One Day in Rotterdam Itinerary: The Finest Journey Information

On our journey to the Netherlands, we took a day journey to Rotterdam from The Hague and actually loved our transient go to to the town. With solely someday in Rotterdam, we had been solely capable of expertise a lot, however Rotterdam positively left us wanting extra.

This someday in Rotterdam itinerary showcases each highlights and hidden gems of the second-largest metropolis within the nation. It consists of our preliminary journey plans, in addition to the locations we stumbled upon when in Rotterdam.

You could select to base your self in Rotterdam when visiting different cities and small cities within the Netherlands. In our case, we primarily based ourselves in The Hague (Den Haag) and ventured out to Rotterdam for the day.

Regardless, even should you solely see Rotterdam in a day, you’ll be able to cowl fairly a little bit of floor. We’ll present you ways.

Getting There

Rotterdam is definitely accessible by automotive, prepare and taxi/Uber from many different locations. The Netherlands isn’t that large of a rustic, and it’s very easy to get from place to put. We love touring by prepare within the Netherlands.

From Den Haag Centraal to Rotterdam Centraal, it’s a couple of 30 minute prepare journey. There are various direct trains between the 2 cities, though we needed to switch in Gouda after we visited. It was a straightforward switch that lined up relatively completely.

You need to use your tickets any time of the day. I recommend getting them forward of time on the Dutch Railways web site. Obtain their cellular app so you’ll be able to simply convey up your tickets to point out the employees once they come round to verify them.

There are additionally trains between Amsterdam and Rotterdam with a journey time between 45 minutes and 1 hour. You too can lease a automotive within the Netherlands to get from level A to level B. I all the time advocate evaluating automotive rental costs on-line to seek out the perfect charges. We all the time e-book with Uncover Automobiles as we’re all the time capable of finding respected automotive leases at the perfect costs.

One Day in Rotterdam: Nieuwe Delftse Poort

When Justin and I walked from Rotterdam Centraal in direction of Rotterdam Metropolis Centre, we stumbled upon this huge artwork piece known as Nieuwe Delftse Poort. Thoughts you, it was pouring rain after we visited, so it says one thing that we nonetheless took the time to cease and verify this one out.

This contemporary gate represents one which used to face on this identical spot again in 1545 as a part of Rotterdam’s fortification partitions. As time went on, Rotterdam didn’t require the Noorderpoort and its safety, although it remained as a part of the town’s historical past.

The unique gate was rebuilt on three events and the final incarnation of it, the Delftsche Poort, turned essentially the most well-known monument in Rotterdam. As the town expanded and have become extra developed, the municipality determined to maneuver the gate to a different location.

This by no means ended up taking place. Amidst WWII, the gate was badly broken in 1940 and utterly eliminated. Lengthy after the struggle, artist Cor Kraat constructed a contemporary artwork piece within the place of the unique gates. Constructed utilizing orange beams, this gate is merely a skeleton of what was as soon as there, demonstrating that Rotterdam is in a relentless state of rebuilding.

One Day in Rotterdam: Markthal (Market Corridor)

Our first foremost cease in Rotterdam was Markthal, or Market Corridor, positioned inside an iconic horseshoe-shaped construction. This indoor lined market boasts practically 100 contemporary meals stalls that includes genuine flavors from all around the world. There’s additionally a grocery store and a number of other eating places.

There’s a wonderful, huge mural splashed throughout the partitions and ceiling inside this round constructing. The paintings by Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam known as “Horn of A lot” or “Cornucopia”.

It particulars giant imagery of flowers, fruits, greens, seeds and bugs with a nod to Dutch still-life work from the seventeenth century. This artwork is a pointy distinction to the constructing’s grey exterior. It’s additionally been known as “the biggest paintings on the earth” and “the Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam”.

I recommend strolling round and sampling dishes from a number of stalls. There’s one thing for each style. As for the vegan choices at Markthal, strive Tofu Heaven (scrumptious tofu snacks and dishes!), Umi Sushi Ramen & Pokebowl for veggie sushi and ramen, or 55 Bombay Road (samosas, pakora, chickpea paratha, chana dhal and extra).

Please be suggested that there aren’t any vegan stroopwafels at Markthal. Belief me, I appeared, I requested, and nobody had vegan variations of this well-known Dutch cookie. You’ll have to go to Didi’s Stroopwafels on the town to seek out vegan stroopwafels (extra on this in a bit!).

Let me let you know, on a wet Saturday in Rotterdam, this place was packed! We made the error of visiting round lunchtime as nicely, so it was very crowded. There have been lengthy waits for meals from most cubicles. Not solely do you could pay to make use of the bathroom, however there will probably be a prolonged line as nicely.

To keep away from this case, I recommend visiting earlier within the morning or later within the afternoon. The crowds did let up fairly a bit as we had been leaving, so I believe we should always have timed this one out higher.

One Day in Rotterdam: Dice Homes

The Dice Homes of Rotterdam, often known as Kubuswoningen, are nice to go to after your time on the Market Corridor. In spite of everything, the Dice Homes are immediately throughout the best way with a strolling distance of solely a minute or two.

For those who love fascinating structure or quirky locations to go to, the Dice Homes are a worthy addition to your someday in Rotterdam itinerary. Architect Piet Blom designed this assortment of distinctive properties that you just gained’t see anyplace else on the earth.

After World Warfare II, Rotterdam wanted to be utterly rebuilt. Metropolis officers thought that it could be a superb alternative to modernize every thing. The idea behind the yellow Dice Homes was to not solely add shiny and cheery fashionable buildings to the town, however to additionally optimize the area contained in the properties.

These placing Dice Homes are a village themselves inside the metropolis. Every home has three flooring and develop a lot wider in direction of the highest, resembling timber. Collectively, these “tree” properties kind a forest and gained the nickname, “Blaak Forest”.

As you’ll be able to think about, this little neighborhood is kind of fashionable and attracts fairly a crowd. It’s necessary to be respectful as these are precise properties the place individuals reside. It’s additionally the house of the Stayokay Hostel Rotterdam – sure, you’ll be able to keep the night time within the Dice Homes!

On the identical time, you’ll be able to take a tour inside one of many properties should you’re . We noticed fairly a number of individuals promoting this tour, and there are additionally indicators pointing you in direction of the Kijk-Kubus (Present-Dice). It’s open seven days per week from 11:00 to 17:00 and prices a small price to go inside.

One Day in Rotterdam: Lijnbaan

Lijnbaan is the principle buying avenue in Rotterdam. After you go to the Dice Homes, go for a stroll down the Lijnbaan as you make your approach in direction of Delfshaven, the historic space of the town. That is the principle buying promenade with many fashionable shops.

There’s an intriguing historical past behind Lijnbaan, too. After Rotterdam was totally flattened after the Second World Warfare, the town planners got down to create a contemporary and significant avenue design. Inbuilt 1953, the Lijnbaan turned the primary devoted pedestrian-free avenue in Europe, closed off utterly to automobiles.

This was a overseas idea on the time. Enterprise homeowners felt that their outlets would solely be visited if individuals may drive up of their automobiles. Nonetheless, it proved to be the other. From its beginnings, Lijnbaan turned a spot the place residents may go for a wander, meet with their mates, and gaze into store home windows.

Didi’s Stroopwafels

Whereas positioned south of the Lijnbaan, I’m together with this notable stroopwafel store on this someday in Rotterdam itinerary as a result of they promote vegan stroopwafels. This was the one vegan-friendly stroopwafel store I may discover in Rotterdam. Please add others within the feedback part beneath, if you already know of any!

Whereas the contemporary stroopwafels that the employees members make earlier than your eyes usually are not freed from animal merchandise, there are packages of vegan stroopwafels on the cabinets. Be sure you ask a member of employees or buy a package deal marked with a “V” in black marker on the underside of the package deal.

One Day in Rotterdam: Dutch Pinball Museum

The Dutch Pinball Museum is in contrast to any museum we’ve ever visited. It’s devoted totally to pinball machines from their inception via to current day. Better of all, there are greater than 100 playable pinball machines to play a vast quantity of instances together with your ticket.

First, I extremely advocate buying a ticket to the Dutch Pinball Museum forward of time. It is a very talked-about place to go to in Rotterdam and tickets typically promote out. Your ticket covers a two hour time slot.

Upon arrival, the primary room you’ll go to is full of essentially the most outdated, vintage and uncommon pinball machines. These are the one ones that you just gained’t be capable to play, they usually date again to 1853. This room features as a real museum the place you will note the evolution of pinball machines over time.

Then, the remainder of the museum is yours to discover. Wander via the assorted rooms on a few completely different ranges to play completely different themed pinball machines. There are pinball machines for bands and musicians, films and extra. Not solely that, however there’s additionally film and music memorabilia to match the pinball cupboards.

Our favourite room was the Large Lebowski room. This smaller room is filled with Large Lebowski memorabilia, artwork, and naturally, a pinball machine devoted to the film.

My favourite pinball machine is Funhouse as I’ve reminiscences of enjoying this one after I was youthful. Whereas there are a substantial quantity of visitors coming into the museum on the identical time, there are all the time machines free to play. You might need to attend to play your favourite one, however it gained’t be for too lengthy.

Two hours is the right period of time to play pinball to your coronary heart’s content material. The Dutch Pinball Museum is positioned in the midst of Delfshaven, essentially the most historic space of Rotterdam. When you’re completed, it’s time to go for a wander round Delfshaven.

One Day in Rotterdam: Delfshaven

This someday in Rotterdam itinerary wouldn’t be full and not using a journey to Delfshaven. This is likely one of the few areas of Rotterdam that wasn’t bombed throughout World Warfare II. Courting again to 1389, this space was its personal municipality (“Port of Delft”) earlier than changing into a part of Rotterdam in 1886.

Justin and I went for a stroll alongside the cobblestone streets lining the outdated marina. There’s a reconstructed 18th century flour windmill that’s one of many largest within the Netherlands. It’s attainable to take a tour right here and buy merchandise fabricated from flour.

Moreover, I recommend stopping by Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim, a brewery that makes historically brewed Pilgrim beer with pure Rotterdam water. That is one among three breweries in Rotterdam.

There’s a historical past of pilgrims in Delfshaven. The outdated church (Oude Kerk) in Delfshaven known as the Pelgrimskerk (Pilgrim Fathers Church). It was named as such after Pilgrims left Delfshaven in 1620 to journey to America.

One Day in Rotterdam: Witte de Withstraat

In your approach again in direction of the town middle, go for a stroll on Witte de Withstraat. It is a fashionable space of city with colourful murals and avenue artwork overlaying the partitions and alleyways. There are cool bars and eating places, hip artwork galleries, and throughout good vibes.

Try a patio, go individuals watching, and pattern artisanal foods and drinks. Pop right into a speakeasy cocktail bar or take a look at the nightlife should you plan to remain in Rotterdam nicely into the night. When you have time in your schedule, this can be a should go to spot so as to add to your Rotterdam journey plans.

Vegan Junk Meals Bar

Simply on the fringe of Witte de Withstraat is likely one of the greatest eating places, Vegan Junk Meals Bar. Their first location is in Amsterdam, and I’ve needed to go to for ages now. I used to be so joyful to study of their second location in Rotterdam!

That is the place to be for vegan consolation meals, whether or not you observe a vegan food regimen or not. I believe that everybody will agree that this meals is completely scrumptious. We ordered regionally brewed beer, burgers, wings and dipping sauces. Every little thing was so tasty and total, the place had impeccable vibes.

It was the right finish to our day in Rotterdam earlier than strolling again to the prepare station to go again to The Hague. Regardless of the wet climate (to be anticipated within the Netherlands within the spring), Justin and I had a extremely fantastic day exploring Rotterdam.

There are fairly a number of different locations we may go to in Rotterdam on our subsequent journey, together with the Euromast Tower, Fenix Meals Manufacturing unit, a number of museums and galleries, and a few of Rotterdam’s lovely parks. Be happy so as to add any of those to your Rotterdam itinerary in the event that they pique your curiosity.

Lauren is the full-time journey blogger and content material creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She began Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ nations world wide. Lauren is an professional on vegan journey as one of many very first vegan journey bloggers. She additionally focuses on outside journey journey, eco and sustainable journey, and creating wonderful journey itineraries for cities and small cities.