Travel guide · Netherlands
Rotterdam travel guide
Europe's biggest port, rebuilt as a showcase of bold modern architecture
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Rotterdam's centre was largely destroyed by bombing in May 1940, and the city chose to rebuild in a modern way rather than recreate what was lost. The result is a skyline of towers along the Nieuwe Maas, the Erasmus Bridge, the Cube Houses, the Markthal and the mirrored Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, all within walking or tram distance of Rotterdam Centraal. The working port, among the largest in the world, stretches about 40 km west to the North Sea at Hoek van Holland, and a diverse population gives the city a strong food and nightlife scene. Plan 3 days for a first visit; the best months are May–September.
Key facts
- Country
- Netherlands
- Best time to visit
- May–September
- Ideal stay
- 3 days
- Main airports
- RTM, AMS, EIN
- Mid-range daily budget
- $170–$300 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Modern architecture, Erasmus Bridge, Markthal and Cube Houses
Why visit Rotterdam
- The Markthal, the Cube Houses, the Erasmus Bridge and Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen form one of Europe's densest clusters of modern architecture.
- Harbour boat tours and the Euromast show the scale of one of the world's largest ports.
- Delfshaven, the Oude Haven and the Laurenskerk keep traces of the city that survived 1940.
- Witte de Withstraat, Katendrecht and the Nieuwe Binnenweg have bars and restaurants reflecting a population with roots in more than 170 countries.
- Kinderdijk's windmills, Delft, Gouda, The Hague and Amsterdam are all easy day trips by train or waterbus.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Market · Centrum
Markthal
MVRDV's horseshoe-shaped market hall, opened in 2014, wraps apartments around a vaulted food hall.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Food
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Architecture · Centrum
Cube Houses and Oude Haven
Piet Blom's tilted yellow Cube Houses, completed in 1984, sit on hexagonal pylons above a pedestrian bridge next to Blaak station.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Kids
Landmark · Kop van Zuid and Wilhelminapier
Erasmus Bridge
Ben van Berkel's cable-stayed bridge, opened in 1996, crosses the Nieuwe Maas with a white, angled pylon about 139 metres tall that earned it the nickname 'the Swan'.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- After dark
Viewpoint · Cool and Witte de Withstraat
Euromast
Built in 1960 next to Het Park, the Euromast observation tower has a deck at about 100 metres and a rotating glass lift, the Euroscoop, that rises to about 185 metres, with views over the port, the river and, on clear days, towards the coast.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Kids
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Museum · Cool and Witte de Withstraat
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
Opened in 2021 in the Museumpark, this mirrored, bowl-shaped building by MVRDV is an art storage building opened to the public.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Views
- Iconic
Experience · Centrum
Harbour boat tour
Spido boats leave from the Leuvehoofd at the foot of the Erasmus Bridge for tours of about 75 minutes through the inner harbours, past container terminals, shipyards and dry docks, with commentary on the port's history.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Views
- Iconic
Where to stay
Centrum is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping and families
Centrum
Shopping streets, Rotterdam Centraal and the Markthal around Coolsingel and Blaak
$$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, culture and solo travellers
Cool and Witte de Withstraat
Galleries, terraces and restaurants between the centre and the Museumpark
$$$ · Best for couples, luxury and first-timers
Kop van Zuid and Wilhelminapier
Towers, the Erasmus Bridge and the old Holland America Line quays across the river
$$ · Best for food lovers, couples and nightlife
Katendrecht
A former sailors' quarter turned food and culture peninsula on the Maashaven
What to eat
- Kibbeling — Chunks of white fish, usually cod, battered and fried and served with a garlic or remoulade sauce.
- Raw herring — Lightly salted raw herring, eaten whole by the tail or on a soft roll with onions and pickles.
- Kapsalon — A Rotterdam invention: fries topped with doner or shawarma meat and melted Gouda, then a layer of salad and garlic or hot sauce, served in a foil tray.
- Bitterballen — Crisp, deep-fried balls of thick beef ragout, served with mustard as a bar snack alongside beer.
- Stroopwafel — Two thin waffle wafers pressed together with caramel syrup; freshly made ones are warm and chewy.
- Roti — A Surinamese dish of flatbread served with curried chicken, potatoes, long beans and egg, reflecting Rotterdam's large Surinamese community.
When to go
The best time to visit Rotterdam is May to September, when terraces, quays and boat trips are at their best and days are long. July brings big festivals such as North Sea Jazz, while September has the World Port Days. Winter is grey and wet but quiet, with low prices and indoor highlights such as the Depot and the Markthal.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Lengthening days, King's Day celebrations and the marathon, with tulip fields within a short trip. |
| Summer | June–August | Long, mild days, festivals, beach trips to Hoek van Holland and busy terraces. |
| Autumn | September–November | World Port Days in September, then wetter, windier weather and cultural seasons. |
| Winter | December–February | Cold, damp and dark, but low prices, the film festival and indoor architecture and museums. |
Getting there and around
Rotterdam The Hague Airport is about 6 km north of the centre; bus 33 reaches Rotterdam Centraal in about 20 minutes. From Amsterdam Schiphol, direct trains take about 25–30 minutes on the Intercity Direct (with a supplement) or around 45 minutes on slower intercity routes.
Rotterdam's centre is walkable and very bike-friendly, while the RET metro, trams and buses link districts across the river. Waterbuses and water taxis use the river itself.
Plan your days
Two days covers the Markthal and Cube Houses, the Museumpark with the Depot and Kunsthal, the Erasmus Bridge, Katendrecht and a harbour tour. A third day adds Delfshaven and the Euromast or a trip to Kinderdijk; with four or five days you can add Delft, The Hague and Gouda.
Practical information
- Currency
- EUR
- Language
- Dutch
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe and of high quality.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Tipping
- Service is included.
Rotterdam is generally relaxed for visitors. Watch for pickpockets at Rotterdam Centraal and on crowded trams, take care with fast-moving cyclists in bike lanes, and use the official water taxis rather than unlicensed boats.
Flights to Rotterdam
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Rotterdam?
Two days covers the Markthal and Cube Houses, the Museumpark with the Depot and Kunsthal, the Erasmus Bridge, Katendrecht and a harbour tour. A third day adds Delfshaven and the Euromast or a trip to Kinderdijk; with four or five days you can add Delft, The Hague and Gouda. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Rotterdam?
The best time to visit Rotterdam is May to September, when terraces, quays and boat trips are at their best and days are long. July brings big festivals such as North Sea Jazz, while September has the World Port Days. Winter is grey and wet but quiet, with low prices and indoor highlights such as the Depot and the Markthal.
+What is Rotterdam known for?
Modern architecture, Erasmus Bridge, Markthal, Cube Houses, Port of Rotterdam, Kinderdijk windmills and Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. The Markthal, the Cube Houses, the Erasmus Bridge and Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen form one of Europe's densest clusters of modern architecture.
+Is Rotterdam expensive?
Rotterdam is moderately priced for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $170–$300 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Rotterdam?
No. Public transport, bikes and walking cover the city and nearly all day trips; parking is expensive and many central streets have limited access.