We spent a day in Rotterdam from The Hague on our journey to the Netherlands, and we both thoroughly enjoyed our short stop in the area. With only one time in Rotterdam, we were just able to experience so many, but Rotterdam certainly left us wanting more.
This one-day plan to Rotterdam features both famous sights and obscure gems of the country’s second-largest area. It includes both our first travel plans and the locations we discovered while visiting Rotterdam.
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You may choose to base yourself in Rotterdam when visiting different cities and smaller cities in the Netherlands. In our case, we decided to relocate to Rotterdam for the day after setting up shop in The Hague ( Den Haag ).
You can include a lot of earth, even if you just see Rotterdam in a day. We’ll show you how.
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Getting It
Rotterdam is available from many other locations by car, coach, taxi, and Uber. The Netherlands is n’t that big of a country, but it’s very simple to travel through. We love traveling by train in the Netherlands.
It takes about 30 minutes by train from Den Haag Centraal to Rotterdam Centraal. Although we had to move in Gouda during our visit, there are many clear trains between the two cities. It was an easy move that lined up quite properly.
You can use your cards at any time throughout the day. On the French Railways website, I advise getting them in advance. Download their cellular software so you can simply bring up your cards to show the employees when they come about to test them.
There are also trains that run between Amsterdam and Rotterdam, each lasting 45 minutes to an hour. In the Netherlands, you can also book a vehicle to get from point A to point B. I always advise comparing car hire prices online to get the best deals. We often guide with Discover Cars as we’re often able to find reliable auto accommodations at the best rates.
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Nieuwe Delftse Poort in Rotterdam on a single moment
When Justin and I walked from Rotterdam Centraal towards Rotterdam City Centre, we stumbled upon this huge craft item called Nieuwe Delftse Poort. It says things that we took the time to prevent and examine this one out since it was pouring rain when we visited.
This contemporary wall is a replica of one that was once in this exact location as part of Rotterdam’s fortress windows in 1545. As time went on, Rotterdam did n’t involve the Noorderpoort and its safety, though it remained as part of the town’s history.
The Delftsche Poort, the final embodiment of the original wall, became Rotterdam’s most well-known monument after three successive reconstructions. The city made the decision to relocate the wall as the town expanded and advanced.
This always ended up happening. The wall was severely damaged in 1940 and totally removed during World War II. Actor Cor Kraat continued to create contemporary art in the place of the classic gates long after the war. Built using peach columns, this wall is only a skeleton of what was once that, demonstrating that Rotterdam is in a continual state of restoration.
One Day in Rotterdam: Markthalle ( Market Hall )
Our first stop on our principal itinerary in Rotterdam was Markthal, or Market Hall, which is housed inside a recognizable horseshoe-shaped construction. This enclosed included industry boasts nearly 100 new food stalls featuring real flavors from all over the world. A retailer and a number of franchises are nearby.
This round tower has a stunning, enormous mural painted across the walls and ceiling. The painting by Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam is called” Horn of Plenty” or” Cornucopia”.
With a smile to Dutch still-life drawings from the 17th century, it details elaborate images of flowers, fruits, vegetables, grains, and pests. The building’s black exterior is starkly contrasted by this artwork. It’s also been called” the largest artwork in the world” and” the Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam”.
I advise wandering about and picking up food from various kiosks. There is something to suit everyone’s flavor. As for the vegan alternatives at Markthal, try Tofu Heaven ( delicious tofu meals and food! For vegetarian sushi and ramen, visit Pokebowl, Umi Sushi Ramen &, or 55 Bombay Street ( samosas, pakora, chickpea paratha, chana dhal, and more ), or
At Markthal, there are no vegans stroopwafels, so please be aware. Trust me, I looked, I asked, and no one had healthier versions of this popular French doughnut. To find vegan stroopwafels in town, you’ll need to visit Didi’s Stroopwafels ( more on this later )! ).
Let me tell you, on a cloudy Saturday in Rotterdam, this place was packed! It was very crowded because we made the mistake of visiting also at noon. Most foods stalls had long waits, most of which were for food. No only do you need to pay to use the bathroom, but there will be a long range as well.
I advise visiting sooner in the morning or later in the afternoon to avert this circumstance. As we were leaving, the masses did a lot, so I believe we should include timed this one out more.
One Time in Rotterdam: Cube Houses
After your day at the Market Hall, make sure to stop by The Cube Houses of Rotterdam, also known as Kubuswoningen. After all, the Cube Homes are directly across the street and just a short walk away.
If you love fascinating architecture or offbeat places to visit, the Cube Houses are a valuable addition to your one time in Rotterdam stay. This selection of distinctive homes is the work of architect Piet Blom, who created them all the way from the beginning.
Rotterdam needed to be fully rebuilt following World War II. City leaders thought that it would be a great option to upgrade everything. The idea behind the bright Cube Houses was to maximize the space inside the houses by not only adding bright and cheerful modern houses to the city, but also to make the city’s streets more inviting.
These impressive Cube Houses are actually a village within the city. Each home has three floors and increase substantially wider towards the major, resembling plants. These” tree” homes form a forest together, and they are now known as the” Blaak Forest.”
As you can see, this small, well-known community is very popular and draws a lot of people. It’s important to be courteous as these are true houses where people live. You can also stay the night at the Stayokay Hostel Rotterdam in the Cube Houses!
If you’re serious, you can also take a tour of one of the houses. We saw quite a few persons advertising this visit, and there are also signs pointing you towards the Kijk- Kubus ( Present- Cube ). It’s open seven days a week from 11:00 to 17 :00 and requires a small entrance fee.
Lijnbaan in Rotterdam for One Time:
Lijnbaan is the main shopping streets in Rotterdam. Take a stroll down the Lijnbaan as you make your way to Delfshaven, the city’s historical district, after visiting the Cube Houses. There are many well-known financial locations along this major shopping street.
There’s an amazing story behind Lijnbaan, too. The city planners set out to create a contemporary and valuable street design after Rotterdam was completely flattened following the Second World War. The Lijnbaan, which was constructed in 1953, became Europe’s first dedicated pedestrian-free city that was completely closed off to cars.
This was a foreign idea at the time. Owners of businesses believed that customers may simply enter their stores if they could park in their vehicles. But, it turned out to be completely same. From its roots, Lijnbaan became a place where people could go for a wander, meet with their companions, and gaze into store windows.
Stroopwafels by Didi
Because they sell healthier stroopwafels, I’m including this well-known store north of the Lijnbaan in this one-day itinerary to Rotterdam. This was the only vegan- welcoming stroopwafel store I may find in Rotterdam. If you know of any, choose add others in the comments section above!
While the team members ‘ freshly prepared stroopwafels are not completely free of animal products, there are items of veggie stroopwafels on the shelves. Make sure you ask a member of staff or purchase a package marked with a” V” in black marker on the bottom of the package.
Dutch Pinball Museum in Rotterdam for one moment
The Dutch Pinball Museum is unlike any other gallery we have ever been to. It’s dedicated entirely to bowling equipment from their commencement through to current time. The best part is that there are more than 100 accessible pinball machines that can be used with your passport an unlimited number of times.
First of all, I highly advise making a reservation for the Dutch Pinball Museum in advance. This is a very popular place to visit in Rotterdam and tickets usually sell out. Your solution includes a two-hour casino.
The first area you’ll visit when you arrive is filled with the most dated, historically significant, and unique pinball machines. These are the only ones that you wo n’t be able to play, and they date back to 1853. This area serves as a real gallery, allowing you to observe how pinball machines have evolved over time.
Finally, you can explore the rest of the museum. Travel through the different rooms on a couple of different amounts to perform various themed pinball machines. For rings, players, films, and more, there are foosball machines. Along with that, there are also music and movie memorabilia to go with the bowling units.
Our favourite place was the Big Lebowski area. This smaller room is filled with bowling machines, arts, and other collectibles from the Big Lebowski.
Funhouse is my all-time popular bowling player, as I can recall playing this one when I was younger. While there are a considerable amount of visitors entering the exhibition at the same time, there are always models free to play. It might take a while to play your favorite song, but it wo n’t be long.
The ideal amount of time to enjoy bowling for two hours is when you can enjoy it to your heart’s content. The Dutch Pinball Museum is located in the middle of Delfshaven, the most ancient place of Rotterdam. When you’ve finished, it’s time to move around Delfshaven.
Delfshaven in Rotterdam for One Time:
This one day in Rotterdam itinerary would n’t be complete without a trip to Delfshaven. One of the few areas of Rotterdam that was n’t bombed during World War II is this. This region, which dates back to 1389, was once known as the” Port of Delft,” before becoming a part of Rotterdam in 1886.
Justin and I went for a stroll along the stone streets lining the old bay. One of the largest in the Netherlands is a restored 18th century wheat wind. Taking a tour of this place and buy wheat products.
Also, I suggest stopping by Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim, a factory that makes typically brewed Pilgrim vodka with real Rotterdam water. One of three breweries in Rotterdam is this.
There is a history of pilgrims in Delfshaven. The old church ( Oude Kerk ) in Delfshaven is called the Pelgrimskerk ( Pilgrim Fathers Church ). After Pilgrims left Delfshaven in 1620 to travel to America, it was given that title.
Witte de Withstraat, Rotterdam for one day:
On your way back towards the city center, go for a walk on Witte de Withstraat. This trendy neighborhood has vibrant murals and street art all over the walls and alleyways. There are hip art galleries, trendy bars and restaurants, and general good vibes.
Check out a patio, go people watching, and sample artisanal food and drink. If you want to stay in Rotterdam well into the evening, visit a speakeasy cocktail bar or check out the nightlife. This is a must-see location to add to your Rotterdam travel plans if you have time in your schedule.
Vegan Junk Food Bar
One of the best restaurants, Vegan Junk Food Bar, is located just outside Witte de Withstraat. I’ve wanted to go there for ages, and their first location is in Amsterdam. I was so happy to learn of their second location in Rotterdam!
Whether you follow a vegan diet or not, this is the place to be for vegan comfort food. Everyone will agree that this food is utterly delicious, in my opinion. We ordered locally brewed beer, burgers, wings and dipping sauces. Everything was delicious, and the vibe was flawless overall.
It was the ideal way to wrap up our day in Rotterdam before returning to the train station for our return to The Hague. Despite the rainy weather ( to be expected in the Netherlands in the spring ), Justin and I had a really wonderful day exploring Rotterdam.
The Euromast Tower, Fenix Food Factory, several museums and galleries, as well as some of Rotterdam’s stunning parks, are just a few other places we could visit on our next trip. If any of these pique your interest, feel free to include them in your Rotterdam itinerary.
Where to Stay in Rotterdam
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Although we only had one day to spend in Rotterdam, it was a gamble for us to decide between establishing ourselves in Rotterdam and The Hague. In the end, we chose The Hague, but there’s no reason why you should n’t spend the night ( or nights ) in Rotterdam.
Use the map to find the best hotels, vacation homes, and lodging. For more precise information, enter your travel dates, and click on each property to learn more about and reserve it.
More Blog Posts About The Netherlands
Looking forward to more blog posts about the Netherlands to help you organize your upcoming trip there? Check out these articles:
Amsterdam Canal Cocktail Cruise at Sunset
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The full-time travel blogger and content creator behind Justin Plus Lauren is Lauren YakiwchukLauren. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ countries around the world. As one of the first vegan travel bloggers, Lauren is an expert on vegan travel. She also concentrates on creating incredible travel itineraries for cities and small towns, eco and sustainable travel, and outdoor adventure travel.
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