NL · South Holland · 51.92°N 4.48°E

rotterdam

Tilted cube houses, a busy port and Surinamese roti in a city rebuilt after the war.

Best time
May to September is best for waterfront walks and boat trips, with long evenings in June and July. November to February is windy and wet, so plan a few indoor stops.
How long
2 days
Getting there
Fly direct to Amsterdam on KLM (about 13 hours). Fast trains from Schiphol reach Rotterdam Centraal in about 25 minutes. The Netherlands is 6 hours behind KL in summer and 7 in winter.
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NL · South Hollandrotterdam51.92°N 4.48°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Tilted cube houses, a busy port and Surinamese roti in a city rebuilt after the war.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingRotterdamNL, South Holland
KLrotterdam
≈ 10,225 km from KL, as the crow flies
A view of Rotterdam, taken from the roof of the Maassilo, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, June 2023

Photo: Rob Oo · CC BY 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Rotterdam was flattened in 1940 and rebuilt as the most modern city in the Netherlands: big bridges, odd-shaped buildings and a skyline over the Maas. Its food is just as mixed, with Surinamese roti and Turkish grills alongside Dutch market snacks.

Makan

  1. KapsalonA Rotterdam invention: chips, döner meat and melted cheese, topped with salad, in one tray.Map ↗
  2. Surinamese rotiSoft flatbread with curried chicken, potato and long beans.Map ↗
  3. KibbelingHot battered fish pieces, a quick market lunch.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Cube HousesYellow houses tipped on their corners above the street; one is open as a show home.Map ↗
  2. MarkthalA huge arched market hall with a painted ceiling of fruit and flowers over the food stalls.Map ↗
  3. Erasmus BridgeThe white 'Swan' bridge over the Maas, leading to the old docks of Kop van Zuid.Map ↗
  4. DelfshavenA small old harbour that escaped the bombing, with canals, brick houses and a windmill.Map ↗
  5. A harbour boat tourBoats from near the Erasmus Bridge tour the docks of one of the world's biggest ports.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Halal food is easy to find, especially around West-Kruiskade near Centraal station, with Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese places side by side.
  • Delfshaven is a few metro stops from the centre, so ride rather than walk.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.