Key Takeaways
A calm Sunday read is closer than it seems: take Rotterdam’s Line D from Spijkenisse to Rhoon and pair the greenery with a café that actually opens on Sundays. Poortugaal is quieter still but has fewer reliable Sunday options; Leuvehaven and Dijkzigt offer river views and parks with more bustle. For a short ride, steady service, and a guaranteed cup, Rhoon wins.
Story & Details
Setting off from Spijkenisse
Line D begins on your doorstep. Board at De Akkers, Heemraadlaan, or Spijkenisse Centrum and you’re on the trunk that stitches Spijkenisse to Rotterdam. The ride is simple: no transfers, frequent departures, predictable timing.
Why Line D matters
Line D is one of RET’s five metro lines and the straightest route to green space without sacrificing a café. Slinge and beyond lead into the city; just before that urban pull, Rhoon and Poortugaal sit in a quieter belt of canals and trees. It’s a sweet spot for anyone who wants the feel of the countryside without a long trip.
Three stops, three moods
Rhoon is calm, village-like, and practical: a short walk brings you to water and tree-lined paths. Poortugaal is even more peaceful—perfect for pages and silence—though Sunday coffee can be hit-or-miss. If a view sparks the reading mood, continue to Leuvehaven for the riverfront or Dijkzigt for Museumpark and Het Park, trading quiet for atmosphere.
Sunday coffee that actually opens
The decider on a Sunday is a door that’s open. Brasserie Rhoonse Polder, in the polder just outside Rhoon, opens daily, including Sundays. Expect a terrace, space, and that easy “settle-in” energy. Opening time is 09:00 local (Europe/Amsterdam).
Timing your ride
RET keeps Line D running throughout Sundays with regular headways and clear live information. Check the official timetable and the map before leaving; both confirm stops and any planned changes. With that, a 10–15 minute hop from Spijkenisse Centrum lands you in reading territory before your coffee cools.
Conclusions
A good book deserves a setting that doesn’t fight for your attention. On Sundays, Rhoon balances calm paths with a reliable café, reachable in minutes on Line D. If you want absolute hush, try Poortugaal and bring a thermos; for scenic buzz, Leuvehaven or Dijkzigt will do. Start local, ride short, read long.
Sources
- RET — Metro timetable and service info (official): https://www.ret.nl/en/home/travelling/timetable.html
- RET — Metro Line D page (official, NL): https://www.ret.nl/home/reizen/dienstregeling/metro-d.html
- RET — Network maps (official): https://www.ret.nl/en/home/travelling-with-the-ret/maps.html
- Brasserie Rhoonse Polder — Opening hours (official): https://www.brasserierhoonsepolder.nl/contact.html
- YouTube (institutional, RET N.V. channel) — “De RET bedrijfsfilm”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsSBW-8r63k
Appendix
Line D
The metro line that runs from Spijkenisse into Rotterdam on the RET network; it’s the most direct way to reach Rhoon, Poortugaal, and central stations without transfers.
Rhoon
A village just north of Spijkenisse on Line D, surrounded by polder landscapes and riverside paths—quiet, green, and close enough for a short metro ride.
Poortugaal
A small, tranquil stop on Line D known for calm streets and greenery; ideal for reading, though Sunday café options can be sparse.
Leuvehaven
A central Rotterdam stop near the Maas and the Erasmus Bridge; great for riverfront benches and people-watching, with plenty of cafés open on Sundays.
Dijkzigt
A stop by Museumpark and Het Park; leafy paths and cultural venues nearby, offering a park-first reading mood with city energy in reach.
RET (Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram)
The public transport operator for metro, tram, and bus in the Rotterdam region, maintaining the timetable, network, and real-time updates that make short Sunday rides effortless.
Brasserie Rhoonse Polder
A café-restaurant in the Rhoon polder with a terrace and daily opening hours, including Sundays at 09:00 local (Europe/Amsterdam), making it a dependable anchor for a reading outing.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 