What to see in Rotterdam in 2 days

You go to Amsterdam, but you probably don’t pay attention to the city around it. And that’s a pity. The city of Rotterdam is nothing like the capital of the Netherlands, but it has its own charm. There are interesting places hidden there, waiting for your delight and attention. We’ll tell you about them.

Rotterdam Attractions

It feels like all the bold architects have gathered here and are creating whatever their hearts desire. Right at the exit of the Central Station, you’ll be greeted by unusual houses whose facades create the illusion of a dance. The central station itself also has an interesting shape, and its sharpest corner points to the center. You won’t get lost.

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Visit the City Hall building, it’s not boring at all, it can even become a location for a photoshoot. Nearby is the central post office building, which is charming and well-designed inside, and you can see it during open days in early autumn.

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Take a stroll through the Delfshaven district. There, a windmill and a Dutch ship will capture your attention. And it also strongly resembles Amsterdam.

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People who are “in tune” with style absolutely must visit the floating pavilion Drijvend Paviljoen. Concerts, exhibitions, master classes, and workshops are held here. Plus, the lighting there is cool, so if you’re strolling in the evening near Wilhelminaplein metro station, pay attention.

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Do you think only Lisbon has a historic yellow tram? Well, no. Rotterdam has one too. It takes you around popular attractions for an hour. You can get off at any stop and continue your journey from another point. The tram departs from the Willemsplein stop every 30 minutes.

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There’s even its own White House here! In 1898, Witte Huis was the tallest office building in Europe. The facade is covered in mosaic, and there’s an observation deck on the roof. Buildings of this style are almost gone in Rotterdam, so don’t miss it. Blaak is the closest metro station to the White House.

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Guess what? It’s a market! Have you ever seen a market like this? In our understanding, it’s a dirty tent kingdom where you can find anything, but in return, lose your soul and temporarily lose your sense of beauty. Here, it’s not like that. In the Markthal building, there are even apartments, and food prices are higher than in stores. The ceiling boasts the pride of Dutch artists — a horn of plenty. This is probably the only market where you can walk around with your head held high.

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The search for creative space and classic Dutch modernism will lead you to the Van Nelle factory. Previously, coffee, tea, and tobacco were made here, but now most of the building is occupied by offices, and the rest is dedicated to creative spaces. But the way there is not short. From Rotterdam Centraal station, you need to take bus No. 38 to the Beukelsbrug stop. Cross the railway tracks there, and you’re there!

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Oh, don’t forget about the Zoo! Here you’ll see king penguins, giraffes, elephants, exotic butterflies, and there’s even an oceanarium on the premises. It’s considered the best zoo in Europe, but tastes differ.

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There’s another unusual place — the Cube Houses (Kubuswoning). According to the architect’s concept, these houses symbolize a forest, which is why there are as many as 56 of them. 38 are residential, each house has three levels, and the attic roof is a glass pyramid. Someone even grows tomatoes there. You can find out how an apartment in such a house is arranged — one of the residents has opened their apartment for visits.

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There’s life outside Rotterdam too, and what a life! The Netherlands is famous for its windmills, and their largest concentration is in the village of Kinderdijk. It’s located 15 km from the city, about a half-hour drive, or an hour by public transport.

Rotterdam Welcome Card

To move around the city without problems and go wherever you want, get yourself a tourist card. It includes visits to some attractions and public transport. It’s available for 1, 2, and 3 days. See prices on the website.