Rotterdam

Travel Guide

South Holland featuring a square or plaza and outdoor eating
Erasmus Bridge which includes a bridge, a bay or harbour and cycling
Euromast showing modern architecture
Rotterdam which includes city views and a city
Rotterdam

Modernist buildings, fashionable nightlife, river views and many museums and galleries make the Netherlands’ second-biggest city an exciting and lively destination.

Rotterdam developed as a prosperous shipping port in the 1800s. As it has grown, its cultural delights have expanded. Rotterdam’s architecture is some of the most modern and innovative in the Netherlands. Spend days exploring myriad art galleries and museums. Find unusual dining experiences and trendy nightlife across the city.

During World War II, the historic port was almost entirely destroyed and the city suffered massive bombing damage. Today, view the modernist reconstructions and more recent architectural additions, such as the spaceship-like Markthal and the three half-spheres of the solar-powered Floating Pavilion.

Find a collection of architecture, art galleries and museums in the Museumkwartier. Visit one of the Netherlands’ oldest museums, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, before stepping into modern and contemporary exhibitions at the Witte de With Centre for Contemporary Arts and the TENT exhibition space. Learn about city and country history in museums covering everything from the golden era of Dutch shipping to archaeology, fossils, plants and animal life.

Afterward, explore the streets of Witte de Withstraat and Nieuwe Binnenweg. Browse through stores selling CDs and vinyl albums, lingerie, books, jewellery and fashion by local designers. At night these dynamic streets have restaurants, live music venues and lively bars.

In its location on the Maas River, Rotterdam has numerous riverside walks and waterfront dining. Explore the river delta on a cruise or take the Lek River waterbus to see 18th-century windmills at nearby Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Treat yourself to panoramic city views, including the Erasmus “Swan” Bridge, from the restaurant at the top of the Euromast. If you’re brave, abseil down. Taste the diversity of the city’s culinary treats at restaurants serving North African and Middle Eastern flavours or have a beer and traditional Dutch bitterballen, battered and fried beef balls.

Rotterdam is a major cruise ship destination. With boat access to the U.K. and to Germany along the Rhine, Rotterdam is very easy to reach. Get here from Amsterdam in 1 hour by train.

Where to stay in Rotterdam

Euromast showing a lake or waterhole, a garden and landscape views

Centrum

Brimming with landmarks like Market Hall, Euromast, and Cube houses, this bustling borough offers a mix of modern and historic attractions. Easily accessible by metro, it's bordered by the Nieuwe Maas River, providing picturesque views.

Centrum
Maritime Museum which includes outdoor art and a square or plaza

Stadsdriehoek

5/5(12 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Stadsdriehoek, Markthal Rotterdam and Kijk-Kubus are top sights worth seeing.

Stadsdriehoek
Rotterdam featuring heritage elements and heritage architecture

Cool

While visiting Cool, you might make a stop by sights like Lijnbaan and Witte de Withstraat.

Cool
Default Image

Kralingen-Crooswijk

Kralingen-Crooswijk is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Kralingse Bos Park and Arboretum Trompenburg.

Kralingen-Crooswijk
Default Image

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
Default Image

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
The Usual Rotterdam

The Usual Rotterdam

4 out of 5
Westblaak 10, Rotterdam
The price is CA $87 per night from Sep 21 to Sep 22
CA $87
CA $101 total
Sep 21 - Sep 22
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Erasmus Bridge and Ahoy Rotterdam ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (217 reviews)
"We stayed in the family triple room. While rooms were small, they were well designed, modern, and very clean."

Reviewed on Aug. 11, 2025

The Usual Rotterdam
Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam

Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam

4.5 out of 5
Westersingel 70, Rotterdam
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $123 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
CA $123
CA $154 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"The hotel was very nice clean and modern! Our room was spacious and very quiet. We appreciated the room after a long flight. The staff was top notch. We ate dinner at the restaurant in the hotel. We both did not enjoy the food or the limited selection of the menu. We don’t recommend the ..."

Reviewed on Aug. 18, 2025

Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam
The Social Hub Rotterdam

The Social Hub Rotterdam

3 out of 5
Willem Ruyslaan 223, Rotterdam
The price is CA $97 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
CA $97
CA $112 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (624 reviews)
excellent value for money
"I really loved the friendly staff and the amenities such as free gym! the breakfast was great and the restaurant downstairs also."

Reviewed on Aug. 14, 2025

The Social Hub 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 WiFi, parking (surcharge), and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,047 reviews)
"Was not to bad"

Reviewed on Jun. 20, 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 WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (870 reviews)
"Excellent accommodation. Fantastic location, friendly helpful staff and spacious modern rooms. Will certainly be coming back!"

Reviewed on Jul. 30, 2025

PREMIER SUITES PLUS Rotterdam
Jufferstraat

Jufferstraat

2 out of 5
10 Jufferstraat, Rotterdam, ZH
Stay at this apartment in Rotterdam. Enjoy free WiFi. Popular attractions Erasmus Bridge and Ahoy Rotterdam are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"The problem there is no elevator"

Reviewed on Jul. 3, 2025

Jufferstraat
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

Cities near Rotterdam