Rotterdam is significantly more affordable than Amsterdam and is closer to all the attractions if you’re searching for a place to base yourself while touring the surrounding area. These are nine fantastic day trips from Rotterdam that are worthwhile.
1. Delft
One of the best day trips from Rotterdam is undoubted to Delft. After all, the famous Delftware blue, a Dutch earthenware with a tin finish and origins in the city, would be familiar to anybody who has read about European pottery.
Additional notable attractions in Delft include a Vermeer Center, a number of churches, and a breathtaking panorama from the top of the Nieuwe Kerk. Because Delft and Leiden are so close to one another, if you only have a day, you may easily explore both cities in one trip.
2. The Hague
Many travelers make the error of missing the Hague because they believe it to be “too uninteresting” or “just full of politicians,” despite it being around 20 minutes by rail from Rotterdam. The Hague is much more than only the many political landmarks to be seen within the city, though!
After all, there are lots of vegan and vegetarian restaurants, endless hofjes to get lost in, and the Mauritshuis to visit in the city center (where The Girl With the Pearl Earring can be admired).
In addition to a large number of museums, Madurodam is one of the nation’s oldest amusement parks and a tiny version of the Netherlands if you’re seeking family-friendly activities. Although you’ll need many days to experience everything The Hague has to offer, you may easily tour the key sights in a single day.
3. Scheveningen
Although Scheveningen is legally a borough of The Hague, it is a beach neighborhood with an impressive stretch of sand, several historic hotels, and a ton of boardwalk cafes, thanks to its distinct coastal mood and relaxed attitude (especially in the summer months).
A ride on the Scheveningen Ferris Wheel is a necessity if you want to see the area from above. The nearby former town center, which is now a suburb of The Hague, is well-known for its fishing heritage and old cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old churches.
4. Leiden
Undoubtedly one of the most attractive sites in the Netherlands is the charming academic city of Leiden, in addition to its countless canals, tree-lined streets, and canal houses dating back to the 17th century.
Instead, the entire city possesses a charm that is unusual in larger cities. A day journey to the birthplace of Rembrandt is made possible by the fact that Leiden is only a little over 30 minutes by train from Rotterdam.
5. Amsterdam
As it only takes 45 minutes to go by rail from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, it is possible to visit Amsterdam for the day. Of course, everyone is aware of the abundance of obscure and small museums in Amsterdam as well as the abundance of canals to explore.
Yet you might be surprised to learn that Amsterdam also has some of the top restaurants in all of the Netherlands, in addition to some amazing parks. Don’t forget to visit the Jordaan neighborhood, which is unquestionably Amsterdam’s most beautiful neighborhood, as well as the countless churches that date back hundreds of years while you’re there.
6. Dordrecht
Dordrecht is one of the easiest destinations to go to while taking a day trip from Rotterdam. Dordrecht, which is a little less well-known as a tourist attraction than some of the other Dutch places you could go, has a long history dating at least to the 13th century, when William I, Count of Holland, was awarded the city rights.
Locally, Dordrecht is still referred to as Dordt. When visiting the city, some of the best things to do include climbing the impossible-to-climb (and tremendously leaning) Dordrecht Minster, enjoying the town from above, and visiting one of the numerous museums the area has to offer.
7. Gouda
Gouda is a city in the Netherlands that is best known for its cheese of the same name. Gouda has a rich history that is worth learning about, in addition to being the location of a historic cheese weighing house, numerous cheese-tasting options, and a museum partially devoted to dairy products.
Gouda attractions include taking a self-guided walking tour of the city’s greatest historic sites (canals, undiscovered churches, a working windmill that still grinds its own flour), as well as just relaxing and taking in the laid-back atmosphere.
8. Kinderdijk Windmills
Just over 10 miles from Rotterdam’s center is the municipality of the same name, where the famed Kinderdijk Windmills are located. The windmills are easily accessible by bicycle or public transportation and are now recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site due to their historical significance.
9. Nationaal Park De Biesbosch
Following a devastating flood that swept across the region and transformed it into a tidal wetland, De Beibosch started to grow some 600 years ago. De Biesbosch is officially protected as a national park due to its breathtaking beauty and many biospheres, and hundreds of rivers and creeks now flow through the area. The park has cycling and walking pathways, and you may rent a boat to explore the marshes.
