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
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 £44 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
£44
10 Aug - 11 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 £60 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
£60
24 Aug - 25 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 £60 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
£60
7 Aug - 8 Aug
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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