This incredible city is just an hour away from Amsterdam and London and it offers an exciting insight to life in the Netherlands – without all the tourists.

Rotterdam is known for having the biggest port in Europe and this impressive city has many of the same things to do and see as Amsterdam, although nowhere near as many people visit it.

To get to Rotterdam from the UK, the best way is to fly, which takes 55 minutes from London. The city is known for its many attractions and its close links to Amsterdam.

One popular place to visit is Markthal which is a large market hall. A visitor on Tripadvisor said: “I can only advise you to come to Rotterdam to visit the Markthal, because seeing for yourself you can appreciate the architectural masterpiece inside and outside. 

“It is close to metro station and train station Blaak, but also has a gigantic three level car park in the basement. Inside are an untold number of food stalls, shops and restaurants. The Markthal was opened in 2014, but is already the number one attraction in Rotterdam.”

Another great landmark in the city is the Erasmus Bridge. It is often seen as an architectural work of art – the impressive bridge that is shaped like a harp soars over the largest harbour in Europe. 

One visitor on Tripavdsior said: “The Erasmus bridge is one of the most recognised symbols of Rotterdam! We enjoyed walking on it and were lucky to have a sunny day so there were numerous photo ops that were amazing!”

If you do plan to visit the city, it would be a great idea to combine your trip with a visit to Amsterdam. 

The capital of the Netherlands is located around 45 minutes away by train – if you stay in Rotterdam, you can make the most of the cheaper hotel costs while still being within reach of busy Amsterdam.

Rotterdam Central Station itself is worth seeing due to its impressive modern architecture.

The city makes for a great autumn or winter trip and is easy enough to visit for the weekend from the UK.