Tourist Attractions in Rotterdam

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Rotterdam

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Rotterdam

Rotterdam is often called “the centre of world distribution” because of its huge port, where cargo tankers with various goods from all over the world dock. The city began to fulfil this function already by the XVII century. Despite its rather solid age, Rotterdam is a progressive city where unusual architectural projects are welcomed and new technologies rule.

Some tourists believe that Rotterdam is a model of urban architecture of the future. The rest of Europe will reach this level in fifty years. Indeed, unusual cubic houses or a bizarre combination of traditional urban planning with unusual solutions in the interior of St Lawrence Church can both delight and puzzle.

Top-15 Tourist Attractions in Rotterdam

Stadhuis Rotterdam

 4.4/5

589 reviews

The building of the city municipality was built recently – at the beginning of the 20th century. The building was significantly damaged during the Second World War, but it was not completely destroyed. A new corridor with 48 bells was installed on the town hall tower. The façade features a statue of the patron saint of Rotterdam and statues embodying the Dutch national traits of perseverance, reliability, entrepreneurial spirit and caution.

Open time

Monday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

 4.4/5

3767 reviews

The largest art gallery in the country, with valuable paintings, graphic drawings, sculptures and other art objects by recognised masters. The museum was established in the middle of the 19th century, the basis of the collection was made up of exhibits from the personal collection of F. Boisman. In the middle of the 20th century, businessman Daniel Van Beuningen also donated part of his collection to the museum.

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Maritime Museum

 4.3/5

5807 reviews

The museum is considered one of the best in the world. It mainly houses exhibits related to maritime themes: ship models, ship’s gear, maps, navigational instruments and much more. The museum also has an impressive outdoor collection. In this part of the exhibition you can look at real ships, various mechanisms and elements of the harbour infrastructure.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

St. Lawrence Church

 4.5/5

2463 reviews

The church belongs to the Protestant community and is the only medieval building in Rotterdam. It was erected in XV-XVI centuries. From the outside the church looks quite traditional, but inside it looks more like a modern art gallery. There is a cafe, an original installation of mirrors and a whole wall of electric lamps, which apparently symbolise candles.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

White House Group B.V.

 3.8/5

6 reviews

An Art Nouveau building, one of the few survivors of World War II bombings. The White House was built at the very end of the 19th century to a design by W. Molenbroek. Due to the instability of the swampy soils, the foundation stands on piles. Critics of the construction thought that such a “huge” building would not last even a few years, it would not bear its own weight. However, the White House is still in perfect condition.

Open time

Cube Houses

 4.4/5

17062 reviews

A unique and innovative project by the Danish architect P. Blom, which is a whole street of houses turned upside down and placed on one corner. It is considered prestigious to live in such constructions, so they are occupied by rich citizens. One of the houses is adapted as a museum where tourists can see what goes on inside. Some residents also offer tours of their unusual apartments.

Open time

Monday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Markthal

 4.4/5

43358 reviews

Huge retail space and residential apartments located in one building. The complex was built in 2014. It has become a real place of pilgrimage for foodies. On “Markthal” there is everything to prepare almost any dish from any cuisine of the world: spices, exotic fruits, rare additives, a whole supermarket of Asian products. And that’s not to mention the dozens of varieties of the most common tomato.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM

Eurostar Departures Building - Rotterdam Centraal

 3.2/5

30 reviews

The modern station building was erected in 2013 on the site of the old one, which was demolished. Natural elements were used for the interior decoration, many details are made of wood. The building is covered with a glass dome, through which the maximum sunlight gets inside. Thanks to this design, the station uses virtually no artificial lighting, which significantly saves money.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 – 8:00 AM, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, 4:00 – 5:00 PM, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 – 8:00 AM, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, 4:00 – 5:00 PM, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 – 8:00 AM, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, 4:00 – 5:00 PM, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 – 8:00 AM, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, 4:00 – 5:00 PM, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 – 8:00 AM, 1:00 – 2:00 PM, 4:00 – 5:00 PM, 6:00 – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 1:00 – 2:00 PM, 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 1:00 – 2:00 PM, 4:00 – 5:00 PM, 6:00 – 7:00 PM

Port of Rotterdam

 4.5/5

521 reviews

Europe’s largest port and one of the largest in the world. It is an industrial and cargo harbour on the North Sea. Most of its territory is occupied by docks and office buildings. The history of the harbour dates back to the Middle Ages. Since then it has been constantly developing and expanding, now its length is about 40 kilometres, its area is more than 10 thousand hectares, and the port receives up to 30 thousand ships and tankers annually.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Erasmusbrug

 4.6/5

13275 reviews

A cable-stayed structure spanning the river Maas connects the northern and southern parts of the city. The bridge was built in 1996 to a design by architect B. van Berkel and was opened in the presence of the Queen. The bridge was nicknamed “The Swan” because of the unusual curved design of the main support tower. The structure was named in honour of Erasmus of Rotterdam, a humanist, philosopher and writer.

Open time

Euromast

 4.4/5

17061 reviews

A famous observation tower and one of the city’s popular attractions. It was built in the second half of the 20th century. The structure reaches a height of 180 metres. The observation deck offers a magnificent view of Rotterdam. Inside there are two restaurants for visitors. For lovers of extreme sports there is a possibility to go down with the help of climbing equipment.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Rotterdam

 0/5

A real corner of old Rotterdam, tangled with canals and lined with charming Dutch houses. This neighbourhood managed to survive the Second World War and retain its historic character. There is an old brewery, a real windmill, many pleasant shops and cafes. In this place you can spend a very pleasant time and enjoy the spirit of the past.

Rotterdam Zoo

 4.6/5

34183 reviews

One of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands, which started in the mid-19th century with a private collection of birds. The zoo had to endure closure, relocation and bombing in 1940, which killed many animals. Fortunately, the remaining inhabitants were saved and the zoo was rebuilt a few months later. In 2001, an oceanarium opened on the territory.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Arboretum trompenburg

 4.5/5

2277 reviews

The city’s botanical garden is home to an impressive variety of trees, flowers, shrubs and herbs collected from all over the planet. The collection began in the second half of the 19th century. The garden is divided into several thematic zones, and a system of canals and ponds has been created on the territory. Thanks to the magnificent landscape design, the park has become a favourite place for walks of the citizens.

Open time

Monday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Kinderdijk

 0/5

The famous Windmill Valley, located a few kilometres from Rotterdam. The windmill system was built in the 18th century to regulate the water level. But the problem was never solved – the area was constantly flooded. In 1997, Kinderdijk was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Nowadays it is one of the most popular sights in the Netherlands.