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

The second largest city in the Netherlands not only has a lot to show in terms of modern architecture, it also has great nightlife and countless museums.

Rotterdam is renowned for its port, but that’s not all it has going for it. It has some stunning high rises, great museums and excellent nightlife.

In the 13th century a dam was built on the river Rotte and a settlement established: Rotterdam. In the 19th century, the settlement grew into a city after the port was built. The city was badly damaged in the Second World War, which is why it has very few historic buildings.

In addition to the city's famous points of interest, such as the Euromast and the impressive Erasmus bridge, there are a lot of less well-known places worth going to, such as the futuristic Markthal, or the Drijvend Paviljeon (floating pavilion), a centre for sustainability which consists of three interlinked spheres. Rotterdam's famous Koopgoot is a great place to shop. Culture aficionados will thoroughly enjoy Rotterdam's museum quarter. An absolute must is MuseumBoijmans Van Beuningen, one of the oldest museums in the country with works by great masters such as Rembrandt and Van Gogh.

Rotterdam has a great public transport system, making it easy to get around the city. You can take a bus, a tram or the tube and there are several places where you can hire bicycle. Bike stalls are free in the city centre, so you shouldn't have too much trouble parking it. Most of the sights are easy to reach on foot.

Rotterdam Central Station is easy to get to from just about every city in the Netherlands. You can fly directly to Rotterdam from London City and Manchester, or you can fly to Amsterdam and take an intercity train from there. Alternatively, you can take the ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland and the train to Rotterdam, the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam Europoort, or the Eurostar from St Pancras via Lille. If you're planning on driving, you can take the ferry from Harwich to Hoek van Holland or the train from Folkstone to Calais and then drive up the E40.

Rotterdam is a great place to relax among modern architecture, lovely museums and great shopping.

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
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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
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 Rhine or Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout.

Delfshaven
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Feijenoord

Waterfront views, bars and seaside views are some highlights of Feijenoord. Make a stop by Luxor Theater or World Port Centre while you're exploring.

Feijenoord
The James Hotel Rotterdam

The James Hotel Rotterdam

3.5 out of 5
Aert van Nesstraat 25, Rotterdam
The price is £53 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
£53
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! (1,004 reviews)
"Great location. Quiet, clean and modern. Staff very helpful."

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2025

The James Hotel Rotterdam
The Usual Rotterdam

The Usual Rotterdam

4 out of 5
Westblaak 10, Rotterdam
The price is £42 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
£42
21 Jul - 22 Jul
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! (187 reviews)
"We stayed in one of the pod rooms and it was great- the room is cosy but has plug sockets and everything you need for a night. The bed wasn’t really comfy, which is the reason I can’t give it 5 stars- it sagged in the middle and meant we woke up having not had the best sleep. But all the facilities ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

The Usual Rotterdam
citizenM Rotterdam

citizenM Rotterdam

4 out of 5
Gelderse plein 50, Rotterdam, South Holland
The price is £62 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£62
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (996 reviews)
"Very unique, especially the room controls via an iPad in the room or your phone (lights, curtains blinds, climate, tv, check out). Even play a memory game likeSimon with the bathrooms color lighting."

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

citizenM 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! (1,040 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! (859 reviews)
"clean, new, room is large spare, good transport to train station"

Reviewed on 14 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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Rotterdam

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
81
5 - Excellent 57%
4 - Good
48
4 - Good 34%
3 - Okay
9
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 1%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great place, reminded me of Liverpool, beautiful modern architecture, great food and record shops, easily walkable. Couldnt visit museums because of Covid19. Rotterdam is great!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lots of unsual sculptures

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Rotterdam is a great city we will be visiting again

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Rotterdam is great for shopping and there is a lot to see with some great restaurants. Will definitely return to explore more.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

One of the greatest cities in the world - and I should know having been to over 40 countries

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Rotterdam was lively and exciting. Enjoyed the Fenix Food Factory at Katendracht

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