Rotterdam, the second largest city in the Netherlands, is perfect for a weekend break. From unique architecture to quirky museums, there is plenty to see and do during a two or three-night stay. However, for those with more time to spare, we recommend heading out to explore more of the Netherlands.
You can easily travel from Rotterdam to any city in the country. However, there are some fantastic cities that you can reach by train in under one hour. From Delft to Schiedam, here are seven of the best day trips from Rotterdam by train.
Seven of the best day trips from Rotterdam by train
1) Schiedam
Best for: A relaxed, slow-paced day trip from Rotterdam with an easy train connection.
A stone’s throw from Rotterdam, Schiedam is a charming city that feels far removed from the busy, modern boulevards of its noisy neighbour. Home to just under 80,000 people, the pace of life in Schiedam is more relaxed, with cosy cafes and restaurants tucked away in quiet squares. Schiedam even boasts the world’s tallest windmill – De Noord – which is now home to a popular restaurant.
The historic centre of Schiedam is flanked on its western side by the quiet Lange Haven canal. The waterfront streets are classic Netherlands, with townhouses standing proudly above narrow pavements. Highlights here include the Grote or Sint Janskerk, a church which claims to be the oldest building in the city. Today, the church hosts everything from Sunday services to fashion shows and film screenings.
Don’t miss: The National Jenevermuseum Schiedam charts the story of jenever, the classic Dutch gin. Within the walls of an 18th-century distillery, visitors can learn about the production process, explore the roasting house and browse the well-stocked shop. A ticket to the museum costs €12.50 for adults, with a tasting costing an additional €5.50.
Time from Rotterdam to Schiedam by train: 4 minutes.
2) Utrecht
Best for: A genuine Amsterdam alternative, with endless canals and an absence of tourist crowds.
A weekend break to Utrecht may not sound like a typical itinerary for most visitors to the Netherlands, but this is a city that is slowly starting to appear on the radar. With a tempting collection of bars and pubs serving quality beers at a (reasonably) affordable price, and an equally healthy scattering of excellent cafes and restaurants, there is plenty to shout about.
Cyclists, too, will feel at home in Utrecht. At times, it seems as if bicycles outnumber pedestrians – and with an array of bike rental shops to choose from, it’s easy to join the club. However, Utrecht’s canals are the most fun thoroughfares for visitors. Hire a kayak and enjoy a relaxed paddle through the heart of the city.
Don’t miss: Climb up the Dom Tower – the tallest church spire in the Netherlands. Today, the Dom Tower stand as an iconic symbol of the city. Note that the tower is currently under renovation until Spring 2024.
Time from Rotterdam to Utrecht by train: 37 minutes.
3) Den Haag (The Hague)
Best for: A day trip from Rotterdam by train that is packed with history and politics.
Best known on the world stage as the home of the International Criminal Court, Den Haag makes for a fascinating day trip from Rotterdam.
Whilst busy, generic shopping plazas dominate the streets around the train station, you don’t need to walk far to discover some of Den Haag’s best sights. A stone’s throw from the striking De Passage shopping centre is the Binnenhof, a historic complex of buildings next to the Hofvijver lake, which stands at the centre of Dutch politics.
Meanwhile, on a long, tree-covered avenue adjacent to the lake, an impressive antiques market takes place every Thursday and Sunday. Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of stalls line the street, selling everything from paintings to furniture.
For those who want to explore beyond central Den Haag, the district of Scheveningen offers long beaches, parks and palaces. Indeed, Scheveningen itself is worthy of a day trip from Rotterdam.
Don’t miss: The Malieveld is Den Haag’s iconic outdoor event space, hosting everything from major concerts to political demonstrations and national celebrations. Located in the heart of the city, it’s well worth a visit if there’s a suitable event taking place.
Time from Rotterdam to Den Haag by train: 21 minutes.
4) Gouda
Best for: Foodies – this is the home of both Gouda Cheese and Stroopwafels.
The birthplace of the popular Gouda cheese is proud to shout about its most famous export. Cheese bunting hangs across the busy Kleiweg street, the main pedestrian route from the train station to Gouda’s central square. To immerse yourself in all things dairy, be sure to check out the Gouda Cheese Experience. Not suitable for those with a fear of the colour yellow.
The central Markt square is designed to impress. At its heart stands the ornate Stadhuis (Town Hall), which dates back to the fifteenth century and is a fine example of Gothic architecture. Cafes, restaurants and shops line the square’s perimeter.
As well as cheese, Gouda is also home to the delicious stroopwafels. Known as ‘syrup waffles’ in English, stroopwafels comprise a layer of gooey caramel sandwiched between two layers of sweet, soft dough. To try Gouda’s best stroopwafels, head to Kamphuisen.
Don’t miss: The Gouda Cheese Market takes place every Thursday morning during the summer months. Expect a ceremonial celebration of all things cheese.
Time from Rotterdam to Gouda by train: 18 minutes.
5) Leiden
Best for: One of the top day trips by train from Rotterdam for art lovers.
Rivalling Amsterdam for its sheer number of canals and bridges, the pretty city of Leiden is worthy of a day trip from Rotterdam by train. Expect waterfront bars, cafes set among hidden courtyards and a plethora of cultural institutions – from museums to art galleries. The Rembrandt walking route pays tribute to Leiden’s most famous artist.
The Netherlands’ oldest university was founded here in 1575, and Leiden continues to attract an international student population that keeps the city’s libraries and cafes pleasantly busy. Whether you want to enjoy a leisurely cycle around its historic streets or simply relax for a quiet afternoon in a shaded park, Leiden has plenty to offer the studious daytripper.
Don’t miss: The National Museum of Antiquities boasts the country’s best collection of Egyptian, Greek and Roman artefacts.
Time from Rotterdam to Leiden by train: 31 minutes.
Read next: A guide to exploring Kinderdijk by public transport from Rotterdam.
6) Delft
Best for: Cute cafes and world-famous pottery.
Delft impresses from the moment you step out of the train station. Canals dissect a wide-open boulevard, alongside which runs a tram line. Cross over the canal using one of the many bridges, and it doesn’t take long to find yourself lost among the charming streets of Delft’s old town.
The skyline in Delft is dominated by the intricate tower of the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), which stands at 108 metres tall. Visitors can climb up the 376 stairs to get a unique birds-eye view of the city.
At ground level, an abundance of charming cafés and tempting restaurants spill out from the town’s main square. Many offer seats overlooking the canals that crisscross the city, creating the perfect space to read, work or catch up with friends.
For a comprehensive round-up of our favourite things to in Delft, click here.
Don’t miss: If you can tear yourself away from the central square, head to Oostpoort, where you will find a striking waterside city gate dating back to the 15th century.
Time from Rotterdam to Delft by train: 10 minutes.
7) Amsterdam
Best for: Seeing the sights of one of Europe’s most famous cities.
For those seeking the most iconic spots in the Netherlands, a day trip to Amsterdam from Rotterdam will be hard to resist. Whether you want to stroll the city’s famous canals, marvel at the masterpieces at the Van Gogh Museum or catch a football match at the Johan Cruijff Arena, there is enough to keep you busy for weeks.
Whilst Amsterdam may – at times – feel the strain of the millions of annual visitors, it remains one of Europe’s best cities to visit. Indeed, staying in Rotterdam and visiting Amsterdam on a day trip by train could be the perfect way to avoid being overwhelmed by the crowds.
Don’t miss: The Anne Frank House remains one of the world’s most important Holocaust museums.
Time from Rotterdam to Amsterdam by train: It takes as little as 41 minutes to travel between Amsterdam and Rotterdam by train.
How to buy tickets for the trains in the Netherlands
The easiest way to buy train tickets in the Netherlands is by contactless card
The easiest way to buy train tickets in the Netherlands is to use a contactless card to tap in and out. Since June 2023, the entire public transport system in the Netherlands has been connected to the Ovpay network, which behaves just like the London Underground.
Simply hold your contactless card against the barrier at the start of your journey and hold it against the barrier again when you leave. The system will calculate your total fare at the end of the day.
Alternatives to contactless card
If you don’t have a contactless card, or don’t want to use contactless, there are a few alternatives:
- Buy your ticket using the NS app. Simply download the app to your phone, select your journey, and make a payment. Your train ticket will be stored as a QR code.
- Buy your ticket using a ticket machine. Almost all train stations in the Netherlands still have ticket machines where you can buy your train ticket.
- Buy your ticket at a ticket office. The larger train stations still have ticket offices where you can buy your train ticket from a real person.
The best day trips from Rotterdam by train: our final thoughts
We loved our stay in Rotterdam. It is one of the easiest Dutch cities to visit, with direct ferry connections from Hull and an easy train journey from Amsterdam airport.
Rotterdam has plenty to explore, but its location in South Holland makes it ideal for exploring. We could have spent weeks taking day trips from Rotterdam by train – it’s remarkable how many cities you can pack into such a small region.
Our favourite day trip from Rotterdam was probably Delft. The city had a charm and an energy that led us to return there twice within the space of three days. Thankfully, with a public transport system as good as the one in the Netherlands, getting there was a breeze.