2-Day Rotterdam itinerary: Mix of Modern and Authentic Dutch
Rotterdam may look at first like any other ordinary modern city with its skyscrapers. And that’s because the city was almost completely wiped out and rebuilt post WWII. But look closer and you see a fun take of modern architecture. The Cube Houses, Markthal and Erasmusbrug are some of the landmarks that contribute to Rotterdam being known as the architecture capital of the Netherlands. And even if you love something traditional, you can still head to the historic Delfshaven, or make a trip to windmills galore Kinderdijk. This 2-day Rotterdam itinerary will show you the way.
This Rotterdam itinerary contains affiliate links (marked with *) that will earn me commission if you click and make any bookings, at no additional cost to you.
Do also refer to my Netherlands Travel Guide: Planning for a Unique Visit for an overview of the country, including tips on budget, safety and food.
This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Rotterdam.
Rotterdam Itinerary
This 2-day Rotterdam itinerary is designed generally to suit first-time visitors who want a quick overview of the city and vicinity. While it is possible to cover the city briefly in a quick day trip, 2 days will also allow you to visit one of the few UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Netherlands – Kinderdijk.
For a start, you may wish to browse some of the activities available* to have an idea of what you’d be interested in to include in your Rotterdam itinerary, in case you have any other more specific interests.
Rotterdam itinerary planning considerations
1. Number of days
While Rotterdam is the second most populous city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam, it is actually larger by land size than the Dutch capital. Despite this, it is possible to cover the main sights of the city on just a day trip. But in case you wish to also visit Kinderdijk, the UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its high concentration of traditional Dutch windmills, allocate 2 days to Rotterdam.
Below is a diagrammatic representation of the city as well as an overview of the various neighbourhoods and landmarks.
2. Getting to Rotterdam
By Air
You can get to Rotterdam either by arriving at the Amsterdam Schiphol airport (AMS) or the Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM).
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
AMS is one of the top 5 busiest airports by passenger volume in Europe, so booking a flight to the airport shouldn’t prove to be difficult. Particularly, the national carrier KLM has its home base at AMS and flies direct to and from many cities in the world. Similarly, many other airlines are likely to also have direct flights into the airport. Including the budget carriers such as easyJet and Ryan Air.
Once you arrive at AMS, you are just one direct train to Rotterdam. The train journey takes only around 25 minutes (though there are also slower trains taking an hour) and trains run very frequently, direct to the Rotterdam Centraal station. The trains are operated by NS Dutch Railways, costs around €16.40 each way for both the faster and slower trains (payable with a contactless bank card) and you can check for their timetables either at their website or Google Maps.
Rotterdam The Hague Airport
If you are arriving from the region (several parts of Europe and North Africa), you can potentially find flights to RTM. From the RTM airport, bus 33 takes you to the Rotterdam Centraal station in about 25 minutes. You can also take bus 33 in the opposite direction to the Meijersplein / Airport metro station for your onward journey on the Metro.
By train
If you are travelling from a neighbouring country such as Belgium, Germany or France, you can arrive at the Rotterdam Centraal station. That will likely be the quickest and most convenient way, bringing you straight to the city centre.
From Rotterdam Centraal station, the Metro, tram as well as the bus systems can help you connect to other parts of the city.
By Car or Bus
If you chose to arrive at Rotterdam from neighbouring cities or countries by FlixBus, you are likely to arrive at the Rotterdam Centraal bus station.
However, when there are train options, I usually prefer them over buses because of the shorter time and (usually) more predictable arrival times. Buses are likely to be the budget option though, if that matters to you more.
If arriving by car, it is definitely not difficult to drive around the modern city but parking may be expensive.
By Ferry
There are overnight ferries from Hull in the UK to Rotterdam with a duration of about 11.5 hours and you can read about it and plan accordingly.
3. Accommodation
Refer to the map graphic above for the main neighbourhoods in Rotterdam. Due to the size of Rotterdam, you are probably going to need some public transport wherever you choose to stay. Unless you are staying in the main Centrum area.
Rotterdam is generally a very safe city, so I don’t feel that there is any particular areas to avoid.
Centrum
This is the area where the key landmarks and attractions are located, so is arguably the best area to stay in. It is fairly easy to get around to visit the various sights, very built-up and modern and has numerous bars, cafes and restaurants. Definitely the place to be in especially for a very short stay.
Delfshaven
Delfshaven is a neighbourhood west of the city, and is an area that had miraculously survived WWII. That is why it feels much more authentic and traditional Dutch compared to the rest of the rebuilt city.
It is fairly out of the way from the main sights though, other than of course the historic part of Delfshaven itself. You are likely to need to rely on public transport during your stay here.
Rotterdam-Noord and Overschie
Rotterdam-Noord is an area directly north of the Rotterdam Centraal station, so is fairly close to the Centrum area. It is arguably the best balance between being away from the tourists, as well as being reasonably close to the attractions. Particularly, the demographics seem to be more towards the younger and working class, and is more family-friendly with more parks and playgrounds.
The Overschie neighbourhood is much further though also relatively quiet and green. It is also where the Rotterdam The Hague Airport is located.
Kralingen-Crooswijk
This neighbourhood is distinctively younger, mainly because of the Erasmus University. Therefore you will find mostly residential areas, lots for students.
Feijenoord
Located on the south side of the River New Meuse (Nieuwe Maas), the Feijenoord district is being transformed from an industrial area to a modern residential district with a new riverfront. It used to be an area with lower-income earners and previously had a reputation for higher crime rates. Especially the petty crimes. However, following the modernisation and transformation of the area, this should be generally safe for visitors.
Where I stayed
Unfortunately, I can’t quite comment on this because even though I had been to Rotterdam three times in total, all three were day trips. However, if you asked me to make a choice based on my three encounters with the city, I’d love to stay in Centrum – maybe in the Cool District, or the Rotterdam-Blaak area (near the Cube Houses).
4. Getting around Rotterdam
The city of Rotterdam is well connected by a network of trams, buses as well as the Metro, operated by Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram (RET) within the city. And due to the size of the city, you are likely going to need the public transport in some way or other to get around.
The RET operates altogether 5 metro lines, 11 tram lines and a network of bus routes. The fares are quite expensive though. In fact, I thought they were one of the most expensive I have seen.
Each single journey (unlimited transfers lasting up to 2 hours) within the RET network costs a whopping €5.50, which can be paid by tapping your contactless bank card upon entry as well as your exit of your transport.
Ferries
If you are looking to reach different points along the River Nieuwe Maas, you can look at either the Water Shuttle, Water Taxi or Water Bus.
Firstly, the Water Shuttle is a dedicated service that takes you from the Erasmusburg ferry terminal to Kinderdijk in about 30 minutes, with no other stops in between.
Secondly, the Water Taxi service also plies the same river and stops at over 50 locations. Each journey will cost between €5.25 and €15 depending on your distance of travel.
Lastly, the Water Bus service plies also along River Nieuwe Maas, but only between Erasmusbrug and Dordrecht (to the southeast), and stops at 10 stations along the way. Each journey will cost between €2.45 and €8.45 depending on your distance of travel.
However, you are most likely not needing to use the ferry services, except for the Water Shuttle to Kinderdijk.
Cycling
Travelling by bicycles is certainly the Dutch’s preferred mode of transport. This is evident by the fact that there are 23 million bicycles in the country compared to the total population of only 18 million people!
In case you are physically able to, renting a bicycle is definitely an option you can think of. I tried doing that during my first trip to Amsterdam, but it was quite a nerve-wrecking experience for me trying to deal with passing vehicles and human traffic. So I’d say, consider this if you are an experienced cyclist.
5. Passes for Rotterdam
There are some passes that you can consider purchasing during your visit so you can try to bring costs down.
Rotterdam City Card
Unlike the I Amsterdam City Card which offers you free entries to activities in Amsterdam, the Rotterdam City card is more of a discount card. Having said that, it is actually quite well priced as a discount card. So if you are visiting a handful of the attractions including the St Lawrence Church, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen and Kinderdijk, you could very well benefit from it.
You’ll also get the option to include unlimited public transport to the card. And as you can see from above, public transport is fairly expensive at €5.50 for a 2-hour period. Having the Rotterdam City card will be extremely handy if you are expecting to take the Rotterdam public transport on a more frequent basis.
Take note though, that other than the Water Shuttle discount to Kinderdijk, the Rotterdam City card does not cover any of the other ferry transports.
Museum Pass (Museumkaart)
Before I go into the details of the Museumkaart, it is important to highlight that there is one meant for residents of the Netherlands, as well as the temporary Museumkaart meant for visitors.
The temporary Museumkaart allows a visitor to visit any 5 museums in the Netherlands within 31 days, all for a cost of €75. It can only be purchased at participating museums, so you need to do so at your first museum visit.
In case you are visiting the other major cities of the Netherlands such as Amsterdam, and also planning to visit at least 5 museums, this is a card you can perhaps consider.
Museumkaart or Rotterdam City Card
The Museumkaart is great if you intend to visit 5 museums, especially those with high entrance fees and you are visiting more than just Rotterdam. For example, each entry to Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen costs €20 and Kunsthal €19. So 5 of such visits definitely makes the Museumkaart worth it.
On the other hand, the Rotterdam City card also includes public transport and discounts to the Rotterdam Zoo and Water Shuttle, albeit only discounted entries to the museums.
Therefore you should pick the activities you are interested in and then work out which option works the budget better. Personally, I would recommend the Rotterdam City card especially if you expect to take quite a few public transport trips and are visiting a handful of the attractions.
RET Day or Tourist Day tickets
As mentioned earlier, RET is Rotterdam’s main public transport operator, covering the network of buses, trams and the metro within the city. In case you are planning to take multiple trips within the city, the RET Day ticket may be of use to you. Just bear in mind that each single journey (lasting up to 2 hours) costs €5.50, while a single day ticket costs €12. This means that you need at least 3 trips in a single day for the RET day ticket to be worthwhile.
And if you have the Rotterdam City Card, bear in mind that it already covers unlimited travel on the RET network.
The Tourist Day ticket costs €17 and covers extended travel out of the city and including the water bus. Visit the website to read about it in detail.
RET day pass – My opinion
Rotterdam is fairly large compared to Amsterdam and so you should expect to make use of the public transport here. Work out whether you will need at least three trips in a day. Most likely, if you are visiting Delfshaven, the Euromast and Cube Houses in a day (as suggested in this 2-day Rotterdam itinerary), you will need at least three trips.
And since the Rotterdam City Card also covers discounted entries to attractions, decide which works best for you. If you don’t plan to visit the museums or the zoo, go with the RET Day pass. Otherwise, go for the Rotterdam City Card.
I purchased a RET Day pass during one of my day trips to Rotterdam because I was visiting the Cube Houses, Delfshaven and Euromast in a single day, but decided not to visit the art museums (as they are not my area of interest). For this reason, the Rotterdam City Card wasn’t quite worth it in my case.
The pass for this 2-Day Rotterdam Itinerary
Based on the 2-day Rotterdam itinerary featured in this article, the Rotterdam City Card would be the best option because it covers the RET transport within the city as well as discounts in the listed activities. If you choose not to visit one or two of the attractions in this itinerary, then it might not be worthwhile.
6. Safety
The Netherlands is one of the safest countries that I have been to, and is in fact around the top 10 safest in the European continent by the Global Peace Index. Violent crimes are rare but petty crimes can be common. These include those such as pickpocketing and theft, which are very much avoidable if you stay vigilant and avoid dark places.
Road safety
There are more bicycles in the country than the population. Each person in the Netherlands owns an average of 1.3 bicycles and is the preferred mode of transport for short to medium distances. So, it is important to keep a lookout for them, avoid standing in the way and prevent getting into accidents with them.
Similarly, if you are the cyclist, make sure to keep watch of vehicles and pedestrians.
Drugs and ‘coffee shops’
You might have heard about drugs and ‘coffee shops’ in the Netherlands, and of course in Rotterdam. The Netherlands takes a tolerance stance on drugs in the country. This means that while illegal, possession and sale of small amounts of soft drugs (such as cannabis) is being tolerated. That is why you still see ‘coffee shops’ (cafes selling cakes and cookies with certain dosage of soft drugs) in Rotterdam.
I wouldn’t recommend trying them or more so purchase any drugs from anyone on the streets. This is because you don’t know the dosage, the contents, and how your body may react to them. You don’t want these to ruin the rest of your holiday!
Take note though, that hard drugs such as cocaine are not tolerated and are strictly prosecuted.
7. Food
You can read more information in detail about the food you can find in the Netherlands at my Netherlands Travel Guide: Planning for a Unique Visit.
In summary, these are mainly the Dutch snacks such as poffertjes, pannenkoeken (pancakes), stroopwafels and bitterballen.
When it comes to winters, stews become warm and comforting food, along with soups such as Erwtensoep (a thick split pea soup).
Some general recommendations:
- Markthal
- Fenix Food Factory (Nico Koomanskade 1025)
- Bertmans (Karel Doormanstraat 292)
- Teds (Schiekade 189)
- Poffertjessalon Seth (Hoogstraat 147)
- Hudson (Schiedamse Vest 28)
- Bazar (Witte de Withstraat 16)
- Bierhandel De Pijp (Gaffelstraat 90-A)
Unfortunately, I am not able to give you personal recommendations as my time was very limited in Rotterdam despite having visited it three times. The first was a day tour with only a single stop for the Erasmusbrug. Then I had lunch at Markthal during my second trip. And finally I had lunch near the Erasmusbrug pier during my third trip which isn’t worth mentioning.
The above list was collated during my food research for my visits to Rotterdam but was unable to try due to my limited time in the city.
Expected overall expenses for this 2-day Rotterdam itinerary
€16.40 – transport to/from Amsterdam Schiphol airport
€25 – 2-day Rotterdam City Card (book here)¹
Things to note:
- Based on this 2-day Rotterdam itinerary, we expect the 2-day Rotterdam City Card to be worth it. Make sure to do the math before purchasing if you are deviating from this suggested itinerary. Also take note that the 2-day Rotterdam City Card will include RET public transport (trams, buses and Metro) within the city.
Rotterdam Day 1
Day 1 – Centrum and Delfshaven
Day 1 of this 2-day Rotterdam itinerary covers the main sights at Centrum, a walk through the historic Delfshaven and ending at the Euromast.
Expected expenses (adult prices):
€7.50 – Laurenskerk including Tower Climb (€4.50 with Rotterdam City Pass)
€3.50 – Kijk-Kubus Museum-house (Cube Houses) (€2.50 with Rotterdam City Pass)
€23.50 – Euromast with Euroscoop (€17.63 with Rotterdam City Pass)¹
Things to note:
- The Euromast is currently closed and will reopen only from 1 July 2026.
- This day can be done if you arrive some time in the morning. You may need to compromise on some exploration time at Delfshaven or Oudehaven in case you arrive later.
Oude Haven (Old Harbour)
Once you are settled into the city, head out to Rotterdam Blaak where many of Rotterdam’s sights are located. Particularly when it comes to the unique architecture on display in this vicinity.
The attractions open quite late in the morning (St Lawrence Church at 10am and the Cube Houses at 11am), so head to Oude Haven first if that’s the case.
This is the city’s oldest harbour with a number of historic boats and restaurants in the area. In particular, keep an eye out for the White House, one of Europe’s first skyscrapers and the rare few that survived the WWII bombings.
Sint-Laurenskerk (St Lawrence Church)
Another building that has survived the WWII bombings is the St Lawrence Church – the only medieval building still standing in Rotterdam. It features a Gothic-style architecture, has a total of 5 organs (including the oldest in the Netherlands) and a 63m (207ft) church tower.
The church tower is open for visitors to climb during the months of March to October.
However, the church and tower do not open daily. So do check their website for confirmation of their opening days.
Kijk-Kubus Museum-house (Show-cube museum house)
Rotterdam features a number of bold and unique modern architecture, and particularly, the Cube Houses are one of the most known among them. Designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom, the houses have been catching the eyes since 1984 because of how it tilts at a 45-degree angle.
If you’re wondering how does it feel like living in a house like that, then visit the show-room museum house. For a token fee (in European context), you can visit the entire three levels of the fully-furnished apartment. But be warned, the stairs are narrow and you may feel some sense of vertigo.
Notice also, that right next to the Cube Houses is a building shaped of a pencil!
Lunch at Markthal (Market Hall)
Then, head over to yet another unique architecture at Markthal. This features a modern horseshoe-shaped building that houses not only an indoor market hall (as the name suggests), but also apartments within the horseshoe structure.
Partly because of its massive ceiling art, Markthal also has the nickname being ‘Rotterdam’s Sistine Chapel’.
The Market Hall has nearly 90 different stalls and restaurants selling food and snacks from all around the world, so is a perfect place to have your lunch. Be warned, because there are so many options that you may find it difficult to make your choice!
And if you feel like you are being watched, yes that’s because the apartments within the structure have windows that allow their occupants to get a view of the market hall!
Historic Delfshaven
From Markthal, head to the historic centre of Delfshaven via the Rotterdam Metro network services – either lines A, B or C will take you there in 5 stops.
Delfshaven, or Port of Delft, is so called because of its past being the seaport of the nearby town of Delft. It is one of the few areas in Rotterdam that have survived the WWII bombings which is the reason why it looks much more authentic and traditional compared to the rebuilt city centre.
From the Delfshaven Metro station, take a leisurely stroll down the canal to the other end where an 18th century windmill still stands.
Along the way, stop by the Pilgrim Fathers Church. This is a 15th century church named because of a group of Pilgrims who prayed here before departing for America. If you are there when it opens, you can step in to have a look at the exhibition on the Pilgrim Story. However, I believe the church is closed more often than not.
Euromast
From Delfshaven, you can take tram service 8 to Euromast, although there involves quite a bit of walking as well.
The Euromast is the tallest observation tower in the Netherlands at 185m (604ft) and offers 360 degrees panoramic views of the city. From the tower, you can see the Port of Rotterdam (the largest in Europe), the River Nieuwe Maas and the city icons such as the Erasmusbrug.
Euroscoop
The general ticket of the Euromast takes you only halfway up to 96m (315ft). But if you purchased the ticket to the Euroscoop as well, then this rotating glass-floored elevator takes you all the way up to the top. The rotating elevator allows you to see the views all round, while comfortably seated.
The Euromast is currently undergoing renovations but will shortly open from 1 July 2026.
I personally felt that while the rotating glass-bottom elevators were quite cool, the tickets were quite expensive for views that were not of the most spectacular of all observation towers. Especially during a cloudy or rainy day.
But if you choose not to visit it, make sure to factor that in to your decision on whether to get the Rotterdam City Card.
Cool District
Finally to end off the day, head to Centrum’s Cool District where you can find restaurants for dinner and some nightlife. You can reach Cool District also by the tram service 8, although there is still some walking you may have to do.
Rotterdam Day 2
Day 2 – Museum and Kinderdijk
The second and final day of this 2-day Rotterdam itinerary gets you first to the popular Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, before going on a half day trip to visit the windmills of UNESCO World Heritage Site – Kinderdijk.
Expected expenses (adult prices):
€20 – Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen (€15 with Rotterdam City Card)¹
€32.50 – Watershuttle and Kinderdijk combination ticket (book here or book here)²
Things to note:
- The Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is currently closed for renovations until 2029 or 2030. In the meantime, the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen continues to be open for visits.
- You can book your Watershuttle and Kinderdijk combination tickets either from the Water Shuttle or the Kinderdijk websites for the same price. The Rotterdam City Card gives you 25% discount to the Water Shuttle, but the combination ticket will still work out to be cheaper.
Because the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen opens only at 11am, you can spend some time to enjoy a long and nice breakfast, or explore the city centre.
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
The Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen is the world’s first publicly-open art storage facility. Its exterior is a bowl-shaped mirrored building, with its interior storing over 155,000 art pieces. Since its opening in 2021, it has allowed thousands of visitors per year a behind-the-scenes feel of how art pieces are stored, restored, managed and preserved.
There is also a rooftop forest and a restaurant Renilde where you can have lunch and get great views of Rotterdam.
A visit to the depot generally takes around 2 hours and you can also have the option to take the 60-minute guided tour.
There is also a Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, a Dutch art museum housing a large collection of European art from a range of time periods. However, the museum is currently undergoing a renovation and so is closed until 2029 or 2030.
Erasmusbrug
From the Depot, walk across Museumpark and then head eastwards to the Monument to the Merchant Navy ‘de Boeg’ (which honours the 3,500 Dutch merchant seamen who died in WWII). This walk will generally take you around 20 minutes.
From here, you can capture a nice side view to the Erasmusbrug (Erasmus Bridge), or nicknamed ‘The Swan’ because of its looks. The bridge connects the north side of Rotterdam to the south side, across the River Nieuwe Maas.
Then head to the Rotterdam, Erasmusbrug Ferry terminal, just an 8-minute walk away for the Water Shuttle to Kinderdijk. Make sure to check the Water Shuttle timetable so you do not have to end up waiting for long periods of time.
From my experience, there are conflicting information for the Water Shuttle timetable, even at the ferry terminal itself. The ferry terminal’s signboards as well as Google Maps were displaying totally different timings from the website, but thankfully I stayed on despite that. When in doubt, I’d think you should follow the Water Shuttle timetable.
Kinderdijk
Kinderdijk is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring 19 well-preserved windmills, thus representing the largest concentration of windmills in the Netherlands. You are certainly going to see a windmill everywhere you look!
Kinderdijk‘s windmills are mainly used for water management purposes, to pump water from lower and often flooded grounds to higher grounds. A ticket (€21 purchased on the spot, €18.90 purchased online, or €32.50 purchased in combination with the Water Shuttle) allows you to visit and/or do the following:
- Wisboom Pumping Station
- Nedewaard Mill Museum
- Blokweer Mill Museum
- Boat tour
- Introductory Kinderdijk film and exhibit
Arrival at Kinderdijk
The Water Shuttle journey from Erasmusbrug to the Kinderdijk ferry terminal will generally take around 30 minutes. If you do not have a Water Shuttle ticket, you can purchase them on board for €19.50 (but you won’t be able to enjoy the discount from purchasing the combination ticket online).
From the ferry terminal, you are only a few minutes walk away from Kinderdijk. In case you have not purchased your tickets online, you can do so at the visitor centre, albeit at a more expensive price of €21. That means altogether €8 more if you don’t book the combination ticket online.
Wisboom Pumping Station
The pump was originally built in 1868 powered by steam before being converted to an electrical pump in 1924. Its main function is to drain water out of low-lying areas in Kinderdijk.
While it is still functional, it has been decommissioned and is now integrated into a museum featuring the history of water pumping in Kinderdijk and some interactive exhibits.
Introductory film and exhibit
Then from the Wisboom Pumping station, head down to the other hut at the opposite end for a 10-minute introductory video to the water pumping history of Kinderdijk. Following that, you can view some of the exhibits in the hut. Pop by the Bird Theatre in a neighbouring hut after that for an interactive experience and information about the local birds.
Boat tour
After that, head back round to the main tracks to arrive at the boat tour pier. There are two main boat tours, specifically De Hopper and De Cruiser.
De Hopper is an all-year-round, point-to-point service stopping at the Visitor Centre, the Blokweer Mill Museum as well as the Nedewaard Mill Museum. This is great if you wish to visit the windmills but want to avoid walking.
De Cruiser however, operates only during the months of April to October. It takes you on a 30-minute sightseeing loop to see the windmills without stopping. And then ends back at the same spot where you began the ride. This option is great if you’d like to enjoy the views, capture pictures of the windmills from different angles as well as listen to some live commentaries.
Take a walk past the windmills
Follow the walking paths and tracks to enjoy a stroll amongst the windmills. While walking down the path, you will see two sets of windmills. The ones on the right are the Nederwaard windmills, built in 1738 out of brick and stone. And the ones on the left are the Overwaard windmills which are built in 1740 with thatched roofs and wood.
It takes you around 20 to 30 minutes of walking before you arrive at the further windmill – the Blokweer Mill Museum.
Blokweer Mill Museum
The Blokweer Mill looks entirely different from the other windmills at Kinderdijk, featuring a pyramid-like structure below the mill that houses the living quarters of the millers.
You can enter the mill with your Kinderdijk ticket and observe how it looks like in the living quarters, as well as watch the mechanics of the windmill in operation. And if it is in action, watch how the mill actually scoops water from the lower grounds to the higher grounds.
Also take time to walk around the barn-like area featuring some other huts and animals.
Nederwaard Mill Museum
If you’ve walked to the Blokweer Mill Museum, then you’d have walked past the Nedewaard Mill earlier. Similar to the Blokweer Mill, the Nederwaard Mill also features the living quarters of the millers, and also serves the function of water pumping.
But unlike the Blokweer Mill which is made of wood, the Nederwaard is built on bricks.
Visitor centre and food
Once you’ve finished exploring both mills, you can still hang around or walk even further to take more pictures of the windmills. Otherwise, you can head back to the visitor centre to enjoy some refreshments or shop some souvenir.
How long do you need to visit Kinderdijk
You can spend anytime from around 1 hour to half a day or more to visit Kinderdijk. But I’d say generally around 2-3 hours is a good time to put aside (excluding the return trips on the Water Shuttle).
This generally means around an hour to visit the Wisboom Pumping Station and the introductory film, around 1.5 hours walking to and visiting both mills, along with a further 30 mins for De Cruiser boat ride.
Finally, head back to the Kinderdijk Molenkade ferry terminal for your Water Shuttle trip back to Rotterdam. Make sure that you keep in mind the last ferry departing for Rotterdam and do not miss that!
Upon arrival back at Rotterdam, you can either head to the Cool District once again for dinner, or have it at one of the market halls Markthal or Fenix Food Factory (located across the river from the Erasmusbrug ferry terminal).
Rotterdam Final Day
Final day – Return
Until your transport to the airport or your train to other parts of the Netherlands, you can further explore the Centrum area, or get some last minute souvenir.
Or if you have some extra time, you can even think about visiting the other museums in the city such as Kunsthal, an art exhibition centre that constantly changes its collection on display. Alternatively, you can also go for the Rotterdam Zoo if you prefer something more family and kids friendly.
Both these attractions are discounted by 25% under the Rotterdam City Card.
If you have an extra day for your Rotterdam itinerary
If you have more time on your hands than just an extra morning or afternoon, then head out to the town of Delft or Den Haag (The Hague).
Delft
Delft is home to the famous Delft Blue pottery (white and blue ceramics) as well as picturesque canals and a lovely central Market Square.
Den Haag (The Hague)
On the other hand, Den Haag is the administrative capital of the Netherlands where the government seat is. It is also home to the royal family, as well as the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
When at Den Haag, most people will not miss having a photo with the Peace Palace (where the ICJ is). Even though it is possible to go on a guided tour of the Peace Palace, the tours are few and far between. In case you wish to try your luck, check the dates of tours at their website.
Do also have a look at the Peace Flame at the gates of the Peace Palace, where 197 countries have donated a special stone from their nation to symbolise their commitment to world peace.
To get a feel of what Den Haag has to offer, you can also refer to my Netherlands Travel Guide: Planning for a Unique Visit and 2-Day The Hague Itinerary: More than just arts and history
If you have only a day for your Rotterdam itinerary
It is possible to cover Rotterdam within just a day, especially if you are happy to drop Kinderdijk from your plans. Maybe you are already visiting Zaanse Schans and you don’t wish to spend time to see more windmills, then that’s fair enough.
But if you are not, I’d definitely recommend you to spend a few hours at Kinderdijk.
Below are my suggestions, one including Kinderdijk and one without.
Without Kinderdijk
Follow the itinerary for Day 1 of this Rotterdam itinerary, and if you are a quick traveller, you can also possibly insert Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen between your visits to Markthal and Delfshaven.
With Kinderdijk
Visit Oude Haven, St Lawrence Church and Tower, Cube Houses and Markthal in the morning, followed by a trip to Kinderdijk in the afternoon.
What I did
Altogether, I have visited Rotterdam 3 times but all of them as day trips. My first visit was in September 2010 when I took a guided day tour from Amsterdam to Alsmeer, Rotterdam and Den Haag, during which we did a drive-through of the city, stopping only at the Erasmusbrug for a photo.
The second visit was in March 2023 for a day trip from Utrecht, during which we did exactly what has been laid out in Day 1 of this Rotterdam itinerary.
Finally, my third visit was in April 2026, during which I did what has been laid out in Day 2 of this Rotterdam itinerary (except without the visit to Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen due to my lack of interest in art).
Rotterdam Itinerary key takeaways
Generally, a 2-day Rotterdam itinerary for a first time visit can be organised as follows:
1: Oude Haven, St Lawrence Church and Tower, Cube Houses, Markthal, Delfshaven and Euromast
2: Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, Erasmusbrug and then the Water Shuttle to visit Kinderdijk in the afternoon
Additional days: You visit the other attractions such as the Kunthal Rotterdam or Rotterdam Zoo. Or you can also do day trips to Delft and/or Den Haag (The Hague).
Planning considerations
Get to Rotterdam: By air via Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) or also by trains from neighbouring Dutch cities or countries arriving at Rotterdam Centraal station.
Pass: You can consider the Rotterdam City Card or just the RET single day ticket for transport. If following this 2-day Rotterdam itinerary, you can purchase the Rotterdam City Card which also covers all RET transport (trams, buses and Metro).
Accommodation: Centrum allows you to be in the mix of the action, while Rotterdam-Noord tends to be more peaceful and family-friendly.
Transport: Public transport (buses, trams and Metro run by RET) is quite essential due to the larger size of the city. Costs of public transport is fairly expensive, but they are covered in the Rotterdam City Card.
Safety: Stay vigilant and be wary of pickpockets especially in crowded areas. Be careful with bicycles and be aware of the coffee shop culture.
Food: Dutch snacks such as pancakes, poffertjes, bitterballen, stroopwafels, and Erwtensoep (pea soup) and stews for warm comfort food
Begin planning your Rotterdam Itinerary
Export the outline of this 2-day Rotterdam Itinerary to Microsoft Excel and begin your planning and customisation! Leave me a comment if you have any questions and happy planning!
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