Rotterdam Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

South Holland which includes a square or plaza and outdoor eating
Erasmus Bridge showing a bridge, night scenes and cycling
Euromast featuring modern architecture
Rotterdam showing a city and central business district
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, jewellery 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 flavours 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 Lijnbaan while in the area.

Centrum
Maritime Museum showing a square or plaza and outdoor art

Stadsdriehoek

4.5/5(64 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Stadsdriehoek, Markthal Rotterdam and Kijk-Kubus are top sights worth seeing.

Stadsdriehoek
Rotterdam featuring heritage architecture and heritage elements

Cool

While visiting Cool, you might make a stop by sights like Lijnbaan and Witte de Withstraat.

Cool
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 Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout or Rhine.

Delfshaven
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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
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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
The Usual Rotterdam

The Usual Rotterdam

4 out of 5
Westblaak 10, Rotterdam
The price is ฿1,866 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
฿1,866
฿2,155 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Ahoy Rotterdam and Witte de Withstraat ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (196 reviews)
"Is a great accommodation even if you stay more than one night. Highly recommend it"

Reviewed on 27 Jul 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 ฿2,634 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
฿2,634
฿3,042 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,017 reviews)
"Great hotel, really friendly and helpful staff, and a nice central location. Don't be put off by the slightly uninspiring appearance from outside (and the tiny door from the street!) as it's really lovely inside. I wish it had a restaurant, but there are so many around that it's not a problem. I ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

The James Hotel Rotterdam
Art Hotel Rotterdam

Art Hotel Rotterdam

4 out of 5
Mijnsherenlaan 9, Rotterdam
The price is ฿2,581 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
฿2,581
฿2,981 total
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (826 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

Art 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 Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,044 reviews)
"Was not to bad"

Reviewed on 20 Jun 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 Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (864 reviews)
"Beautiful. Clean. Great location."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 2025

PREMIER SUITES PLUS Rotterdam
Stayci Apartments Museumpark Deluxe

Stayci Apartments Museumpark Deluxe

4 out of 5
Eendrachtsweg 26, Rotterdam
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Rotterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Erasmus Bridge and Ahoy Rotterdam ...
7/10 Good! (73 reviews)
Great little apartment
"Great apartment in a very central location. It had everything we needed. Just bear in mind it has a typical Dutch staircase so might not be ideal if you have mobility issues but this was not a problem for us. Communication with the company was really good, I got a bit hot at night so asked for a ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2025

Stayci Apartments Museumpark Deluxe
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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