25 things to see and do in Rotterdam, Netherlands

Rotterdam is one of the most attractive cities to see in the Netherlands . That’s why we highly recommend visiting it! You will see that most things to do in Rotterdam are related to architecture . After the bombing that it suffered on May 14, 1940, most of its buildings were destroyed. The reconstruction did not maintain the original canal structure so typical in the country . Instead, modern and progressive buildings were designed that made Rotterdam a city where architecture is very important. We tell you 25 things to do in Rotterdam so that you know its two faces : the traditional and the groundbreaking.

We’ve marked all the things to see and do in Rotterdam on this map to make it easier to plan your visit.

25 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN ROTTERDAM

1. Have a drink at Markthal, one of the best things to do in Rotterdam

One of the most beautiful and modern buildings in Rotterdam is this market. Its semicircular façade is reminiscent of a horseshoe, with small square windows that surround the entire building. Not only is it special on the outside, if you go inside you will see that the interior structure is decorated with colorful drawings of fruits, flowers and insects . It is the work of the Dutch artist Arno Coenen.

Under this impressive dome there are a lot of shops, stops and bars where you can eat or drink something . But the market is not the only space in the Markthal, it is surrounded by modern offices with views of the city.

The Markthal, one of the most beautiful buildings in Rotterdam

2. Be impressed by Rotterdam Central Station

The train station is an essential visit to do in Rotterdam . It is one more example of the importance of modern architecture in the city . Although it was inaugurated in 2014, it has already become an iconic construction thanks to its peculiar triangular shape . Despite its modernity, it also maintains a couple of elements from the old station as a reminder of the past: the letters at the entrance and the central clock.

 3. Cross the Erasmusbrug , the main attraction to see in Rotterdam

When architectural innovation meets state-of-the-art engineering, the result is a bridge just as impressive. The Erasmus Bridge is 802 meters long and serves to connect the north and south areas of Rotterdam. The most impressive thing is the mast of more than 100 meters that resembles the shape of the neck of a swan . That is why the bridge was nicknamed “the swan” since it was inaugurated in 1996.

As if the construction itself wasn’t incredible enough, it has a tilting section that opens to allow larger ships to pass through . Crossing it on foot is one of the most representative things to do in Rotterdam .

Crossing the Erasmus Bridge is an essential thing to do in Rotterdam

4. Climb the Euromast tower to enjoy an unbeatable view

Many say that Rotterdam is the Dutch Manhattan and this tower confirms it. It is the tallest building in the city, with a height of 185 meters . Although, to tell the truth, it is a bit of a cheat because 85 meters were added after its inauguration with an antenna. It was built in 1960 as a viewpoint , a function that it continues to fulfill today.

The entrance costs €15.50 . Includes access to the platform at a height of 100 meters, as well as the Euroscoop elevator, which goes up to the top of the antenna. If you are daring, you can even rappel or zip line, although it costs extra and must be reserved in advance.

In addition to having great views of the city there is a restaurant, a conference room and a suite at the Euromast Hotel . If you want to sleep with the best views of Rotterdam, you have to scratch your pocket and book a few months in advance.

5. Taste artisan products at the Fenix ​​Food Factory

An essential stop to do in Rotterdam for food lovers. It is an old warehouse converted into a market with tasting areas . They promote healthy eating through workshops, tastings and sales of local fresh products . They do not sell processed products, they are all made the old-fashioned way. Be sure to try the cheeses and breads, delicious!

6. Discover what a cube house is like inside, one of the most curious things to do in Rotterdam

A very surprising visit to do in Rotterdam are its cube houses. Although they seem more decorative than practical, the truth is that people live in them . The 82 houses were the idea of ​​the architect Piet Blom to make better use of the interior space by tilting the cubes 45 degrees. The interior space is the same as in any other building, with the particularity that the walls and windows make some strange angles.

Given the curiosity of the visitors, one of the owners opened his house in the form of a museum. The entrance has a symbolic price of €3 .

The curious cube houses on the outside.

7. Dine in Witte de Withstraat

When you have finished touring Rotterdam you can go to this lively street for a drink. It is full of bars and restaurants for all budgets that offer international cuisine . In summer, the terraces begin to fill up from mid-afternoon until late at night. The lights that decorate the street create a very cozy atmosphere . In addition to restaurants, you will also find some interesting art galleries.

 8. Visit the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum

This museum is a must-see in Rotterdam for art lovers . There, works by the great Dutch masters such as Van Gogh, Rubens or Van Dyck are exhibited , as well as other great international artists . The collection has European art from the 14th century to contemporary art . In addition, they make interesting temporary exhibitions dedicated to a specific artist or period. Beyond its fantastic selection of works, the building is very well organized and the visit is very pleasant .

Admission costs €20. It may seem expensive but it is worth it!

9. Visit the miniature city at Miniworld Rotterdam, one of the best things to do in Rotterdam with children

If you don’t have time to visit Rotterdam in depth, you can see every corner of the city in this museum . It is a model with all the details . There are buttons to interact with the models, make the trains move or some element light up.

Every 24 minutes it gets dark and all the buildings are illuminated, creating a very different panorama from daytime. Everything is thought out in detail. It reminded us of the wonderful Miniatur Wunderland from Hamburg . It is a great visit to do in Rotterdam with children, although the older ones also enjoy a lot!

Admission costs €12.95 for adults and €9.25 for children up to 11 years old .

The Erasmusbrug from another perspective.

10. Enter the historic Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk church

Do not think that Rotterdam only has modern architecture, it also preserves this jewel from medieval times. The Protestant church of San Lorenzo was built in 1449 , although it underwent modifications over the years.

It has witnessed important events in the city and, despite the fact that it was damaged after the air raid on Rotterdam in 1940, its interior was restored maintaining its original charm . Do not miss its vaulted ceilings, stone arches and rather austere decoration.

The entrance to the temple costs €2 . However, you can complete your visit by going up its tower to enjoy the views. In this case, the entrance costs €7.50.

 11. Discover the Witte Huis, a very curious building to see in Rotterdam

Another of the architectural wonders of Rotterdam that you cannot miss is its particular “White House” . It has nothing to do with the one in Washington, but is a modernist building built in 1898 .

It is only 10 floors and 43 meters high, but it is considered the first European skyscraper . Fortunately, its white façade with ornate turrets was one of the few to survive attacks during the war.

La Witte Huis, jutting out into the Oude Haven

12. Get to know the two ports of Rotterdam

Very close to Witte Huis is the old port of the city, where the great commercial life of the city arose in the 16th century . Now some historic boats can be seen and the area has become a very popular meeting place . There are several bars and terraces to have a drink with a lot of atmosphere.

But the old port is already history. Now the activity is concentrated in Europort, one of the busiest ports in the world . There you can see the former headquarters of the Holland America Line, from where many Dutch people left in search of the American dream . It has now been converted into the Hotel New York, but still has a charming façade that pays respect to the building’s past.

13. Stroll among the windmills in Kinderdijk, an essential excursion to do in Rotterdam

In all the typical postcards of the Netherlands there is a windmill. Very close to Rotterdam is the town of Kinderdijk, where you can see 19 traditional mills surrounding the canals . They were built around 1740 to prevent flooding in the area. After many years, they were restored and have become one of the most charming landscapes in the country. Entrance to Kinderdijk costs €16.

One of the essential excursions to do in Rotterdam

14. Visit the Kunsthal Rotterdam

Another very curious building to see in Rotterdam is this museum of design, architecture and other forms of modern art . It is a 1992 construction crossed by two roads . Beyond the curious packaging, inside there are works by great names in contemporary art. We recommend you also consult its program of temporary exhibitions.

The entrance costs €16.50 .

15. See the port and the city from the water

It is nothing new that the port of Rotterdam is very important for the economy of the city. If you want to see it from another perspective, you can embark on a tour of its surroundings . You will see how huge are the containers, cranes and ships that pass by up close. You will also pass through the Erasmus Bridge and you will be able to take good photos of the city’s skyline.

One of the historic companies is Spido, which emerged as a form of transportation and moved into tourist rides after World War II.

A journey of an hour and a quarter costs €15.75 . You can combine it with a guided walking tour through the most characteristic corners of the city .

16. Have fun at the Westelijk Handelsterrein

When night falls, this former industrial area becomes the liveliest spot in Rotterdam . What used to be port warehouses have become bars and nightclubs that open until dawn . Best of all, bad weather won’t ruin your night because the venue is covered by a large glass dome.

17. Learn about sailing at the Rotterdam Maritime Museum

Rotterdam has one of the most important maritime museums in the world . It could not be less, since its port is one of the largest in the world. You will be able to see many objects related to navigation , from replicas of merchant warships or navy uniforms to a large collection of cartography.

It is a very interesting visit to do in Rotterdam to learn about an important part of the city’s history . The entrance costs €16 .

18. Visit the Rotterdam City Hall, another interesting building to see in Rotterdam

Another architectural visit to do in Rotterdam is its town hall. It was built in 1913 due to the great commercial and population growth of the city . There was a need to have a new building that would represent the city and the mayor decided to launch a contest to find an architect. The neo-Renaissance design with some sculptures on the façade conquered the whole world. Fortunately, the building withstood the 1940 bombing .

You cannot visit on your own , but you can go to the city’s tourist office to hire a guided tour of some areas of the building. The square where it is located, Stadhuisplein, is very lively , especially at night. There is a monument there in memory of the victims of the war , which destroyed a large part of Rotterdam.

19. Stroll through Delfshaven

To end this list of things to do in Rotterdam we could not forget this neighborhood. It is on the outskirts, in fact it was an independent city until 1886 , but it is one of the most appreciated areas by the inhabitants of Rotterdam.

It is one of the areas that best resisted the attacks of the war . Another historical event was the meeting of all the pilgrims who crossed the Atlantic to reach America in 1620. It was in the Pelgrimvaderskerk church , which can still be visited.

20. Staying on the ship SS Rotterdam

Something curious to do in Rotterdam is to stay on a historic ship. You can sleep in a room inside the SS Rotterdam, an ocean liner that belonged to the Holland America Line company . After 40 years of use, it was restored for use as a hotel and now you can rest inside the long days of sightseeing in Rotterdam.

21. Discover the ins and outs of the modern port of Rotterdam

In 2010, Rotterdam realized that it needed to expand its commercial port by 20%. To do it, he needed new soil, in the visitor center you can see how they created it. You will also be able to see the cranes and macrocontainers up close . In fact, it is considered the most modern port in Europe , so take advantage of the experience. You can get there by boat from the city center.

22. Visit Museumpark, the most central park in Rotterdam

Museumpark is right next to the Boijmans museum , hence its name. It is a green space in the heart of the city , ideal for a walk. In addition to being a normal park with a pond in the middle designed to prevent flooding when it rains a lot, it is also a great activity center . There is a paved area that is used to hold public events there.

23. Discover other famous bridges in the city

There is life beyond the Erasmus Bridge. Rotterdam stands out for its surprising architecture and in a matter of bridges it is no less. We recommend that you also come to see Willemsbrug, the red bridge next to the Erasmus bridge. It is also an icon of the city of De Hef, a drawbridge that was used for trains to pass . Now it is no longer used, but it still stands as a Rotterdam historical monument.

24. Stroll through Het Park

A relaxing visit to do in Rotterdam is Het Park, as it is one of the quietest parks in the city. It is close to the Euromast tower, so you can take advantage of the visit to get to know this beautiful park. It was designed in 1852 with the intention of imitating English gardens and fields .

It is a place very frequented by locals and tourists looking for a place to relax or play sports . Be careful because there are also many bikes inside the park.

25. Visit The Hague

If you have already discovered all the activities to do in Rotterdam , don’t worry. You can spend a very entertaining day by going on an excursion to The Hague. It is about half an hour from the center of Rotterdam by metro and it is well worth going there .

Both are cities closely related to art, Rotterdam for its modern architecture and The Hague for having some of the most important paintings in history. Furthermore, it is the administrative capital of the Netherlands.