Here’s our Rotterdam Anti-Tourist Guide to make sure you take the best of it while feeling like a local.
Being the second-largest city in the Netherlands and having the biggest port in Europe, Rotterdam has a lot to offer. Check out our Rotterdam Anti-Tourist Guide and get ready to start your best journey!
Dive into Rotterdm’s vibrant neighborhoods, diverse culinary scene, and cultural events, all thanks to the multicultural background of the city!
Let’s find answers to the most important questions about traveling to Rotterdam to have the most amazing experience there!
How many days should I save to visit Rotterdam?
Tricky question! You could really spend weeks discovering all the cafes, art galleries and museums in Rotterdam like in many European countries. But if you are backpacking or Interrailing and your travel time is limited, 2 – 3 days would be enough to visit all must-see spots in Rotterdam and and get a sense of its culture, history, and atmosphere.
Now that this is covered, our next question is…
What are the main highlights of Rotterdam?
1. Rotterdam’s Music Scene
a) Live music and concert venues in Rotterdam
Rotterdam is famous for its diverse range of hosted events with international artists, as well as the thriving local music scene. Check out events at Ahoy Rotterdam, Maassilo, Annabel, and LantarenVenster arenas for international artists and big concerts. If you want to explore local artists and the intimate live music scene, we suggest stopping by at Rotown, V11, or Bird.
b) Electronic music and clubbing in Rotterdam
Electronic music lovers are in luck in Rotterdam, as this city is importantly involved in underground music development. For a great techno and house music scene and immersive club experience go to clubs like Toffler or BAR. For the best bar hopping experience we suggest you participate in a Pub Crawl activity. That way there is no need to worry about where to go next or whether the bar has a vibe or not. The best bars and best night-out experience are guaranteed!
Check our LGBTQ+ partying guide, to know the best spots and events for queer community and its allies in Rotterdam.
2. Where to Eat in Rotterdam
Based on its vibrant cultural background, Rotterdam’s culinary scene offers something for every taste and interest. To experience the city’s vibe, start your gastronomic journey by trying local and traditional foods. Such as:
- Hopper – cafe with traditional Dutch breakfast with locally sourced ingredients
- Guliano – authentic place with great Dutch pancakes (pannenkoeken) with sweet and savory toppings
For coffee and the best pastry go to: Bakkerij Vlaamsch Broodhuys, SUE (vegan menu).
Cheap and must-have places to go:
- Burgertrut – tasty burgers, fries, and milkshakes at affordable prices, has vegan options
- Bazar – a colorful and buzzing restaurant that serves North African and Middle Eastern cuisine
3. What to see in Rotterdam
It’s a well-known fact that the best way to explore a new city is by walking, therefore we highly recommend joining the Best Walking Tour in Rotterdam. It covers all the must-see sites in the city, such as:
- Markthal (Rotterdam Central Station)
- Oude Haven (the cubic houses)
- Kup Van Zuid (towers)
- Laurenskerk (historic center of the city)
- The Witte Huis (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Immerse a little more into the beauty of the city and look at it from different angles, our guide about The Best Views Of Rotterdam will help you with that!
Along with the above, Rotterdam has plenty more spots to explore, so we arranged the ones that would look especially good in your Instagram feed. Learn about the 10 Most Instagrammable Places in Rotterdam here. Check out our TOP 42 Instagram Hot Spots in Europe and choose your next destination.
4. Alternative places in Rotterdam
Now that we’ve covered the main points everyone should see in the 2 days in Frankfurt, here’s our bonus section with some off-the-beaten-path attractions for you:
- Het Park – a peaceful park that offers beautiful nature, historical gardens, and panoramic views of the river
- Deliplein Square – vibrant gathering place in the heart of the Katendrecht neighborhood, lined with cafes, restaurants, and bars
- Fenix Food Factory – food hall and culinary hotspot housed in a former warehouse with live music and a relaxing atmosphere
- DakAkker Rooftop Farm – largest rooftop farm, green oasis, hub for innovations, rooftop terrace with panoramic view and a cafe, located on the top of Schieblock building
- Noord – a formal industrial area, which now is transformed into a hub for artists. Street art lovers there can explore large-scale murals, smaller stencil art as well as paste-ups. Look into our Top Street Art Destinations in Europe, to get inspiration for your next journey.
5. Bonus tip:
Rotterdam is fully connected to other bustling cities in the Netherlands, or neighboring countries. Whether you are planning your trip, or where to go next, we have a gift for you. Famous Hostels is on a journey to promote sustainable tourism, pushing trains and buses traveling as opposed to flying.
For that, we partnered with Flixbus & Eurail and created a calculator that compares your carbon emissions if you are traveling by train or bus versus planes, and convert it into a direct discount at over 45 hostels in Europe.
Discounts go from 5% to 20% based on the distance you go, and we are now offering 10% discount vouchers for newbies at our Eco-Wanderer platform. Sign up now, and start saving while jumping into the community of the best hostels in Europe.
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