Windmills at Kinderdijk by Coach – Rotterdam Netherlands Port Excursion from Crusie Ship

If your cruise ship docks in Rotterdam, Netherlands make sure you take the opportunity to take in some local culture by visiting some charming windmills. The Windmills at Kinderkijk by Coach visits a UNESCO site with more than 19 working windmills. You will love seeing the inside of windmills that were once dotted all along Holland’s countryside, but are now an iconic symbol.

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Rotterdam, Netherlands is a port city about an hour from Amsterdam. This city is known for its impressive modern architecture, vibrant cultural scene, and, of course, its role as one of the largest ports in the world.

Unlike many cities in the Netherlands, which are famous for their charming historic buildings and canals, Rotterdam was largely rebuilt after World War II, leading to a unique skyline that features innovative designs.

One of the most iconic landmarks in Rotterdam is the Cube Houses, known locally as Kubuswoningen. These houses are designed to look like cubes tilted on their points, showcasing a bold approach to residential architecture. Nearby, you’ll find the Markthal, a stunning market hall that combines food, shopping, and art under a massive curved roof adorned with vibrant murals. This blend of functionality and aesthetics embodies the spirit of Rotterdam. The city’s maritime history is deeply ingrained in its identity. The Maritime Museum offers fascinating insights into the maritime heritage of the region, with exhibits that showcase everything from shipbuilding to seafaring tales. Visitors can explore historical vessels and engage with interactive displays that bring the maritime world to life.

As a port city, Rotterdam plays a critical role in international trade and logistics. The Port of Rotterdam is a vital gateway for goods entering Europe, and its efficient operations are a cornerstone of the global supply chain. This economic significance contributes to the city’s dynamic atmosphere, blending a bustling industrial landscape with a vibrant urban life. 

We have lots more articles to help you plan a family cruise, explore Disney vacations, or enjoy a Disney cruise vacation! We stopped in Rotterdam as part of our Disney Norwegian Fjords Cruise!

1 Day in Rotterdam

If you have one day in Rotterdam, you will need to prioritize what you will see. What you choose to see will depend largely on whether you’ve been to The Netherlands before, plan to visit it more in depth later, and your interest.

Amsterdam

I think Amsterdam deserves a trip of it’s own as it has way too much to see and do in just one day. But, if it is your one and only chance to see Amsterdam, you can get there in about 1 hour with either a on your own tour, private tour, or on the train.  With limited time in port it seems a shame to spend over 2 hours commuting for a short day. Plus note that any delays in your private car or train may mean you you don’t make it back to port on time.

Just a quick train ride from Rotterdam, visitors can explore iconic spots such as the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the picturesque canals that line the city. Don’t miss out on trying some traditional Dutch food, like stroopwafels and herring, while you’re there. If you’re looking for something a bit different, consider a trip to the historic city of Delft. Known for its blue pottery, Delft offers charming streets, art galleries, and fascinating museums.

Kinderdijk Netherlands

Another fantastic option is heading to the windmill-dotted countryside of Kinderdijk. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to a series of well-preserved windmills that date back to the 18th century. You can explore the area on foot or by bike, and the picturesque scenery provides the perfect backdrop for memorable photos.

There is a shuttle that will take you to various spots in the city if you prefer to do it on your own. Just grab a map from Port Excursions from your Disney Cruiseship.

Rotterdam

There are several other Rotterdam tour options including harbor tours, cheese tasting, delft pottery, tram tour, pancake cruise, rotterdam zoo, Rotterdam splash boat tour, and more. Based on what we heard from other guests we are super pleased with our selction of the Kinderdijk windmill tour!

Windmills at Kinderdijk

We choose to do an excursions through the cruiseline. While they tend to be slightly more expensive, the peace of mind knowing they will wait for us if we are late is worth every penny. And on more than one occassion we have returned late from a port adventure and they have indeed waited for us! We booked the Windmills at Kinderdijk by Coach and thoroughly enjoyed this classic sightseeing tour that gave us a taste of Holland! If I were doing it again, I would seriously consider booking this Kinderdijk tour with cheese making experience. It is the same length, cheeper, and you get to learn about the famour large cheese wheels Holland is known for!

Start out with a scenic 45-minute drive to Kinderdijk. Along the way your guide will give you some information on Kinderdijk and the area. We learned a lot about the cube houses, Kinderdijk, and how Rotterdam is an impressive port that is fully equipped to accommodate mega ships, featuring deep-water access and wide basins designed specifically for the largest ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) available. 

Kinderdijk holland

Once at Kinderdijk you will see a welcome video explaining how The Netherlands has moved from traditional windmills that required someone to live in them to operate them to moremodern, efficient methods.  The windmills were and are used to manage water to drain areas and make the land usable. The country transitioned to steam and electric pumps, and now embraces modern technology. Today, the iconic wooden windmills are cherished as cultural landmarks. At the same time, the Netherlands is making significant strides in renewable energy, with large offshore and onshore wind turbines generating clean electricity. Remarkably, this wind energy now powers the entire electric train network, showcasing the nation’s commitment to sustainable living.

NOTE: You may want to use the restroom by the ticket counter or the shoft film building as they are free. If you wait until the end, you need to pay a fee or use your receipt from the cafe or gift shop to use those restrooms!

The bridge from the movie to the main site is one of the BEST place to take a picture with the windmills!

kinderdijk netherlands

Kinderdijk is a gem where you can step back in time to see an area dotted with charming windmills. Therea re 19 windmills, many that are still operational. This UNESCO World Heritage site showcases the largest collection of windmills in the country.

kinderdijk netherlands windmills

After a short walk along many windmills you will get to tour inside one of the working windmills. It is a tight squeeze going up and down the ladders of the 3+ levels, but it is such a great chance to see what it was like for those that live and worked with these important fixtures in the Dutch countryside.

The windmills were not only a machine, but the home to Dutch families who lived and worked inside. The specialized water millers and their large families with 6-8 children lived inside the 18th-century windmills to pump floodwater from the low-lying polders. The space was cramped and noisy, but quaint for these self-sufficient farming.

You will also get a chance to try on some classic wooden shoes for a charming picture and cultural experience!

kinderdijk unesco world heritage site

Afterwards you will have some free time to take pictures, grab a cup of coffee, or tour the gift ship with a decent selection of souvenirs. I highly recommend stopping at the Stopwaffle stand for a truly delicious and authentic Dutch treat! YUM!

Take a 45 minute drive back to the port, seeing the curious yellow cube houses and learning about the 10 buildings that survived World War 2 as you drive back to port.