A perfect blend of the past and the contemporary
So, you’re considering heading to Rotterdam? Well, I think you’re making a fantastic decision. I feel Rotterdam is so often overlooked with a preference for Amsterdam, and I say that because we did that exact thing.
Don’t get me wrong; I loved our time in Amsterdam.
However, if you’re looking for a similar Dutch experience that’s slightly calmer, has plenty of charm, and perhaps not so many canals, then Rotterdam is for you.
We headed to Rotterdam for the Traverse18 conference and decided it was a perfect opportunity to explore the city in more depth, so we decided to add a couple of days to the trip.
![The pin image for our post - '12 things to see & do in Rotterdam, Netherlands'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/12-things-to-see-do-in-Rotterdam-Netherlands-Pin6.jpg)
![Erasmus in front of Laurenkerk , explore rotterham, hidden gems in rotterham, places to see in netherlands, visit rotterham, what to see in rotterham](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Erasmus-in-front-of-the-Church-Rotterdam-V5.jpg)
What to see in Rotterdam
![Dutch barges moored up in the old harbour of Rotterdam in front of the White House](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Old-Harbour-historic-rotterham-places-to-eat-and-drink-in-rotterham-places-to-see-in-netherlands-rotterham-tourism-what-to-see-in-rotterham-V5.jpg)
![A large dutch barge moored up in front of the historic white building in the old harbour of rotterdam in the netherlands](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/A-large-mobile-home-explore-rotterham-historic-rotterham-must-see-rotterham-places-to-eat-and-drink-in-rotterham-where-to-visit-in-netherlands-V5.jpg)
Here you can head along the canals that branch off the harbour.
However, one of Rotterdam’s few surviving buildings from the Second World War bombing campaign is the White House.
![The historic ten-storey, art deco witte huis on the edge of the old harbour of rotterdam in the netherlands](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Witte-Huis-Up-close-explore-rotterham-historic-rotterham-iconic-rotterham-what-to-see-in-rotterham-where-to-visit-in-netherlands-V5.jpg)
Where is Rotterdam?
How to get to Rotterdam
- By Train
You can catch a train to Rotterdam Central. Direct services from London takes as little as 3hr 16min.
- By Air
Rotterdam is served by the 'Rotterdam The Hague Airport' (RTM) which is around 5 miles/ 7.5 km from the centre of Rotterdam.
- By Car
Like many European cities, Rotterdam has emission restrictions; for more information, check out the 'Urban Access Regulations in Europe' site. Our experience of driving in Rotterdam is easy enough, but we would recommend the Waze App to ensure you have the latest updates and traffic restrictions for your journey.
![The iconic bright yellow cube houses overlooking patrons filling the harbourside cafes, bars and restaurants in Rotterdam, Holland](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cubes-in-the-harbour-explore-rotterham-iconic-rotterham-must-see-rotterham-quirky-rotterham-things-to-see-in-rotterham-V5.jpg)
![The iconic bright yellow cube houses are set against a blue sky with fluffy clouds in Rotterdam, Holland](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cube-houses-against-Blue-skies-curious-rotterham-hidden-gems-in-rotterham-places-to-see-in-rotterham-quirky-rotterham-things-to-see-in-rotterham-V5.jpg)
![The Erasmusbrug or Erasmus Bridge over the Nieuwe Maas waterway in central rotterdam](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Erasmusbrug-explore-rotterham-iconic-rotterham-rotterham-tourism-streets-of-rotterham-visit-rotterham-V5.jpg)
If you're thinking of heading of to the land of tulips and cheese, then grab this DK Eyewitness guide to help with your planning.
I find them extremely informative, easy to follow and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more.
![A cyclist riding in front of the modernist Markethall in Rotterdam](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Cycing-in-front-of-the-market-hall-curious-rotterham-hidden-gems-in-rotterham-must-see-rotterham-places-to-visit-in-rotterham-quirky-rotterham-V5.jpg)
![The curved shape of rotterdam's market hall set against a blue sky](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-edge-of-the-Market-Rotterdam-Netherlands-V5.jpg)
![The colourful interior mural on the curved market hall ceiling in rotterdam](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Market-Ceiling-curious-rotterham-hidden-gems-in-rotterham-places-to-see-in-netherlands-secret-rotterham-what-to-see-in-rotterham-V5.jpg)
Where to stay in Rotterdam
![The bright red lighthouse and dock crane at rotterdam's maritime museum](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Lighthouse-at-the-Harbour-Museum-discover-rotterham-historic-rotterham-places-to-see-in-netherlands-things-to-do-in-rotterham-what-to-see-in-rotterham-V5.jpg)
Wander to the Maritime Museum Harbour and take a stroll around the exhibits outside.
You’ll feel like you’ve walked into an old working port.
The striking red cast iron lighthouse once stood at the Hook of Holland.
![The bright red lighthouse against rotterdam's skyline at the harbourside maritime museum](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Maritime-Museum-discover-rotterham-historic-rotterham-places-to-visit-in-rotterham-things-to-do-in-rotterham-visit-rotterham-V5.jpg)
A Dutch Road Trip
Discover more of Holland; you'll be amazed at how easy it is to tour around by car. Like us, you can create your own road trip and visit Keukenhof, Haarlem, Alkmaar, Utrecht and Gouda.
We also squeezed in a tour of Four Dutch Harbour Towns and visited the 19 traditional windmills at the UNESCO site of Kinderdijk.
Please take a peek at the offers at Rental Cars; they cover all budgets and allow you to pick up and drop off at different destinations.
![The Euromast observation tower set in rotterdam's leafy city park](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Euromast-discover-rotterham-iconic-rotterham-sight-seeing-tour-of-rotterham-things-to-do-in-rotterham-where-to-visit-in-netherlands-V5.jpg)
It now stands 185 metres tall, after the Space Tower was added in 1970.
If heights are your thing, catch the lift that takes just 30 seconds to transport you up to the observation deck, at around 100 metres above ground level.
![A colourful three-storey 1960s apartment block next to a canal in central rotterdam in the netherlands](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rotterdam-Canal-Side-explore-rotterham-places-to-visit-in-netherlands-quirky-rotterham-secret-rotterham-streets-of-rotterham-V5.jpg)
![A 60s skyscraper that appears to be partially on stilts in central rotterdam](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Impressive-style-explore-rotterham-rotterham-tourism-streets-of-rotterham-things-to-see-in-rotterham-where-to-visit-in-netherlands-V5.jpg)
![A stylish red-framed, glass office block in rotterdam's harbour area](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rotterdam-Architecture-discover-rotterham-iconic-rotterham-places-to-visit-in-netherlands-sight-seeing-tour-of-rotterham-streets-of-rotterham-V5.jpg)
![A view down the Witte de Withstraat street in the cool district of rotterdam in the netherlands](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Witte-de-Withstraat-explore-rotterham-hidden-gems-in-rotterham-places-to-eat-and-drink-in-rotterham-quirky-rotterham-streets-of-rotterham-V5.jpg)
Rotterdam Tourist Information
![The museum rotterdam in the centre of the city](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Museum-Rotterdam-explore-rotterham-places-to-visit-in-rotterham-quirky-rotterham-streets-of-rotterham-where-to-visit-in-rotterham-V5.jpg)
![The entrance to a bar in the cool district of rotterdam in the netherlands](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/A-cool-bar-curious-rotterham-places-to-eat-and-drink-in-rotterham-quirky-rotterham-secret-rotterham-streets-of-rotterham-V5.jpg)
![The art deco frontage to a shop in the cool district of rotterdam in the netherlands](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Shopping-in-the-Cool-District-explore-rotterham-places-to-visit-in-rotterham-quirky-rotterham-streets-of-rotterham-visit-rotterham-V5.jpg)
![A larger than life brass Santa statue in Rotterdam holding an object that could represent a Christmas tree, but in reality, it's a sex toy.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Santa-with-a-surprise-curious-rotterham-quirky-rotterham-rotterham-tourism-secret-rotterham-streets-of-rotterham-visit-rotterham-V5.jpg)
Mmmmm, apple pie and cream.
We sort of came across Dudok café in Het Park by accident.
We wanted a coffee break and noticed “Dudok’s” renowned apple pie.
![A slice of dudok's original apple pie, served with an ample helping of whipped cream on a china plate in rotterdam](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Dudoks-original-apple-pie-discover-rotterham-places-to-eat-and-drink-in-rotterham-places-to-visit-in-rotterham-things-to-try-in-rotterham-V5.jpg)
We thought it would be rude not to give it a try, obviously for research purposes, you understand.
It was very nice; I wouldn’t mind a slice now.
![A psychedelic mural with the head of a chimpanzee taking centre spot on a street in central Rotterdam.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Money-Street-Art-curious-rotterham-hidden-gems-in-rotterham-quirky-rotterham-rotterham-tourism-streets-of-rotterham-things-to-see-in-rotterham-V5.jpg)
![A stencil of a human ladder climbing the outside of a multi-storey building in rotterdam in the netherlands](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Climbing-the-Wall-discover-rotterham-hidden-gems-in-rotterham-quirky-rotterham-streets-of-rotterham-what-to-see-in-rotterham-V5.jpg)
![A bronze statue of sir hippolot, an elegantly dressed hippopotamus, seated, smoking a cigar and wearing a fez](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Sir-Hippolot-curious-rotterham-quirky-rotterham-things-to-see-in-rotterham-visit-rotterham-what-to-see-in-rotterham-V5.jpg)
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I love the look of Rotterdam, your photos are so inspiring. We have a day to kill before our ferry from Hook of Holland to the UK so hopefully this is where we will head to. I’ll definitely be referring back to this post nearer the time. #farawayfiles
Thanks Annabel, you’ll easily be able to fill a day in Rotterdam. There’s so much to see particularly around the old harbour and the city centre.Glad to be of help.
I absolutely adore Rotterdam, it’s a unique city in The Netherlands! Can you believe that up until 10 years ago the city was pretty grimy? It’s so much better now!#FarawayFiles
No. I didn’t realise that, you would never know from going there now. We loved it too.
Rotterdam is an absolute must for architecture lovers – I went there for work and we took an architectural tour which was fabulous. Love those cube houses! Thanks for linking up with #farawayfiles
That sounds like it would have interesting, some of the buildings are rather quirky, it would have been good to know a little bit of history behind them.
I’d really like to visit Rotterdam. It looks so different from Amsterdam and I love the arty vibe that you’ve captured in your photos. Thanks for sharing with #farawayfiles
Rotterdam has a different feel to Amsterdam, it doesn’t have as many canals & historic buildings, but it also doesn’t get as busy as Amsterdam, which is pleasant.
We missed Rotterdam as we had limited time in the area, but I have regretted it ever since, and seeing your photos makes it all the more clear that we need to get back and spend time there too. I love all the reflections shots, and as I’m married to an architect, the photos of all the unique architecture as well. #farawayfiles
To be perfectly honest Rotterdam wasn’t really at the top of our list, and we were so surprised how fantastic it was. Your husband will love it, if he is an architect, this is what really stood out for us.
It was my birthplace. I was recently there and had a meal in Hotel New York which is the old Holland America building situated at the waterside.
Ah fantastic that’s a beautiful building, how was your meal?