Rotterdam is a young, dynamic city, continuously renewing itself at a rapid rate. Sparkling skyscrapers, an impressive port, trendy restaurants and food markets, renowned museums and awesome festivals are the direct result of the can-do mentality of the Rotterdammers. Add to that the many extraordinary attractions and city tours – by bike, bus, boat or on foot – and you understand why Rotterdam was voted Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2016.
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Generally, shops in the city centre are open 7 days a week, from around 10 am until 7 pm. On Sunday shops open their doors at 12 am. On Friday shops are open until 9 pm.
Most attractions can be visited 7 days a week as well. The Markthal is open until 8 pm except for Friday (9 pm) and Sunday (6 pm). Rotterdam museums welcome their visitors from Tuesday until Sunday (thus closed on Monday).
National holidays include Christmas, New Years Day, Easter, Kings Day (27th of April) and Pentecost.
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Rotterdam Tourist Information
Coolsingel 114
Opening hours: 9.30 am - 6 pm
Rotterdam Tourist Information
Stationsplein 20
Opening hours: 9 am - 6 pm
Rotterdam Tourist Information
Prins Hendrikstraat 281
Hoek van Holland
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10 am - 5 pm
Telephone: +31 10 - 790 01 85
E-mail: info@rotterdam.info
www.rotterdam.info
Top 10
Diergaarde Blijdorp
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Hotel New York
The Cube Houses
Kunsthal Rotterdam
Markthal Rotterdam
Rotterdam Central Station
Euromast
Spido harbour tours
ss Rotterdam
City of Architecture
Full of energy and innovation, Rotterdam reinvented itself after the bombing of the Second World War. It broke with the past and chose modern architecture. The motto: light, air and space, was ground breaking for that time. Rotterdam still embraces experimentation: almost anything is possible. Here, you are constantly surprised by new initiatives: from a rooftop city farm to a music festival in the harbour, from an exclusive rooftop bar to a brewery in an old warehouse.
If you love architecture then a visit to Rotterdam - with its patchwork of architectural styles - is a must. Icons of the Nieuwe Bouwen era stand beside the typical reconstruction-architecture from the sixties, seventies and eighties. They clash cheerfully with the hypermodern landmarks that have been built in recent decennia: the Erasmusbrug, Rotterdam Central Station, De Rotterdam, the Timmerhuis and of course the Markthal.
Erasmus Bridge
The Cube Houses
Markthal Rotterdam
Rotterdam Central Station
Euromast
De Rotterdam
Van Nelle Fabriek
Groot Handelsgebouw
Het Industriegebouw
Laurenskerk
City Hall
Luchtsingel
Attractions & Tours
Sailing through the port of Rotterdam, marveling at the exotic animals in Diergaarde Blijdorp (Rotterdam Zoo) or climbing the Laurenskerk tower: Rotterdam has an amazing variety of fun things to do for visitors of all ages.
The Zoo and Oceanium
Miniworld Rotterdam
Bike & Bite
Hop-on Hop-off Citysightseeing
De Rotterdam Tours
CityCruise
FutureLand
Kinderdijk
Plaswijckpark
Historic tram line 10
The Cube Houses
Markthal Rotterdam
Euromast
Spido harbour tours
ss Rotterdam
Water, Port & Harbours
As a port city, Rotterdam has unbreakable ties to the water, from the Maas River that flows right through the city to the many (historic) city harbours like Delfshaven. The city flows – courtesy of the Maas – seamlessly over into its industrial port that stretches for 40 kilometres to the Maasvlakte 2 and Hoek van Holland.
Maritime Museum Rotterdam
Splashtours
Historic Delfshaven
FutureLand
Kinderdijk
Maeslantkering
Rotterdam Beach
Maasvlakte beach
Spido harbour tours
ss Rotterdam
Art & Culture
Rotterdam has a rich cultural scene centred largely around the cultural axis between Museumpark and Witte de Withstraat. This area includes acclaimed museums like Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Kunsthal Rotterdam and The New Institute, where large and small (international) exhibitions for old and new art, design and photography are presented. The numerous galleries around Witte de Withstraat and the city centre are also well worth your time.
You don't necessarily have to head indoors to see art in Rotterdam, though. Pablo Picasso, Joep van Lieshout, Henry Moore, Paul McCartney, Elmgreen & Dragset: masterpieces by the world's most famous artists can simply be visited in public in Rotterdam. If you love street art, feast your eyes on the beauties around the Luchtsingel pedestrian bridge and the Hofbogen arches, where major and impressive wall paintings by local artists are progressively covering the walls.
Rotterdam also boasts many theatres, concert halls and arthouse cinemas where you go to be inspired and touched by (classical) music, theatre, cabaret, dance and musicals from local, national and international artists and companies.
Fans of arthouse films can indulge themselves at the charming old Cinerama cinema, at the LantarenVenster movie house or the new small Kino movie theatre. Or visit Rotterdam in January during the global International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Chabot Museum
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
Kunsthal Rotterdam
Museum Rotterdam, Museum of the City
Witte de Withstraat
Maritiem Museum
Wereldmuseum
Van Nelle Fabriek
Nederlands Fotomuseum
TENT Rotterdam
Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art
ss Rotterdam
Luchtsingel
Het Nieuwe Instituut
Sonneveld House
Garage Rotterdam
Laurenskerk
Natural History Museum Rotterdam
Festivals & Events
If you enjoy festivals, then Rotterdam is the place to be! Throughout the year there are festivals galore from small and intimate to downright spectacular. It's no surprise that Rotterdam has been voted as one of the best festival cities in the world several times. Rotterdam festivals are characterised by their daring, innovativeness and cosmopolitan character. They often take place at extraordinary venues like parks, old warehouses, rooftops and shipyards.
International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)
Art Rotterdam Week
NN Marathon Rotterdam
ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament
Motel Mozaïque
Opera Days Rotterdam
Rotterdam Architecture Month
Port of Rotterdam North Sea Jazz Festival
Rotterdam Unlimited
World Port Days
Gergiev Festival
Shopping
Shop till you drop! Whatever your style is and whatever you are looking for, Rotterdam is the place to be. Most shops in the city centre are open seven days a week. From trendy boutiques to megastores, from popular brand stores to the more tranquil, high-end fashion chique, you can find it all in Rotterdam. Let the shopping begin!
Bijenkorf Rotterdam
Fenix Food Factory
Hudson's Bay
De Groene Passage
Love Rotterdam. Gifts, Food & More.
Evernow
Old North Interiors
Markthal Rotterdam
Margreeth Olsthoorn
Groos
Susan Bijl
De Kaashoeve
Contemporary Showroom
Hutspot
Keet Store
Funkie House
INCONCEPT
Wendela van Dijk
Joline Jolink
Skatestore Rotterdam
Culinary Rotterdam
Whether you're in the mood for a quick but delicious hamburger or curious about the latest molecular cooking techniques, feel like dining at a spectacular location, or simply want to grab a beer from a local brewery, it's all easy to find in Rotterdam. From trendy coffee bars and organic lunchrooms to fancy cocktail bars, from stylish restaurants (with Michelin stars) to surprising eateries and adventurous fast food concepts, Rotterdam's culinary options are extensive, and interesting newcomers join the list every week.
Bazar
Fenix Food Factory
Fitzgerald
HMB Restaurant
Restaurant De Jong
De Matroos en het Meisje
FG Restaurant
De Groene Passage
By Jarmusch
Parqiet
Brasserie Schielandshuis
Alfredo’s Taqueria
Jamie’s Italian
DeliBird
nhow Bar and Kitchen
Lola bar & kitchen
Restaurant Héroine
Foodhallen Rotterdam
Markthal Rotterdam
De Kaashoeve
Bars & Nightlife
Like so much else in Rotterdam – the architecture, the people, their cultures and customs – the city's nightlife is filled with contrasts. Glamorous cocktail bars and classic pubs, hip and happening dance clubs and intimate concert venues. Depending on what you like to do when you hit the town and what mood you're in, Rotterdam can offer you wildly different nights out. It's all up to you!
Rotown
Maassilo / Factory010
Annabel
Bird
The Suicide Club
Ballroom
Aloha
nhow Bar and Kitchen
Supermercado
Wunderbar
De Gele Kanarie
BAR
Kaapse Maria
Accommodations
Spending the night in Rotterdam is always an excellent plan. Arranging accommodations gives you more time to enjoy the city. From trendy hostels to luxurious boutique hotels and high-end hotel chains, Rotterdam has overnight accommodations to suit any preference and budget.
Mainport Hotel
Thon Rotterdam
Hilton Rotterdam
CitizenM
Hotel New York
Stayokay
Hotel Bazar
nhow Hotel
Tourist Information & Transport
Rotterdam The Hague Airport
An increasing number of European cities provide direct flights to Rotterdam The Hague Airport. Operators Transavia, CityJet, British Airways, bmi regional, Turkish Airlines, TUIfly, Lufthansa, Jetairfly.com, VLM, Vueling, Corendon and Onur Air fly to the second regional airport in the Netherlands.
From Rotterdam The Hague Airport, you can reach the very heart of Rotterdam (Central Station) very quickly, travelling by taxi or public transport:
Car/taxi 10-15’
RandstadRail and Airport Shuttle bus (bus 50) 15’
RET (bus 33) 20-25’
Schiphol Airport is only 25 minutes away from Rotterdam Central Station by NS International trains.
Address: Rotterdam Airportplein 60
Website: www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl
Rotterdam Tourist Information - Website & Offices
Are you interested in visiting Rotterdam but looking for some more inspiration?
Visit the official Rotterdam Tourist Information website www.rotterdam.info for a complete view of the city's highlights and activities.
The staff at the Rotterdam Tourist Information Offices at Coolsingel and Central Station love to help you find your way in Rotterdam once you have arrived. Their tips will turn your visit into an even better experience.
www.rotterdam.info
info@rotterdamtouristinformation.nl
Rotterdam Tourist Information Coolsingel
Coolsingel 114 (in the garden of the Schielandshuis, entrance Coolsingel)
Rotterdam Tourist Information Central Station
Stationsplein 20 (main entrance)
Address: Coolsingel 114
Email: info@rotterdamtouristinformation.nl
Website: www.rotterdam.info
Rotterdam Welcome Card
Get the most out of your visit to Rotterdam with the Rotterdam Welcome Card. The card gives you a minimum of 25% discount at 50 attractions, museums, restaurants and entertainment venues. And on top of that you can enjoy 1, 2 or 3 consecutive days of unlimited travel with bus, tram or metro with the RET municipal transport company. All in all, a perfect addition to an already fun-packed visit to Rotterdam!
The Rotterdam Welcome Card is available for € 12 (1 day), € 18 (2 days) and € 23 (3 days) at the Rotterdam Tourist Information Coolsingel and Central Station. It can also be ordered online at www.rotterdamwelcomecard.com.
Website: www.rotterdamwelcomecard.com
Public Transport
Rotterdam has an excellent public transport (OV) system, mostly provided by the RET. Train, metro, tram, bus and waterbus can take you everywhere. Planning your route is easy via www.9292.nl.
To travel on public transport, you need a public transport chip card (for sale at any Metro Station).
If you are planning on doing a lot of travelling, you can also purchase one of the following products:
* Rotterdam Welcome Card: with 1, 2 or 3 days of free travel by bus, tram and metro (plus 50 discounts on fun things to do in Rotterdam). Starting at €12,- for 1 day.
* Tourist Day Ticket: a day pass that allows you to travel across the province of Zuid-Holland for 24 hours by bus, tram, metro and waterbus. The price is €13,50.
Website: www.ret.nl