If you are someone who is planning to stay in Rotterdam for a few days and beyond Rotterdam, you also wants to visit nearby towns, cities or places, then no worries, here are some Best Day Trips from Rotterdam. These Day Trips from Rotterdam means the places that someone can easily reach in 30 to 60 minutes from Rotterdam. It’s just that someone is exploring for a few hours and returns to their accommodation in the evening.
Best Day Trips from Rotterdam
Rotterdam is an exciting city full of modern architecture, museums but one of its best advantages is its location. The city has quick ways to explore the towns and attractions nearby. With trains, buses, the travellers can reach the nearby attractions, twins, and windmill landscapes in less than an hour. Just 20 minutes away, Delft has peaceful canals, royal history. In about 35 minutes, Kinderdijk shows the picture perfect scene of 19 windmills. The Best Day Trips from Rotterdam is easy, affordable and memorable.

Rotterdam Best Day Trips – Travel Time, Key Attractions
Must Visit Place | Travel Time | Key Attractions |
Delft | Below 30 Minutes | Delft Blue pottery, Vermeer Centre, historic canals, Nieuwe Kerk, Market Square |
Dordrecht | Below 30 Minutes | Historic harbor, Grote Kerk, museums, canal boat tours |
Shiedam | Below 30 Minutes | World’s tallest windmills, Jenever museum, old town canals |
Hoek van Holland | In 1 Hour | North Sea beach, lighthouse, dunes, cycling, Atlantic Wall Museum |
Voorlinden | In 40 Minutes | Museum Voorlinden, sculpture garden |
Leiden | In 40 Minutes | Historic canals, museums, university town |
Gouda | Below 30 Minutes | Cheese market, syrup waffles, St. John’s Church, medieval square |
Kinderdijk | In 40 Minutes | 19 UNESCO windmills, museum mills, boat rides, Dutch countryside |
Tilburg | In 1 Hour or More | Textile Museum, De Pont Museum, theme park Efteling nearby |
Hoge Velwe | In 1 Hour or More | National Park, cycling paths, Kröller‑Müller Museum |
Top 5 Best Day Trips From Rotterdam
1. Delft
This is the town near Rotterdam. Travellers can go to this town to see Nieuwe Kerk, Oude Kerk, Vermeer Museum, Canal. Top Attractions include Market Square for historic buildings view, cafes, shops. For Blue Pottery visit Royal Delft.
Travel Mode & Time: By Car: 20 to 26 MinutesBy Train: 11 Minutes Cycling: 48 to 51 Minutes |
2. Kinderdijk Windmills
This is part of UNESCO World Heritage. Travelers here can know how the area was found, why this place is part of UNESCO, and how water management works. Check out the mills, pumping station, book out the boat tour, cafe with windmills view, check out rear birds collection. Tickets start from €19.50 for adults and €8.00 for children aged 4 to 12 years.
Travel Mode & Time:By Car: 32 – 35 MinsBy Train: 1 Hour Cycling: 58 to 59 Minutes |
3. Schiedam
It’s a small city that is known for giant windmills. Explore the old town, go on a whisperboat canal cruise, check out the 33 meters high Schiedam Windmill, visit the national Janever Museum, Sint Jans church, Stedelijk Museum, Co-op Museum, Bibliotheek Library.
Travel Mode & Time: By Car: 15 to 18 MinutesBy Train: 4 to 5 MinutesCycling: 22 to 28 Minutes |
4. Hoek van Holland
- Relax on the sandy beach, swim or walk along dunes
- Watch ships
- Try kitesurfing, windsurfing or cycling along the coast
- Visit Atlantic Wall Museum and lighthouse
- Enjoy seafood at beach cafes and sunset at beach clubs
Travel Mode & Time: By Car: 31 to 40 MinutesBy Train: 34 to 48 MinutesCycling: 1 Hour & 43 Minutes |
5. De Hoge Veluwe National Park
- Ride free white bicycles around the park.
- See forests, sand dunes and heathlands.
- Spot wildlife like deer, wild boar and mouflons.
- Tour Jachthuis Sint Hubertus (historic hunting lodge).
- Horse Ride
- Visit the Kröller Müller Museum (Van Gogh, Monet, sculpture garden).
- Book Tickets at tickets.hogeveluwe.nl
Travel Mode & Time: By Car: 1 Hour and 26 Minutes By Train: 3 – 4 Hrs |
FAQs: Best Day Trips from Rotterdam
- Are day trips from Rotterdam easy by public transport?
- Yes, Train, buses link Rotterdam to nearby places. No car needed if travellers want a cheaper trip.
- What is the best season to plan a trip from Rotterdam, Netherlands?
- Spring or Summer is best to visit nearby places like Kinderdijk, Hoek van Holland beach, Hoge Veluwe. Autumn or Winter is best to visit nearby places like Delft, Gouda and Leiden.
- Are Nearby One Day destinations from Rotterdam suitable for families?
- Yes, Kinderdijk windmills for kids, Delft pottery painting, cheese markets in Gouda, beaches in Scheveningen are nearby one day destinations from Rotterdam suitable for families.
- Do travellers need to book ticketing to visit the places for a day trip from Rotterdam?
- For popular attractions like Kinderdijk museum, De Hoge Veluwe National Park, tickets are needed but most of these destinations are free to visit.