube houses, providing unique accommodation for visitors to the city.

Not sure you want to open your window to the droves of tourists descending on the Cube Houses..?

Citizen M Rotterdam

Ultra-cool Citizen M Hotel is located a one-minute walk from the Cube Houses – I could even see the top of them from my hotel window.

Citizen M Rotterdam welcomes all travellers staying at the hotel, has unique touches to give a truly Dutch feel and has a modern vibe, which only complements its location overlooking the Cube Houses and Markthal.

This techy hotel even has an iPad to work the blinds, lights, and tv!

Hotel New York 

Away from the techy hotels, If you want to learn more about the history of Rotterdam, prior to the devastation of the city in World War II; Hotel New York is the place for you. The hotel is the former head office for the Holland-America Line, where many Dutch citizens fled the devastation of war to seek a new life in America. Now a national heritage site, the hotel gives a glimpse into old-world Rotterdam. I have it on good authority that it’s worth visiting Hotel New York for the food alone!

NHow Hotel Rotterdam

Located around the corner from Hotel New York as you head towards the eye-catching Erasmus Bridge is the NHow Hotel.

The rooftop terrace at NHow Hotel is the perfect place to end a day in Rotterdam, plus, it’s a good reason to pop out for a nightcap, as it offers unparalleled views over the Erasmus bridge.

Surely, there is no better way to check out one of the best sights to see in Rotterdam than by enjoying an alcoholic beverage at the same time?! Mine’s an amaretto and coke in case you’re wondering!

Browse hotels in Rotterdam on Booking.com

Transport

Transport in The Netherlands is extremely easy to navigate (a godsend for a clueless Brit like me) and Rotterdam is no exception. Rotterdam, the second-largest city after Amsterdam, is only a short train ride away from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. The easy transport links make it easy to explore all the best sights in one day in Rotterdam.

It is now possible to take the Eurostar directly from London St Pancras Station directly to Rotterdam Central. With prices as low as £35 and no restrictions on luggage or liquids, it may be worth taking the three-hour journey to travel by train, particularly if you’re planning a longer break in The Netherlands. If a Euro trip is on the agenda, you can also take the train from Rotterdam to Belgium or Paris as well as London.

Arrival by train to Rotterdam will enable you to cross off one of Rotterdam’s iconic buildings off your list as well as see the cool internal design.

Rotterdam Centraal Station

I couldn’t take enough pictures of Rotterdam Centraal Station. A building to be marvelled at, with it’s futuristic and very photogenic design; it really is the perfect place to start your visit to modern Rotterdam.

The lettering and the clock face are features from the original train station, a classic example of old meets new Rotterdam – find out more in my Rotterdam: Old Town Values in a City of Skyscrapers post.

At Centraal Station, you can jump on the metro or tram links to continue your day trip around Rotterdam. If you’re planning on travelling around and doing a number of activities, it is worth picking up a Rotterdam card, which will give you access to free public transport and a number discounts for museums at the Museum Park, as well as, discounts at a variety of restaurants and attractions.

For attractions like the Erasmus Bridge, Fenix Food Factory, and Hotel New York the best way to see the city is to travel by water taxi.

Of course, being in The Netherlands, Rotterdam is a bikeable city too and, being relatively flat means it isn’t too strenuous! Sounds like a good cause to dust off those biking skills to enjoy a day in Rotterdam by bike!

Food & Fun in Rotterdam

Suicide Club

If you still can’t get over the stunning architecture of Centraal Station (I know I can’t). Why not check out the best view from above at Suicide Club (no jumping required!)

Suicide Club, located in the Het Groot Handelsgebouw building, is a somewhat secret venue, which combines a love of music, food, and art. I got to try one of their mojitos on my press trip, though, the venue also looks like a great place to dine if you are spending more than 24 hours in Rotterdam.

Did I mention they have a rooftop space with a DJ?! This has got to be one of the best things to do in Rotterdam over the summer months for sure!

Little V

I decided to extend my stay in Rotterdam beyond the one day Rotterdam press trip with Visit Holland, as I was keen to explore more of the city. Adam flew out to stay with me and it gave us the opportunity to explore Rotterdam together. 

We stumbled upon Little V, a Vietnamese restaurant after shopping…I was instantly drawn to the string lights and cool decor.

The V in Little V does not just stand for ‘Vietnamese’, it also stands for ‘verassing’ a Dutch word for surprise! Boy were we in for a treat!

The food and cocktails are too good for words.

Markthal

If you have already read my Rotterdam – Old Town Values in a City of Skyscrapers post you will know all about Markthal and exactly why it has been included in my best things to see in 24 hours in Rotterdam post. This venue plays host to a number of world cuisines, as well as, the most stunning ceiling artwork created by Arno Coenen and titled ‘Horn of Plenty.’

Fenix Food Factory

Similarly to Markthal, Fenix Food Factory hosts various cuisines in a market hall-style setting. Though, it has a more relaxed and local vibe, away from the droves of tourists that descend on Markthal. It’s very similar to outdoor food areas in Camden and Shoreditch in London.

Check out Stroop Rotterdam (Stroop waffles are the best) and The Netherlands only cider bar. As someone who normally drinks girly ciders, like my beloved Rekorderlig or Old Mout, I can highly recommend the Norwegian cider rose Dujardin (shown below.)

Very Italian Pizza

Adam and I often eat late while we’re away and sometimes it can be difficult finding a restaurant serving later into the evening. Luckily, we came across this pizza restaurant located next to Markthal, which is open until midnight. The pizzas are very tasty, authentic Italian thin crust pizzas and, the restaurant is definitely worth a visit.

Jarmusch

I’m a big lover of brunch and would go as far to say that since returning from San Francisco it has easily become my favourite meal of the day. You can get the American diner atmosphere at Jarmusch, where the waiters and waitresses even wear 1950s style aprons.

Lilith Coffee

If you’re like me and love nothing more than finding the perfect Instagrammable brunch venue, head over to Lilith in Witte de Withstraat (a very cool area of the city, I wish I’d explored more!)

Lilith is relatively new on the brunch scene but has already made a big impact due to its vast range of beautifully arranged brunch dishes.

I was in pink matcha heaven when I was served my latte alongside these delicious pancakes!

Adam’s avocado on toast looked yummy too!

Extremely laid back vibes are to be had at Lilith. Though be mindful, this is a popular venue and you may have to wait for an outside table.

Baker’s Dough

They say our biggest regrets are the things we didn’t eat and, that being said, check out this cookie dough bar.

*Image from Cookie Dough Facebook Page*

Another Dutch innovation, Baker’s Dough is the latest food craze where you eat raw cookie dough with a selection of ice creams and toppings! They even have vegan and gluten-free options. Can I go back to Rotterdam, please…?

What to do in Rotterdam for one day

If you’re reading this post and always tend to visit Amsterdam, Rotterdam may well be the next city for you. It’s such a colourful and cool city to visit, which will leave you wanting more! It’s also the perfect day trip from Amsterdam if you want to combine a trip to both cities. 

I hope you enjoyed reading all about the best things to see in 24 hours in Rotterdam and trust it has given you plenty of inspiration to plan your next trip!

I have been very honoured to work with Visit Holland, exploring some fantastic cities in The Netherlands. Check out some of my other posts below:

Eindhoven

Keukenhof Tulip Gardens/Haarlem

Shopping in The Hague 

The Best Things to Do in The Hague

Festive Shopping in Den Bosch

Jaz

xoxo

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