Things to Do in Rotterdam

Markthal Rotterdam is located underneath a residential and office building and is the best place to visit to try different varieties of food. The market itself is built on a 14th century buried village and is a fine example of modern architecture, technology and design. Whether you want to buy fresh fruits, meats and vegetables or simply try local food varieties, the market has it all.

Highlights include the wide variety of restaurants that serve freshly made specialty dishes. 

There are many bridges in Netherland, but the Erasmus Bridge takes the prize any day. It is a cable-stayed and bascule bridge and connects the North Rotterdam to the South Rotterdam. The ultra-urban abstract design of the bridge stands out from the silhouette of Rotterdam and after dark, the lights add to its steely charm.

The bridge was completed in 1996 and was designed by Ben van Berkel. Visiting the bridge is a win-win since the panoramic view of Rotterdam over the river is just as fabulous as the bridge itself.

The Euromast Tower was built in 1960’s and was the tallest building in Rotterdam during that time. However, during the 70’s, the adjacent buildings which were taller, stunted the tower’s height. Soon a Space tower was added to the building (another 85 meters to the existing 101 meters) and was again the tallest building in the city!

The Euromast offers a viewing platform, Euroscoop, zip-lining, a restaurant with a view and a brasserie.

Designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom, the quirky houses are made in the shape of cubes with different angles used to trip-off people who pass by. The innovative design fools people into thinking that the interiors can be quiet small but every cube has a sufficiently spaced house complete with furnishings and modern design!

The houses support each other and overlook the nearby pedestrian area. If you like to see places with a touch of weird-brilliance, take a walk inside the houses!

Maritime Museum Rotterdam is a naval museum established in 1873. Dutch history is rooted in its Naval endeavors and to not see this museum is simply missing a huge chunk of Netherlands’ fascinating stories.

The museum also has an open-air harbor museum next to it where you can see a 19th-century ironclad ram ship ‘HNLMS Buffel’ which belongs to the museum.

If you love ships and history, the place offers the perfect combination!

De Rotterdam Steam Ship has a 4-star hotel with themed 1950’s rooms and also has 2 restaurants and 2 bars to make it’s a complete ‘cruise-like’ experience. The highlight, however, is the ‘Steam and Chrome tour’ of the ship itself which takes you through the engine room and reflects on the interesting details and stories of the ship’s history.

The view of the river is simply the icing on the cake. If you are travelling with children, a tour of the ship is highly recommended. 

The Kunsthal Rotterdam museum was established in 1992 and since then has hosted some of the best contemporary and modern artists in Netherland. There are no permanent exhibitions showcased here which means every time you visit; you are sure to see something new. The museum however does appreciate classic art and you will find a variety ranging from 20th century artists to the present day masters.

The museum has also hosted classic pieces by Monet, Picasso and Matisse among other masterpieces. 

The Rotterdam Zoo is one of the oldest Zoos in Netherland and is an animal lover’s favorite hangout space in the city! The Zoo is home to Lions, Red Pandas, Polar Bears, Elephants, Giraffes and rare animals like the Collared Mangebey among others. The place also has a botanical garden.

The zoo has an aquarium called ‘Oceanarium’. If you are visiting with family, the place is perfect to spend a few hours at- especially with children!

The Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has a fine collection of art pieces dating from the Middle ages to 21st century and consists of sculptures, paintings and everyday objects. The museum has exquisite collection for artists like Bosch, Rembrandt, Dali, Van Gogh and bathes in its Dutch art history like no other place in the country.

Highlights include:

• Prints and drawings collection
• Van Beuningen collection

The place has a varied collection of Impressionism, Modernism and Surrealist paintings under one roof!

The Old Harbour was built in the 14th century and till today the historic ships of the Harbour Museum of Rotterdam are moored here.

The harbour also has a shipyard where ships are renovated and a fleet of ships are always lined here, giving the place a rather historic feel. The old harbor also accommodates modern places like the Cube Houses which creates a beautiful contrast with its old buildings like The White House.

However, the nightlife at the harbor is the main highlight and you can easily find restaurants and bars swamped with locals and tourists in the evenings. 

Delfshaven grew around the port of the Deft City which was not located around the river originally. In the 14th century, a harbour was created near the city which could receive sea vessels.

The area escaped the 1940’s bombings and today is a charming place to explore the food-life of Rotterdam and is also where art lovers go to see trending artist’s works at one of its many galleries.

Highlights include:

• De Dubbelde Palmboom museum
• The Pelgrim Brewery
• De Delft (a reconstructed 18th century war ship)
• Pilgrim Father’s Church

The Witte de Withstraat runs between the Schiedamsevest and Eendrachtsweg area and was named after an Admiral in the late 19th century.

The street was known for its many illegal activities like gambling and pubs which were known for their not-so-safe reputation. Today the modern Witte de With straat is a whole different place with cool cafes, fancy pubs and galleries which showcase inspiring art. The place also has some of the best restaurants in the area where you can stop by for a meal.

Ahoy is the convention and exhibition center of Rotterdam and plays host to some of the best international as well as local events, shows and concerts. Rotterdam’s electric urban pulse invites artists to showcase their talents in the city and the Ahoy is the premium spot to catch up on what is trending in Rotterdam.

The center also has an exhibition hall where you can see the works of some of the bets architects and artists from all over the world. 

De Kuip is the finest stadium in Netherland and is known for its power-packed football matches complete with fans cheering for their favorite teams and an energy which is simply contagious.

If you want to see just how seriously Rotterdam takes football, see a Match here live and you will leave with a favorite team for sure! The stadium also arranges tour where you can see step into the players’ shoes and even have a close up look at the Head Coach’s seat.

The Wereldmuseum encompasses all the history that leads to Rotterdam in its present day. The museum has a collection of around 160 items that carry the story of 2000 years in its artefacts and exhibits.

The place showcases articles of various cultures and nationalities that have shaped Rotterdam and pays a tribute to the Colonial period too. If you want to see all of Rotterdam’s influences under 1 roof, a visit here is an absolute must!