Top 3 things to do in Rotterdam Amsterdam is so last year!

By Travel Blogger Extraordinaire Mr Plane Guy

Rotterdam is the cooler, 1000% less touristy cousin of Amsterdam and just a mere 30-minute train ride from Schiphol Airport!

This city's got it all. Shiny new architecture, a food hall where you can stuff your face with Dutch goodies and stare at a gigantic artwork? Historical streets with a World War II backstory? Meet Delfshaven. This place survived the bombings and is still standing strong.

And of course, there's the harbour. One of the biggest, busiest, and let's face it, most impressive in the world. Hop on a boat and see the city from a whole new angle. As night falls, watch the Erasmus Bridge (aka "The Swan") light up the skyline. It's the perfect setting for a night you'll never forget, or remember depending on how much Heineken you've had.

Oh, and did we mention the food? If you haven't tried stroopwafels or bitterballen, you haven't lived.

So, next time you're heading for Holland, skip the cliché and give Rotterdam a whirl. Trust me, it's the Dutch city you never knew you needed to visit. Here are my top 3 things to do in Rotterdam.

3. The Yellow Cube Houses

These structures are truly iconic in Rotterdam! They are completely distinctive – for a small fee of around €3, you can explore a few cramped rooms by climbing stairs alongside thousands of other tourists. The ingenious design, created by architect Piet Blom, is intended to represent an abstract forest, with each cube house symbolising a tree. The tilted cubes sit atop hexagonal pylons, offering a unique and quirky perspective on urban living.

Once inside, you'll find that the angled walls and unconventional layouts make for an intriguing experience, showcasing a blend of creativity and functionality. Check it out, you have to tick this off the list if visiting Rotterdam.

Don't forget to follow!

2. Euromast

This was actually really good, the ride to the top was more like a funfair ride, with Eurobeats popping and lights flashing, the views are ok.

Open daily 9 am until 10pm

Located, Parkhaven 20, 3016,

The closest public transit stop is the Euromast tram station, with the Pieter de Hoochweg bus stop and the Dijkzigt subway stops both a little further away. The tower is an easy walk from Rotterdam's Central Station—approximately 15 minutes on foot.

As the ride begins, you’re whisked away, and the city unfolds around you in a dazzling display. It’s not just about the views, though; it’s about the entire sensory experience that leaves you both thrilled and awestruck. Whether you’re a local looking for a new way to see your city or a tourist seeking a memorable highlight, this ride offers something truly special.

I put all of My Top 3 Things To Do In Rotterdam into this vlog style video, I hope you like it,

1. Markthal

Markthal Rotterdam is a grand building filled with global cuisines and street food. It offers diverse culinary experiences and stunning architecture, including a vibrant ceiling depicting food items. A must-visit for food and art lovers.

As you wander through the aisles, the aroma of freshly baked goods, sizzling meats, and exotic spices fills the air, enticing you to sample the diverse offerings. From traditional Dutch stroopwafels and herring to spicy Asian dishes, Mediterranean delights, and beyond, there is something to satisfy every palate.

I tried the snack cup from Miss Chiara its Korean street food made up of Korean fried chicken sat on a passion fruit sparkling homemade drink, followed by some lovely pistachio ice cream. The place was so good I had to come back the next day to try the viral hot dog sticks, I went for the Mozzarella option. This was so good!! You must try it!

Other things to do in Rotterdam

How to get to Rotterdam

How to get to Rotterdam from the UK depends on your preferred mode of travel. Here are a few options:

1. By Plane: The quickest way to reach Rotterdam from the UK is by flying to Amsterdam Schiphol. It is usually really good value to fly from the UK to Amsterdam Schihol.

2. By Train: For a more scenic and eco-friendly option, consider taking the train. You can board a Eurostar train from London St Pancras International to Brussels, and then transfer to Rotterdam Centraal. The entire journey takes roughly 4-5 hours, including the transfer.

3. By Ferry: If you enjoy traveling by sea, you can take a ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland with Stena Line. The ferry crossing takes about 6-7 hours. From the Hook of Holland, you can catch a train to Rotterdam, which takes approximately 30 minutes.

4. By Car: Driving from the UK to Rotterdam involves taking a ferry or the Eurotunnel Shuttle from Folkestone to Calais. Once in France, you'll drive through Belgium and into the Netherlands. The drive from Calais to Rotterdam is around 3.5 to 4 hours, depending on traffic.

Each method has its own advantages, so choose the one that best fits your schedule, budget, and travel preferences. Safe travels!

Which train to get from Amsterdam Schiphol to Rotterdam Centraal , you have a few options to choose from. The most convenient and fastest choice is to take the Intercity Direct train, which typically departs every 15-30 minutes and takes around 25 minutes to reach Rotterdam Centraal. Alternatively, you can opt for a regular Intercity train, which is slightly slower and takes about 50 minutes.

How long should I stay in Rotterdam?

I stayed just 1 night and to be honest that wasn't enough if it had been another day this blog would be called top 10 things to do in Rotterdam, I really wanted to visit the windmills

Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage. I woke up late and my train back was around 2pm so I didn't have enough time for this.

2-3 days would be perfect!

Places to stay in Rotterdam

I stayed at the City Hub capsule hotel and at under £40 yes £40 for the night it was EPIC! It's such a good concept, its not a hostel you get private comfortable soundproofed sleeping rooms capsules. I will link a full review here.

You can book it here.

Here are some other hotel deals in Rotterdam

Hello I’m Paul a Travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline. I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!

I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!

I hope you enjoyed My Top 3 Things To Do In Rotterdam, do let me know in the comments.

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