Day trips from Rotterdam
Between beach breaks and city escapes, the Netherlands is home to more than its fair share of wonderful attractions, cities, and scenery. And if you’re looking for an exciting base to explore the rest of the country from, the city of Rotterdam is a great place to start. Our Hull to Rotterdam route travels across the North Sea overnight, while you snooze in our comfortable cabin accommodation, and you’ll be enjoying the historical buzz of Rotterdam feeling refreshed and revitalised before you know it. While this port-side town is a stunning destination in its own right, there are lots of other important cities that lie less than two hours’ drive away. Here are just a few day trips from Rotterdam that are well worth the journey.
Amsterdam Day Trip
Accessible in just over an hour from Rotterdam, Amsterdam is the perfect day trip option. Don’t miss the beautiful Jordaan district, easily Amsterdam’s most appealing district, it holds the popular Prinsengracht, Westerstraat, and ‘9 straatjes’ areas, which are full of charming shops, restaurants and bars. Those searching for history and culture will love the city’s expanse of world-class museums, including the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and the historically important Anne Frank Museum. Spend an afternoon at Bloemenmarkt, a unique floating flower market, or at the Heineken Brewery, where you can learn all about the brewing process of this national drink, while being offered samples along the way. Amsterdam is also home to some of the best food options in the Netherlands, as well as some incredible parks and recreational grounds, making it the perfect place for a varied city break.
Van Gogh Museum: Skip-the-Queue Ticket
Rijksmuseum Skip-the-Queue Entry Ticket
Amsterdam: Heineken Experience Ticket
Day Trip to The Hague
While it’s perhaps best known as being home to the seat of the government, The Hague’s beachside location actually makes it a fun place to visit for the all the family and, as far as day trips from Rotterdam go, it’s easily accessible at just a 30 minute drive away. Start your day at Meijendel, an area of coastal dunes that trails towards a tranquil nature reserve. As well as being a great for cyclists, walkers and other activity enthusiasts, the area’s wildlife is wonderful for nature lovers, as it holds over 250 species of bird alone. Once you’ve had your fill of outdoor activities, head to Mauritshuis in search of the famous Girl With a Pearl Earring, by Johannes Vermeer. As the Royal Cabinet of Paintings, the gallery holds the majority of the government’s objets d’art, including works by Rembrandt and Holbein the Younger.
The Hague Highlights: Bike Tour
Day trip to Delft
Located a short drive from Rotterdam, Delft is a quieter alternative to the capital of Amsterdam; so it’s the perfect place to head if you’re after some rest and relaxation. Delft boasts some spectacular architectural wonders, due to being centuries old, and it’s also known for its signature white and blue Delftware. After you’ve visited the Royal Delft Experience to learn all about the city’s signature pottery, a trip along the Oude Delft canal is an essential activity on any itinerary, allowing you to cruise past many of the city’s most beautiful landmarks. Those wishing to explore on foot should visit the main square to marvel at the Gothic tower and the striking Renaissance Town Hall. The city’s open air markets are a great place to pick up some locally produced gifts too, and each Thursday and Sunday, streets are festooned with stalls that are set up along the canalside.
Day trip to Leiden
Birthplace of Rembrandt, the pretty university city of Leiden is easily one of the most beautiful places in the Netherlands. And thanks to Leiden’s location, just over half an hour by car from Rotterdam, a day trip couldn’t be easier! Possessing a charm often likened to Amsterdam, Leiden is ideal for exploring on two wheels, so hop on one of the bikes available to rent at the station and weave through the streets, lined with fascinating feats of 17th-century architecture. The city’s impressive collection of museums are a must-see, while the canal-side Saturday market is the perfect place for foodies to pick up a mouth-watering Stroopwaffel (syrup waffle) from one of the local vendors. Discover the rich history of the Netherlands’ oldest university and its celebrity professors – Albert Einstein taught there for a few weeks each year in the 1920s – before catching the sunset across the canal, and feel inspired like Rembrandt was before you.