Not only is Rotterdam the second most-populated city in Holland, but it also stands as the main gateway to the country’s spectacular southern region. The city itself is awash in splendid landmarks, including museums, medieval structures and numerous historic windmills. Nevertheless, the city is also within a short picturesque drive from many memorable destinations of South Holland.
Rotterdam can be tricky to navigate by car, but there highways and roads leading away from the city centre are well-signed and well maintained. Motorhome rental in Rotterdam is available in the heart of the city and in its suburbs. Whichever direction you drive from Rotterdam, camping grounds and campervan stops are intermittently available.
Recommended campervan drives in Rotterdam
Hook of Holland:
you can escape the bustle of Rotterdam by driving directly west to the Hook of Holland, where a golden-sanded coastline awaits. If you continue up the coastline for 20 minutes, the beach-resort town of Scheveningen can be reached too. Vlugtenburg is a resort that offers beachfront camping facilities, and just north lays Camping de Molenslag, which also overlooks the sand.
Lek:
the River Lek travels from the eastern borders of Holland, and meets with the Noord River near Rotterdam. The road that meanders the bank of the river provides spectacular natural scenery for travelers. Camping Nes and Jachthaven ‘t Wilgerak are ideal places for an overnight stay. You shouldn’t forget to visit the dikes at Kinderdjik too.
South Hollandic Islands:
just 10kms southeast of Rotterdam are the South Hollandic Islands. You can uncover the historical beauty of towns and villages like Brielle and Middelharnis, and base yourself at one of the many camping areas across the islands. Ouddop’s Groene Weide Site and Camping Koteste are both recommended for resting the motorhome overnight.
Local attractions
Museums certainly steal the spotlight when it comes to Rotterdam’s local attractions. Of the dozens found within the city, about a handful of museums do stand out among the others. Boijmans-van Beuningen Museum is an interesting art museum that boasts works from dozens of famous artists like Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte. The Netherlands Architecture Institute and the Maritime Museum are worth exploring. Rotterdam still has a few windmills in existence, which no tourist should miss.
Children and families will adore a day out at the Rotterdam Zoo. It was established in 1857, making it one of Europe’s oldest zoological parks. The city is also home to numerous churches of note. Dating back to 1449, Saint Lawrence Church is among Holland’s largest religious structures. Though not overly eye-catching on the inside, the expansive design makes this church nonetheless inspiring.