Rotterdam
3
Day Itinerary •
Netherlands
Three days in Rotterdam and South Holland reveal the most extraordinary combination of modern architecture, Golden Age art and Dutch engineering genius in the Netherlands. The Erasmus Bridge, Markthal and Cube Houses of Europe's greatest architectural laboratory, Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring at the Mauritshuis, the 19 UNESCO windmills of Kinderdijk and the finest cheese market in the world at Gouda are all within easy reach. This route moves from the extraordinary rebuilt city of Rotterdam through the political capital The Hague and its North Sea resort to the UNESCO windmill landscape of Kinderdijk and the medieval cheese town of Gouda. Three extraordinary days in the finest and most diverse region in the Netherlands.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Train from Amsterdam 40 min or fly into Rotterdam (RTM)
Getting Around
RET metro and tram, waterbus to Kinderdijk
Budget Per Day
Approx 110 to 325 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat city walking
DAY 1
ROTTERDAM
MORNING
THE ERASMUS BRIDGE AND THE ROTTERDAM SKYLINE, THE FINEST MODERN CITY IN EUROPE
Rotterdam is the most extraordinary modern city in Europe, rebuilt entirely after total destruction in 1940 and now the finest laboratory of contemporary architecture on the continent. The extraordinary Erasmus Bridge by Ben van Berkel, the remarkable De Rotterdam building by Rem Koolhaas, the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen with its extraordinary mirrored bowl exterior by MVRDV and the Witte Huis, the first steel-framed high-rise in Europe from 1898, give the finest architectural streetscape in the Netherlands. Entry to Depot approx 22 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
THE MARKTHAL AND THE CUBE HOUSES, ROTTERDAM'S MOST EXTRAORDINARY BUILDINGS
The Markthal by MVRDV is the most extraordinary market building in the Netherlands, its extraordinary horseshoe arch of 228 apartments enclosing a food market under the finest ceiling painting in the country — 11,000 square metres of fruit, vegetables and flowers by Arno Coenen. The adjacent Cube Houses by Piet Blom from 1984, tilted 45 degrees on their stems, are the finest housing experiment in the Netherlands. Markthal entry free. Cube House show house approx 3.50 euros. Train/Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE SS ROTTERDAM AND THE WILHELMINAPIER
The SS Rotterdam, the largest Dutch ocean liner ever built, is moored permanently at the Wilhelminapier as a floating hotel and museum, its extraordinary preserved first-class interiors, the remarkable swimming pool and the extraordinary view of the Erasmus Bridge from the deck making it the finest heritage ship in the Netherlands. The Wilhelminapier itself with the Hotel New York in the former Holland America Line headquarters is the finest harbour district in Rotterdam. Ship entry approx 15 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Luchtsingel pedestrian bridge in Rotterdam is a 400-metre bright yellow elevated walkway crowdfunded by Rotterdam citizens to reconnect the Hofbogen and the station area. It passes over motorways, railway lines and rooftops through the finest regenerated neighbourhood in the city. Entry free. The view of the Markthal from the
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Gare du Nord, Rotterdam Outstanding Rotterdam breakfast at the finest converted station cafe. Local sourdough and Rotterdammer coffee. | Lunch: Markthal food stalls Outstanding Dutch market lunch at the finest food market in the Netherlands. Stroopwafels and Dutch herring. | Dinner: FG Restaurant, Rotterdam The finest restaurant in Rotterdam. Outstanding three Michelin star tasting menu. Book months ahead.
DAY 2
THE HAGUE AND SCHEVENINGEN
MORNING
THE MAURITSHUIS, THE FINEST SMALL ART MUSEUM IN THE WORLD
The Mauritshuis in The Hague is the most extraordinary small art museum in the world, its extraordinary collection of Dutch and Flemish Golden Age masterpieces in a 17th-century palace including Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, Rembrandt's self-portrait, The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Tulp and Fabritius's The Goldfinch giving the finest concentration of Golden Age painting in the Netherlands outside the Rijksmuseum. Entry approx 17.50 euros. Book online. Train/Travel: 45 min train
MIDDAY
THE BINNENHOF AND THE HEART OF DUTCH POLITICAL POWER
The Binnenhof in the centre of The Hague is the most extraordinary medieval political complex in the Netherlands, its extraordinary 13th-century Knights' Hall, the Hofvijver pond and the remarkable gallery of Dutch prime minister portraits giving the finest account of Dutch political heritage available. The Panorama Mesdag nearby contains the most extraordinary panoramic painting in the Netherlands, a 360-degree sea dune painting from 1881. Panorama Mesdag approx 14 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
SCHEVENINGEN AND THE NORTH SEA PIER
Scheveningen is the finest seaside resort in the Netherlands, its extraordinary 1.6km pier extending into the North Sea with the finest bungee jump in the Benelux, the remarkable Kurhaus hotel from 1885 and the extraordinary North Sea beach giving the finest Dutch coastal experience. The Scheveningse Bosjes park between The Hague and the beach has the finest horse chestnut avenue in South Holland. Pier entry approx 3 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Madurodam miniature park in The Hague recreates the entire Netherlands at 1:25 scale with working models of Schiphol Airport, the Rijksmuseum, the Delta Works and 350 other landmarks. The finest miniature Netherlands experience and the best way to understand the country's geography. Entry approx 21.50 euros.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: De Bibliotheek cafe, The Hague Outstanding Hague breakfast at the finest library cafe in the Netherlands. Local Dutch pastries and coffee. | Lunch: Tapas Bar Orient, The Hague Outstanding Indonesian rijsttafel lunch at the finest Indonesian restaurant in the government capital. | Dinner: Aubergine, The Hague The finest restaurant in The Hague. Outstanding seasonal Dutch cuisine. One Michelin star. Book ahead.
DAY 3
KINDERDIJK AND GOUDA
MORNING
KINDERDIJK, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY UNESCO WINDMILL LANDSCAPE IN THE NETHERLANDS
Kinderdijk near Rotterdam contains the finest and most extraordinary windmill landscape in the world, its 19 working windmills built between 1738 and 1740 to drain the Alblasserwaard polder. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. The extraordinary visitor centre explains the Dutch water management genius, the bicycle route between the mills along the dike and the windmill interiors open in summer give the finest windmill experience in Europe. Entry approx 18 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min drive or waterbus
MIDDAY
GOUDA, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CHEESE TOWN IN THE NETHERLANDS
Gouda is the most extraordinary historic town in South Holland, its remarkable 15th-century Stadhuis on the finest medieval market square in the Netherlands, the remarkable Gouda cheese market on Thursday mornings in summer where cheese porters in traditional costume carry the red and yellow wheels, the extraordinary Sint Janskerk with the finest stained glass in the Netherlands and the remarkable stroopwafel factory making it the finest day trip from Rotterdam. Stadhuis free. Train/Travel: 30 min train
AFTERNOON
THE GOUDA STROOPWAFEL AND THE FINEST DUTCH CONFECTION
The stroopwafel, invented in Gouda in 1810 by baker Gerard Kamphuisen, is the finest Dutch confection and the most beloved Dutch food export in the world. The Stroopwafel Factory near the market square offers the finest workshop tour and the extraordinary fresh stroopwafel experience. The Gouda cheese weighing house museum gives the finest account of the Dutch cheese tradition. Factory tour approx 12 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Oudewater witch weighing house is the most extraordinary heritage building in South Holland, the 16th-century weighing house where accused witches were weighed to prove they were too heavy to fly on a broomstick. The certificate declaring the visitor not a witch is the finest souvenir in the Netherlands. Entry
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe de Ooievaar, Kinderdijk area Outstanding South Holland breakfast near the UNESCO windmills. Local Dutch bread and Gouda cheese. | Lunch: Gouda market stalls Outstanding Dutch market lunch. Fresh Gouda, stroopwafels and traditional Dutch spiced biscuits. | Dinner: De Schouw, Gouda Outstanding South Holland dinner in the finest restaurant near the extraordinary market square. Book ahead.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Rotterdam Centre, All Nights Mainport Hotel or Hotel New York. Approx 120 to 280 euros per night. Budget citizenM Rotterdam or Stayokay. Approx 60 to 130 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. Kinderdijk by waterbus: board at Erasmusbrug in Rotterdam. The approach by water gives the finest first view.
2. Mauritshuis Girl with a Pearl Earring: book the first morning slot. The painting is finest in quiet morning light.
3. Gouda cheese market: Thursday mornings only, July and August. Arrive before 9am for the finest action.
4. Markthal ceiling: look up immediately on entering. The 11,000 square metre painting is the finest in the Netherlands.
5. Rotterdam architecture: download the Architecture Rotterdam app for the finest self-guided walking route.
6. Stroopwafel fresh: buy from the Gouda market stall, not the supermarket. The warm fresh version is extraordinary.
Total Budget
110 to 320 EUR/day