Rotterdam sits in the middle of the Randstad, the densely populated western Netherlands, so an astonishing number of places are an easy trip away. Trains are frequent, the distances are short, and you can sleep in Rotterdam every night while seeing the best of the region. Here are the day trips worth making.
Delft: canals and blue pottery
Delft is the easiest trip, around fifteen minutes by train. The town has a beautiful old centre with canals, a large market square, the Nieuwe Kerk and the Oude Kerk, and it is the home of Delftware, the blue-and-white pottery. Royal Delft, the factory and museum, shows how the pieces are painted, and the old streets reward a slow wander. Allow half a day, or a full day if you add the museums. It is a good option when the weather is poor, because there are plenty of indoor stops.
Kinderdijk: the windmills
The nineteen windmills of Kinderdijk are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the classic image of Holland. The best way to go is by water, on the fast ferry from the Erasmus Bridge, which takes around half an hour, though in autumn and winter it runs only at weekends, so plan around that. You can walk or cycle along the dyke paths, visit a museum mill to see how the families lived, and take the boat. Allow three to four hours on site, and check the seasonal hours, because the site closes earlier in winter.
The Hague: royals, art and the sea
The seat of the Dutch government is about twenty-five minutes away by train. The Binnenhof and the Mauritshuis, home of Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, are the highlights, and the city has many other museums, parks and a lively centre. The beach resort of Scheveningen is a short tram ride from the centre, with a long promenade and a pier, so The Hague can be a culture day or a seaside day. Combine it with Delft on the way, because the two towns lie on the same line.
Gouda: cheese and a pretty town hall
Gouda is around twenty to thirty minutes away by train and is famous for its cheese. The old centre has a handsome Gothic town hall on the market square, a historic weigh house and canals. The traditional cheese market takes place on the square on certain mornings in the warmer months, usually in a summer season, and is lovely to see, but check the dates before you go. Gouda is a gentle half-day trip, and good for families.
Keukenhof: tulips in spring
If you are visiting between late March and mid May, add Keukenhof, the great spring garden near Lisse. It takes about an hour by car or longer by train and bus through Leiden, and many visitors prefer a bus transfer. The gardens are closed outside the spring season, so this is a trip you plan around the calendar.
Amsterdam and Utrecht: big-city options
Amsterdam is under an hour away by train, and it is possible to do a day trip, though the city deserves longer. Utrecht, a little further, has a lovely canal-side old town with sunken wharves and the Dom Tower, and is a good alternative if you want canals without the crowds. Both are easy by train, and you can return to Rotterdam in the evening.
Hoek van Holland: the beach
For a sea breeze, take the metro all the way to Hoek van Holland, at the mouth of the Maas, where there is a wide beach, dunes and views of ships entering the port. It takes about forty minutes from the centre and is an easy half day in summer.
Practical tips
A contactless bank card or a travel card works on most trains and metros, and the station is the hub for almost all of these trips. Off-peak trains are cheaper and quieter, and the early morning and late evening are the busiest times for commuters. Check timetables the day before, especially on weekends and holidays, when engineering works can change routes. A good hotel near the station, such as the ones suggested here, makes early starts and late returns easier.
Choosing between them
If you only have one day, choose Delft for ease, Kinderdijk for the classic windmill picture or The Hague for art and the sea. With two days, pair Delft with The Hague on one day, because they lie on the same railway line, and give Kinderdijk a day of its own. Families with young children usually prefer Kinderdijk and Gouda, while art lovers will want The Hague and Amsterdam. Always allow a buffer for the return journey.
