From Dordrecht to Rotterdam: A Tale of Two Cities

Today our Viking River cruise carried us to two remarkable Dutch cities—Dordrecht in the morning and Rotterdam in the afternoon. Each city offers its own distinct window into the Netherlands’ history and culture.

Dordrecht, often called the oldest city in Holland, wears its history with quiet pride. Founded in the 11th century, it became a powerful trading port in the Middle Ages and played a pivotal role in the Protestant Reformation, hosting the Synod of Dordrecht in 1618–19. As we strolled its cobbled streets and historic harbors, we could hear the echo of church bells summoning the faithful to worship. The streets were almost silent because the majority of markets and businesses were closed on Sunday morning. Dordrecht feels like stepping into a living history book—its skyline dominated by the towering Grote Kerk, its charm framed by centuries-old waterways. We also visited the Grote Kerk (the big church), the Art Church (now a gallery), the iron bridge, the city center, the old harbor, the new harbor, and several museums. The guide for our walking tour, Jennifer, who is from California, did an outstanding job narrating the tour and responding to questions.

By contrast, Rotterdam is the Netherlands’ bold statement to the modern world. Devastated by bombing in 1940, the city rebuilt itself with daring innovation. Today, it boasts some of Europe’s most striking contemporary architecture—cube houses, soaring bridges, and the dazzling Market Hall—standing as a testament to resilience and reinvention. Sailing into Rotterdam’s port, one of the busiest in the world, we felt the hum of a city that thrives on connection and commerce. Amanda and I did our own walking tour of Rotterdam this afternoon. Then, after dinner, our ship did a cruise tour of Rotterdam from the harbor in the west back to our docking point in the east. We passed the SS Rotterdam, the Erasmus Bridge, and the Red Bridge.

From Dordrecht’s historic legacy to Rotterdam’s forward-looking architecture, the day reminded us that the Netherlands is a country that honors its past while confidently charting its future. And from the deck of our Viking longship, we were grateful to witness both stories unfold along the water.

For dinner the chef treated us to a Taste of Holland, which included numerous Dutch dishes that are favorites in this region.