Devastated by bombing during World War II, Rotterdam was almost entirely rebuilt and has now become one of the nation's most beautiful and important cities, second only to the capital Amsterdam. In the 1990s, a large business district, the Kop van Zuid, was built, which saw the intervention of famous architects and allowed the city to be awarded the title of City of Architecture in 2007.
Today we take you on a tour of all the wonders that make Rotterdam one of the most beautiful cities in the world: here are the 15 best attractions and things to do during a stay.
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1 - Old Town and Willemsbrug
The historic centre of Rotterdam stretches from the railway station to the harbour. Strolling through the streets you will notice that the area is almost entirely modern: very little historical remains, due to the terrible bombing in 1940. Only the town hall, the old post office and the Sint Laurens Church were saved. The only district that remained almost completely intact is Delfshaven, in the western part of the city. The historic centre is also the liveliest part of the city, where many attractions and services can be found.
Also not to be missed is the Willemsbrug Bridge, the bridge that leads to the Feyjenoord district and is parallel to theErasmusbrug. Also called the Red Bridge, crossing it you can enjoy one of the best views of the Rotterdam skyline.
It is the best neighbourhood to stay in, full of amenities and the centre of the nightlife. Three major metro stations and the central train station are also located here.
2 - Cubic Houses by Piet Blom
In the historical centre lies one of the city's most peculiar attractions, but also one of the most photographed! We are talking about the famous Cubic Houses of Piet Blom, called Kijk-Kubus in Dutch.
This is a particular architectural design consisting of buildings in the shape of an inverted cube, conceived by architect Piet Blom in the 1970s. In the author's imagination, these houses were seen as acollection of trees in a forest. Once the copyright was acquired, the format was transplanted to other parts of the world, including Canada.
But the most spectacular thing is that these houses are real residential flats! Those that are not open to the public for visits are inhabited, surely it must not be easy to adapt to the peculiar spaces of this structure, characterised for example by walls that are not straight. Some houses, on the other hand, are used as museums and it is possible to visit them inside, we advise you not to miss this opportunity!
Remember to take some photos! This is a truly Instagrammable place, where you can take perfect shots to keep as a souvenir or to post on your social networks.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: at Overblaak 70. Easily accessible on foot from every point in the historical centre, such as from St. Lawrence Church (440 m, 5 min). Blaak tram and metro reference station (tram lines 21 and 24, metro lines A, B and C) - Get directions
Hours: daily 10am-6pm
Ticket price: full price €3.00, concessions over65 €2.00, concessions children under 12 €1.50
3 - Church of San Lorenzo
The Church of San Lorenzo, in Dutch Laurenskerk Rotterdam, is one of the three buildings that survived the bombing, although it was heavily damaged. The church is very old: it was built between 1449 and 1525. It was the first building in Rotterdam to be built entirely of stone. Post-bombing restoration began in 1952 and was completed in 1968.
The church is now a true symbol of the city, to which the citizens are very attached. It is possible to visit the interior and also climb the bell tower, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the entire city! Unfortunately, ascents to the bell tower are limited to a few hours only, so you won't be able to enjoy the view from the top at sunset, but it is nevertheless an experience not to be missed, because you can see the entire old town from above!
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: at Grotekerkplein 27. Easily accessible from every point in the Old Town, such as Piet Blom's Cubic Houses (550 m, 7 min). Blaak tram and metro reference station (tram lines 21 and 24, metro lines A, B and C) - Get directions
Opening hours: Church October to February Tue-Sat 11am-4pm, March to October Tue-Sat 10am-5pm / Bell Tower climb July to October Wed 2pm, Sat 12pm and 1:30pm
Ticket price: Church only €3.00, free up to 12 years / Bell Tower full price €6.00, reduced €4.50
4 - Witte Huis
The Witte Huis, in Italian White House, is a UNESCO World Heritage building. It is located in the historic centre and overlooks the Oudehaven canal. and is the oldest skyscraper in Rotterdam. It was also one of the few buildings to survive the bombings of World War II.
The Witte Huis is 43 m high and has 10 floors in the Art Nouveau style: located 1 m above sea level, more than 1,000 poles were driven into the ground for its construction, otherwise it would not have stood. Today there is a bar here, where you can stop for a drink while admiring the view!
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: at Geldersekade 1. Easily accessible on foot from every point in the historical centre, such as from the Church of St Lawrence (650 m, 8 min). Reference tram and metro station Blaak (tram lines 21 and 24, metro lines A, B and C) - Get directions
Hours: from outside always accessible / bar Mon-Sat 15:00-2:00
Ticket price: from the outside free of charge / bar consumption variable, see official website
5 - Markthal
The Markthal is the largest food market in the Netherlands! It covers 95,000 m2, is 40 m high and, in addition to the market, also houses offices and flats. The market was inaugurated in 2014 directly by the Queen of the Netherlands and has been one of the city's most popular and visited attractions ever since.
You really can spend hours inside! You can find lots of typical Dutch products, but that's not all: Rotterdam is a multi-ethnic city and here too you will find places from different parts of the world: from Mediterranean to Asian cuisine, from Greek to South American. Of course, we recommend that you stop by the typical Dutch restaurants!
But the real attraction of the market is the gigantic mural, called Cornucopia and created by artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam. On this huge wall are represented all the products that you can then find among the market stalls!
The market is one of the best places to taste the famous 'yellow gold', the typical Dutch cheese that has been popular since the time of Julius Caesar and is available in many variations.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
Directions: at Dominee Jan Scharpstraat 298. Easily accessible on foot from every point in the historic centre, such as from St. Lawrence Church (190 m, 2 min).Reference tram and metro station Blaak (tram lines 21 and 24, metro lines A, B and C) - Get directions
Opening hours: market Mon-Thu and Sat 10am-8pm, Fri 10am-9pm, Sun 12pm-6pm / individual restaurants observe different hours, see official website
Ticket price: free
6 - Maritime Museum
Photo by Marco de Swart. The Maritime Museum is a museum complex that includes a library and an extensive collection of vintage ships and nautical objects in general. This is a perfect visit to make even with children, also thanks to the many interactive exhibits!
Also part of the complex is the old Havenmuseum, located on a barge in the harbour area. This barge, built in 1906, was used to transport stone and gravel for construction, travelling to Brussels and passing through various canals. An entire family lived on board: the living room, bedroom and kitchen are still visible.
Practical information: directions, timetables and prices
How to get there: at Leuvehaven 1. Easily accessible on foot from every point in the historic centre, such as the Church of St. Lawrence (650 m, 9 min). Metro reference station Beurs (line A, B and C) - Get directions
Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun and holidays 11am-5pm, closed Mon
Ticket price: full price €14.00, concessions €10.00
7 - Miniworld Rotterdam
Photo by Erik Zachte. Miniworld Rotterdam is a miniature world-building where you can admire several cities, including Rotterdam itself, reconstructed in great detail. Inside the Miniworld the cities follow the solar cycle, so they are in constant motion. A day lasts about 24 minutes, and when night falls, the sun sets and the lights of the buildings come on, giving you the chance to admire the models even illuminated, as if it were really night. A fun and unforgettable experience!
In the Miniworld there are also models of pre-war Rotterdam, reconstructed according to pre-bombing urban planning.
Definitely visit it if you are travelling with children. Inside is the Kidz area, where various activities are organised, including a Treasure Hunt. It is recommended that you buy your entrance ticket online to avoid queues at the ticket counters.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: in Weena 745. Easily accessible on foot from every point in the city centre. Near Rotterdam Centraal station (550 m, 7 min) - Get directions
Hours: generally 10:00-17:00, but times vary according to day and season. Check the official website
Ticket price: full price €12.95, concessions €9.25
8 - Huis Sonneveld
Photo by Fred Romero. The Huis Sonneveld is a museum unlike any other mentioned so far, you could say it is truly one of a kind. It is a modern-style house that would seem to be quite ordinary, were it not for the fact that it was built in 1933. Visitors can therefore experience what it is like to live in a modern house that for the years in which it was built looked totally futuristic.
The Huis Sonneveld is also one of the best preserved houses in the style of Het Nieuwe Bouwen. Designed by the architectural firm Brinkman en Van der Vlugt on behalf of Albertus Sonneveld, the owner, the house is bright and spacious, with well-preserved furnishings, definitely worth a visit!
Practical info: directions, times and prices
Directions: at Jongkindstraat 12. Easily accessible on foot from every point in the historic centre, such as the Maritime Museum (900 m, 11 min). Metro reference Eendrachtsplein (line A, B and C) - Get directions
Hours: Wed-Sun 11am-6pm
Ticket price: full price €14.00, concessions €7.00
9 - Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen
The Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen is one of the most important in the whole of the Netherlands, and contains splendid collections of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts by painters and artists from all over Europe: we need only mention Jan van Eyck, Bosh, Pieter Bruegel The Elder, Rembrandt, Rubens, Vah Gogh, Monet, Gauguin.
It is also probably one of the most beautiful museums in Holland, inside which you will find works from the Middle Ages to the present day by international artists and Dutch designers, and where you will have the opportunity to admire the works of some of the most famous painters of modern and contemporary art. At the entrance, you will also find the fantastic Merry-Go-Round Coat Rack, an unconventional wardrobe, designed by designer Wieki Somers, where you can hang your coat and then pull it up with ropes to the ceiling.
Practical info: directions, opening times and prices
How to get there: Museumpark 18, outside the city centre. Walking distance from Maritime Museum (850 m, 10 min) and Kunsthal Rotterdam (800 m, 10 min). From the historic centre, direct metro line A, B or C (Blaak-Eendrachtsplein, 4 min) - Get directions
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm
Ticket price: full price €15.00, concessions €7.50
10 - Kunsthal and Museum Park
Photo by Marczoutendijk. Next to the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum is another very important museum, the Kunsthal Rotterdam, surrounded by the green Museum Park. This beautiful garden includes an area full of roses and the G.J. de Jongh-Monument, with a lovely little lake. It is a perfect place to relax, also popular with locals!
If you visit Rotterdam in autumn, and the day allows, we also recommend that you take the time to visit the Museum Park, as the trees will be completely red and yellow, creating wonderful plays of colour in the various ponds in the park.
The Kunsthal Rotterdam is, on the other hand, a museum of modern art, which in addition to its permanent collections also hosts many temporary exhibitions. It is worth a visit if only for the architecture of the building in which it is housed: it is a building designed by the renowned architect Rem Koolhaas.
Practical info: directions, opening hours and prices
Directions: in Museumpark, Westzeedijk 341, outside the city centre. Easy walking distance to Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (800 m, 10 min) or the Erasmusbrug (1.2 km, 14 min). From the historic centre, direct metro line A, B or C (Blaak-Eendrachtsplein, 10 min) - Get directions
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-5pm
Ticket price: full price €14.00, concessions €7.00
11 - Erasmusburg and the Kop vaz Zuid district
The Erasmusburg is a famous bridge in Rotterdam built in the late 1980s over the Nieuwe Maas river. The bridge connects the historic city centre with the new business district Kop van Zuid. This district is extremely modern, so much so that with its skyscrapers it gives the impression of being in an American city! Among the famous architects who have redeveloped this district is Renzo Piano.
The bridge is now one of the symbols of the city! Made of steel, it is about 800 m long and has a maximum height of 139 m. It is supported by the famous inclined pylon and 40 steel cables. The bridge was inaugurated in 1996 in the presence of Queen Beatrix.
It can be reached on foot from the Maritime Museum (1.5 km, 14 min) on the Old Town side and the Fotomuseum (650 m, 8 min) on the other side. Reference metro stations Leuvehaven, on the Old Town side (line D and E), and Wilhelminaplein, in the Kop vaz Zuid district (line D and E) - Get directions
We recommend that you do not miss the Hotel New York and the Recycled Park. The former houses beautiful Jugendstil-style décor and a wonderful restaurant. The second is instead a floating park built using recycled plastic. Opposite is the Bobbing Forest, a forest whose trees are planted in buoys.
12 - Fotomuseum
Photo by Marco Zanferrari. We move to the ultra-modern district of Kop vaz Zuid, a few minutes' walk from the Erasmusbrug. Here you will find the Fotomuseum, one of the most beautiful photography museums in the world, as well as being the largest in the Netherlands.
The museum is spread over several floors and is completely dedicated to the world of photography. On the ground floor there are several interactive exhibitions on the history of this art, while the other floors host numerous temporary exhibitions, both city and international, with photographs by world-renowned photographers!
Practical info: directions, opening hours and prices
Directions: in Las Palmas, Statendam, Kop vaz Zuid district. Easily accessible on foot from the Erasmusbrug (650 m, 8 min). Reference metro station Wilhelminaplein (line D and E) - Get directions
Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-5pm
Ticket price: full price €14.00, concessions €7.00
13 - Euromast Tower
A short walk from the city centre is the Euromast, Rotterdam's iconic viewing tower. It was built starting in 1958 and the construction lasted until 1960 according to the design of architect Hugh Maaskant. In 1970 it was extended and, at 186 m high, is the highest publicly accessible building in the country!
At a height of 100 metres there is a viewing platform offering a 360° view of the city. Those who wish can climb to the top via an impressive glass lift. The tower also offers a restaurant and a small hotel.
Visit the tower at sunset, when the sun sets on the horizon, the sky turns red and the first lights start to come on. This is obviously the busiest time, so buy your ticket in advance.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
Directions: at Parkhaven 20. Walk to Het Park (450 m, 6 min). From the city centre direct tram line 8 or 23 (Beurs-Euromast, 15 min) or direct metro line A, B or C (Blaak-Dijkzigt, 13 min) - Get directions
Hours: daily, April to September 9:30-22:00, October to March 10:00-22:00
Ticket price: full price €10.25, concessions €6.75
14 - Diergaarde Blijdorp Zoo
The Diergaarde Blijdorp, or Rotterdam Zoo, was opened in 1857 and is one of the oldest in the Netherlands and one of the most beautiful in Europe. In fact, in 2016, 2017 and 2018 it was voted the best zoo in the Benelux, i.e. the area comprising the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
In fact, the original zoo was destroyed by bombing in the First World War and in 1940 the new zoo, a little further north than the previous one, was opened. In 2004, the entire zoo was declared a national monument.
It is home to important animal species, including Asian ones, such as the tufted deer, the white stork howler and the Lapland tawny owl, European ones, such as the wolf and the wild cat, and African ones, such as the western lowland gorilla, the pygmy hippo and the zebra.
This is an attraction that should definitely be visited with children! In fact, there are areas dedicated to them and many activities. Various classes and lectures with experts are organised, as well as wonderful photography workshops to learn how to photograph animals!
Given the zoo's popularity, we recommend that you buy your entrance ticket online to avoid queues at the ticket offices.
Practical info: directions, times and prices
Directions: at Blijdorplaan 8, north of the city centre. 2.5 km from Rotterdam Centraal railway station (30 min walk). Reachable by direct bus 33 or 40 (Rotterdam Centraal-Rotterdam Blijdorpplein, 20 min) - Get directions
Hours: daily 9am-5pm
Ticket price: full price €23.00, concessions €17.00
15 - Port of Rotterdam
The Port of Rotterdam is one of the most important and famous in the world. In Dutch Europoort, it is located in the western part of the city, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, and comprises the entire complex it occupies together with the adjacent industrial area.
Being an important commercial area, it cannot be visited independently, but many agencies offer walking and cycling tours. Instead, we recommend that you enjoy a 90-minute harbour cruise, which will give you a unique view of the harbour, shipyards and docks. During the cruise, your guide will tell you about the history of this area, its important development and how work works inside it!
Practical info: directions, times and prices
How to get there: harbour in the Europoort Rotterdam area, 28 km from the city centre. Starting point of the harbour cruise from the Euromast tower - Get directions
Timetable: harbour only accessible by tour / departure time 10:30 am, duration 90 min
Ticket price: harbour cruise €14.00 per person
Other sights to visit
So far we have seen the city's main attractions, which you absolutely must visit! But Rotterdam will allow you to visit many other places and do many other things!
The city isfull of museums, in addition to those mentioned above, you can visit the Museum Rotterdam '40 - '45, which focuses on the history of the city during the years of World War II (€9.00), or the Natuurhistorisch Museum Rotterdam, the natural history museum that children will surely enjoy (€8.00). In addition, there is a museum in the city dedicated exclusively to children, the Villa Zebra (€10.00), in the district of Kop vaz Zuid.
In addition, the city is full of green areas, ideal for relaxing between visits. The big city park isHet Park (free), where you will also find a miniature golf course and several clubs! While in the southern part is the large Zuiderpark (free). Finally, north of the city centre is the Plaswijckpark amusement park, ideal for spending an afternoon with your children (€12.00).
6 things to do in Rotterdam
Rotterdam river cruise
Photo at Luchtsingel Bridge
Shop in Witte de Withstraat
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River cruise: discover the city from a different perspective with a one-hour river cruise departing from the port of Rotterdam
Amphibious bus tour: an adrenaline-pumping alternative to the classic river tour, this particular bus is capable of moving both on land and in water and offers a fun tour especially if you are travelling with children(info and costs here)
Visit the city by bicycle: the whole of the Netherlands is a very green country, where renewable energies are used and the locals favour cycling. So mix it up by joining a bike tour(info and costs here)
Enjoy the Bohemian side of Pannekoekstraat: it is a trendy neighbourhood full of alternative shops and retro boutiques. Don't miss Depot Rotterdam, ideal for lovers of contemporary and designer furniture, and for a coffee, stop by the Urban Espresso Bar, one of the district's trendiest cafés
Photo at Luchtsingel Bridge: this is one of the Instagrammable places in Rotterdam. This is a completely yellow bridge, which connects the centre with the neighbourhoods to the north
Visit Witte de Withstraat: the coolest street in Rotterdam, definitely Hipster! Here you will find unusual clubs, numerous art galleries and also several Coffeshops
Plan your stay in Rotterdam: flights and hotels
Reaching Rotterdam is very easy, thanks to Rotterdam The Hague Airport(from €240.00). If you have visited Amsterdam first, you can reach the city by direct train (40 min, from €17.40).
We recommend staying in the city centre(from €50.00 per night, compare accommodation on Booking), as you will be close to the central train station and the main attractions. This will allow you to move around easily on foot and have several central metro stations close by. Moreover, the nightlife is concentrated here, with numerous clubs and restaurants!
If you are travelling with children, you should know that Rotterdam is a verychild-friendly city and many museums provide activities even for the youngest visitors! Definitely not to be missed are the zoo, Villa Zebra and the Miniworld!
If you're travelling low-cost, we recommend purchasing the Rotterdam Welcome Card, which will give you 50% discounts on admission to many attractions. If you want to save a bit on lunch and dinner, we recommend a stop at the Markthal market, where you will have plenty of choice!
