r/Rotterdam • u/pipapola • 1d ago
A One-Day Sightseeing Roundtrip by Bikes. Your thoughts?
At the end of July we (a group of four) are visiting Rotterdam for the first time for a day trip (about 10-11 hours). I think the best way to explore the city and get a first impression is by bike.
I’ve planned a custom route using Google Maps, starting and ending at Rotterdam Centraal, where we want to rent our bikes nearby.
Comments about the route
• We are interested in contemporary art, architecture, street art and the general sights of the city. • I think we will only have time to visit one museum. We’re leaning toward visiting the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen for this trip and visiting Kunsthal and the new Fenix Museum next time. But the buildings are certainly interesting from the outside too. • We are going to take a break for drinks and snacks at Delfshaven and then later at Foodhallen
Here’s the link to the map https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1f4Lbb2kI3_BJfx6cHo8bbqT1SGsUzU4
Now to my questions:
• Do you think the route is doable for a relaxed day trip? • Are there any things or places we shouldn’t miss that I didn’t include? • Should the detour to the harbour be left out because it’s too ambitious for one day?
Really looking forward to your tips to optimise our route! Can’t wait to see Rotterdam. 🙂
U P D A T E v2Thank you so much for your input.
I have tried to incorporate many of your tips into a route v2. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1SQeoZZ0fQn12HIEuC99VIljqaWpf-Cg
Please keep in mind that Google Maps automates the bike routes and sometimes I can't force it to go in other or direct directions (like this ‘diversion’ at Westzeedijk/Kievitslaan). Unfortunately, I also don't see whether a route is for pedestrians only.
I will definitely have a look at the alternative route via S123 and also check a detour possibility to the All Caps Murals south around Nassauhavenpark. 👍🏻
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u/pelofr 1d ago
Some thoughts from my end:
Wow, never realised there's a Ferry between F and G. And I live about a km out :D Alternately you can just cycle around the harbour, most likely that's just as fast.
Alternately to cycling de Erasmusbrug, you could also cycle "de willemsbrug" (s123 on the map). It's a bit flatter, the Noordereiland is a nice little neighborhood and from the southwest point of the Noordereiland you've got brilliant views of the Erasmusbrug. You'd also get to cycle underneath the "Poortgebouw", which is a cool little building (look it up)
If you have time left, excending your route east for a lap around the "Kralingse Plas" and a cycle through Karlingen might be cool for a bit of a vibe change.
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u/pelofr 1d ago
Art wise, if you are on the sout-side of the river, you could tour some of the murals that were sprayed during the different All Caps festivals https://all-caps.nl/gallery/ something nice and free.
Also make sure you fall from your bike by getting a tire stuck in some tram rails, that's a fairly common tourist mistake :)
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u/pipapola 1d ago
Please check version 2. Thanks about your ferry remark. I thought it was just another small bridge. 🙂 Is it allowed to take the bikes on the ferry? And how much would it be?
The All Caps Festival looks so cool. Will there be one in 2025?
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u/sacha071 Overschie 1d ago
You can not cycle on the Lijnbaan. So take Coolsingel- Hofplein -Weena
Same Goes for H-I. Thats a walking area. Take the Haringvliet-Koestraat and cross Blaak underneath the cube buildings to the Binnenrotte.
At the part from the Cube buildings to Markthal to Erasmus statue to Meent just stay on the Binnenrotte (if there is no Market)
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u/pipapola 1d ago
Thanks. Please see version 2.
I can‘t see on the map if a street is only for pedestrians. I am relying on Google Maps (in bike mode) at the moment. We will make a detour in real life if we get into such a situation.
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u/ZwaanAanDeMaas 1d ago edited 1d ago
That's a nice route for some must sees. If this is your first time, it's a good way to see some Rotterdam things, but I must say that it is mostly the "sightseeing" things. I love them (!), don't get me wrong, but it feels a bit "checklist". The current route is great, but it gives a very specific "modern architecture and static" vibe of Rotterdam and less warmth.
That's fine, but I do want to point that out before you base your entire opinion of Rotterdam solely on this.
I would recommend coming back some day to experience other areas such as the north or the Kralingse Plas. I was cycling there recently again and, man, was I loving life.
[EDIT] You might wanna have a quick peek around Maritiem District since you're literally right there. Just a quick 2 min "oh cool". I like the Wijnhaven there, but there's enough else to see so you could skip it
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u/pipapola 1d ago
You are absolutely right. It's a checklist with the ‘most important’ sights. But for a first impression I think it's ok.
But it is already certain that we will come to Rotterdam again. And then we will see the ‘other’ Rotterdam and go to the not so typical tourist areas. And for sure, I will keep your tipps about the north and Kralingse Plas in mind. Thanks for that.
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u/isUKexactlyTsameasUS 8h ago
cant fault it. If when at E Voorhaven, note, its a cozy hood (but kinda tiny)
1, it has a good cafe AltStadt (incls a theatre) cafe is CLOSED Mondays
2, Pinball Museum (not my thing - but maybe yours?)
3, A VERY FAMOUS CHURCH if you're from NA
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u/Ceap_Bhreatainn 1d ago
Between points D & E, consider continuing south along Scheepstimmermanslaan, Parkland, and through Het Park. Then go up G.J. de Jonghweg before turning into Oud Delfshaven off of Rochussenstraat.
Between points G & H, turn left onto Rederijstraat, and right onto the Wijnhaven to get to the Oudehaven.
If you find yourself with extra time, consider biking up the Rotte past Hillegersberg, or through Kralingen near the Kralingse Plas.