Things to Do in Rotterdam on a Weekend Trip: Full Guide

The second-largest city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam, is a great place to stop if you’re traveling the nation. Having said that, it’s also the ideal location for a prolonged weekend getaway. It can be difficult to choose some of the top activities to do in Rotterdam, as it is with most new places you visit, especially if you are as indecisive as we are.

For this reason, we wanted to list some of our absolute favorites and top activities in Rotterdam for your upcoming visit. It’s one of those unexpected cities that frequently gets passed over in favor of its larger sister, Amsterdam, despite the fact that it’s a fascinating city to visit.

But before we walk on Rotterdam’s streets, let’s begin our journey with a helpful tip. We assume that you are flying to Rotterdam and you travel there on foot. That being said, you’ll definitely need a Rotterdam airport taxi. Last time we booked our way from the airport to the city with AtoB transfer, and man we did the right thing! AtoB airport transfer service is the cheapest in town, and you enter the city privately, comfortably, and with elevated spirits to explore!

Having said that, let’s now move to things to do in Rotterdam on a weekend trip!

Euromast Tower

A visit to the highest top of the Euromast Tower will reward you with some breathtaking vistas across Rotterdam and beyond. 

The highest structure in Rotterdam, at roughly 185 meters (give or take a few centimeters), is visible from a great distance. As you ascend, you’ll be able to survey the surrounding area while learning a little more about the city’s past. Just remember to dress warmly because the top might get very frigid.

Markthal Rotterdam

If you enjoy famous structures and loads of cuisine, taking an airport taxi and visiting the Markthal are among the best things to do in Rotterdam. Once you enter, you’ll see well over 100 stalls, hip bars, and a ton of eateries where you can eat till you’re full. One of the nicest lunch spots in the city is there! 

Don’t limit your visit to the Markthal to the meals; take time to explore the entire building.

It’s quite stunning. The “Horn of Plenty,” the largest work of art in the Netherlands, is, for example, prominently displayed on the ceiling. It’s a five-layered piece of art that will truly captivate you.

Museumpark

Book a Rotterdam airport taxi and head to the Museumpark to see Het Nieuwe Instituut, Museumwoning Sonneveld, Chabot Museum, Natuurhistorisch Museum, Museum Bojimans van Beuningen, and Kunsthal, or visit them all. If Het Nieuwe Instituut is excluded, you can visit five museums in the park with the Museumpark ticket, which costs about €30.

Cube Houses (Kijk-Kubus)

The Rotterdam Cube Houses (Kijk-Kubus) are arguably some of the most well-known structures in the entire city. They were created by Piet Blom and are completely original and unlike anything else in the nation.

The cubes are completely abstract spaces that you must perceive when tilted at a 45-degree angle. 

Take an AtoB airport taxi and visit the “Kijk-Kubus” or the Show Cube, a furnished house that is open to guests, to see what it looks like inside. Just a few euros, really.

Old Harbor

It’s the best spot to go for some relaxation and a drink because it’s full of beautifully preserved historical boats, stunning pathways, and tons of eateries. Reserve a Rotterdam airport transfer to visit Apartt for the most vicious stone-cooked steaks ever.

Kinderdijk’s Windmills

Let’s face it, anything Dutch is synonymous with windmills. Thankfully, Kinderdjik, a little (but utterly delightful) village, is located just a 10-minute ride from Rotterdam using AtoB airport transfer.

This is a sight you’ll undoubtedly want to see, with some lovely canals and 19 amazing windmills (that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites). It’s a fantastic excursion to take if you want to escape the city and truly unwind in the Dutch countryside.

And there you have it! This is a quick guide of what to do when you are visiting Rotterdam for the weekend. These are our favorite choices and places to go, so we hope that you’ll enjoy them as much as we do!