Travel Guide
Travel Experts Crown This Vibrant Dutch City As Europe’s Top 2025 Getaway – And It’s Not Amsterdam!
Jan
Last Updated
Truth be told, we’ve covered numerous Amsterdam alternatives since the iconic city hasn’t exactly been the most welcoming host in recent years.
They are going as far as implementing ‘Stay Away’ campaigns, hoping to alter their image as a party-driven destination, yet their famous red lights still illuminate many dark nights.
Go figure.
That being said, despite Amsterdam placing its own self-induced problems in the hands of incoming tourists, the rest of the Netherlands is teeming with vibrant cities and towns ready to welcome visitors with open arms.
TimeOut just revealed Europe’s top city to visit in 2025, and not only is it not Amsterdam, but a stunning urban escape you’ve likely never heard of since the former has long been the only Dutch household name unless you’ve heard of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Heeswijk-Dinther, or Hellevoetsluis.
Yeah, didn’t think so…
Nevertheless, 2025 is all about discovering new places as many of the world’s icons deal with an overflow of tourists like Barcelona, Athens, and surely Amsterdam would raise their hand too.
Rotterdam: A Vibrant Dutch City Set To Steal Amsterdam’s Tourists Away
Where in the world is Rotterdam? Well, you’ve gathered it’s in the Netherlands, but why the sudden hype for a city largely overlooked by mainstream travelers?
Rotterdam is a significant port city in South Holland. Being a Dutch city, it obviously boasts scenic canals with a similar ambiance to Amsterdam, but locals will be much happier to see you exploring their city versus Europe’s new “Karen”.
While Amsterdam has been a staple of Dutch culture, many argue against the city being The Netherlands’ main tourism hub, as Rotterdam is seen as being the true heartbeat of the country.
Home to around 200,000 fewer people than Amsterdam, Rotterdam is a fairly large city teeming with many urban delights and outdoor attractions, but perhaps no more than a new highly-anticipated museum set to open doors in May 2025.
Fenix, according to their website, is the ‘first museum in the world that tells stories of migration through art’, and TimeOut is setting huge expectations for this new concept, ranking Fenix as one of the ’25 best new things to do in the world in 2025′.
Until then, you can enjoy warming up in Rotterdam’s one-of-a-kind jacuzzi boats, HotTug, or enjoy a scenic bike ride in typical Ditch fashion.
Rotterdam’s Really Cool Neighborhoods
I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the world’s coolest neighborhood, but Rotterdam should definitely be in the conversation.
What was formerly Rotterdam’s buzzing Chinatown district with seedy bars and dark underbelly activities, Katendecht has transformed into a hip neighborhood of trendy restaurants and food halls, welcomed graffiti murals, and even a Dutch Pinball Museum because why not?
Where you’ll find the heartbeat of the city is Witte de Withstraat, a hub for all things fun. Neighboring the Museum Quarter, visiting Witte de Withstraat should top your Rotterdam itinerary as long as you have an open mind because you never know what quirks and delights you’ll discover.
Those with an adventurous palate will be enthralled by the variety of cuisines ranging from Vietnamese to Surinamese and off-the-wall bars serving up local brews.
While we’re just scratching the surface here, history buffs will love diving into the fascinating timeline of Spido Harbour, the only section of the city not slammed with WWII bombs and now serves as a great spot for photo-ops with sweeping views of Rotterdam’s vibrant skyline and waterways.
Diving deeper into Rotterdam’s timeline, you can visit one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, Delfshaven, home to the staggering Oude Kirk dating back to the 1600s.
But nowadays, you can play 9-hole street golf, enjoy quaint cafes, and savor the flavor of Dutch distilleries.
How To Reach Rotterdam
No U.S. airports offer direct flights to Rotterdam, so at least one connection, either by plane or train, is required.
Flights connect to Rotterdam from major European hubs such as London, Istanbul, Barcelona, and Lisbon.
You could also fly into Amsterdam and reach Rotterdam by train as quickly as 33 minutes.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
