So you’re thinking of spending some time in Rotterdam. To make the best of your time we came up with a couple of pointers and answers to questions you might already have.
How to get there?
There are many ways to get to Rotterdam. Rotterdam is well connected to the Dutch train network and is easily reachable by car. Rotterdam has it’s own airport, and the much bigger Amsterdam Schiphol airport is only 25 minutes away by train. More info on traveling to Rotterdam can be found here.
How long to stay?
Since Rotterdam is not as big as London or Paris and generally considered a ‘small metropolis’, a three day stay will be enough for most tourists. Browse our Itineraries to look for an itinerary fot your stay taylored to your interests.
Where to stay?
Most tourists prefer to stay in the city center, which is also know as the Stadsdriehoek. Most hotels can be found in that particular area. But there are also other interesting neighbourhoods to stay, all easily accesible with public transport.
When to go?
When to go depends on what you like to see and do. If you travel to Rotterdam to visit a football match, then visiting during the summer-break is obviously not a good option! We do feel that there are certain days that Rotterdam is even more enjoyable, because of yearly festivals.
Weather-wise there are a couple of things to take note of. Since The Netherlands has a moderate oceanic climate, summers can be on the cool side, but winters are in general mild. Snow is seldom in winter, and there are years we don’t get to see one single snowflake. But unfortunately rain, is common throughout the year, especially in the months of October and November. In general the months of April, may and June see the least precipitation.
How to get around?
Just like any other Dutch city, Rotterdam is a very bicycle and pedestrian friendly city. Pretty much every street has a bike lane, so getting around on bike is a not only fun, but also safe and efficient. There are a couple of places where you can rent bikes.
If you’d like to move around a little faster then renting an electric scooter might be a good option. For scooters that are not considered motorcycles, wearing a helmet is not mandatory.
Rotterdam also has a great public transport network, consisting of trains, trams, subways, busses and ferries and will get you pretty much anywhere. See the website of RET for more information.
If you have more money to spend, you can consider getting a taxi. But taxis are rather pricey in The Netherlands. You can find taxis on designated Taxi-spots, often near train stations and busy commerical streets. Or you can order one by calling one of the taxi companies.
If you need to rent a car use our car rental comparison tool to find a cheap car rental.
Is Rotterdam a safe city?
Rotterdam is considered an unsafe city for Dutch standards, but internationally speaking, it’s very safe. Being a tourist here it’s unlikely that you’ll be affected by crime or violence. As a tourist, it’s advisable to take general precautions, like you probably would in every place you visit. But there are some things to take note of.
In general most areas of the city are safe during daytime. At nightime there are a couple of places probably wise to avoid as a tourist. Neighbourhoods like Spangen, Bospolder, or a couple of areas south of the river (Afrikaanderwijk, Bloemhof, Hillesluis, Carnisse, Tarwewijk) can be a little dodgy at night.
Another thing to keep in mind… since there is a big rivalry between the football clubs of Feyenoord Rotterdam and Ajax Amsterdam it is wise to avoid wearing clothes or hats promoting Amsterdam or Ajax.