Rotterdam

Travel Guide
Erasmus Bridge which includes night scenes, cycling and a bridge
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

Travelers come to Centrum for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Rotterdam City Theatre and Witte de Withstraat while you're in town.

Centrum
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
Rumor has it, it takes a full day trip on a boat, to only partly discover all there is to experience in the port of Rotterdam.

Rumor 2: in order to make the port more attractive, cranes have been designed to appear more cheerful and humanoid.

Charlois

Discover Charlois, memorable for its restaurants. Popular attractions in Charlois include Zuiderpark and Ahoy Rotterdam, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Rotterdam, Maashaven.

Charlois
Delfshaven which includes boating and a river or creek

Delfshaven

You'll enjoy the museums and churches in Delfshaven. You might want to make time for a stop at Rhine or Windmill.

Delfshaven
Lovely cafe in a beautiful old house. You can find Parqiet in the park close to the Euromast.
#lunch #coffee #Rotterdam

Noord

Shopping and restaurants are notable features of Noord. You might consider a stop by Blijdorp Zoo while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Noord
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 Binnenrotte Market Square are top sights worth seeing.

Stadsdriehoek
The James Hotel Rotterdam
The James Hotel Rotterdam
3.5 out of 5
Aert van Nesstraat 25, Rotterdam
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥9,756 per night from Jun 2 to Jun 3
¥9,756
per night
Jun 2 - Jun 3
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"Very unique hotel, close to public transportation, restaurants, and shops."

Reviewed on May 6, 2024

The James Hotel Rotterdam
Art Hotel Rotterdam
Art Hotel Rotterdam
4 out of 5
Mijnsherenlaan 9, Rotterdam
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥11,115 per night from Jun 2 to Jun 3
¥11,115
per night
Jun 2 - Jun 3
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (276 reviews)
"Over great stay, slightly sketchy area but easy to get in town"

Reviewed on May 2, 2024

Art Hotel Rotterdam
Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam
Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam
4 out of 5
Westersingel 70, Rotterdam
The price is ¥13,390 per night from May 26 to May 27
¥13,390
per night
May 26 - May 27
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (996 reviews)
"It’s a nice hotel, with warm, helpful and friendly hotel staff. Unfortunately, we were assigned a room (#3204) with a difficult access. There is no elevator to get directly to our room. We had to pass thru plight of stairs. As we were joining a 2-week cruise, we had big suitcases with us for our ..."

Reviewed on May 5, 2024

Bilderberg Parkhotel 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.
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 fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the property condition ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (744 reviews)
"We had a pleasant stay at Premiere Suites. The suite is spacious and clean. Although we didn't use the kitchen, I saw that it has the basic things. There is a laundry room in each floor with 3 washers and 2 dryers. Laundry detergent is also provided. Hotel staff were helpful and friendly. I would ..."

Reviewed on Apr 27, 2024

PREMIER SUITES PLUS Rotterdam
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. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (925 reviews)
"Great view from corner apartments"

Reviewed on May 6, 2024

Urban Residences
Nice lodge with a roof window on the Brielse Meer
Nice lodge with a roof window on the Brielse Meer
Zwartewaal
Stay at this vacation home in Zwartewaal. Enjoy patios and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Historisch Museum Den Briel and Toren St. Catharijnekerk ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3 reviews)
Unterkunft und verbleib
"Super sauber, super Service und alles in erreichbare Nähe von 10 bis 20km Sogar dass Nordsee Strand"

Reviewed on Apr 14, 2024

Nice lodge with a roof window on the Brielse Meer
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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Things to do

Reviews of Rotterdam

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
112
" "5 - Excellent 62.56983240223464%
4 - Good
56
" "4 - Good 31.28491620111732%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 5.027932960893855%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.5586592178770949%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.5586592178770949%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 20, 2020

Rotterdam is an architectural trip! Very neat city with a great yearly tennis tournament. Alle ballen verzamalen!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 16, 2020

Amazing city. Nice people lots of foot traffic

4/5 - Good

LlewC
Dec 19, 2019

I was expecting a really featureless, grey city, but I think it actually has charm.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Nov 29, 2019

i would describe Rotterdam as the Manhattan of the Netherlands the only problem was there is so much construction and road closures you could not drive easily yo hotel you had to go around barriers and against traffic to get there im sure when

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 8, 2019

Very beautiful place

5/5 - Excellent

Imagefirm
Nov 5, 2019

Cool city.

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