25 Top Things to Do in Rotterdam

When visiting Rotterdam, attractions are easy to come by with a range of museums, bars and restaurants, and of course, national monuments and museums. There is never a shortage of things to do in Rotterdam and in this article, you will learn about the top things to do in preparation for your next visit to the buzzing port city.

Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands in the province of South Holland, sporting a population of more than 650,000 people. It is the largest seaport in Europe, serving as a major hub for both domestic and international shipping.

Aside from the maritime aspect of Rotterdam, it also boasts an impressive architectural side with many skyscrapers, somewhat resembling the skyline of New York. Together with its buzzing nightlife and hip, artistic feel, Rotterdam really is a must-see on your European adventures.

Rotterdam was also one of the major Dutch cities that was completely flattened during World War ll and as a result, the city had to virtually be rebuilt. Once past the borough of Delfshaven, you will struggle to find any traditional Dutch houses and architecture. Instead, you will be met with modern architecture, colourful buildings, the distinctive cube houses, and of course, the New York-esque skyline.

Read more: Where to stay in Rotterdam – a comprehensive guide of the best places to stay in Rotterdam and the most popular neighbourhoods

How to get to Rotterdam

Getting to Rotterdam is super easy. Being the second largest city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam is well connected with Rotterdam, other major cities in the country, and the airports. Rotterdam even has its own international airport, well shared with The Hague – Rotterdam The Hague Airport.

Rotterdam is connected to London with the Eurostar and to Paris and Brussel with the Thalys, so getting to this amazing Dutch city is never difficult. That’s why Rotterdam is so popular as a city-trip destination.

Pro tip: Buy your train tickets online with the Dutch Railways (NS) for hassle-free travel. On the website of NS you can also check for any discounts.

If you are arrive in Rotterdam by train, you’ll get off in one of the most amazing train stations in the Netherlands. If you travel in any other way to the city, just go and check the building, you won’t be disappointed.

Here are some distances to Rotterdam from other major cities and the time it takes by train to Rotterdam:

Amsterdam – Rotterdam: 80 km; 50 min
Schiphol – Rotterdam: 60 km; 35 min
Eindhoven – Rotterdam: 120 km; 1 hr 10 min
Utrecht – Rotterdam: 55 km; 40 min
The Hague – Rotterdam: 25 km; 30 min
Den Bosch – Rotterdam: 85 km; 60 min
Groningen – Rotterdam: 250 km; 2 hr 40 min
Maastricht -Rotterdam: 205 km; 2 hr 20 min

Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands. It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!

Top Things to do in Rotterdam

Here is map of the locations of all things to see and do in Rotterdam, included in this post. You can download the map and use it offline, or add it to Your Places in Google Maps, so that you can quickly find all Rotterdam attractions.

1. Climb the Euromast

First on the list of things to do in Rotterdam, is Euromast – the 185 metre high Modernist observation tower designed by Dutch architect, Hugh Maaskant. It was specifically designed for the Floriade, an international exhibition and garden festival that takes place in the Netherlands once every decade.

As one of the highest towers in Rotterdam, it provides unparalleled views of the city after a short elevator ride to the top. For the adrenaline junkies, you will be able to both abseil down the building or hop on the cable glide down. The cable glide can reach speeds of up to 100 kilometres an hour – definitely not for the faint-hearted! Euromast is a must-see in Rotterdam and on a clear day, you’re even able to see the Belgian city of Antwerp.

2. Tour the Feyenoord Stadium

Feyenoord Stadium or De Kuip is the home of the Dutch football team Feyenoord Rotterdam who play in the top division of the Dutch football league. At the official stadium of the team, you are able to embark on a hour and a half long tour of the grounds including a walk on the field, a visit to the change rooms, and of course a trip through the famous players’ tunnel. This really gives you the feeling of what it’s like to walk in the players’ boots – one of unforgettable things to do in Rotterdam.

After your visit through the stadium, the tour stops off at the Feyenoord Museum. Here, you will learn about the history of the club and be able to see a vast number of football artefacts housed in the museum. At the end of the highly informative tour, you will no-doubt have built up a healthy appetite. The good news is that there is a fully functional restaurant, Brasserie De Kuip, offering beverages and lunch.

3. Historical Rotterdam Boat Trip

One of the best ways to see the city in Rotterdam is from the Maas River aboard the Nehalennia, a vintage passenger ship. You will be able to see some of the top sights in Rotterdam from the ship and it provides a unique and interesting angle of the city.

During your 2-hour tour aboard the Nehalennia, you will be able to see another side of Rotterdam – tourist attractions, modern architecture, and many other iconic landmarks in the city. You will be able to feel the energy of the bustling port-area, being greeted by tugboats, ferries, and cargo ships. Some of the top Rotterdam attractions that you will can see with this tour include Erasmus Bridge, Waalhaven, Euromast, the Rotterdam Droogdok Maatschappij, and many others. Drinks and snacks are available on board as you wind through the city aboard one of the most iconic Rotterdam attractions.

4. Visit the Mariniersmuseum

The Netherlands Marine Corps Museum (Mariniersmuseum) is considered one of the toughest museums in Rotterdam, focusing on the history and composition of the Netherlands Marine Corps. Located on the Wijnhaven in the city, you are able to hear the stories of these tough armed forces, as well as immerse yourself in some wonderful interactive material.

With a continuously rotating exhibition on display, an array of interactive materials, and the many stories of these hardcore marine corps, you will really be able to put yourself in their boots and see what life is like for them.

5. Visit the Maritime Museum Rotterdam

One of the oldest maritime museums in Rotterdam is located in the Leuvehaven district of the city, adjacent to the Nieuwe Maas River. It is here that you will be able to see a variety of vintage ships and cranes as part of the continuous exhibit on show at the museum.

Not only is the Maritime Museum Rotterdam one of the oldest museum harbours in the Netherlands, but it is also one of the largest. Over the years, this original harbour site has transformed into one of the world’s leading ports and you can really get insight into how the shipping industry works and the effect it has on our daily lives.

6. See Rotterdam in miniature at Miniworld Rotterdam

Miniworld Rotterdam is one of the unique things to do in Rotterdam and boasts more than 650 square metres of miniature buildings, streets, landmarks, and other top sights in Rotterdam. Located in the Weena neighbourhood of Rotterdam, Miniworld Rotterdam has a 24-minute-long day, during which day becomes night and you really get the true essence of a full day in Rotterdam. It’s fun for the whole family and definitely a must-see in Rotterdam!

7. Take a cruise with the Pancake Boat in Rotterdam

Did somebody say unlimited pancakes? Look no further than Pannekoekenboot Rotterdam! There are various packages available, which combine a boat ride and pancake feast with some of the other activities within the city.

A standard Pancake Boat ride involves a boat trip and all-you-can-eat pancakes – think plain, apple, or bacon, with a variety of other toppings available. During the boat trip, you will be able to view the Rotterdam skyline from the water and appreciate the stunning architecture. While you do so, there is ample entertainment for the young ones and the ball pit in the hold of the boat will keep them entertained for the duration of the trip.

8. Remastered in Rotterdam

Remastered is a true modern must-see in Rotterdam, with over 1500 square meters of floor space consisting of mind-blowing projectors, speakers, and LED displays showing artworks of van Gogh, Bosch, and Mondrian. This 60-minute-long immersive 3D art experience will transport you to the times of these famous artists and their masterpieces and you can even walk through a waterfall.

Once again, you will have amazing views of the Rotterdam skyline from the venue under the Erasmus Bridge to go along with your experience of the digital wonders of the world.

9. Make a Rotterdam Harbour Cruise with Spido

During a boat cruise of the Rotterdam Harbour, you will experience what it’s like to be present in one of the busiest ports in the world. You will see the shipyards, docks, and the thousands of containers that are housed there.

You will definitely not get bored during the 75-minute tour of the port as there’s always something to see and something to learn. Lastly, you will pay a visit to a once-operational steamship called Rotterdam, a former flagship liner as part of the Holland America Line fleet.

A harbour cruise with Spido is one of the most popular things to do in Rotterdam. There’s hardly a Dutch person that hasn’t done at least once in their lives a boat tour with Spido.

10. Visit Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp)

One of the favourite Rotterdam tourist attractions for families is the Rotterdam Zoo, located in the Blijdorp area in northwest Rotterdam. With over 180 species housed in a 26-hectare large area, the zoo is divided into specific areas known as zoogeographic regions. Some of these notable areas include Arctica, Galapagos, Savanna, Californian Kelp Sea, Congo, and Falklands.

You will get to meet Bokito the gorilla and his little family, see a variety of sea life including sharks, fish, stingrays, and sea lions, and even view the Amazonica. Here you will find Europe’s largest collection of butterflies, flowers, snakes, and the flesh-eating piranhas!

Pro tip: Buy your tickets online and save 1 EUR. Click here to buy your tickets online.

11. Splash Tour Rotterdam

The Splash Tour Rotterdam will give you the feeling of being in a Transformers movie – suddenly the bus you’re travelling on turns into a boat! The tour starts off with viewing the various sights and landmarks in the city and then takes to the water. But don’t panic, it’s all part of the tour!

This yellow amphibian is one of the most well-known things to see in Rotterdam and is right at home in the port city, cruising both the streets and canals. The Splash Tour is one of the most unique of all the Rotterdam attractions and no trip to the city is complete without embarking on one of the famous tours.

12. Eat your way in Markthal

The Markthal, or Market Hall, is one of the most iconic buildings not only in Rotterdam, but in the whole Netherlands and for sure one of the most instagrammed places in the country. The building of the largest market hall in the Netherlands started in 2009 and it was inaugurated in 2014 by Queen Maxima.

The multi-use building of Markthal is made up of offices, residential apartments, and of course, a fully-equipped market underneath. There are many stalls within the market and no shortage of restaurants to fill the void after a hunger-inducing shopping spree.

During the excavation works a lot of archeological artifacts were found, which are now exhibited along the escalator stairs and in the underground parking of the building.

The most amazing feature of the Markthal is the domed interior covered with the mural the Horn of Plenty by the Dutch artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam. Because of it, the Markthal is also often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam.

Address: Ds. Jan Scharpstraat 298, 3011 GZ Rotterdam

13. Discover Het Witte Huis

Het Witte Huis or The White House (not the one found in the USA) is a 10-storey Art-Nouveau style building in Gelderskade. With its 43 m, it was the first skyscraper built in Europe and is a listed Rijksmonument – a national heritage site in the Netherlands. The building was one of the few that survived the bombing of Rotterdam in 1940.

You can also grab a bite to eat at Het Witte Huis Grand Café, all the while gazing over one of the oldest and largest harbours in Europe.

Address: Geldersekade 1C, 3011 WB Rotterdam

14. Visit the Grote Kerk (Sint-Laurenskerk)

The Grote Kerk or Sint-Laurenskerk, built somewhere between 1449 and 1525, is a Protestant church on the south bank of the Nieuwe Maas river. Designed by architect Hendrick de Keyser, it is one of the only remaining buildings of the mediaeval city of Rotterdam.

Upon arriving at the church, you will enter through the bronze doors of war and peace – the horrors of war and the joys of peace. It is also home to the largest organ in the Netherlands called the Marcussenorgan.

In front of the church there is lovely park and a monument of Erasmus of Rotterdam – one of the most prominent figures of the Renaissance in Europe.

Address: Grotekerkplein 27, 3011 GC Rotterdam

15. Visit the Wereldmuseum

The Wereldmuseum (World Museum) is an ethnographic museum that focuses on the past and present of world cultures. It was founded on the 1st of May 1885 and houses in excess of 1800 artifacts from Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. One of the standout pieces is a statue of Buddha that was made on behalf of the Thai King Rama V.

16. Marvel the Cube Houses

These iconic yellow houses were designed by architect Piet Blom and were built between 1982 and 1984. They are highly innovative and based on the simple concept of “Living as an urban roof”. Put simply, Blom believed that the main purpose of the house was to optimise the space inside. This was achieved by tilting the conventional house corner to point upwards to resemble a tree. The collection of cube houses, together, resembled a forest. The whole complex is known as Blaakse Bos (Blaak Forest)

The cube houses are one of the most instagrammed attractions not only in Rotterdam, but in whole Netherlands. Today, one of the cube houses is open for visitors as a museum, the so-called Kijk Kubus.

Fun fact: Rotterdam is not the only place where you can find tilted cube houses in the Netherlands. In Helmond, Piet Blom built another complex, but it’s not that famous as the one in Rotterdam.

17. Visit the unique Depot Boijmans-van Beuningen

The Depot Boijmans van Beuningen is Rotterdam’s newest attraction and one of the most unique art museums in the Netherlands, as it is the first art depot in the world that is accessible to the public. Here, it is possible to see the result of 173 years of collecting works of art, with more than 151,000 artworks housed in five climate-controlled areas. The building itself was designed by MVRDV architects and boasts an impressive mirror-like façade, complete with a rooftop and restaurant. 

The Depot is part of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, which at this moment is closed due to renovation works. The collection of the museum ranges from medieval to contemporary art.

18. Discover the Dutch Photography Museum

The Dutch Photography Museum (Nederlands Fotomuseum) emerged in 2003 from the fusion of a number of national photography archives. The museum has a collection of historical, social, and cultural images both from the Netherlands and abroad. There are also constantly changing exhibitions in the museum as well as a range of interactive materials and short films.

The building itself, the so-called Las Palmas, is one of the top things to see in Rotterdam and will definitely excite those interested in design and architecture. Las Palmas, built in the 1950s, used to be the workshop of the famous Holland America Line.

19. Enjoy a trip to Kinderdijk

Just a short drive from Rotterdam is one of the most iconic attractions in the Netherlands – Kinderdijk. Kinderdijk is a system of 19 windmills built in the beginning of the 18th century and has been used to pump out water from what once was a bog. This place is a true ode to the outstanding water-management skills of the Dutch. This is also why Kinderdijk is included on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list.

A fun way to visit Kinderdijk from Rotterdam is with the water bus (waterbus). Line 202 (stops at Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam) will take you in half an hour to Kinderdijk. However, the water bus operates from 1 May to 31 October.

Read more: The Windmills at Kinderdijk – World Heritage Site. This post is packed with interesting facts and practical tips about visiting Kinderdijk. It also contains a detailed map of all mills at Kinderdijk.

20. Visit the Van Nelle Factory

Speaking about UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Rotterdam has its very own World Heritage Site – a real hidden gem, that not many tourist know about – Van Nelle Factory (Van Nellefabriek). The factory was built in the 1920s in modernist style, and is an eye-catching spectacle of steel and glass.

One of the key features of the Van Nelle Factory is its use of the “curtain wall”. Under the curtain wall technique, the building’s roof is supported by internal columns, which in turn allows the exterior walls to be built of lightweight materials like glass. It’s a very common technique these days (almost every modern skyscraper does this!), but in the 1920s it was revolutionary.

The factory was initially used to process a range of goods for the Van Nelle company, particularly coffee, tea, tobacco, and chewing gum. The factory was eventually closed in 1996, and has since been converted into an office building. These days, it’s home to several industrial design and architecture firms.

Read more: Van Nelle Factory – World Heritage Site. The post is packed with interesting facts and practical tips about how to visit this UNESCO site.

21. Visit the Chabot Museum

The Chabot Museum is dedicated to the Dutch artist and sculptor Hendrik Chabot. During a visit in the museum you’ll be able to see some not only works of Chabot but also of some of his contemporaries. The famous Dutch artist worked and lived in Rotterdam between the two world wars and was famous for his monumental sculptures, like the Footballer, and the dark-coloured paintings.

The museum is housed in a beautiful white villa, built in 1938 and designed in the style of New Objectivity.

22. Walk the iconic Erasmus Bridge

Although the city is littered with many top sights, Rotterdam is mostly known for the famous Erasmus Bridge. The bridge, affectionately known as “The Swan”, is the symbol of Rotterdam. It connects the northern and southern parts of the city that are separated by the Nieuwe Maas River. The 802-metre-long combination bridge, both cable-stayed and bascule in nature, stands at a height of 139 metres high, and is an engineering feat of the 20th century.

23. Chill out at the Fenix Food Factory

The Fenix Food Factory is a favourite of the things to do in Rotterdam for all the foodies out there. There are a host of fresh food vendors that you can pick up daily groceries at as well as delicious cuisine for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There is also a specialist craft brewery with artisanal beers and ciders, and also a coffee roastery for all the caffeine lovers out there. It’s the perfect stop after a long day exploring the city and a must-see in Rotterdam.

Fenix Food Factory is located in the up-and-coming neighbourhood Katendrecht, which was once famous as the red-light district of Rotterdam. 21st century put an end to this image and today the neighbourhood is one of the hipster areas of Rotterdam.

Address: Delistraat 1, 3072 ZL Rotterdam

24. Marvel the street art in the city

Rotterdam is considered the street art capital of the Netherlands. Everywhere in the city you’ll find murals that will amuse you or make you muse on something. One of the most famous streets in Rotterdam – Witte de Whitstraat, is a real hub for finding street art. If you want to discover more places or learn more about the artists and their works, I can highly recommend the Rewriters Rotterdam app.

25. Go in the footsteps of the Pilgrims at Delfshaven

One of the final recommended things to do in Rotterdam is to visit the district of Delfshaven. Being one of the only places that wasn’t bombed during World War ll, it still has much of its history preserved.

Delfshaven is the place from where the Pilgrims, who lived in exile in Holland, sailed in 1620 to the New World on the Speedwell, the smaller sister of the Mayflower. Speedwell, however, made it only to Plymouth, Devon, and the passengers were transferred there to the Mayflower.

In Delfshaven you can find today the Pilgrim Father’s Church (Pelgrimsvaderskerk) , and the De Pelgrim brewery where you can grab a cold beer during your exploring.

Final Words

From this comprehensive list of things to do in Rotterdam, there is something for everyone, whether you’re a solo traveller or a family on a Euro trip. There are many architectural wonders to see, museums to visit, and cuisine to enjoy. The bustling ports of Rotterdam can be enjoyed by boat on one of the many cruise options available as you sit back and relax with a Heineken in hand.

Rotterdam is often referred to as the city of many faces as it is so multi-faceted and when it comes to top sights, Rotterdam really has it all. Shopping experiences, stunning architecture and history, an energetic feel about it, and of course the bustling port. It’s a really easy city to access from both The Hague and Amsterdam and should definitely be included in your Netherlands tour itinerary.