7 Best Things to do in Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Planning a trip to Rotterdam? You’re in the right place! 

This vibrant Dutch city feels completely different from anywhere else in the Netherlands, and on our first visit, we were actually shocked at how much there is to see and do! You can spend your morning exploring the city’s quirky architecture, your afternoon in a world-class museum, and your evening eating your way through some of Europe’s trendiest food halls. 

To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve rounded up the 7 best things to do in Rotterdam, including must-see attractions, unique experiences, and a few local favorites you definitely won’t want to miss.

Ready to plan the best city break ever? Let’s get to it!

Things to do in Rotterdam

1. Uncover Rotterdam’s past and present on a guided city walk

One of the best ways to get your bearings in a new city is with a walking tour, and this guided Rotterdam city walk is such a fantastic introduction. We always love kicking off a city break this way, and this particular tour strikes the perfect balance between history, architecture, and practical local insights.

You’ll meet your guide in Rotterdam’s museum district, known as “Museumpark,” which is a peaceful green area home to some of the city’s best museums and cultural spaces. From there, you’ll begin exploring on foot, learning about Rotterdam’s fascinating history while passing some of its most important landmarks, including the Old Harbor, the Erasmus Bridge, and the famous cube houses. 

Something we really appreciated about this tour was the pace. It never felt rushed, and there was plenty of time to stop for photos and ask questions. You’ll also wander through a few quieter streets and hidden corners that you’d probably miss if you were exploring on your own.

If it’s your first time visiting Rotterdam, this tour is definitely worth booking. It gives you a great overview of the city while helping you understand the history and character that make it so unique.

2. Taste your way through Rotterdam’s local food scene

Our absolute favorite thing we did in Rotterdam was this walking food tour, and it’s why we listed it as our top pick in this list! 

Over the course of four hours, you’ll make your way through the city with a local guide, stopping at seven carefully chosen spots to try some of the best local food in the city. On our tour, we got to try classic Dutch favorites like poffertjes (tiny fluffy pancakes covered in powdered sugar), bitterballen, and of course, plenty of local cheeses. 

In our opinion, the biggest highlight of this tour is the Market Hall (Markthal). The building itself is like nothing we’ve ever seen before, and we loved wandering through all the different food vendors while taking in the massive artwork overhead. Other areas you’ll get to explore include the West-Kruiskade district, Witte de Withstraat, and Nieuwe Binnenweg, which is the longest shopping street in the Netherlands. 

To wrap things up, you’ll head to a local brewery near Market Binnenrotte for a final toast and snack; the perfect ending to a perfect tour! 

If you love getting to know a city through its food, this top-rated tour is definitely one to prioritize on your upcoming visit to Rotterdam. 

3. Explore Rotterdam’s must-see sights on two wheels

Since Rotterdam is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Europe, joining this cycling tour just makes perfect sense!

Over roughly two and a half hours, you’ll cycle past some of Rotterdam’s most iconic landmarks while learning about the city from a friendly local guide. One of the key highlights is riding across the Erasmus Bridge, where you’ll get incredible views over the river and skyline while seeing one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks up close.

You’ll also get to see Katendrecht, which is one of Rotterdam’s trendiest neighborhoods, full of colorful street art, cozy cafes, and trendy restaurants. You’ll then end the tour at the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk, a beautiful medieval church that offers a glimpse into Rotterdam’s history before WWII.

One thing people really love about this tour is that the pace is nice and relaxed. There are plenty of stops along the way to take photos and ask questions you might have, so you won’t feel like you’re rushing around. Plus, your guide will often share local recommendations for food, drinks, and places to check out afterward, which is always super helpful if you’ve never been to Rotterdam before! 

4. Snap photos of the street art around the West-Kruiskade and Oude Westen

If you love street art, then exploring West-Kruiskade and Oude Westen should definitely be on your Rotterdam itinerary. These colorful neighborhoods are packed with Instagram-worthy murals and quirky artwork, offering a completely different feel from Rotterdam’s sleek, modern city center.

West-Kruiskade in particular has such a fun, international vibe with independent shops, international grocery stores, trendy cafes, and plenty of places to stop for a coffee or a quick bite to eat. Nieuwe Binnenweg, just nearby, is another fun street to wander if you want even more cool local spots.

What we really love about these areas is that they feel a little more local and less touristy compared to some of Rotterdam’s major attractions. So if you’ve already ticked off the main sights and want to experience a more creative side of the city, West-Kruiskade and Oude Westen are worth making time for. Plus, they’re completely free to explore!

5. Learn about Rotterdam’s boldest buildings and design landmarks

If you geek out over buildings and architecture, you are going to absolutely love this walking architecture highlights tour! 

Over the course of two hours, you’ll explore some of the city’s most impressive buildings while learning how Rotterdam rebuilt itself after WWII. One of our favorite stops was the Timmerhuis, which is a historic 1950s building with a sleek glass extension, and it’s even more impressive once you understand the story behind it.

You’ll also stop by the iconic Markthal as well (one of our favorite places in the whole city), where your guide will explain the engineering behind the huge arched structure and the colorful artwork stretching across the ceiling. A lot of tours don’t spend much time here, or they only focus on the food, so we really like that this one gives you the chance to properly appreciate what makes the building itself so special.

Even if you’re not a huge architecture enthusiast, the stories behind Rotterdam’s postwar transformation are still incredibly interesting. And, since this is a small-group tour, the experience feels a lot more relaxed and personal than larger city walks. 

6. Take a day trip to see Kinderdijk’s iconic windmills

If seeing traditional Dutch windmills is high on your Netherlands bucket list, then this Kinderdijk day trip will be right up your street! 

Kinderdijk is located just outside Rotterdam (about a 30-minute journey), and it’s one of the most famous windmill sites in the entire country. Typically, the easiest way to get there from Rotterdam is with a high-speed water taxi, and if you book this private tour, your guide will take care of all the boat transport and entry fee logistics for you. 

Once you arrive, you’ll explore Kinderdijk’s famous network of 19 historic windmills, which have been helping manage water levels here for centuries. Since Kinderdijk is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there’s a lot of fascinating history to learn, and your guide will explain how the Dutch have used these impressive systems to protect the country from flooding for generations.

One thing we really loved about this tour was getting a break from the busy city feel of Rotterdam. The walking paths around the windmills are very scenic, and it’s honestly such a nice way to experience a more traditional side of the Netherlands for a few hours. With beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and all the planning done for you, it’s easy to see why this tour has so many five-star reviews!

7. Ride the historic Maastunnel escalators beneath the river

The Maastunnel is one of those quirky Rotterdam experiences that’s easy to miss but totally worth making time for! 

Believe it or not, the Maastunnel was actually the country’s first car tunnel, built in the 1930s. While cars still use it today, the real novelty is the pedestrian and cyclist tunnel running underneath the Nieuwe Maas River. To get there, you’ll ride the original wooden escalators, which feel wonderfully old-school and nostalgic, like you’re stepping back in time. 

Once you’re underground, you can walk beneath the river just like locals do every day to get from one side of the city to another. It’s such a unique glimpse into everyday life in Rotterdam and something you probably wouldn’t think to do otherwise. Best of all, it’s completely free and super easy to pair with nearby attractions like Het Park or the Euromast if you want incredible city views afterward.

Related Read: Rotterdam is just the beginning! Take a look at our guide to the best things to do in the Netherlands for more travel inspiration around the country.

Where to Stay in Rotterdam

For most visitors, staying in Centrum is the best way to experience Rotterdam. You’ll be within walking distance of major sights like the Markthal, Cube Houses, and Old Harbor, plus you’ll have plenty of restaurants, bars, and public transport options right on your doorstep. After a full day of exploring, it’s hard to beat being able to stroll back to your hotel in the heart of the action. Here are three great hotels in Centrum for every budget!

Haven Hotel Rotterdam – $$$ 

Haven Hotel Rotterdam sits right in the heart of the city center on the banks of the Maas River, and it’s a great choice if you want a city break with a little wellness mixed in. Here, you can book a room with a Finnish sauna and a massive jacuzzi bathtub next to floor-to-ceiling windows (just imagine what relaxing days will look like).

Although the hotel has over 200 rooms and sits right by the buzz of the city near the Maritime Museum Rotterdam and Witte de Withstraat, it feels surprisingly peaceful inside. There are three different places to eat here, too, with everything from Dutch and Japanese food to pizzas and gourmet burgers. Expect to pay around €90 to €300+ per night. See available rooms for this Rotterdam wellness getaway here!

citizenM Rotterdam – $$

Trendy, colorful, super modern, and conveniently located, citizenM Rotterdam is definitely not your usual boring hotel, and it’s exactly where you’ll want to stay if you’re after affordable luxury. We loved the high-tech rooms here, compact but cleverly designed, while the shared spaces are where you’ll probably spend most of your time (just like us).

In the middle of it all, there’s a 24/7 kitchen and bar where you can get anything from coffee and pastries to sushi and cocktails. We think this place is better geared toward younger professionals and couples on short city breaks than families with children. As for location, you’re right on Gelderseplein square near the famous Cube Houses and next to Rotterdam Blaak Station. Prices typically range from €75 to €200+ per night. Book our top choice here and stay central in Rotterdam!

Motel One Rotterdam – $ 

Motel One Rotterdam may have “motel” in the name, but the only thing it really has in common with one is the budget-friendly price tag. The interiors feel much more high-end, with stylish furnishings and design details inspired by the nearby market hall, the Markthal.

Unlike other motels, here you have a panorama bar with a green rooftop terrace where you can easily grab a gin and tonic and look out over the Rotterdam skyline. Location is another plus, tucked away on a quiet pedestrian square facing the Gothic St. Laurenskerk, but you’re still a short walk from major transit lines. Prices usually start from around €65+ per night, depending on your room type and travel dates. Book early here if you want the best prices!

Related Read: Want more options? Check out our detailed guide on where to stay in Rotterdam, where we break down the best neighborhoods and hotels for every budget and travel style.

Thanks for reading!

Rotterdam ended up being one of the biggest surprises of our trip through the Netherlands. From its bold architecture and fascinating history to the incredible food and vibrant neighborhoods, this is a city that kept us exploring from morning until night. We loved how every part of the city felt a little different, making it easy to fill a few days without ever getting bored.

And if you’re continuing your travels through the Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe, be sure to check out our other Europe travel guides for more destination ideas, tours, and travel tips. We’ve also linked a few more of our latest blogs below to help you plan what comes next!

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