Top Things to Do in Rotterdam

Rotterdam, also referred to as the ‘Gateway to Europe’, combines modern architecture, multiculturalism, and historical heritage in a very attractive way. Our guide offers some of the great things to do in Rotterdam so that you leave the city with an impression that cannot be easily forgotten.

What to Do in Rotterdam: A Tourist’s Guide

Overall, it is pretty difficult to choose several places from what Rotterdam has to offer. But we did it for you: check our rating.

Visit the Markthal

The Markthal is more than just a market; it is an aesthetic lovers’ paradise, a structure that integrates food, art, and architecture. Whether you are a culinary enthusiast, an admirer of works of art or even all you care about is great structural designs, the Markthal has what to offer.

• The Architecture: The Markthal is an architectural wonder. The structure is shaped like a horseshoe, and has a beautiful glass exterior. The modern and sleek style is a nice addition to the historical buildings of the Netherlands. 
• Food Paradise: More than 100 stalls serve different kinds of foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, cheese, meat, and baked goods. Pavement Pastries or stroopwafels may be on the Dutch menu, but there is also sushi, pasta, tapas, falafel, and more from the international scene. 
• Dining Options: There are some eateries set up throughout the entire marketplace, and the active one’s centre is the Markthal. Jamie’s Italian is a more laid-back but really big Italian restaurant featuring stunning pasta and pizzas. If seafood is your thing, then the shop De Bijenkorf is quite a recommended place as it serves a variety of seafood and fish dishes that are representative of the city’s taste.

The Markthal, with a good choice of restaurants, offers endless satisfaction in the form of sound appetites during each visit. It is one of the top Rotterdam things to do.

Explore The Cube Houses

The Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen) were developed back in the sixties and are easily classified alongside the numerous architectural masterpieces that grace Rotterdam, providing the public with an insider’s look at pioneering architecture. 

Further in these geometric art pieces is their designer Piet Blom dozens of sketches embodying and perfectly adapting these brilliant designs to the Dutch philosophy of whim and experimentation.

• Creative Design: All the nurtured Cube Houses depict an abstract representation of a forest; the cubes, which are tilted, take the form of trees. Their bright yellow colour also contributes to their visual appeal, making them easily visible from the city skyline. 

These unconventional homes have been slighted a full 45 degrees so that one side is supported on a hexagonal base; this results in a rather irregular and asymmetric shape. This unusual design has been intended to represent the architect’s idea of design as a cluster of trees, which is how urban living can be redefined.

• Museum House: One of the cubes is rather a museum piece which is intended for visitors so that they can step inside and see the structure of the house from within. The Museum offers some of the basic principles and the special features which these different and eccentric homes have in them.
• Stay Overnight: To make your visit even better you may wish to consider staying at the Stayokay there is a hostel that is situated in one of the Cube Houses. Sitting in one of these architectural works of art is quite an experience that presents a new level to the understanding of the design culture of a city like Rotterdam. 
• Photography Spot: Rotterdam sightseeing in this area will be unforgettable. Iconic Cube Houses are a great photo opportunity and provide many great angles from which to create unique photos. 

Achieve impressive pictures of the Cube Houses from their striking geometric perspective, or step beneath the Overblaak Street space and see how all that design really comes together. A photographer or a tourist, it just does not matter; the Cube Houses toilets are all great for photo ops and are totally Instagrammable. 

There is much to be said about the Cube Houses and their importance to the city of Rotterdam, as this, too, is a city that looks to the future while being able to incorporate experimental designs in its architecture. Cube Houses are among top options of what to see in Rotterdam to all design lovers and anyone who has a curious mind for the modern-day metropolitan picture. 

Walk Along the Erasmus Bridge

What are the other things to see in Rotterdam? Erasmus Bridge, with a nickname of “The Swan”, is often referred to as one of the most famous Dutch bridges situated in Rotterdam. This elegant bridge links the northern district of the city with the southern region giving an essential function in transportation and making the bridge one of the scenic features of the city.

• Architectural Miracle: Through their ironwork artistry, they render a bridge form that complements the textbook figure of the Maaskant Pyramid – the Erasmus Bridge matriculates from the design of Ben van Berkel. The form of the bridge can also be formally described as asymmetrical, with a single tall pylon designed to look like a swan’s neck, which is also the bridge’s nickname. 
• Scenic Walks: However, walking across the bridge has several advantages. The aerial views of what may be considered the colourful redeveloped waterfronts of the metropolitan city of Rotterdam, with a river below and a skyline in the middle of the view. 

One has the sheer brilliance of capturing stunning panoramic views with the bridge at one of the ends and bright orange marbling the skyline of Rotterdam as the sun descends down the horizon over the Maas River.

• Cycling-friendly: Rotterdam is a bike-friendly city with a self-imposed pavilion in the form of the Erasmus Bridge. Uneventfully glide on your rented bike while crossing the bridge to have a look at the two sides of the town.

With this design and the efficient use of the bridge, it is easy to connect the dense verticality of the northern parts of the city with the gentler, stylish, southern parts. Biking over the bridge gives one a chance to view the engineering feat slowly, at a different angle.

• Evening Lights: During the night, the views of the Erasmus Bridge enhance; chandeliers of lights readily dominate the landscape. The setting is ideal for moonlit walks or nighttime snaps since the lighted bridge creates a dreamy ambience. 

The bridge and the river, with its nearby towers and the heart of Rotterdam’s skyline, are two beautiful locations that alternate between the rich architectural nature and the modern new-age beauty of the city.

As you can see, there are lots of answers to the question like “What to see in Rotterdam?”

Check out the Rotterdam Zoo

Rotterdam Zoo, or Diergaarde Blijdorp, is one of the best and the major zoos in Europe that offers quite a number of activities for each age group of visitors. 

• Thematic Exhibitions: Visit the Asian Forest, African Savannah, Oceanium, and other exhibits that have been created to reproduce the natural environments of the animals. 
• Aquatic Wonders: Rotterdam tourist attractions also include the Oceanium! Through the Oceanium’s underwater tunnel, gaze at the sharks and sea turtles and schools of multi-coloured fish. 
• Endangered Animals: The zoo is helping to save endangered red pandas, okapis, and Malayan tapirs, among others. 
• Fun for Families: A petting zoo, as well as some playgrounds and some exhibits, are for children. 
• Special Days: During the summer months, there are light events while the winter months give exciting themed animals to see. 

Rotterdam Zoo is not simply a park with wild animals; it is a journey through different ecosystems of the world. 

Visit the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum

Where to go in Rotterdam? Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum is one of the cultural pearls of Rotterdam for those who love art and culture. 

• Wide Range of Artworks: From the medieval period to the modern age, or those done by Van Gogh Rembrandt or Salvador Dali.
• The Depot: Do not forget to pay a visit to Boijmans Van Beuningen Depot that has just been opened as the first publicly available storage area of works of art in the world. One can see a magnificent sight of a forest on the top of the building and its sides having mirrors all over them. 
• Workshops and Events: Engage in engaging art classes, attend informative talks, or even go on docent-led tours to enhance your understanding of the displays.
• Café and Souvenirs: If you would like to round off your trip, you may go for a coffee at the museum’s café or get artistic related gifts from the gift store.

The Boijmans Van Beuningen is the living evidence of its being the vibrant culture of Rotterdam.

Go up the Euromast

If you want to see a great deal of natural features and some wonderful sights including the great city of Rotterdam, Euromast has to be witnessed. 

• 360 Degree Views: With its height reaching up to 185 meters, the Euromast provides views over the city and the surrounding areas such as the Maas River, the Erasmus Bridge, as well as the skyline of Rotterdam. 
• Observation Deck: You may use an elevator to go up to the observation deck, or if you want something even more adventurous, try Euroscoop, the rotating gondola that makes the trip higher for an even better view.
• Lunch with a View: Dine with a view at the Brasserie on the top of the Euromast. There is no better place to be because the food is simply delicious and the view is exceptional.
• Soak up the Dares: A variety of attractions in the Euromast combines adrenaline experiences when letting you rush down the side of the tower skin

From the Euromast, one is able to get a fantastic view containing both the architecture of the city of Rotterdam and the landscapes surrounding it.

Discover the Maritime Museum

Favorable position in the city makes it a great place for those fascinated with maritime, as well as for those who love history.

• Regional Scope 6: The museum, part of which combines, contains several areas with themes: Horneti the Port of Rotterdam’s model, navigational instruments, maritime trade and the shipping industry.
• Message from Interactive Displays: Interactive displays like boat simulators provide excitement that makes it possible for the younger audience to learn new things about navigating boats. 
• The Museum of the Sea: Interestingly, just outside the museum is the Museum of the Sea, where children will find lots of old boats on which children can get and view many different types of boats from across different periods in history.

The Maritime Museum takes you on a journey back in time to Rotterdam, emphasizing its importance as an international city of the sea. 

 Stroll Through the Het Park

Het Park is an impressively large piece of green grass in the middle of Rotterdam, which is perfect for walks, merrymaking and lazy afternoons. It is one of the most memorable places to visit in Rotterdam.

• Aesthetic Pleasure: As you wander about this green park, do not forget your camera to take pictures of the Euromast tower. The park is filled with trees, wide open spaces, picturesque lakes making it an ideal place for city dwellers to relax. 
• Sporting Activities: In different seasons of the year jogging, cycling or even just admiring the view are but a few of the options you have. The park is large enough to offer a scope of activities outdoors. 
• Cultural Attractions: Het Park has its focus on nature but also has quite a number of monuments, water features as well other cultural elements. 

From Het Park, one can relax and bask in the beauty of nature, art, and tranquillity at this scenic location. 

Visit the Kunsthal Rotterdam

For art buffs, Kunsthal Rotterdam is another must see in Rotterdam. It is one of the most modern and dynamic museums in the city, and it is ideal for those who are interested in art.

• Rare and Unique Showcases: The museum is associated with numerous rotating exhibitions, including contemporary works of art, photography, design, fashion, and architecture.
• Foreign and Dutch Arts: It displays both international masters and possesses a significant collection of Dutch art which makes it an excellent synthesis of foreign and the local context.
• Excellence in Design: Rem Koolhaas is the designer of the museum that is characterized by a distinctive structure with enough open area surrounding the art presented within.
• Hands-On: Artworks are not only displayed at the Kunsthal, they often feature in the museum’s regular events and programs, as well as, conducting workshops with the viewers.

Kunsthal Rotterdam is more than a museum – it’s an amazing, creative space that embodies Rotterdam’s contemporary and artistic character.

Explore Witte de Withstraat

Witte de Withstraat is one of the most lively quarters of Rotterdam, filled with arts, restaurants, and amusement.

• Art and Culture: This street boasts numerous art establishments, most notably the Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art, which showcases the best modern art and provocative exhibitions.
• Gastronomic Gifts: The focus of the street is restaurants providing a wide choice of inviting cafes and casual bistros and high class restaurants that serve varied international cuisine as well as Dutch dishes.
• Nightlife: If there’s one thing Witte de Withstraat cannot be deprived of, it’s its roaring nightlife, which has its fair share of bars, pubs, and clubs to keep the area occupied late into the night.
• Unique Shops: Interest in different and special objects? Look into the small piercing boutiques and even independent and vintage shops, where you will find a great selection of interesting articles that can be great for a souvenir or for a gift.

Witte de Withstraat is the most suitable place to experience the modern culture of Rotterdam along with its fashion stores and varied restaurants. So, have fun!

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