About Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands by population and the largest by area (319.4 km2). It is in the province of South Holland, part of the North Sea mouth of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta, via the New Meuse inland shipping channel, dug to connect to the Meuse at first and now to the Rhine.
Places to visit in Rotterdam
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Cube Houses
LandmarkTilted yellow cube-shaped homes designed by Piet Blom, perched on concrete pillars above a busy street near the old harbor. Visit the show cube to see how people actually live inside the slanted rooms.
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Markthal
MarketA huge horseshoe-shaped market hall with apartments arching overhead and a giant colorful mural covering the ceiling. Go hungry and graze your way through the food stalls, which open earlier than the restaurants.
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Erasmusbrug
LandmarkA sleek white cable-stayed bridge across the Maas River, nicknamed The Swan for its curved pylon. Walk across it toward the Kop van Zuid district for the best views of the skyline.
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Kinderdijk
HistoricA group of 19 historic windmills in a polder landscape, listed by UNESCO as a symbol of Dutch water management. Take the waterbus from Rotterdam for a scenic ride, and go inside one of the museum mills.
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Euromast
ViewpointA 1960 observation tower near the Maas River with views over the city and the vast port. Ride the rotating glass elevator from the deck to the top for a slow, full 360-degree panorama.
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Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
MuseumA major art museum with works from medieval masters to Surrealists. While the main building is closed for renovation, visit the mirrored Depot next door, where you can see the stored collection up close.
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Delfshaven
Neighborhood · 2 mi from centreA historic harbor district that survived wartime bombing, with canals, old warehouses, a working windmill, and a small brewery. Have a drink at a canal-side cafe and look for the church linked to the Pilgrim Fathers.
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Diergaarde Blijdorp
Zoo · 1 mi from centreRotterdam's zoo, with a large aquarium called the Oceanium and areas themed on different continents. Plan most of a day there and check feeding times on arrival to catch the sea lions and penguins.
Things to do in Rotterdam by type
10 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 6 experiences Highlights Architecture Walking Tour Markthal, Timmerhuis and Depot -
Gastronomy & nightlife 2 experiences Bike & Bite Food Tours -
Cruise & Water Tours 2 experiences Nieuwe Maas Pancake Cruise - Ticket
- Flexible 1
- Private 4
Top experiences in Rotterdam
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 10 available.
Nieuwe Maas Pancake Cruise - Ticket
From $31 per adult
Hike & Bite Food Tour
From $111 per adult
Highlights Architecture Walking Tour Markthal, Timmerhuis and Depot
From $489 per adult
Rotterdam Private Walking Tour
From $276 per adult
Rotterdam Best of Both Sides Markthal, Cube Houses, Watertaxi, Wilhelminapier and Rooftop
From $543 per adult
Splashtours Rotterdam
From $31 per adult
World War II and Reconstruction Tour Fire Boundary, Zadkine Destroyed City, City Hall, Coolsingel
From $489 per adult
Bike & Bite Food Tours
From $115 per adult
European eSim Data Card
From $12 per adult
Where to stay in Rotterdam
Popular hotels in Rotterdam, out of 148 properties you can book.
NH Atlanta Rotterdam
From $89 per night
Leonardo Hotel Rotterdam Savoy
From $123 per night
nhow Rotterdam
From $136 per night
SS Rotterdam
From $138 per night
Hotel New York
From $154 per night
Leonardo Hotel Papendrecht
From $110 per night
Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam
From $121 per night
Fletcher Boutique Hotel Slaak-Rotterdam
From $133 per night
DoubleTree by Hilton Rotterdam Centre
From $135 per night
Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant De Witte Brug
From $94 per night
Postillion Hotel Rotterdam City Centre
From $93 per night
Haven Hotel Rotterdam, Curio Collection by Hilton
From $157 per night
Best time to visit Rotterdam
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Rotterdam is August, when average daytime highs are around 74°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Rotterdam weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 55° 49° 47%
- Thu 22 Oct 58° 47° 75%
- Fri 23 Oct 56° 48° 94%
- Sat 24 Oct 54° 48° 84%
- Sun 25 Oct 55° 47° 92%
- Mon 26 Oct 55° 49° 68%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Language
- Dutch
- Calling code
- +31
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/AmsterdamUTC+2
- Capital
- Amsterdam
Upcoming public holidays in Netherlands
- Christmas DayEerste Kerstdag
- St. Stephen's DayTweede Kerstdag
- New Year's DayNieuwjaarsdag
- Easter SundayEerste Paasdag
- Easter MondayTweede Paasdag
- King's DayKoningsdag
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Rotterdam
These are the airports closest to central Rotterdam. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- RTM Rotterdam The Hague Airport3 mi (5 km) from the city centre
Getting around Rotterdam
RET operates the buses, trams, and metro within the city. You could find a journey planner and some network maps there. Alternatively you'd use the pan-Netherlands journey planner – 9292.nl. Transport generally arrives every 10 minutes during the day.
Tickets
You can use your contactless bank card.mw-parser-output .error-deadlink{color:red;background:yellow;display:none;white-space:nowrap}[dead link] to pay for any public transport that also accepts the OV-chipkaart. This system is called OV-Pay and is the most convenient way to travel. Debit and credit cards from Maestro, V PAY, Mastercard and Visa are supported. As anywhere else in the country OV-chipkaart can still be used to pay all kinds of public transport.
By metro
There are 5 metro lines in the city. Unlike many metro systems, however, these function more like metro systems in the city and light rail lines on the outskirts.
By tram
There are nine tram lines in the city. Each tram has a conductor. Tram stops provide a detailed map of the public transport system for on-the-go route-finding. Most lines operate every 10 minutes on workdays, with a more frequent service during rush hours on some lines.
Rotterdam travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Rotterdam?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Rotterdam is August, when average daytime highs are around 74°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.
What is the weather like in Rotterdam?
August is usually the warmest month in Rotterdam, with average highs of 74°F (23°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 35°F (2°C). The wettest month is typically July, with about 102 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Rotterdam?
Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (5 km) from the centre of Rotterdam.
What currency is used in Rotterdam?
Rotterdam uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Rotterdam in?
Rotterdam uses the Europe/Amsterdam time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Rotterdam?
RET operates the buses, trams, and metro within the city. You could find a journey planner and some network maps there. Alternatively you'd use the pan-Netherlands journey planner – 9292.nl. Transport generally arrives every 10 minutes during the day.
What are the best places to visit in Rotterdam?
Top sights in Rotterdam include Cube Houses, Markthal, Erasmusbrug and Kinderdijk. Tilted yellow cube-shaped homes designed by Piet Blom, perched on concrete pillars above a busy street near the old harbor. Visit the show cube to see how people actually live inside the slanted rooms.
What are the top things to do in Rotterdam?
Popular experiences you can book in Rotterdam include Nieuwe Maas Pancake Cruise - Ticket, Hike & Bite Food Tour and Highlights Architecture Walking Tour Markthal, Timmerhuis and Depot. Destina Holidays offers 10 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Rotterdam?
The most popular types of experiences in Rotterdam are city tours (6), gastronomy & nightlife (2), cruise & water tours (2) and travel services (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Rotterdam?
Popular areas for hotels in Rotterdam include Rotterdam and Papendrecht. Well-reviewed options include NH Atlanta Rotterdam and Leonardo Hotel Rotterdam Savoy.
How many hotels can I book in Rotterdam?
Destina Holidays currently lists 148 properties in and around Rotterdam, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
