Rotterdam

Travel Guide

South Holland featuring outdoor eating and a square or plaza
Erasmus Bridge which includes night scenes, cycling and a bridge
Euromast featuring modern architecture
Rotterdam showing a city and city views
Rotterdam featuring night scenes and modern architecture

Modernist buildings, fashionable nightlife, river views and many museums and galleries make the Netherlands’ second-biggest city an exciting and lively destination.

Rotterdam developed as a prosperous shipping port in the 1800s. As it has grown, its cultural delights have expanded. Rotterdam’s architecture is some of the most modern and innovative in the Netherlands. Spend days exploring myriad art galleries and museums. Find unusual dining experiences and trendy nightlife across the city.

During World War II, the historic port was almost entirely destroyed and the city suffered massive bombing damage. Today, view the modernist reconstructions and more recent architectural additions, such as the spaceship-like Markthal and the three half-spheres of the solar-powered Floating Pavilion. 

Find a collection of architecture, art galleries and museums in the Museumkwartier. Visit one of the Netherlands’ oldest museums, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, before stepping into modern and contemporary exhibitions at the Witte de With Centre for Contemporary Arts and the TENT exhibition space. Learn about city and country history in museums covering everything from the golden era of Dutch shipping to archaeology, fossils, plants and animal life. 

Afterward, explore the streets of Witte de Withstraat and Nieuwe Binnenweg. Browse through stores selling CDs and vinyl albums, lingerie, books, jewelry and fashion by local designers. At night these dynamic streets have restaurants, live music venues and lively bars. 

In its location on the Maas River, Rotterdam has numerous riverside walks and waterfront dining. Explore the river delta on a cruise or take the Lek River waterbus to see 18th-century windmills at nearby Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Treat yourself to panoramic city views, including the Erasmus “Swan” Bridge, from the restaurant at the top of the Euromast. If you’re brave, abseil down. Taste the diversity of the city’s culinary treats at restaurants serving North African and Middle Eastern flavors or have a beer and traditional Dutch bitterballen, battered and fried beef balls. 

Rotterdam is a major cruise ship destination. With boat access to the U.K. and to Germany along the Rhine, Rotterdam is very easy to reach. Get here from Amsterdam in 1 hour by train. 

Where to stay in Rotterdam

Euromast featuring a garden, landscape views and a lake or waterhole

Centrum

Brimming with landmarks like Market Hall, Euromast, and Cube houses, this bustling borough offers a mix of modern and historic attractions. Easily accessible by metro, it's bordered by the Nieuwe Maas River, providing picturesque views.

Centrum
Maritime Museum showing outdoor art and a square or plaza

Stadsdriehoek

4.5/5(50 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Stadsdriehoek, Markthal Rotterdam and Kijk-Kubus are top sights worth seeing.

Stadsdriehoek
Rotterdam which includes heritage elements and heritage architecture

Cool

While visiting Cool, you might make a stop by sights like Lijnbaan and Witte de Withstraat.

Cool
De Ster and De Lelie

Kralingen-Crooswijk

Kralingen-Crooswijk is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Kralingse Bos Park and Arboretum Trompenburg.

Kralingen-Crooswijk
Nice spot of the Rotterdam skyline at the #bvsblue hour 😉

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Feijenoord

Waterfront views, bars, and seaside views are some highlights of Feijenoord. Make a stop by Luxor Theater or KPN Telecom Building while you're exploring.

Feijenoord
This old Railway bridge in Rotterdam is a beatyful industrial landmark to photograph

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Kop van Zuid

4.5/5(32 area reviews)

Unique features of Kop van Zuid include the bars and river views. Make a stop by De Rotterdam or World Port Centre while you're exploring the area.

Kop van Zuid
The Social Hub Rotterdam

The Social Hub Rotterdam

3 out of 5
Willem Ruyslaan 223, Rotterdam
The price is ¥10,122 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
¥10,122
¥11,691 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (623 reviews)
excellent value for money
"I really loved the friendly staff and the amenities such as free gym! the breakfast was great and the restaurant downstairs also."

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

The Social Hub Rotterdam
Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam

Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam

4.5 out of 5
Westersingel 70, Rotterdam
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥13,654 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
¥13,654
¥17,062 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Fantastic stay with a view
"Spent more than I normally would to upgrade to an Executive Room and definitely didn’t regret it. There was a massive amount of space and it was great to have a bath as well as a shower. Also really helpful to have a UK socket as well as a USB (I’d seen other reviews saying there were only European ..."

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2025

Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam
The James Hotel Rotterdam

The James Hotel Rotterdam

3.5 out of 5
Aert van Nesstraat 25, Rotterdam
The price is ¥10,431 per night from Sep 7 to Sep 8
¥10,431
¥12,048 total
Sep 7 - Sep 8
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
A fabulous hotel in a great location
"We stayed at The James for 5 nights and it was fantastic. The hotel is very clean and comfortable, we stayed in a family room which was very spacious. The little market area for drinks, snacks and breakfast was very convenient. All the staff we encountered were very friendly and the whole family ..."

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025

The James Hotel Rotterdam
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Urban Residences

Urban Residences

4 out of 5
Hennekijnstraat 104, Rotterdam
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,047 reviews)
"Was not to bad"

Reviewed on Jun 20, 2025

Urban Residences
PREMIER SUITES PLUS Rotterdam

PREMIER SUITES PLUS Rotterdam

4 out of 5
Weena 710, Rotterdam
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (870 reviews)
"Excellent accommodation. Fantastic location, friendly helpful staff and spacious modern rooms. Will certainly be coming back!"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

PREMIER SUITES PLUS Rotterdam
Alphabet Apartments Westersingel

Alphabet Apartments Westersingel

2 out of 5
Westersingel, Rotterdam
Stay at this aparthotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Erasmus Bridge and Ahoy Rotterdam are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (6 reviews)
"It was a nice clean apartment but there wasn’t enough toilet paper for the stay and not enough dish towels or cleaning stuff."

Reviewed on Jul 10, 2025

Alphabet Apartments Westersingel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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