How many days · Rotterdam · Netherlands
How many days do you need in Rotterdam?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Marco de Swart, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Rotterdam, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the Markthal and Cube Houses, the Museumpark with the Depot and Kunsthal, the Erasmus Bridge, Katendrecht and a harbour tour. A third day adds Delfshaven and the Euromast or a trip to Kinderdijk; with four or five days you can add Delft, The Hague and Gouda.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 8
- Daylight
- 7.8 h (Dec) to 16.7 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Markthal, Cube Houses and Oude Haven, Erasmus Bridge and Euromast |
| 2 days | Good | Euromast, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen and Harbour boat tour |
| 3 days | Ideal | Kunsthal, Het Nieuwe Instituut and Sonneveld House and Delfshaven |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Kinderdijk |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Kinderdijk and Delft |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Rotterdam add up to roughly 16–18 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen (2 hours), Kunsthal (1.5–2 hours) and Delfshaven (1.5–2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Markthal | 1 hour | Centrum |
| Cube Houses and Oude Haven | 1 hour | Centrum |
| Erasmus Bridge | 30 minutes | Kop van Zuid and Wilhelminapier |
| Euromast | 1–1.5 hours | Cool and Witte de Withstraat |
| Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen | 2 hours | Cool and Witte de Withstraat |
| Harbour boat tour | 1.5 hours | Centrum |
| Kunsthal | 1.5–2 hours | Cool and Witte de Withstraat |
| Het Nieuwe Instituut and Sonneveld House | 1.5 hours | Cool and Witte de Withstraat |
| Delfshaven | 1.5–2 hours | Delfshaven |
| SS Rotterdam | 1.5 hours | Katendrecht |
| Fenix | 2 hours | Katendrecht |
| Wilhelminapier and Hotel New York | 1 hour | Kop van Zuid and Wilhelminapier |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Markthal and Cube Houses and Oude Haven |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Diergaarde Blijdorp |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Kinderdijk and Delft |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 7.8 hours of daylight) than in June (about 16.7 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Rotterdam with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Rotterdam?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the Markthal and Cube Houses, the Museumpark with the Depot and Kunsthal, the Erasmus Bridge, Katendrecht and a harbour tour. A third day adds Delfshaven and the Euromast or a trip to Kinderdijk; with four or five days you can add Delft, The Hague and Gouda.
+Is a week too long in Rotterdam?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Kinderdijk and Delft.