Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Rotterdam?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Rotterdam?

Many travelers spend one to three days in Rotterdam during their visit. After all, the high energy port city has plenty to explore such as the big city activities, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene.

Rotterdam is a large port city that has a long running maritime history. It hosts several weekly markets and also has a large international food hall. The city's architecture has mostly been rebuilt since World War II, so you'll find many modern buildings and a modern development style.

Do you have one or two days to visit Rotterdam? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Rotterdam?

Rotterdam is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the tourist crowds. It has some interesting activities and attractions. So with one day, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the high energy port city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have one to three days to fully enjoy the port city. If you have one day or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.

How to spend a day in Rotterdam

Rotterdam is renowned for its world-class museums and iconic landmarks. Be sure to allocate a day or so to explore the most popular and famous historical and cultural gems. It is the second largest city in the Netherlands by population, but the largest by geographic size. It's also a major port city for all of Europe.

A few tour suggestions include:

Private Tour: Rotterdam Walking Tour Including Harbor Cruise ($185)
Shared Guided Walking & Boat Tour Through Historical Dordrecht ($42)
Private Guided Walking & Boat Tour Through Historical Dordrecht ($43)

You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this port city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains. The city is also known for its food halls, which provide a variety of gourmet flavors from around the globe.

A few tour suggestions include:

Walking Rotterdam Food Tour ($103)
Biking Rotterdam Food Tour with Local Guide ($103)
Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam ($127)

Rotterdam is a very walkable city. With only a day in the port city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Rotterdam?

Many weekend travelers visit Rotterdam, as 2 days is a good amount of time to see the major attractions such as the big city activities, the restaurant scene, and the nightlife scene. If you're planning a weekend getaway here, we have a few suggestions of things to do below.

How to spend 2 days in Rotterdam

With a weekend (two to three days) in Rotterdam, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the port city has to offer.

Shopping in Rotterdam is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

This port city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Public transit in Rotterdam is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the port city quite easily. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Rotterdam, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.