Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands after Amsterdam. Still, we like the atmosphere and activities in Rotterdam a lot better. It is less set up for tourism than the capital and everything is nice and close together. We have now spent quite a few days in Rotterdam and therefore share with you here our 25 best tips for Rotterdam!
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1. Euromast
This is literally the highlight of Rotterdam. This 185-meter-high tower offers sweeping views of all of Rotterdam and its surrounding cities. What’s extra fun is that you can also have a high tea, lunch or dinner at the top of the Euromast! Buy your admission tickets online in advance here.
2. The park
‘The park’ is the park located next to the Euromast. In the summer, many students chill out here and sometimes there is even a fun outdoor festival. There are a few hospitality tents in the park where you can sit and people watch. It is also a popular spot for athletes and hikers.
3. Splashtour Rotterdam
When you see the bus driving this looks like a normal tourist bus but nothing could be further from the truth. After several minutes of driving, this bus suddenly drives off the side and sails on. From the water you now view, in a sailing bus, the highlight of Rotterdam. This is a super fun and special experience to witness. Buy your tickets in advance here.
4. Erasmus Bridge
Another iconic spot in Rotterdam: the Erasmus Bridge. The Erasmus Bridge is the connection between Rotterdam-South and the city center. The bridge is 802 meters long in total. From here you can see the skyline of Rotterdam all the way. On New Year’s Eve, the Erasmus Bridge is also the place to be to watch the fireworks.
5. NHOW rooftop bar
From the seventh floor of the nhow Rotterdam building, you look out over the Erasmus Bridge and Rotterdam’s skyline. Drinks here are a bit more expensive than on a “normal” terrace but with this view, it’s well worth it! On weekends, a DJ sometimes plays tasty records on the terrace.
6. Luxor theater
The Old Luxor Theater has stood since 1917 on Rotterdam’s Kruiskade, right in the center and near Lijnbaan. The past century has seen the most extraordinary theatrical performances here. Nowadays, there are still a few shows a month. Most are given at the New Luxor Theater. This one is on the other side of the Erasmus Bridge and is mega large. The hall and foyer are beautiful and you immediately get a good feeling. Check the luxor theater website to see if there is a great theater show running for you.
7. Water cab
This is the most fun and a very easy way to travel in Rotterdam. A very large part of Rotterdam lies on the Nieuwe Maas River, as do many of its highlights. From the Euromast, for example, hop on the water cab to Leuvehaven, near Beurs. You can book tickets in advance through the Watertaxi Rotterdam website or app. Pay directly in the app or with your debit card on board. A ride costs a minimum of $4.50 per person.
8. Rotterdam Marathon
What you may not know is that Noelle ran the 2022 Rotterdam Marathon! Over 42 kilometers of struggle in this beautiful city. Every year in April, the Rotterdam Marathon is organized and tens of thousands of runners run through the most beautiful parts of Rotterdam. This year’s Rotterdam Marathon will be held on April 13, 2025.
9. Bicycle tour in Rotterdam
The most enjoyable way to explore a city is by bicycle. That way you can immediately see many great places you will want to return to later. And how nice is it when you can do that with a local guide? With this bike tour you get a real Rotterdam person as your guide who takes you through his or her city. Much will be told about the history of Rotterdam and there will be plenty of room to ask questions. Reserve your spot at Rotterdam’s most fun bike tour here.
10. Stand up comedy in Rotterdam
At Comedy Club Haug, get ready for an evening of good laughs. You can choose stand up comedy or the open mic show. It is fairly warm in the hall so make sure you are not overdressed. You can find Comedy Club Haug in a beautiful location on the Boompjeskade in Rotterdam.
11. Playing games at POING
POING is a retro arcade. You can have hours of fun here with a group of friends on the dance machine, at the karaoke and at the pinball machines. If you want to play a board game quietly, this is also the place to be. While enjoying a drink and a tasty (Asian) snack, you can play games here for hours. Ideal for a rainy day in Rotterdam.
12. Sail with the spido
During a cruise with the Spido you will discover the port of Rotterdam. You will learn more about the history of the port. Several packages can be booked through Spido. You can combine it with Remastered, for example.
13. Remastered
Remastered is a 60-minute experience where you get to see virtual works of art by famous painters. These have been revamped with technology, giving you an extraordinary performance. Buy your tickets here.
14. Stroll through historic delfshaven
Delfshaven is one of the few parts of Rotterdam that was not destroyed by the war. So you can still find cute, old houses here. Stroll along the picturesque harbor and enjoy this beautiful, peaceful setting in Rotterdam.
15. Boijmans van beuningen museum & Depot
The Boijmans van Beuningen is the most famous museum in Rotterdam. The museum’s depot was opened to the public in late 2021. It was the world’s first publicly accessible art depot. The reason why this has been opened to the public is because it gives the museum more space to display all the works of art to visitors. This way, visitors are not disappointed if a work by their favorite artist is not hanging in the museum and can simply look it up in the depot. The depot has a very special shape and cannot be missed in Rotterdam’s museum park.
16. Coolsingel
On Coolsingel stands the magnificent Rotterdam City Hall. When Feyenoord becomes champions, the players are honored here and all the supporters jump into the fountain at Hofplein afterwards. Coolsingel is the epitome of downtown Rotterdam. All important and major roads are located along this.
17. Rotterdam rooftop days
From June 1 to 4, 2023, the Rotterdam Roofing Days will take place. During this period, you can take a look at Rotterdam’s innovative rooftops. Until June 30, Rotterdam’s rooftops can still be accessed. You will learn how the roofs ensure that the city stays fresh and clean and how more nature is added to Rotterdam this way. Time slot tickets can be reserved online through this website.
18. Lijnbaan
Lijnbaan is home to all of Rotterdam’s (clothing) stores. You can enjoy shopping here after which you can plop down on a terrace at the Witte de Withstraat or at the Meent. Lijnbaan is especially busy on weekends.
19. Koopgoot
The Koopgoot is an extraordinary structure. It runs under Coolsingel and connects Rotterdam’s two main shopping streets. In winter, the Koopgoot is beautifully decorated with cozy lights and a giant Christmas tree.
20. Kralingse forest
A little outside the center of Rotterdam you will find the Kralingse bos. The forest totals 250 acres so you can have some fun here. There is a walking path around the central lake that is exactly 5 kilometers long. Thus, with a view of the Rotterdam skyline, you can take a nice walk. In summer, you will find many families with children playing in the water during the day and families throwing on the barbecue in the evening.
21. SS Rotterdam
The SS Rotterdam was the flagship of the Holland America Line. Today, the cruise ship is set up as a restaurant, terrace and even escape room! You can enter the ship without an entrance ticket and walk around freely. If you want a tour, however, you must buy a ticket in advance.
22. Market Hall
This iconic building is as tall as 40 meters. The market hall features a variety of food stalls: from fresh doughnuts to spices and chocolate. It is a nice place to have seen and walk through. The prices of the products here are very high, though. The market hall can be found near metro and train station Blaak.
23. Market on Blaak
On Tuesdays and Saturdays, the local market is on Blaak, the square opposite the Market Hall. This is a huge market with nearly 300 stalls. They sell all kinds of food, souvenirs, clothing and much more. Be sure to get here around 10:00 a.m. to see the market in all its glory.
24. Cube Houses
Near Blaak are the cube houses. These particular architectural highlights look very special from the outside, and they are! The best part is that a special viewing cube was created in Rotterdam. For €3 per person, you get to take a look inside this special house and notice how funny the windows are placed and that real thought has gone into the design of the cube houses in Rotterdam.
Tip: You can even spend the night in a cube house. Check here for more information and book your overnight stay soon. You have a choice of dorm room or private rooms.
25. Steps in Rotterdam
Rotterdam is also a very good city to go out and have a night on the town. For 17- to 20-year-olds, Beurs, Villa Thalia, Club Vibes and the Après Ski Hut are the most fun clubs. For the slightly older, Annabel, the Maassilo, Toffler and Biergarten are great fun. In Rotterdam, at least, there are plenty of clubs to dance the night away.
Transportation in Rotterdam
Most of the highlights in Rotterdam are close together. Ideal because that way you can easily go everywhere on foot. If you want to go to the Euromast from downtown, you can easily take the subway. There are two different subway lines around the center of Rotterdam:
- Metro A, B and C. This metro line runs from East Rotterdam all the way to Hoek van Holland. You will use this subway line the most during your visit to Rotterdam.
- Subway lines D and E. This subway line runs from The Hague Central Station all the way to Rotterdam South. You will use this subway line if you want to travel from downtown to the other side of the Erasmus Bridge.
Furthermore, for other, small stretches, you can also take the streetcar. These stop at every street corner. Check Google Maps which route to take or ask a passerby. Besides the metro, you can of course also have fun with the water cab in Rotterdam!
