Rotterdam
5
Day Itinerary •
Netherlands
Five days in Rotterdam and South Holland gives you the complete extraordinary depth of the most architecturally and historically remarkable region in the Netherlands, from the Erasmus Bridge and Depot Boijmans through the Mauritshuis masterpieces and the North Sea resort of Scheveningen to the UNESCO windmills, the Royal Delft factory, the oldest city in Holland at Dordrecht and the extraordinary Maeslantkering storm barrier. This route covers the complete South Holland experience from modern Rotterdam's world-class architecture and the Golden Age masterpieces of The Hague through the Gouda cheese and stroopwafel heritage to the Delftware tradition and the Biesbosch river delta wilderness. Five extraordinary days in Europe's finest region for architecture, art and water management heritage.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Train from Amsterdam Schiphol 40 min
Getting Around
OV-chipkaart, waterbus, car for Delta Works
Budget Per Day
Approx 110 to 335 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat walking and cycling
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
DELFT AND DORDRECHT
MORNING
DELFT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY HERITAGE TOWN IN SOUTH HOLLAND
Delft is the most extraordinary historic town in South Holland, its extraordinary network of 17th-century canals, the remarkable Nieuwe Kerk where the Dutch royal family has been buried since 1584 and where Vermeer was baptised, the extraordinary Oude Kerk with its leaning tower and Vermeer's tomb, and the remarkable Royal Delft factory still producing hand-painted Delftware making it the finest single day in the province. Nieuwe Kerk approx 5 euros. Royal Delft approx 17 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min train
MIDDAY
DORDRECHT, THE OLDEST CITY IN HOLLAND
Dordrecht is the most extraordinary and least visited historic city in South Holland, the oldest city in Holland founded in 1220, its extraordinary Grote Kerk, the finest Gothic church in South Holland, the remarkable Museum Dordrecht with the finest 17th-century Dutch landscape paintings in the region and the extraordinary Biesbosch National Park river delta immediately south of the city making it the finest hidden destination in the province. Grote Kerk entry approx 4 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min train
AFTERNOON
THE BIESBOSCH NATIONAL PARK AND THE RHINE-MEUSE DELTA
The Biesbosch south of Dordrecht is the most extraordinary freshwater tidal nature reserve in western Europe, its extraordinary network of creeks, islands and willow forests created by the St Elisabeth flood of 1421 giving the finest river delta wilderness in the Netherlands. Beaver, otter and osprey all present. The canoe route through the Biesbosch is the finest wilderness paddling in South Holland. Canoe hire approx 18 euros per day.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Delft Hippolytusbuurt is the most extraordinary hidden canal in Delft, a narrow medieval waterway one block north of the Markt entirely unknown to most visitors, its extraordinary double row of 17th-century facades, the small bridges and the complete absence of tourist activity making it the finest hidden street in
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: De Koffie Salon, Delft Outstanding Delft breakfast at the finest specialty coffee shop in the historic centre. | Lunch: Daen's, Dordrecht Outstanding Dordrecht bistro lunch at the finest independent restaurant in the oldest city in Holland. | Dinner: Grillroom Palladio, Dordrecht Outstanding South Holland dinner at the finest restaurant in historic Dordrecht. Book ahead.
DAY 5
ROTTERDAM ARCHITECTURE AND THE DELTA WORKS
MORNING
THE MAESLANTKERING, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ENGINEERING STRUCTURE IN THE NETHERLANDS
The Maeslantkering storm surge barrier in the Nieuwe Waterweg near Rotterdam is the most extraordinary engineering structure in the Netherlands, two enormous white steel arc arms each larger than the Eiffel Tower that close to protect Rotterdam from North Sea storm surges. The visitor centre explains the extraordinary Dutch water management system. The barrier closes automatically when the sea level rises 3 metres above normal. Entry approx 10 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE ROTTERDAM ARCHITECTURE WALKING TOUR
The central Rotterdam architecture circuit from the Central Station by Team CS to the Timmerhuis by OMA to the Depot Boijmans and the extraordinary Fenix Food Factory in the Katendrecht neighbourhood gives the finest concentrated modern architecture experience in Europe. The Central Station from 2014 by Team CS is the finest new railway station in Europe. All exterior viewing free. Train/Travel: Walk
AFTERNOON
THE ROTTERDAM HARBOUR TOUR AND THE EUROPOORT
The Spido harbour tour from the Erasmusbrug gives the finest view of Europe's largest port, its extraordinary petrochemical terminals at Europoort, the remarkable container handling at Maasvlakte and the extraordinary scale of the 40km port complex giving the finest industrial harbour experience in Europe. The 75-minute tour passes 400 metres of container ships at anchor. Entry approx 16.50 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Schiedam jenever distillery quarter contains the finest collection of historic gin distilleries in the Netherlands, the tallest windmills in the world built to grind grain for the jenever industry and the extraordinary Jenever Museum giving the finest account of Dutch gin heritage. Entry to museum approx 8 euros. Schiedam
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Fenix Food Factory, Katendrecht Outstanding Rotterdam harbourfront breakfast at the finest food hall in the city. Local Dutch bakers. | Lunch: Roof Food, Schiedam Outstanding Rotterdam lunch at the finest rooftop restaurant with extraordinary Erasmus Bridge views. | Dinner: De Maassilo, Rotterdam The finest restaurant in a converted grain silo in Europe. Outstanding Rotterdam harbour dining. Book ahead.
Where To Stay
Rotterdam, Nights 1 to 3 Mainport Hotel or Hotel New York Wilhelminapier. Approx 120 to 280 euros per night. Delft or Dordrecht, Nights 4 to 5 Hotel de Plataan Delft or Hotel Villa Augustus Dordrecht. Approx 100 to 200 euros.
Top Tips
1. Maeslantkering barrier: check the website before visiting. The barrier closes only in storm conditions.
2. Biesbosch canoe: book through Biesbosch Kanoverhuur. The creek network is extraordinary in all seasons.
3. Schiedam jenever: the Proeflokaal De Gekroonde Brandersketel serves jenever in the finest historic bar.
4. Dordrecht Grote Kerk: climb the tower for the finest view of the Rhine-Meuse delta and Biesbosch.
5. Depot Boijmans: the mirrored exterior reflects the cityscape. Finest at dawn before the city is reflected.
6. Hotel New York dinner: book the table in the original Holland America Line directeur room. Extraordinary setting.
Total Budget
110 to 330 EUR/day