Tips
The Netherlands
in General:
- If you use public transport, you can check in with a contactless debit card, credit card, or a payment app on your mobile phone.
Simply tap in and tap out at the payment terminal when entering or leaving the station. You can also buy tickets (single-use chipkaart) at the ticket machines.
Watch this video and
of course you can still buy tickets (single-use chipkaart) at the ticket machines.
- Tourist information offices in the Netherlands are often called VVV. Look for signs 
.
- The currency in the Netherlands is the Euro, but 1- and 2-cent coins are not used. Cash amounts are rounded to the nearest 5 cents.
- Electricity in the Netherlands is 230 volts, supplied through two round-pin sockets.
- The famous Keukenhof gardens are open only from mid-March to mid-May.
- King’s Day (Koningsdag) is celebrated annually on April 27. If the date falls on a Sunday, it is moved to April 26. Wearing something orange on King’s Day is highly recommended!
- And last but not least: don’t miss tasting Poffertjes - delicious mini pancakes!
Rotterdam:
- Get the Rotterdam City Card or RET Day Ticket
both valid for bus, tram and metro (not valid on trains or the historic Tram Line 10).
- If you visit Rotterdam by car, be aware that parking can be difficult. Street parking meters do not accept coins—only bank or credit cards.
- The Market Hall is open daily, except on certain public holidays. The open-air market in the city centre takes place only on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- When you come across a place called “Bram Ladage,” be sure to try their famous Dutch fries (Patat).
- Top 12 Points of Interest in Rotterdam: Market Hall, Euromast Tower, Erasmus Bridge, Steamship Rotterdam, Historic Delfshaven, Spido Boat Tours, Maritime Museum, HAL Building, Blijdorp Zoo, Cube Houses, Historic Tram Line 10, and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen.
- The most scenic destinations near Rotterdam include Kinderdijk, Delft, Dordrecht, Gouda, Schiedam, and the Biesbosch National Park.
- Not sure how to reach places like the Maritime Museum, Veerhaven, ss Rotterdam, Euromast, Watertower (the Esch), De Kuip, or Delfshaven? The easiest—and most fun—option is to take a Water Taxi.
Head to one of the yellow jetties and simply give them a call (the phone number is displayed at the jetty). Water Taxis also offer tours upon request.
Pick Up & Drop Off Point Water Taxi
- Take a tour or excursion to places around Rotterdam. Delft and Kinderdijk are highly recommended, but cities such as Gouda, Schiedam, Dordrecht, The Hague, Leiden, and Utrecht are also worth visiting.
- Easy to overlook, but close to the Market Hall lies the Nieuwemarkt, a square featuring the Liberty Statue Maagd van Holland (1874), along with unique shops, boutiques, bars, and restaurants.
- Near the Maritime Museum, you’ll find the lively Witte de Withstraat, filled with bars, restaurants, and several art galleries.
- Enjoy a walk in one of Rotterdam’s parks, such as The Park by the Euromast Tower or Kralingse Bos, with its lake and two windmills. Garden lovers should not miss the Arboretum Trompenburg botanical garden.
- Rent a boat and sail through Rotterdam’s canals or lakes. You can rent a sloop near the Market Hall on Lombardkade (close to number 46)- book here.
Additional rental options are available at Rotterdam Boot.
- The windmills of Kinderdijk, near Rotterdam, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see when visiting the Netherlands.
- Visit the beach resort Hoek van Holland (literally “Corner of Holland,” though it sounds like “Hook of Holland”). Watch ships enter the port of Rotterdam, explore the fort and WWII bunkers, or simply relax on the beach.
- The Tram Museum is open from April to November, on the first Saturday of each month, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Address: Kootsekade 19. Just around the corner, you’ll find Prinsenmolen Park, perfect for a walk between the river Rotte and Lake Bergse Voorplas.
- Visit the official Ahoy website for an overview of upcoming events at the Ahoy Events Centre in Rotterdam.
- Discover all the city’s highlights and tourist spots using the Rotterdam map.
- Rent a bike or book one of the guided tours available ... Tours - Tours.
- Download the Rotterdam Tourist app from the Google Play or Apple Store.
- Rotterdam’s Asian neighbourhood can be found near Central Station, at the West Kruiskade.
- At certain locations, such as near the escalator in the Market Hall, you’ll find a free newspaper called Rotterdam Visitor. It is available in three languages and includes a simple city map.
- View the locations of companies that offer free restroom access in Rotterdam.
Good starting points include:
The north side of the Erasmus Bridge, near Spido Harbour Tours, Historic Tram Line 10, and the public Water Bus stop.
- or -
The Euromast observation tower, with Splash Tours and the Pancake Boat.
- or -
The Tourist Office at the city centre exit of Central Station.
The Tourist office at the Central Station.
Schiedam:
- Take a canal cruise departing from the Vismarkt. [Info]
- Visit the Museum Windmill De Walvisch, located near the Vismarkt. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 11:00 and 17:00.
- Explore the Gin (Jenever) Museum or the Chocolate Shop “De Bonte Koe”, both situated on the Lange Haven.
- For more information, stop by the Schiedam Tourist Info Point at Lange Kerkstraat 39.
The Hague:
- Visit the political centre of the Netherlands: the parliament buildings at the Binnenhof.
- Admire Johannes Vermeer’s masterpiece, Girl with a Pearl Earring, at the Mauritshuis Museum.
- Go to beach resort Scheveningen and Madurodam miniature city.
- Discover the impressive cylindrical painting at the Panorama Mesdag.
Gouda:
- Try a Cheese Waffle, available at the VVV / Tourist Office.
- Visit the Cheese Market on Thursday mornings between 10:00 and 12:30 (from early April to late August).
- Walk to windmill ’t Slot at Punt 17, then continue to Mallegatsluis. Cross the lock and follow the canal for a great view of windmill De Roode Leeuw.
Delft:
- Walk to the Oostpoort, the only remaining city gate in Delft.
- Visit windmill De Roos and one of the Delft Blue pottery workshops.
- Explore the Museum Prinsenhof.
- By the end of June, see the Sailing Flower Parade held in the vicinity of Delft.
Sailing Flower Parade