Are you looking for things to do in Rotterdam for 2 days? Although two days are not enough to see everything the city has to offer, it’s enough to see and experience some of most iconic places in Rotterdam. Let’s take you to a typical two days in Rotterdam that will help you make the most out of your stay.
Day One In Rotterdam
Grab your coffee first and trundle off to see the beautiful and unique architecture of the city on your first day. End the day with a beer or a cocktail at an award-winning bar.
First Things First: Coffee!
So, you have arrived and you can’t wait to explore the city. However, before you do, make sure you grab a cup of Joe first. There are a lot of cafes in the area, no matter where you’re staying in the city. I suggest you check out Cafe La Buvette, a popular and cool cafe that is known for their breakfast and coffee. After all, you are going to need a lot of energy because you will do a lot of exploring on your very first day.
You can also check out Hopper Coffee. The split-level cafe serves what could be (arguably) the best coffee in the city. They roast their coffee beans in a Giesen roaster and they bake their own bread. It’s near the old harbor and the city centre, which is the perfect starting off point for your day one in Rotterdam.
See The Delfshaven
Since you’re already around the area where you had your coffee, you might as well see and take photos in the Delfshaven. This is a borough of the city that escaped the bombings. Here, you will find a typical Dutch village you won’t find anywhere else in the city because of all the modern stuff that’s going on. You will see a canal, beautiful Dutch houses, and even a few boathouses.
Don’t miss out on the Tovertunnel and the Delfshaven Factory. The former factory is now for modern use, and you could mistake it for a chimney in the distance.
Check Out The Cube Houses
You probably have some more time to see the Rotterdam cube houses before you eat lunch. The cube houses are a unique piece of architecture in the city that is a must-see. The houses here are shaped like a cube and mounted at a 45-degree angle. It is made by architect Piet Blom. There is also a hostel inside; so, if you are looking for a hostel to stay in Rotterdam, you should definitely check this one out.
Have A Kapsalon For Lunch
If you want to eat an iconic food in Rotterdam, then you should have kapsalon for lunch. The food was invented after a hairdresser who was hungry and called the sharma shop to ask for something to eat. The hairdresser ended up with something with all ingredients on it! One of the best places to go to for kapsalon is Jaffa Shoarma.
If you’re not up for some falafel, you can try out Guliano, a popular lunch restaurant in the city. Here you can have the most delicious Italian sandwiches, New York style. Don’t worry; they have an extensive menu where you can find other things, such as truffle egg salad sandwich. They also have salads, soups, and antipasti. The restaurant is hard to miss because it’s in a famous location on the Meent. You can also find a branch next to the Erasmusbridge.
Walk On The Erasmusbridge
Let’s say you’ve tried Guliano for lunch (or even if not), after lunch, walk across the popular bridge in Rotterdam with its unique architecture. From its epic vantage point, you can see the city’s beautiful buildings.
Take In Modern Architecture At The Kunsthal
Your first day in the city won’t be complete without a visit to some of the best museums in Rotterdam, which is the Kunsthal. This is located in the Museumpark. However, don’t be surprised because there’s no permanent collection here. A variety of exhibitions at organized here, so keep your fingers crossed you get to witness an exhibition that you’re interested in.
Have A Nightcap
Before you retire for the night, and we’re pretty sure you’re exhausted at this point, you still need to have dinner somewhere. Make the most out of your day by adding a nightcap as well to ensure a restful sleep. Have drinks at Sijf! The cafe-slash-bar was voted the winner of the Cafe Top 100 in the Netherlands in 2019. With its modern business operations and warm hospitality, it is an excellent place for you to have a nightcap in.
Day Two In Rotterdam
Kick-off your second day by the water, take in more architecture and end your stay with some shopping to take home with you.
See The Oldest Harbor
Oude Haven is the oldest harbor in the city, which was built in the 14th century. Start off your second day here and take in the views of old ships. There are also cafes and restaurants here where you can have your breakfast while you watch people work on their ships. You can also visit some of the oldest buildings in the city like the Witte Huis, which is often quoted as Europe’s first high-rise building.
Check Out The Pencil-Shaped Building
Check out the Blaaktoren, the popular pencil-shaped building with windows that look like sunglasses. While you’re here, visit the Rotterdam Central Library, which is controversial because of its 6-story cascading facade and angular yellow tubes. It also houses the world’s largest collection of Erasmus.
Eat And Explore The Markthal
Have lunch here at the Markthal, a residential and office building that has a market hall underneath. Here, you can choose from a variety of food options and see beautiful Dutch architecture. Additionally, its interior is adorned with artwork by Arno Coenen.
Have Fun Shopping
Spend the rest of your last day shopping in the city and head to the Coolsingel part of Rottermdam. The main shopping area here in Lijnbaan, which is considered to be the first pedestrian-only shopping street in Europe. You can also see the Koopgoot, another small shopping street nearby.
Are you ready to explore Rotterdam for 2 days? Of course, you are!
Do you want to know more about things to do and everything to know about Rotterdam and other cities in the Netherlands. Browse our other topics today here at Ask The Dutch Guy!
