Make the most of your time ashore with my guide to some of the things you can do in Rotterdam and beyond.
Rotterdam is a popular stop on Northern European cruises. While at first glance it might not sound that exciting – especially in comparison to Amsterdam – it doesn’t take much digging to discover it is actually a great port to visit.
The second largest city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam is known for being a modern, vibrant city with a rich maritime heritage. The Port of Rotterdam is often referred to as the gateway to Europe thanks to its location by the North Sea and at the mouth of the river Rhine.
I’ve visited Rotterdam on two cruises, one of which we ended up staying there for three nights thanks to some bad weather delaying our departure. So, I’ve had plenty of experience seeing the sights from a cruise ship docked in the city centre.
I’ve put together this guide to share information on what you can expect, some suggestions of things to do in the city and a few ideas if you wish to explore further afield.
My cruise port guides are designed to help you make the most of your time in port, whether that is a few hours, a day or an overnight stay. I share some of the highlights and must-see attractions along with practical information so you can easily plan your visit.
At a Glance – Rotterdam Cruise Port
The sail into Rotterdam from the North Sea takes a few hours and is more interesting than you might think it would be. As you travel along the narrow channel you pass various towns including the Hook of Holland and Maassluis. It really gives you an idea of how big the port is.
Things to do see
- Stroll over the Erasmus Bridge
- Visit the Cube Houses
- Wander around the old harbour
- Grab some food (or a drink) at the Markthal
- Enjoy an arial view of the city from the Euromast Tower
- Jump aboard the SS Rotterdam
- Visit Rotterdam Zoo
- Amble around Delfshaven
Many other Dutch cities are within easy reach of Rotterdam. So, if you are look to explore a little further afield you can day trip to Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Delft or Gouda.
Don’t Miss
While a day or two (if you have an overnighter) is not much time to explore Rotterdam, you can comfortably see a couple of sights on a port stop here. Some of the popular things to do in Rotterdam from a cruise ship include…
Stroll over the Erasmus Bridge
Cruise ships dock right next to the Erasmus Bridge, one of the most famous bridges in Holland. Spanning the River Nieuwe Maas, it connects the north and south of the city.
It is a combined cable-styled and bascule bridge with one single pylon which gives it a unique look. As well as traffic lanes, which carry vehicles and trams, there is a cycle path and walkway. At 802 meters long, it takes around 10 minutes to walk over the bridge. This isn’t too bad in the summer or if it is dry. However, on one of my trips we had very poor weather so I don’t recommend walking over in rain or a gale force wind! Trust me on that, it was truly awful.
Tip: Head up on deck to get some great photos of the bridge and the Rotterdam skyline.
Cube Houses
The iconic Cube Houses are one of Rotterdam’s most well-known attractions. Designed by Dutch architect, Piet Blom, each cube is tilted at a 45 degree angle so it looks like they have been tipped on their side.
With three floors connected by steep stairs, walls and windows at odd angles, it might come as a surprise to learn that people do call these houses home.
You can you look inside one of the Cube Houses at the Kijk-Kubus Museum-House. It costs just €3 to pop inside and it is well worth it. The fully decorated house gives you an idea of what it would be like to live in one of these. Although I’m still wondering how you’d get your furniture in. Flat pack all the way I guess!
You’ll find the Cube Houses on Overblaak Street and above the Blaak metro station. The Kijk-Kubus Museum-house is open seven days a week from 11:00 to 17:00.
Markthal
If you are a foodie – or just interested in unusual shaped buildings – you’ll want to head to Rotterdam’s Markthal.
Home to the largest indoor market in Holland, the Markthal is packed with 100 stalls selling fresh produce. There are also 15 food shops and eight restaurants. So plenty of places to get a quick bite to eat during your day in Rotterdam.
The unusual shaped building is actually a residential and office building with the market underneath. Shaped like a horseshoe, there is a glass facade where you enter and exit the market.
If you go inside, make sure you look up at the ceiling. It is covered with a spectacular artwork of fruit, vegetables, fish and flowers called the Horn of Plenty.
The market is located behind the Rotterdam Blaak station. It is open Monday to Thursday and Saturday between 10am and 8pm. On Friday’s it extends it’s opening hours to 9.00pm. Sunday’s it is open 12.00 to 6pm.
More things to do in Rotterdam
Old Harbor (Oude Haven)
Rotterdam’s historical old harbor (Oude Haven) is a popular place for locals and tourists alike. Carefully restored boats give a glimpse into the past while the waterfront terraces of the cafes and restaurants give it a modern feel. It’s a nice area to wander around and you can often see boats being painted or repaired.
The Cube Houses are nearby so you can easily combine a visit to both places. If you would like to learn more about Rotterdam’s maritime history, the Maritime Museum Rotterdam is just a short walk away.
Get a bird’s eye view of Rotterdam from the Euromast Tower
Towering over Rotterdam is the 100m high Euromast Tower. A visit here is a great way to get an overview of Rotterdam and learn more about the city. As well as providing a 360 degree view of the city, you can enjoy a meal with a view in the restaurant, stay overnight up there in the hotel and even abseil back down the ground.
Find out more about about Euromast and book tickets.
If you have already visited the main sites of Rotterdam or just fancy doing something a bit different there are plenty of other things to do and areas to explore including…
- Visiting SS Rotterdam, once a passenger vessel and now a hotel and museum.
- Strolling around one of Rotterdams museums or art galleries
- Visiting Rotterdam Zoo, known for its successful breeding programs, the zoo is one of the oldest in Holland
- Wandering around Delfshaven, a borough of Rotterdam with many historic buildings, restaurants and bars
Popular shore excursions from Rotterdam
Amsterdam
Many cruise lines will offer trips to Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. These will cover full day tours around the city or just a transfer there and back so you can explore on your own.
The city is packed with things to do. With its scenic canal network, interesting museums and galleries and vibrant bars and restaurants you will have a day to remember.
Things to do in Amsterdam include
- Strolling around the Rijksmuseum, home to huge collection of Dutch artwork
- Visiting the Anne Frank Museum, get an insight into what life was like for Anne and her family as they hid from the Nazis for two years
- Exploring the city on a canal tour
- Wandering around the Van Gogh Museum, the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent Van Gogh.
While Amsterdam is not that far away, the traffic can be heavy. I was quoted two hours each way when I looked at a shore excursion, giving me only two hours in the city. As I had planned to meet a friend for dinner, it wasn’t really enough time to make the trip worthwhile. Definitely not enough time for dinner anyway.
So, if you are thinking of a shore excursion that is a shuttle there and back, take a look at the travel time and compare it with the time in Amsterdam. You want to make sure you have enough time in the city and not spending most of it on a coach.
If you want to do it yourself, taking the train is the fastest way to reach Amsterdam. It takes just over an hour or so. However, if you take this route it is down you to ensure you make it back to the ship on time.
Kinderdijk
Home to possbily the most famous and most photograped windmills in world, Kinderdijk is a very popular day trip.
Around a third of the Netherlands is below sea level and the Dutch have a long history of water management to prevent flooding. The 19 windmills at Kinderdijk were built around 1740 and the system of mills and pumps drained water from the soil into the river, keeping the area dry for centuries.
Today, Kinderdijk is a World UNESCO site. You can wander along the canal paths to see the windmills for free. However, there is also a visitor centre and two windmills you can visit if you’d like to learn more about Kinderdijk and how water management has evolved over the years.
Dordrecht
One of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, Dordrecht has a rich history and culture. Best explored on foot, the city is home to over 1000 monuments including the Great Church (Grote Kerk). Many of Dordrecht’s historic buildings have been converted into tourist attractions, restaurants and shops.
Things to do in Dordrecht include
- Exploring the historic harbours by foot or boat.
- Getting a panoramic view of the city from the tower of the Grote Kerk
- Visiting a museum and learn more about Dordrecht’s past
Deflt
The enchanting city of Delft is just a half hour drive from Rotterdam. While best known for its blue and white pottery, it is also where Vermeer, the famous dutch painter was born.
Small and compact, Delft is easily explored on foot. Things to do in Delft include
- Exploring the Royal Delft Museum, the only remaining pottery factory from the 17th century. Stroll around the museum or take a guided tour to find out more about the famous Delft Blue
- Visiting the two churches that face each other in the city’s central square, the (not very new) Nieuwe Kerk and the Oude Kerk. Climb the Bell Tower (the second highest in the Netherlands) of the Nieuwe Kirk for views over the city
- Learning about the famous Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer at the Vermmer Centrum Deflt. While you can discover more about this life and work here, there are sadly no original artworks from Vermeer displayed here
- Exploring the Prinsenhof Museum. Originally built as a monstory, then turned into a palace, this was the home of William the Silent more commonly known as William of Orange. He was assassinated here on 10 July 1584 and you can still see the bullet holes in the wall today
- Wandering around Markt, one of the largest historic market squares in Europe
- Strolling along the canals or take a boat trip and view the city from the water.
Gouda
I know that cheese is probably the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Gouda but if your ship is docking in Rotterdam, the city it is named after is an easy day trip.
Just over half an hour or so away, this small dutch city is packed with charm. With picturesque canals, medieval buildings and narrow alleys, it is a lovely place to have a wander.
Of course, you can’t escape cheese here. 60% of Dutch cheese is produced in this region. To learn more about how Gouda cheese is made – and even taste a bit – head to the Gouda Cheese Experience. If you are in the city on a Thursday between April and August, you can visit the cheese market which is held in front of the town hall.
It’s not just about cheese in Gouda, there are plenty more places to visit and explore including…
- Sint-Jan church and it’s famous stained glass windows
- Museum Gouda which is packed with items that tell the history of the city
- De Waag, a weighing house for cheese trades which is now a museum
- Syrup Waffle Factory, Gouda is known for its waffles as well as it’s cheese
Port Essentials
Cruise Season
Cruise ships call in to Rotterdam all year round.
Rotterdam Cruise Terminal
Depending on the time you arrive – and if you are awake – you might catch your ship pirouetting around as it docks. On my second visit we arrived around lunchtime and got see the skills of the crew in action as they manoeuvred the ship into place.
Facilities
The terminal building is large, light and airy. There is plenty of seating, a cafe/restaurant and free wifi. When you disembark and enter the terminal you’ll be greeted by a tourist information stand. You can pick up maps of the city here and talk to the people manning the stand if you have any questions or are looking for some suggestions on what to do.
Local area
The cruise terminal in Rotterdam is in the centre of the city so all the main sights and tourist attractions are within easy reach.
To get into the city centre you can walk over the Erasmus Bridge. Don’t worry, you can’t miss this. You’ll see this from your cruise ship. Alternatively, the Wilhelminaplein Metro station is at the end of the road the cruise terminal is located on. Here you can get a train across the river into the city centre.
