After a morning ride from Antwerp, we hopped off the train in Rotterdam. This was our first stop in the Netherlands, and we were eager to explore the city for the day. Rotterdam is a common day-trip destination from Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brussels, and other nearby cities. We had spent the past couple of weeks on this Europe trip packing as many sights and museums as possible every day, so our plans for Rotterdam were more laid back and consisted of mostly exploring the city on foot. Here are all the things we got up to for a day in this beautiful city.
Delfshaven
The morning we arrived in Rotterdam, we quickly dropped our bags off at our hotel and made our way to the Delfshaven area. This historic neighborhood is one of the only parts of Rotterdam’s old city that survived bombings that occurred during WWII. It was also once a major hub for gin distillers.
As you walk around Delfshaven today, you’ll find picturesque harbor areas and riverside paths lined with pretty architecture. The area has many restaurants, breweries, distilleries, galleries, and shops. There’s also an old flour mill – Korenmolen – that you go in to learn about the mill and climb to the top for some views over the area. It costs €5 per adult.
Euromast
The Euromast is an observation tower built in the 1950s. Standing at 185 meters (607 feet) tall, it is one of the tallest buildings in the Netherlands. Standard tickets start at €12.50 per adult, which gets you to the lower observation deck (112 meters). Ticket prices vary depending on the day and ticket option you select. It is also cheaper to buy online and discounts are offered with the Rotterdam City Card.
In addition to the viewing platforms there is a restaurant and hotel if you’d like to spend more time taking in the views of Rotterdam. The tower also hosts various events and presents the opportunity to repel from one of the platforms during certain times of the year.
To learn more about the Euromast tickets, restaurant, events, etc. click here.
Het Park
Just nearby the Euromast is the beautiful Het Park. This large green space has pretty paths winding through it, ponds and rivers, colorful flower beds, sculptures, and more. We were visiting during the fall, so we enjoyed strolling around the park to admire the pretty autumn colors. Learn more about the park here.
Erasmusbrug
We made our way over to the Erasmusbrug after our stroll through the park. This bridge is an iconic landmark of Rotterdam featuring long cables stretching from a towering white pylon. The white bent feature has led to the bridge being nicknamed ‘The Swan’ and the bridge has become a symbol of the city.
There are wide sidewalks along the road on the bridge, so we made our way across, taking in the Maas River views as we went. You may also see some of the many large ships that pass by this area.
Fenix Food Factory
The area across the Erasmusbrug is a bit quieter. We made our way over to a small peninsula where the Fenix Food Factory sits. Before heading there, we walked down the pathways along the water in the area to take in the views of the city.
The Fenix Food Factory is a market and food hall along the water. There are little shops inside selling a variety of goods, from local packaged food items to books. You’ll also find food and drink options, including local beers, baked goods, desserts, cocktails, charcuterie, salads, soups, and other dishes available from the various vendors. There is plenty of seating outside as well! We enjoyed some tasty desserts at the picnic tables by the waterfront before going on our way.
For more info on current vendors and hours, visit the Fenix Food Factory website.
Oude Haven
We wandered back towards Rotterdam’s center, crossing the river via two different bridges – the Koninginnebrug and Willemsbrug.
Not long after we made it across, we found ourselves at the Witte Huis and Oude Haven, or the Old Port. Built in the 1890s, the Witte Huis is considered to be Europe’s first skyscraper. While not as tall as many of the buildings that tower in modern cities today, this was quite an architectural feat at the time. It is also remarkable that it remained after the war as the area suffered much damage. Inside the Witte Huis today is a café and restaurant.
The Witte Huis stands on the Oude Haven, where you’ll see some historic ships docked. Boat tours are offered here if you’d like to cruise the canals. There are many restaurants and bars along the water with beautiful outdoor terraces overlooking this neat area.
Nearby are the unique Cube Houses. These residences were built in the 1970s and were also quite a unique architectural concept at the time. You can stay in them currently as there’s a hostel inside!
More Downtown
After admiring the Oude Haven, we made a short jaunt further into the city center. The evening consisted of strolling around the area for a bit, just taking in the sites on the bustling streets. We passed by Laurenskerk, a pretty Gothic church. We didn’t go into this one, but if you’d like to check it out, it’s €3 to visit the church and €7.50 to climb the tower. For hours and other information, click here.
We ended our day in Rotterdam at the wonderful Markthal, or Market Hall. This unique arched building has offices inside with a large open central area filled with stalls selling anything from spices, cheese, and dried meats to bottled beverages and decadent treats.
There are also eateries inside where you can sit down and enjoy tapas, cocktails, seafood, gelato, coffee, gyros, sushi, dumplings, and more. We thought Fenix Food Factory was cool, but this food hall and market had many more options! Learn more about the current vendors, hours, and events here.
We ate dinner here and bought some snacks to try, then headed back to our hotel to get some rest before making our way to Amsterdam early the next morning.
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