In the heart of South Holland, Rotterdam is a thriving port city packed with personality. Centuries ago, the city established itself as one of Europe’s major maritime hubs. Today, however, Rotterdam very much looks to the future.
An eclectic mixture of daring, modernist architecture dominates the city’s skyline. At street level, a wealth of trendy eateries and bars ensures that Europe’s busiest port lives up to its global status.
Accordingly, Rotterdam is supremely well-connected. Amsterdam Airport is just 30 minutes by train, making this a compelling alternative to the Netherlands’ overcrowded capital.
From admiring classic Dutch windmills to exploring the city’s unique architecture, here are our recommendations for 13 of the best things to do during a weekend in Rotterdam.
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1) Grab a bite to eat the Markthal (Market Hall)
The Markthal is one of Rotterdam’s most striking modern buildings. This foodie destination is home to an iconic 40-metre-tall arch that stretches high into the sky above Blaak metro station. An enormous glass frontage at both ends of the arch allows natural light to flood through.
Under the arch, the hall is packed with nearly 100 eateries, from sit-down restaurants to street food shacks. The variety is vast, with traditional Dutch staples like Gouda cheese alongside international options such as sushi. There is something for every taste, making the Markthal one of the best things to do during your weekend in Rotterdam.
Top tip: Some stalls have roof terraces where you can enjoy your food while taking in the views. We enjoyed herring sandwiches and fried fish from the terrace above Andalus Fish. The stand lies at the western edge of the Markthal.
2) Admire the quirky architecture of Rotterdam’s Cube Houses
A stone’s throw from the Markthal is another of Rotterdam’s most famous architectural quirks. Here, the chaotic Cube Houses stretch across Overblaak Street, forming a chain of 38 unique residences that need to be seen to be believed.
Architect Piet Blom built the houses in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Blom’s bold choice of design reflects his quest to build a residential complex akin to trees in a forest. Each ‘house’ comprises a gigantic cube, perched at a jaunty 45-degree angle to create a striking optical illusion.
Today, the Cube Houses are home to private dwellings, a hostel and the Kijk-Kubus Museum House.
Top tip: To see inside one of the Cube Houses, visit the Kijk Kubus Museum, which is a fully decorated Cube House. The museum is open seven days a week from 11:00 to 17:00, with an adult ticket costing €3.
3) Watch a match at De Kuip stadium
The white and red colours of Rotterdam’s biggest football team, Feyenoord, are everywhere. Feyenoord flags fly from apartment windows, local pubs hang Feyenoord banners by their door, and Feyenoord stickers adorn lamposts across the city.
To watch a Feyenoord match, head to the 51,000-capacity De Kuip stadium in the Feijenoord district of the city. The stadium is renowned for its atmosphere, with a compact design ensuring the stands are close to the pitch. On match days, the arena creates an intimidating cauldron of noise – a must-do for any football fan.
How to buy tickets: You can buy tickets for Feyenoord matches from the official club website.
4) Take a boat tour of Rotterdam harbour
Rotterdam’s historic harbour is a hive of activity from dawn to dusk. From industrial tankers to private pleasure boats, hundreds of vessels crisscross the city’s waterways each day. For those enjoying a weekend in Rotterdam, we recommend spending an hour or two enjoying the city’s best sights on a boat trip.
Hitting the waters of Rotterdam Harbour allows you to experience the city’s architecture from a unique vantage point. This port city is intrinsically linked to the water – there can be few finer ways to explore it than by boat.
Top tip: There are dozens of companies offering trips across Rotterdam Harbour. For one of the most adrenaline-filled experiences, check out the high-speed Rotterdam RIB tours.
5) Gaze across at the Erasmus bridge
To get your fill of the Rotterdam harbour without stepping foot on a boat, head to this spot near Willemsbrug. From here, you can enjoy sublime views across to the iconic Erasmusbrug (Erasmus Bridge). The striking bridge stretches across the Nieuwe Maas waterway, connecting north and south Rotterdam.
Named after Desiderius Erasmus, the famous Dutch humanist, the bridge is a magnificent sight. With a total length of just over 800 metres, Erasmusbrug’s most impressive feature is its 139-metre-tall pylon.
6) Enjoy fine dining at Restaurant Fred
Rotterdam is packed full of restaurants serving food from all over the world. One of the best is Fred, which holds two Michelin Stars. Here, Chef Fred Mustert serves an iconic menu based on classic French cuisine with a twist whilst ensuring a focus on serving fresh, seasonable ingredients.
Fred’s signature Menu Inspiration costs 189 euros – an indulgent price for a special occasion.
For a more budget-friendly experience, try Mama Essi. This popular restaurant serves an eclectic menu of African specialities on the northern edge of the Feijenoord district.
Read next: The best places to eat and drink in Košice, Slovakia.
7) Take a day trip from Rotterdam to Kinderdijk
Just an hour by tram and bus from Rotterdam Central, the UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk windmills are unmissable. 19 classic windmills stand along a small stretch of canal, surrounded by open fields and big skies. This is Holland straight out of a postcard, and it is every bit as magical as it sounds.
The history of the site stretches back over 700 years, with most of the windmills dating back to the 1700s. In their heyday, these iconic structures played a crucial role in water management for the people of Kinderdijk.
Today, this charming place is one of the most popular tourist sites in the Netherlands. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors descend on the paths of Kinderdijk to marvel at the picture-perfect windmills.
How to visit: Entrance to the Kinderdijk site is free, although there are two small museums. Entry to the museums costs from €16 for an adult ticket. You can easily get to Kinderdijk from Rotterdam by public transport.
8) Sip a cocktail at Jigger
After enjoying your evening meal, head to Hoogstraat, where Bar Jigger‘s cocktail menu will make you wish you were extending your stay in Rotterdam.
From espresso martinis to a range of Tiki specials, the bartenders are experts in creating the perfect drink. The atmosphere at Jigger is cosy and relaxed, with a friendly, international crowd enjoying an evening out among warm candles and dozens of houseplants.
9) Explore some of the best towns and cities near Rotterdam
Rotterdam is ideally placed for exploring the dozens of towns, villages and cities across the South Holland region. Moreover, with the Netherlands recently introducing a contactless payment system across their entire public transport network, it’s never been easier to travel through the country by train, bus or tram. You can even travel between Rotterdam and Amsterdam by train in under an hour.
We recommend: We spent a couple of happy days hopping between cities from Rotterdam. Our personal highlights include Delft, Gouda and Brielle – all accessible within an hour of Rotterdam by public transport. For more inspiration, check out our posts on our seven favourite day trips from Rotterdam by train and the best things to do in Delft.
10) Visit the Dutch Pinball Museum
Home to over 100 classic pinball machines, the Dutch Pinball Museum is one of Rotterdam’s most unique attractions. The museum delivers exactly what its name promises – row upon row of playable pinball arcade machines, packed into a charming waterfront venue.
The earliest pinball machine at the museum dates back to 1853, although this is for display purposes only. Visitors can only play on any machines from 1960 onwards, offering the perfect opportunity to indulge in some childhood nostalgia. For those who are into gaming, the museum is one of the best things to do during your weekend in Rotterdam.
How to do it: Entry to the Dutch Pinball Museum costs 15 euros for a two-hour slot. The museum is open on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
11) Admire the best views of Rotterdam from the Euromast tower
For those looking to get a bird’s eye view of Rotterdam, the Euromast tower should be top of your list. Located in Het Park, the Euromast stretches 185m above the city, making it the highest observation tower in the Netherlands.
The Euromast’s observation deck is located at 112 metres and offers magnificent panoramic views of Rotterdam. For those with a head for heights, make sure to book tickets for the Euroscoop, a mesmerising lift featuring a hair-raising glass floor. The Euroscoop lift takes visitors all the way up to 185 metres – a high adrenaline, high altitude experience.
How to do it: Tickets for the Euromast observation deck cost from €12.50 for an adult.
12) Visit the historic Delfshaven
Central Rotterdam might be dominated by modern, imposing high rises, but head twenty minutes west, and it’s a different story. Here, the charming port of Delfshaven is one of the only areas of the city that was not destroyed by bombing raids during the Second World War.
On the horizon, the Euromast tower rises above the flats. At the southern end of the dock, a classic wooden windmill stands tall. Boats of all sizes bob up and down alongside you as you make your way down the narrow streets.
Meanwhile, at the northern head of the harbour, a ramshackle collection of old townhouses is home to Café de Oude Sluis, where the outside terrace offers splendid views down the water. When the sun sets, there can be few better places to enjoy a drink and reflect on your weekend in Rotterdam.
13) Stroll through Rotterdam’s gorgeous Het Park
Just a short walk from the Euromast tram stop, Het Park is an oasis of green space in the heart of Rotterdam. Locals flock here in their thousands on a sunny day, enjoying the acres of well-tended grass and the shade offered by the impressive array of large trees.
Het Park is an ideal meeting spot for groups of friends, boasting a dedicated barbeque zone that is perfect for a casual evening in the sun. For those without access to a grill, Parqiet is the park’s premier cafe, serving a charming menu of lunch favourites and snacks – from croque monsieurs to bitterballen, a Dutch-style meatball.