Rotterdam Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

South Holland featuring outdoor eating and a square or plaza
Erasmus Bridge showing a bridge, night scenes and modern architecture
Euromast featuring modern architecture
Rotterdam featuring central business district and a city
Rotterdam
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 landscape views, a lake or waterhole and a park

Centrum

Centrum is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Rotterdam City Theatre and Witte de Withstraat while in the area.

Centrum
Maritime Museum showing a square or plaza and outdoor art

Stadsdriehoek

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Stadsdriehoek, Markthal Rotterdam and Binnenrotte Market Square are top sights worth seeing.

Stadsdriehoek
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Feijenoord

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

Feijenoord
Delfshaven which includes a river or creek and boating

Delfshaven

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

Delfshaven
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Kop van Zuid

4/5(1 area review)

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

Kop van Zuid
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Charlois

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

Charlois
Art Hotel Rotterdam
Art Hotel Rotterdam
4 out of 5
Mijnsherenlaan 9, Rotterdam
The price is AU$143 per night from 4 May to 5 May
AU$143
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
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! (696 reviews)
"Clean & Comfortable"

Reviewed on 12 Apr. 2025

Art Hotel Rotterdam
The Usual Rotterdam
The Usual Rotterdam
4 out of 5
Westblaak 10, Rotterdam
The price is AU$140 per night from 4 May to 5 May
AU$140
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Erasmus Bridge and Ahoy Rotterdam ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (124 reviews)
"It was unusual—green-conscious, many common spaces, interior decor"

Reviewed on 9 Apr. 2025

The Usual Rotterdam
The James Hotel Rotterdam
The James Hotel Rotterdam
3.5 out of 5
Aert van Nesstraat 25, Rotterdam
The price is AU$101 per night from 11 May to 12 May
AU$101
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
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! (1,015 reviews)
"Washroom has a strong mild odor. We had to keep the door closed and try not to breathe when using it."

Reviewed on 15 Apr. 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! (1,007 reviews)
"Great location. Room size was great. Good breakfast"

Reviewed on 14 Apr. 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! (825 reviews)
"The Convenience of the location"

Reviewed on 13 Jan. 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, parking (surcharge), and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Erasmus Bridge and Ahoy Rotterdam are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"Really enjoyed the apartment - for the size of the space it does feel like there should be two full bathrooms, but other than that no complaints"

Reviewed on 16 Nov. 2024

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.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Rotterdam

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 53%
4 - Good
5
4 - Good 33%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Mila

Try some food at Vader Jacobs and join a Splashingtour to have a special day!

5/5 - Excellent

Ellard

Vibrant city with good public transport options and great modern architecture

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Don't try to cross the river from south to central during peak hours by car.

5/5 - Excellent

mr.fussy

Amazing city with canals and bridges everywhere.

Cities near Rotterdam