Places / Europe / Netherlands
Rotterdam
Visited in March 2020
At a glance
- Country
- Netherlands
- Region
- Rotterdam
- Population
- 664,311
- Best time to go
- May to September
- Main airport
- Rotterdam The Hague (RTM)
- Coordinates
- 51.92°N, 4.49°E
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Overview
Rotterdam was flattened in 1940 and rebuilt as a laboratory for modern architecture. Today its skyline of daring towers, bridges and experimental buildings feels unlike anywhere else in the Netherlands.
It is also one of the world's great ports, and the river Maas is central to its character. Expect a more down-to-earth, multicultural city than Amsterdam, with excellent food halls, museums and waterside neighbourhoods.
Things to see
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Photo: Exmpletree, CC BY-SA 3.0 Markthal
A huge horseshoe-shaped market hall with apartments around its arch and a vast painted ceiling.
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Photo: GraphyArchy, CC BY-SA 4.0 Cube Houses
Piet Blom's tilted yellow cube homes; one is open to visitors to see how residents live inside.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0 Erasmus Bridge
The elegant white cable-stayed bridge, nicknamed the Swan, linking the centre with Kop van Zuid.
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Photo: Hanno Lans, CC BY 4.0 Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
A mirrored, bowl-shaped art storage building where you can see the museum's stored collection, with a rooftop garden.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Leo Luijten from Netherlands, CC BY 2.0 Delfshaven
A historic harbour that survived the bombing, with old warehouses, a windmill and canal-side bars.
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Photo: F.Eveleens, CC BY-SA 3.0 Euromast
A tower with an observation deck high above the park and port.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0 Harbour boat tour
Cruise past the cranes, ships and docks of Europe's largest port.
Find tours -
Photo: Lucas Hirschegger, CC BY-SA 3.0 Day trip to Kinderdijk
Nineteen 18th-century windmills line the polders, reached by waterbus from the city.
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Photo: AgainErick, CC BY-SA 4.0 Water taxi
Zip across the Maas in a small speedboat between the riverside neighbourhoods.
Find tours -
Photo: Joris, CC BY-SA 3.0 Eat in Katendrecht
The old sailors' quarter across the river has become a food and nightlife hub with harbour views.
Where to stay
Centrum
Close to the Markthal, shops and museums, with good transport.
Hotels in CentrumKop van Zuid
Across the Erasmus Bridge, with modern hotels and skyline views.
Hotels in Kop van ZuidDelfshaven
Historic and atmospheric, with a village feel.
Hotels in DelfshavenKralingen
Leafy and residential, near a large lake and park.
Hotels in Kralingen
Getting around
Trams, Metro and buses cover the city, and cycling is easy on the flat, well-marked lanes. Waterbuses connect riverside destinations.
Most visitors fly into Amsterdam Schiphol; direct trains reach Rotterdam Centraal in about 25 minutes. Eurostar trains from London also stop here.
When to go
May to September is the warmest time, with festivals such as North Sea Jazz in July. Spring and autumn are cooler but pleasant, while winters are grey and windy.
Plan your trip to Rotterdam
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.