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Things to Do in Rotterdam
Bold architecture, historic harbours and a lively food scene, all within walking distance of each other.
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Rotterdam offers an inspiring blend of cutting-edge architecture, rich culture, stylish shopping and world-class attractions. Whether you are here for a weekend getaway, a family holiday or a business trip, the city is full of exciting activities and hidden gems for every visitor. Prefer a guided experience? See the Rotterdam tours and activities guide for boat trips, city walks and day trips.
Rotterdam rebuilt itself into Europe's architecture lab after 1940. See the full Rotterdam architecture guide for the deeper story.
From the Depot's mirrored rooftop garden to FENIX's migration exhibits, Rotterdam's art and culture scene rewards a slower look. See the full Rotterdam art guide.
Rotterdam's shopping runs from the historic Hoogstraat to Hillegersberg's village streets. See the full Rotterdam shopping guide for store-by-store detail.
Zoos, pinball, parks and a floating hotel-ship: Rotterdam has a full day of family attractions. See the full Rotterdam with kids guide.
From a 1942 tunnel to a WWII museum open weekends only, Rotterdam's history sits in unexpected corners. See the full Rotterdam history guide.
Between the Kralingse Plas and the Euromast's lawns, Rotterdam has more green space than its skyline suggests. See the full Rotterdam parks & nature guide.
Top Landmarks & Architectural Highlights
Markthal Rotterdam
Ds. Jan Scharpstraat 298, 3011 GZ Rotterdam
Markthal is Rotterdam's landmark indoor market hall, opened in 2014. Free entry, 100+ food stalls, open daily until 20:00 (21:00 Fri).
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Euromast Tower
Parkhaven 20, 3016 GM Rotterdam
See Rotterdam in all its glory from the city's tallest observation tower, with panoramic views over the port and skyline.
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Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen)
Overblaak 70, 3011 MH Rotterdam
Piet Blom's tilted cube houses above Overblaak promenade, Rotterdam's most photographed landmark. Free to walk through; Kijk-Kubus show house is ticketed.
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Old Harbour (Oude Haven)
Oude Haven, 3011 WB Rotterdam
Oude Haven is Rotterdam's oldest harbour, a free public waterfront beneath the Cube Houses with historic ships, cafes and terraces.
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Erasmus Bridge (Erasmusbrug)
Erasmusbrug, 3011 BN Rotterdam
Erasmus Bridge is Rotterdam's 802m cable-stayed bridge by UNStudio, completed 1996. Nicknamed "The Swan"; free to cross on foot or bike.
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De Rotterdam
Wilhelminakade 137, 3072 AP Rotterdam
De Rotterdam is OMA's 2013 vertical-city complex on Kop van Zuid: three 44-storey, 150m towers with offices, a hotel, apartments and shops.
Get directionsUnique Experiences & Hidden Gems
De Maastunnel
Charloisse Hoofd 29, 3087 CA Rotterdam
The Maastunnel, opened 1942, is the Netherlands' oldest submerged tunnel, still with its original wooden escalators for cyclists and pedestrians.
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RiF010 (Steigersgracht surf wave)
Steigersgracht, Rotterdam
RiF010 is Rotterdam's urban surf pool in the Steigersgracht canal, one of the world's first. Sessions from €45; lessons and rental available.
Get directionsDutch Pinball Museum
Voorhaven 12, 3024 RM Rotterdam
More than 150 playable pinball machines spanning the 1930s to today. Open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays only; check current hours before visiting.
Get directionsHet Park
Het Park, 3016 GG Rotterdam
A green space beside the Euromast for a stroll or picnic, also used for events and festivals throughout the year.
Get directionsKralingse Bos
Plaszoom, 3062 CL Rotterdam
Rotterdam's largest city park, centred on Kralingse Plas lake with woodland paths, a rowing course and open meadows east of the centre.
Get directionsVroesenpark
Stadhoudersweg 181, 3039 MC Rotterdam
A green space in the Blijdorp district, next to Diergaarde Blijdorp zoo, used for picnics, sport and outdoor concerts throughout the year.
Get directionsCulture, Museums & History
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
Museumpark 24, 3015 CX Rotterdam
The world's first publicly accessible art storage facility, with a rooftop sculpture garden and mirrored facade.
Get directionsKunsthal Rotterdam
Museumpark, Westzeedijk 341, 3015 AA Rotterdam
A leading exhibition space with more than twenty temporary contemporary art and design shows a year.
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Maritime Museum Rotterdam
Leuvehaven 1, 3011 EA Rotterdam
An immersive look at Rotterdam's maritime history and its role as one of the world's busiest ports.
Get directionsVan Nelle Factory
Van Nelleweg 1, 3044 BC Rotterdam
Van Nelle Factory: a 1925-1931 coffee, tea and tobacco plant by Brinkman and Van der Vlugt in the Nieuwe Bouwen style, UNESCO-listed since 2014.
Get directionsDelfshaven
Aelbrechtskolk, 3024 Rotterdam
One of the few districts to survive WWII bombing, with historic canals, gabled houses and cosy cafes; the Pilgrims boarded the Speedwell here in 1620.
Get directionsWereldmuseum Rotterdam
Willemskade 25, 3016 DM Rotterdam
Ethnographic collections from Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas on the Maas waterfront, a separate institution from the local-history "Museum Rotterdam."
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FENIX
Paul Nijghkade 5, 3072 AT Rotterdam
A museum on the human experience of migration, open since May 2025 on the Katendrecht docks, with the Tornado staircase to a rooftop harbour view.
Get directionsNederlands Fotomuseum
Brede Hilledijk 95, 3072 KD Rotterdam
The Netherlands' national photography museum, now in the historic Pakhuis Santos warehouse on Katendrecht since its February 2026 relocation.
Get directionsMuseum Rotterdam '40-'45 NU
Coolhaven 375, 3015 GC Rotterdam
A weekend-only museum on the 1940 bombing and wartime occupation, part of the city-wide Museum Rotterdam network.
Get directionsFor the full picture, including Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen's current renovation status, see the complete Rotterdam museums guide.
Shopping Streets & Malls
Lijnbaan
Lijnbaan, 3012 Rotterdam
Europe's first purpose-built pedestrian shopping street, lined with major brands and boutiques.
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Meent Shopping Street
Meent, 3011 JC Rotterdam
Upscale shopping street with high-end fashion, jewellery and specialty stores in the heart of Rotterdam's city centre.
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Koopgoot (Beurstraverse)
Beurstraverse, 3012 AA Rotterdam
An underground shopping passage connecting the city's main shopping areas, with more than 40 shops.
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Witte de Withstraat
Witte de Withstraat, 3012 BN Rotterdam
Rotterdam's cultural mile: vintage shops, art galleries, cafes and a lively nightlife scene after dark.
Get directionsAlexandrium Shopping Center
Alexandrium, 3067 GG Rotterdam
Rotterdam's largest shopping mall, with more than 130 stores, restaurants and entertainment facilities.
Get directionsZuidplein Shopping Center
Zuidplein, 3083 Rotterdam
A large shopping complex on the south bank with department stores, fashion outlets and dining.
Get directionsPannekoekstraat
Pannekoekstraat, 3011 LM Rotterdam
A charming street known for vintage clothing stores, second-hand shops and alternative fashion.
Get directionsWestblaak Shopping District
Westblaak, 3012 KM Rotterdam
A hip shopping area near the central library, with independent boutiques and designer stores.
View Details Get directionsHoogstraat
Hoogstraat, 3011 Rotterdam
One of Rotterdam's oldest streets, first recorded in 1396, linking the Koopgoot to the Markthal area with independent shops and Peek & Cloppenburg.
Get directionsBergse Dorpsstraat
Bergse Dorpsstraat, 3054 Rotterdam
Hillegersberg's historic village shopping street, developed from the 14th century into one of the city's top fashion destinations.
Get directionsWeissenbruchlaan
Weissenbruchlaan, 3054 Rotterdam
A compact Hillegersberg-Noord shopping strip near Bergse Voorplas lake with around 140 shops, from a quality butcher to national retail chains.
Get directionsNoordmolenstraat
Noordmolenstraat, 3035 Rotterdam
With Zwart Janstraat forms the multicultural Noorderboulevard in Oude Noorden, known for wedding-dress shops, hair salons and specialty stores.
Get directionsFamily-Friendly & Outdoor
Diergaarde Blijdorp
Blijdorplaan 8, 3041 JG Rotterdam
One of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands, with diverse wildlife, an aquarium and beautiful gardens.
Get directionsPlaswijckpark
Ringdijk 20, 3074 Hillegersberg
A family park with playgrounds, a mini zoo and recreational activities on the water.
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SS Rotterdam
3e Katendrechtsehoofd 25, 3072 AM Rotterdam
The former flagship ocean liner of the Holland America Line, now a floating hotel, restaurant and museum on the Kop van Zuid.
Get directionsHungry afterwards? Rotterdam's food scene runs from Michelin-starred dining rooms to the artisanal food halls of Fenix Food Factory on the Kop van Zuid. See the Rotterdam restaurants guide for the full list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top things to do in Rotterdam?
Rotterdam's must-see highlights include the Markthal indoor market, the Euromast observation tower, Piet Blom's Cube Houses, the Erasmus Bridge, and the historic Delfshaven district, one of the few parts of the city that survived Second World War bombing.
Is the Markthal worth visiting?
Yes. The Markthal combines a covered food market with apartments and underground parking beneath a grand arched ceiling painted with the "Horn of Plenty" artwork, often informally compared to the "Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam." It sits at Ds. Jan Scharpstraat 298.
What is there to do in Rotterdam for families?
Families can visit Diergaarde Blijdorp zoo, Plaswijckpark's playgrounds and mini zoo, and the SS Rotterdam, a former ocean liner now open as a floating hotel and museum on the Kop van Zuid, alongside Het Park for picnics and outdoor time.
How do I get around Rotterdam's main attractions?
Most of Rotterdam's central landmarks, including the Markthal, Cube Houses, Erasmus Bridge and Old Harbour, are within easy walking distance of each other in the city centre. Water taxis and harbour cruises also connect the centre to the wider port area.
Continue exploring: see the complete Rotterdam museums guide for all 14 museums and cultural institutions, the art in Rotterdam guide for street art and independent galleries, the Rotterdam architecture guide for the city's modern landmarks, and tours and activities for guided experiences.
Handy things to know before you visit
Real numbers, updated automatically. See what to expect.