Rotterdam Guide 

Rotterdam is a must-see for lovers of futuristic architecture - admire the iconic Cube Houses or the Markthal. And if you like views, head to the Euromast, where you can see the entire city in the palm of your hand. Explore Europe's largest port from the deck of a cruise ship, enjoy the multicultural atmosphere where over 170 nationalities mix, and strengthen yourself with the local specialty kapsalon - a calorie bomb made of fries, meat, gouda and lots of sauce. Rotterdam will surprise you with its energy, innovation and style. Come and discover!

Sights and attractions - What you shouldn't miss in Rotterdam. Erasmusbrug, Cube Houses, Markthal, Euromast.

Accommodation - Tips for accommodation in Rotterdam, from hostels to luxury hotels, classic hotels or guesthouses.

Typical food and drink - What you should try in Rotterdam - herring, stamppot, Erasmusbrug Burger, local beer.

Practical tips - Here you will learn about local transport, where to park, customs, safety.

Weather - When is it worth visiting Rotterdam? When does it rain and when do you have a chance of sunny weather?

Celebrities - Which famous personalities lived and created in Rotterdam?

The second largest city in the Netherlands is located in the province of South Holland on the banks of the Nieuwe Maas River, which forms part of the Rhine-Meuse delta. The city has a population of approximately 670,000 and its metropolitan area encompasses over 1.5 million people. Rotterdam is famous as Europe's largest port and an important trade hub.

Rotterdam was founded in the 13th century as a fishing village that received city rights in 1340. During World War II, the city was heavily damaged by bombing, which led to its complete reconstruction. However, this tragedy turned into an opportunity, and Rotterdam has become a symbol of modern architecture and innovation.

Rotterdam is famous for its bold architectural projects, such as the Erasmusbrug, a modern bridge connecting the north and south parts of the city, and the Cubic Houses, iconic buildings that attract visitors from all over the world. Other notable sites include the Markthal, a covered market combining commercial and residential spaces, and the Euromast, an observation tower offering panoramic views of the city.

Rotterdam is home to a number of museums and galleries, such as the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum, which displays works from old masters to modern art, and the Maritime Museum, which highlights the city's maritime history.

Annual events such as the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) attract visitors from all over the world.

Rotterdam is also a major transport hub thanks to its port, the largest in Europe and one of the busiest in the world. The port of Rotterdam, known as the Maasvlakte, covers an area of ​​more than 100 km² and plays a key role in global trade.

Rotterdam is described as the "city of the future" due to its modern design and environmental projects.

Sights and attractions

Erasmusbrug - This elegant futuristic bridge, nicknamed the "Swan", connects the north and south of the city. It is one of the symbols of the city of Rotterdam. The asymmetrical pylon of the bridge measures an incredible 139 meters! The bridge was inaugurated by Queen Beatrix on September 6, 1996. Shortly after the opening, special shock absorbers had to be installed due to fluctuations in strong winds.
Address: Erasmusbrug, Rotterdam.

Cubic Houses - A unique architectural project by Piet Blom, made up of tilted cubes. Each house is tilted by 45 degrees and stands on a hexagonal pillar, resembling a tree - the whole complex then forms a "forest of cubes". Each house has three floors and due to the slanted walls, most of the furniture is custom-made. If you are wondering what it looks like inside, you can visit one of the houses and see everything, because they have turned it into a museum Kijk-Kubus.
Address: Overblaak 70, Rotterdam.

Markthal - A unique horseshoe-shaped covered market hall that opened in 2014. The interior is decorated with a giant colorful mural "Cornucopia" by Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam. The work depicts fruits, vegetables, flowers and insects in giant proportions. In addition to the market hall and restaurants, the Markthal houses 228 apartments and its glass facades are the largest cable-stayed glass structure in Europe.
Address: Ds. Jan Scharpstraat 298, Rotterdam.

De Rotterdam - One of the largest and most interesting building complexes in Europe, designed by architect Rem Koolhaas. It consists of three interconnected towers, each 150 meters high, offering offices, apartments, a hotel, conference facilities, shops, restaurants and fitness centers. The building has 44 floors.
Address: Wilhelminakade 135–175, Rotterdam.

Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum - A collection of art from old masters to modern works of Dutch and Flemish art. The museum was founded in 1841. The museum's collections include more than 151,000 works of art from the Middle Ages to the present day, including works by masters such as Rembrandt, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dalí, Hieronymus Bosch and Peter Paul Rubens.
Address: Museumpark 18, Rotterdam.

St. Lawrence Church (Laurenskerk) - The only surviving medieval building in Rotterdam. The church was built in the mid-15th century and was the first stone building in the city. During World War II, the church was damaged by bombing, but after the war the city hall repaired the church and today it is a symbol of the city's resilience.
Address: Grotekerkplein 15, Rotterdam.

White House (Witte Huis) - Rotterdam also has its important White House. It was built in 1898 in the Art Nouveau style. At the time, it was the tallest office building in Europe. It stands at an incredible 43 meters. Due to the soft ground in Rotterdam, 1,000 piles had to be driven into the foundation to build the building. Despite critics’ fears, the White House not only did not collapse, but it was one of the few buildings in the center of Rotterdam to survive the bombing during World War II.
Address: Geldersekade 1C, Rotterdam.

Historic Delfshaven - This is where the Pilgrims (Pilgrims Fathers) set sail for America in 1620. This district is full of cafes and historic buildings. Picturesque canals, historic houses, old warehouses and the working windmill De Distilleerketel create the atmosphere of an old port city.
Address: Delfshaven, Rotterdam.

Maritime Museum - The oldest maritime museum in the Netherlands. Its collections include the oldest ship model in Europe – the Mataró model, which is over 600 years old. The museum was founded in 1874 by Prince Henry of the Netherlands and its collection today includes more than 850,000 objects from six centuries of maritime history. The museum also includes an outdoor harbor with historic ships and the unique red cast-iron lighthouse “Low Light of the Hook of Holland”.
Address: Leuvehaven 1, Rotterdam.

Euromast - A 185-meter-high observation tower with panoramic views of the city. It was built in 1960 for the Floriade horticultural exhibition. In 1970, the tower was raised by 85 meters with the installation of the Space Tower, reaching a total height of 185 meters, making it the tallest building in Rotterdam again. Adrenaline enthusiasts can try abseiling from the tower.
Address: Parkhaven 20, Rotterdam.

Kralingse Bos and Plas - A large park and lake suitable for picnics, walks and water sports. Kralingse Plas was created in the 17th century by peat extraction - there were originally several similar lakes here, but most of them were later drained and built on, while Kralingse Plas has been preserved as a unique natural and recreational area. The park was officially opened in 1953 and in 2007 it was awarded the "Best Public Space in the Netherlands". The park features two historic windmills (De Ster and De Lelie) that grind spices and snuff.
Address: Langepad 30, Rotterdam.

Arboretum Trompenburg - A unique botanical garden that covers an area of ​​8 hectares. It lies approximately 4 meters below sea level, which requires an ingenious system of canals to drain the garden.
Address: Honingerdijk 86, Rotterdam.

Accommodation

If you are going to Rotterdam, you can choose from many hotels, from cheap ones to classic 3* and 4*, to luxurious 5* ones. You can also stay in one of the apartments, guesthouses, hostels or holiday homes and villas. The most popular areas include the city center or the historic district of Delfshaven.

You can enjoy luxury near the city center, for example, in the 5* Mainport Hotel Rotterdam, and the Hilton Affiliate Hotel. Some of the designer rooms have their own jacuzzi and sauna. Hotel guests can use the spa and wellness with indoor pool and steam bath, fitness center, bar, restaurant or terrace. The 24-hour reception will arrange luggage storage or concierge service.

The view of the river and the famous Erasmus Bridge opens from the historically furnished 4* hotel Suitehotel Pincoffs. You can choose from stylishly furnished rooms and apartments. In addition to breakfast, the hotel also offers lunch and dinner. Services provided by the hotel include concierge, bicycle rental, parking and luggage storage.

A pleasant guesthouse in the historic district of Delfshave Bed and Breakfast Rotterdam offers accommodation with breakfast in double rooms. This guesthouse accommodates adults only. The rooms are located on the ground floor, and parking is available for a small fee in front of the house.

For backpackers, we can recommend the Hostel Ani&Haakien, which is located in the city center just 650 meters from the central station. The hostel organizes themed dinners, happy hours, film screenings or live music performances for its visitors. Guests can use the shared kitchen, games room, common room, terrace or garden.

Typical Food and Drink

Haring - Fresh herring served with onions and pickles. Traditionally eaten "hollandaise" - held by the tail and tilted into the mouth.

Kibbeling - Fried pieces of fish (often cod) served with tartar sauce. A popular snack in port areas.

Kapsalon – A popular street snack, a calorie bomb made of fries, meat, gouda and lots of sauce, topped with fresh vegetables. Traditionally served baked in a foil tray.

Stamppot - A traditional dish of mashed potatoes mixed with vegetables, such as cabbage or carrots, served with "rookworst" sausage.

Poffertjes - Small, fluffy pancakes dusted with powdered sugar and topped with butter.

Erasmusbrug Burger - Many local restaurants offer specialties named after city icons, such as gourmet burgers inspired by the Erasmusbrug.

Seafood - Rotterdam, as a port city, offers fresh seafood. Visitors can enjoy oysters, shrimp and mussels, often served in elegant bistros or directly at the markets.

Beer - Rotterdam is home to several craft breweries, such as Kaapse Brouwers. Classic brands such as Heineken and Amstel are also popular.

Coffee - The Dutch love coffee and Rotterdam has many cafés with excellent offerings, often with international desserts.

And where can you try the local food?

Markthal - A covered market with a varied selection of fresh produce, international dishes and local specialities.

Fenix ​​Food Factory - A trendy food centre in a converted warehouse with local produce and street food.

Practical travel tips

Rotterdam has an excellent public transport network including trams, buses, metro and boat services. For easy travel, we recommend purchasing an OV-chipkaart (rechargeable card).

As in many other Dutch cities, Rotterdam has plenty of cycle paths. Rent a bike and explore the city like a local.

If you’re driving, use the parking lot on the outskirts of the city and take public transportation to the center. Parking in the center is expensive and often limited.

Don’t forget to pack an umbrella or a waterproof jacket, as the weather can be changeable. Even in summer, evenings can get chilly, so bring something warmer.

For popular attractions like the Euromast or the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum, it’s best to book your tickets online in advance.

Take a sightseeing cruise and enjoy a unique view of the harbor.

Watch out for cyclists, who have the right of way in most places.

Most people speak English, so you’ll have no problem getting around.

Credit cards are generally accepted, but be prepared to bring cash for smaller shops and stalls.

Free Wi-Fi is available in most cafes, restaurants and public spaces.

If you like nightlife and bars, don't miss the Witte de Withstraat district.

Weather

Rotterdam has an oceanic climate, typical of the whole of the Netherlands.

In summer, average temperatures range between 18-22°C. There are occasional warmer days with temperatures over 25°C.

In winter, average temperatures drop to 3-7°C. Frost and snow are rare, but can occur.

It rains evenly throughout the year, with the rainiest days in the autumn months. Pack waterproof clothing.

Rotterdam often experiences stronger winds due to its proximity to the North Sea, especially in spring and autumn.

The weather often changes during the day, so bring layers of clothing and an umbrella.

The overall mild climate makes Rotterdam a pleasant place to visit all year round.

Famous people

Willem de Kooning (1904–1997) - Famous painter and sculptor, one of the pioneers of abstract expressionism. He was born in Rotterdam and his work influenced modern art of the 20th century.

Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466–1536) - Famous humanist, philosopher, scholar, writer and theologian. He was born in Rotterdam, where the Erasmusbrug bridge and Erasmus University were named after him.

Jules Deelder (1944–2019) - Poet, writer and jazz musician, known as the "night mayor of Rotterdam". His poems often celebrated the city and its energy.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst (1975) - Footballer and coach, former captain of the Dutch national team. He became famous at the Feyenoord Rotterdam club, where he also worked as a coach.

Robin van Persie (1983) - A famous footballer who started his career at Feyenoord in Rotterdam before becoming a star in the English Premier League.

Rem Koolhaas (1944) - An internationally renowned architect and urban planner whose innovative designs have influenced modern architecture. Many buildings around the world have been built according to his designs, such as the Kunsthal in Rotterdam and the Casa da Música in Porto.