We’ve just returned from our second trip to Rotterdam and to help you out, we have picked our favourite things to do in Rotterdam and the most valuable tips you’ll need to create your perfect trip.
The Netherlands’ second city, Rotterdam, is, without doubt, an overlooked tourism destination in the country. However, in recent times, Rotterdam has been recognised as an exciting destination worth visiting just like other famous places in the Netherlands.
We first visited Rotterdam a few years ago to attend the city’s famous Erasmus University Rotterdam’s open day. We loved our brief visit and thoughts of returning to Rotterdam to fully explore it remained on top of our travel plans.
Our Airbnb was close to the vibrant Witte de Withstraat. We liked its vibe, diverse mix of boutiques, art galleries, cafes, trendy bars, and cool street art and murals.
Rotterdam’s ultra-modern skyscrapers and high rises, some quite radical, blew us away. Particularly memorable was the elephantine Markathal or Market Hall, the city’s unrivalled food market and a true architectural marvel.
As is known, Rotterdam was bombed by Germany during the invasion of the Netherlands in 1940, wiping out most of its historic centre. After the war, Rotterdam’s town planners saw an opportunity to rebuild the city with a fresh perspective, transforming the city’s landscape to one characterised by modern architecture and various innovative urban designs.
Rotterdam is now often dubbed the architectural capital of the Netherlands and the “Manhattan on the Meuse” due to its very modern skyline and location along the banks of the New Meuse River.
In addition, Rotterdam has a well-established maritime industry which inspires many of its top tourist attractions. The Port of Rotterdam was for many years the busiest in the world. The port continues to lead in Europe both in size and shipping activity.
If you’re in search of an alternative destination in the Netherlands with fewer crowds, is a little more affordable compared to the likes of Amsterdam and is well connected by rail to other Dutch cities such as Utrecht or the Hague and many European cities like Brussels and London, then Rotterdam is a perfect choice.
Let’s dive right in! Here are our suggestions for the best things to do in Rotterdam.
Top Tip: Consider a Rotterdam Welcome Card to avail of great discounts on public transport and top attractions including most of Rotterdam’s museums.
What to Do in Rotterdam
1. Admire Rotterdam Central Station
Make Rotterdam Central Station your first port of call whilst on your tour of Rotterdam. The train station is a perfect introduction to Rotterdam as its striking modern design is a true example of the city’s devotion to contemporary and innovative architecture.
A complete overhaul of the station began in 2004 to meet the increasing demand for rail travel and opened fully to the public in 2014. The station was designed by a Dutch architect cooperative, Team CS and features a steel-sloping angular roof which points towards the city centre, a sleek glass and wooden interior, and a spacious light-filled station hall.
The huge illuminated “CENTRAAL STATION” letters and a large clock at the front of Rotterdam Central Station were integrated from the previous one to maintain a connection with the station’s history.
Similar to other major train stations in the Netherlands, the Centraal Station is like a small city. It hosts over 25 retail stores including supermarkets, coffee shops and restaurants some of which stay open till late into the night.
Good to Know
Be sure to stop by the Tourist Information Center at the station for some local advice and up-to-date tips on how to navigate Rotterdam.
2. Take an Architecture Walking Tour
Price: €40 Architecture Walking Tour
Rotterdam is an ideal destination for an Architecture Walking Tour since it’s one of the several cities known internationally to be leading in various experimental innovative building designs and contemporary architecture.
The tour will allow you to explore some of Rotterdam’s architectural must-sees and building technologies which sets it apart from the other cities in the Netherlands.
Rotterdam is home to over 350 high rises including the tallest residential building in the Benelux (Zalmhaven Tower 215m), a one-of-a-kind and first-ever closed market in the Netherlands (Markthal), the world’s first floating office, floating farm and many other architectural wonders.
Additionally, an architecture walking tour delves into Rotterdam’s fascinating history and how it has influenced the architectural styles and building projects that define the city.
As mentioned before, most of central Rotterdam was levelled off during the Second World War. The architecture tour explores the city’s post-war rebuilding plans, fascinating ongoing and future architectural projects as well as their impact on the local community.
Luckily, an architectural background is not necessary to enjoy the tour as the information is given in an easy-to-understand manner. The walking tour is also a great way to familiarise yourself with the city and is a good use of time especially if you’re in Rotterdam on a day trip.
Our Private Tour explored both the North and South Bank areas of the city. It really is for us, one of the top things to do in Rotterdam and cannot recommend it enough.
Join a Bike Tour & See Rotterdam Highlights
Good to Know
Check the weather before the tour and dress appropriately. Starts at Rotterdam Centraal Station.
3. Visit the Market Hall
Rotterdam is world famous for its uniquely designed modern architecture and the Markthal or Market Hall building is an exceptional example that makes the city step up to that level.
The Market Hall has been hailed as a great success since its opening in 2014, evidenced by its eight million yearly visitors.
It was designed by the Rotterdam MVRDV architectural firm. The building features a distinctive arch shape encrusted with a large grey glass exterior. It houses a large indoor food market in its centre, 228 residential units, retail units and an underground car parking facility for 1,200 cars.
Adding to the Market Hall’s attractiveness is its ceiling which is decorated with a massive mural depicting an abundance of produce on offer at the market. The mural consists of enlarged colourful fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains, and insects.
The unique artwork was designed by Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam who named it “The Horn of Plenty”. It measures 11,000 m2 and is said to be the Netherlands’ largest and Rotterdam’s own Sistine Chapel.
The Market Hall is a top culinary hotspot in Rotterdam. About 100 neatly organised food stalls, several trendy restaurants and bars and supermarkets offer a wide variety of food from around the world such as Spain, the Middle East, India, Greece, Portugal, Italy and typical Dutch specialities.
Rotterdam is a perfect destination foodie destination. If this is your kind of thing, be sure to take this top rated Rotterdam Foodie Tour.
Good to Know
The location where the Market Hall is built is believed to be the place where Rotterdam City originated. Construction of the Market Hall revealed artefacts relating to the livelihoods of Middle Ages Rotterdammers. Step inside the Market Hall’s car park escalators to check out these findings if it’s your kind of thing.
4. Stop by Market Binnenrotte
Opens: Tues & Sat – 08:00 to 17:30
I love checking out markets when visiting a city to experience the local sounds, the hustle and bustle, browsing through unusual stuff you’ll never find elsewhere and enjoying the smells of freshly cooked food.
If you’re anything like me, then, don’t miss Market Binnenrotte, Rotterdam’s largest market. The outdoor market is set right outside the Market Hall, on the huge Binnenrotte Square, every Tuesday and Saturday.
It’s a large market which features over 400 stalls selling all kinds of objects from fresh food to art, new and second-hand clothes to all sorts of junk. Bargain hunters will definitely have fun here.
Adjacent to Binnenrotte Square is a popular large park which is surrounded by restaurants, bars and all sorts of shops. If you’re lucky with the weather during your visit, make a point to spend time around this part of Rotterdam as it’s a fun place to hang out.
5. Stop by St Lawrence Church
St Lawrence Church or Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk, is historically an important building in Rotterdam as it’s one of few mediaeval structures to have survived the devastating bombings of World War II.
The late Gothic church which was initially built between 1449 and 1525, required extensive reconstruction works following the war and it’s now seen as a symbol of the city’s post-war strength and renewal efforts.
While you can admire the church from the outside, I’d encourage you to give the inside a quick look. It’s furnished with pointed arches, ribbed vaults, intricate stone carvings, beautiful stained glass windows and various pieces of art. The organ of Sint Laurenskerk is said to be the largest in the Netherlands.
To enjoy wonderful views of the city, choose to climb St Lawrence’s 65m Tower. Bear in mind that the tower is only open from April to the end of October.
Don’t miss giving a quick look at the 15th-century world-famous Dutch philosopher and scholar Desiderius Erasmus’s bronze statue located on the square in front of the historic church.
Erasmus was born in Rotterdam in a house close to St Lawrence Church, so it’s a fitting tribute to have the statue right in front of the church.
6. Check the Cube Houses
Cube houses or Kubuswonigen in Dutch, are one of Rotterdam’s top landmarks which transformed the city into a world-class destination, particularly for modern architecture buffs.
Rotterdam town planners commissioned Dutch architect Piet Blom in the 80s to design and build houses to make use of space atop a pedestrian bridge that connects an area of the city centre, next to Blaak Station, with the Old Habor.
Piet Blom replicated a cluster of cube houses that he had built previously in the 70s (though these never became famous) in the Dutch town of Helmand.
The cube houses are truly out of the ordinary as they are fully functioning homes featuring a cube-shaped design slanted at 45 angles whilst resting on hexagon-shaped columns.
Each cube house is said to resemble a tree with all the cube houses connected forming an abstract forest with a pathway for pedestrians underneath.
Head to the Kijk-Kubus Museum (Price €3), a cube house converted into a museum, to see what the inside of the cube house looks like. You could also choose to spend a night at the Stay Okay Hostel, a cube house converted into tourist accommodation, to fully immerse into the unique world of cube house living.
We found it equally fun just to walk through the entire complex taking some pictures, checking out the Old Harbour and other fascinating buildings nearby such as another of Piet Blom’s projects, the Blaak Tower (Pencil building), Rotterdam Central Library and the Market Hall.
7. Stroll the Old Harbour
Rotterdam Old Harbour or Oude Haven is one of the early sites of the Port of Rotterdam dating back to the 14th century. It’s a picturesque waterfront location in Rotterdam right next to the cube houses.
A cluster of old and restored buildings along the Old Harbour including the famed 45 metre Het Witte Huis or White House, (the Art Nouveu-styled building which is said to be Europe’s first skyscraper), terraced restaurants and bars as well as historic sailing boats are a perfect combination to one of the most wonderful views in the city.
Plan to spend some time at the Old Harbor, especially if the weather is warm. It’s a perfect spot to relax after a busy day of sightseeing in Rotterdam.
8. Stroll Along the Lijnbaan
The Lijnbaan is Rotterdam’s most celebrated shopping street due to its architectural and historical importance. It’s a pedestrian-only shopping street which opened in 1953 as part of the city’s rebuilding and modernising plans.
Architects Van den Broek and Bakema designed the Lijnbaan drawing from functional design principles addressing some of the issues of the former city centre such as narrow streets and alleys which were difficult for traffic and pedestrians to navigate.
In its heyday, the Lijnbaan was a major shopping centre and one of the top tourist things to do in the Netherlands. It featured luxurious shops, a promenade lined with flowers, decorative statues and aviaries.
Shopping malls were nonexistent when the Lijnbaan opened, so its design was quite revolutionary and was later adopted in other pedestrian-only shopping streets built all around Europe.
A decline in interest in the Lijnban through the years has negatively changed the quality of shops and the atmosphere around the street. The Lijnban was recognised as a Dutch National Heritage Site in 2010, so, it’s hoped that this will help it regain momentum.
We visited the Lijnban as part of our architecture tour and felt it was an insightful experience.
Good to Know
The Lijnban also leads to Coolsingel Street where the historical Rotterdam City Hall (Stadhuis Rotterdam) and the Old Post Office (1923) are located. Both are some of the few buildings to have escaped the bombing of Rotterdam.
From the outside, the Rotterdam City Hall, built between 1914 and 1920 in the Dutch Renaissance style, looks unassuming but hides one of the most charming entrance halls and courtyards in the city. The ground floor of the city hall is free to view to the public but if you’re interested in a tour of its stately rooms, then, book ahead.
Next to the historic post office is a stunningly built McDonald’s store which should make it to your list of Rotterdam attractions to see. It was designed by Mei Architects and it has been ranked among the most beautiful and unique McDonald’s stores in the world.
Fancy a bit of shopping in Rotterdam? The weirdly laid-out Beurstaverse or “Koopgoot” along Lijnbaan is your ideal destination in Rotterdam. Even if shopping isn’t on your Rotterdam to do list, the shopping mall underpass location, shadowed by Roterdam’s famous buildings such as the Beurs – World Trade Center is one of Rotterdam highlights not to miss.
9. Explore Witte de Withstraat
Witte de Withstraat is one of the most vibrant and artsy streets in Rotterdam popular among locals and tourists. However, this wasn’t always the case as back in the day, the street was a hub for illicit activities in the city center. The recent redevelopment of the area has turned the street into an entertainment and cultural hub which draws people from all walks of life.
Witte de Withstraat is a street to enjoy walkways lined with beautiful trees, cosy outdoor dining restaurants offering a diverse range of cuisines, fashionable cafes and food stores, trendy bars popular with the young, art galleries, museums, theatres as well as a variety of fashion boutiques.
Whilst on Witte de Withstraat, look out for De Witte Aap, it’s one of the best bars in Rotterdam, Ter Marsh & Co’s is said to serve the tastiest burgers in the Netherlands, Restaurant Bazaar, for affordable delicious Middle Eastern dishes whilst the ice cream at De IJsmaker is the new rave in town.
Witte de Withstraat is often referred to as the focal point for art in Rotterdam as it connects two important cultural centres in the city namely the Museum Park and Maritime Museum.
It’s also home to well-known cultural institutions which showcase the work of both contemporary local and international artists such as the Kunstinstituut Melly (Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art), TENT Rotterdam and the Witte de With Theatre.
Witte de Withstraat really comes alive by night making it an ideal spot to hang out at night whilst in Rotterdam, so don’t miss it.
10. Explore Museum Park
Museum Park is a place in Rotterdam where you can enjoy the city’s most celebrated museums, cool historic buildings and many other cultural institutions amidst a large urban park. The park is conveniently located close to the city centre and adjacent to the Erasmus Medical Centre.
Six museums are housed in the Museum Park. It’s quite an overwhelming amount of museums to cover in a short period. I suppose you pick one that suits your interest the most.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is one of the most distinguished museums in the Netherlands which houses an extensive variety of Western art spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day.
The museum’s strength lies in its collection which covers various artistic periods and art movement styles from Dutch and Flemish Masters such as Van Eyck and Rembrandt, famous art masters like Monet and Magritte and Ernst as well as leading contemporary artists such as Barney Mathews.
Unfortunately, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is closed for renovations and will open in 2029. Most of the museum’s artworks are on display in various museums around the city and some are stored in the newly built Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen.
The Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
Price: €20 Online, Free Guided Tours with a Ticket
The Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen is one of the new star attractions in Rotterdam which we especially visited the Museum Park to see. It’s located just right beside the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen.
The first-of-its-kind art storage facility is open to the public to view some of the Boijmans’ 152,000 artworks and observe the behind-the-scenes work involved in their preservation and management.
Boijmans depot is in a class by itself architecturally. It was designed by the Dutch MVRDV architectural firm, the same designers behind the Market Hall. The building is finished with a distinctive circular glass facade topped with a forested rooftop and a light-filled interior decorated with a very modern spiral staircase.
The mirrored exterior reflects Rotterdam city creating some fascinating visual images. Boijmans depot is a unique place and a must see in Rotterdam.
Het Nieuwe Instituut
Price: €12 Adult
Het Nieuwe Instituut is located next to Boijmans Depot. Focuses on showcasing architecture, designs and digital culture. It’s a centre for research, exhibition and educational programs that looks at modern and historical developments in the areas of architecture and design.
Natural History Museum
Price: €10 Adult
The small Natural History Museum exhibits preserved animals and geological specimens to highlight the history and diverse natural world of the local area. The museum promotes environmental conservation through various exhibitions.
Kunsthal Rotterdam
Price: €16 Adult
Kunsthal Rotterdam is a well-renowned centre for art exhibition centre of various art genres including contemporary art, photography, forgotten cultures, fashion and design. The Kunsthal building is architecturally famous due to its striking modern design. It’s a destination in itself for architecture lovers around the world.
Sonneveld House
Price: Adult: €10 or €15 Combi ticket with Het Nieuwe Instituut
Sonneveld House is one of the best places to visit in Rotterdam if modern architecture and interior design are your thing. The well-preserved modernist house is said to be the best example of Dutch Functionalist architecture.
It was designed by architects Brinkman and Van der Vlugt, the designers behind the UNESCO World Heritage Site Van Nelle Factory and Feyenoord Stadium.
Chabot Museum
Price: €9 Adult, Combi tickets with Sonneveld and Van Nelle Factory
Chabot Museum is a museum showcasing a significant art collection of Dutch Expressionist painter and sculptor Henk Chabot (1849-1949).
The museum is housed in a stunning modern villa designed by architect Gerrit W. Bass who worked with the renowned architects Brinkman and Van Vlugt, famous for designing Sonneveld House, Van Nelle Factory and Feyenoord Stadium.
11. Tour the Maritime Museum Rotterdam
Price: €17.50 Adult, €12.50 Children
The Maritime Museum Rotterdam brings alive the city’s long-standing maritime history and heritage as well as interesting information on the current Rotterdam Port activities.
The museum which spreads out along the Leuvehaven ship harbour, one of the original sites of the Rotterdam Port, is particularly unique as its diverse collection which spans six centuries is displayed both in the Maritime Museum’s building as well as around the harbour itself.
Key features of the Maritime Museum include a collection of maritime artefacts such as ship models, historical navigational instruments and maps, paintings and photographs. There are ship stimulators and interactive displays suited to all ages and aimed at immersing visitors in the various experiences related to the maritime industry.
The museum runs exhibitions covering various themes aimed at educating visitors about the development of the port, various marine trading activities and the economic and social impact of Rotterdam Port globally.
Restored historic boats, some of which are used for the museum’s boat tours around the harbour, steam-powered ships such as the famous “Christiaan Brunings”, traditional cranes and a former lighthouse “Buffel” are docked along the harbour and open for visitors to explore.
The open-air display concept is really interesting as it allows you to stroll freely admiring the beautiful moored boats, the lovely waterfront views and the Erasmus Bridge in the distance and take in all the interesting activities involved in running the museum’s fleet that would have been otherwise out of public view.
This is a Rotterdam museum to not miss if you’re travelling with kids as there are so many children-oriented interactive games and play centres.
Whilst here, don’t miss the new Port Pavilion for suggestions of things to do near Rotterdam Port as well as an interesting overview of current port activities.
Good to Know
- Dutch Pinball Museum – For any pinball or arcade games enthusiasts, kids and anyone who loves to discover, the Dutch Pinball Museum located in the quaint Delfshaven, is just the right adventure for you. It’s one of the unusual things to do in Rotterdam guaranteed to send excitement levels to the maximum.
The small museum exhibits interesting facts and curiosities about pinball machines together with a collection of about 100 playable pinball machines dating back from the 30s to the recent makes.
Book your slot well ahead especially if you’re visiting on weekends and during the holidays. (Price: 2hr – €15, Full Day – €27.50)
Address: Voorhaven 12, 3024 RM Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Harvest Cafe Bakery, located on Glashaven and just a short walk from the Maritime Museum, is well-known in Rotterdam for serving really good breakfasts, brunches and coffee. Don’t miss it if you’re feeling peckish while in the area.
12. Walk the Erasmus Bridge
Rotterdam has numerous bridges but the Erasmus Bridge or Erasmusbrug in Dutch, stands out the most in a city with a skyline packed with exceptional modern architecture. The 802 metres long and 139 metres high bridge crosses over the Nieuwe Maas River connecting the northern and southern areas of the city.
Erasmus Bridge, named after Rotterdam Renaissance humanist and scholar Desiderius Erasmus, was designed by renowned Dutch architect Ben van Berkel and was finished in 1996.
The bridge is a true work of art and certainly one of the most unmissable things to see in Rotterdam. It features a strikingly modern and sleek design. It’s a cable-stayed bascule bridge adorned with distinctive pylons that slant towards the south of the river giving it a unique shape.
Erasmus Bridge is a functional bridge that allows access to multiple traffic lanes, cycling and pedestrian traffic, the passage of large ships and remarkably several planes flew underneath it during the 2005 Red Bull Air Race.
During our recent Rotterdam visit, we stayed very near the Erasmus Bridge at the funky Room Mate Bruno Hotel on Wilhelminakade. We thought it was really cool to walk over the bridge and enjoy impressive panoramic views of Rotterdam.
13. Explore Wilhelminapier
Wilhelminapier in the Kop van Zuid district, is located at the south end of the Erasmus Bridge. It’s one of Rotterdam’s historical piers and an interesting spot architecturally not to miss while sightseeing in Rotterdam.
In recent years, the area around Wilhelminapier has transformed from being a dockland to becoming an urban district of Rotterdam where you will find fine contemporary buildings, theatres, museums; home to the new Netherlands Foto Museum, a variety of recreational facilities and a wide range of restaurants, cafes and bars; the Rooftop Gastrobar Elvy at Nhow Hotel is one of the best bars in town.
The bold modern skyscrapers around Wilhelminapier like the 165m Maastoren, 149m The Rotterdam and 158m New Orleans, are some of the reasons Rotterdam is often dubbed the “Manhattan on the Meuse”.
The famous Dutch cruise line Holland America Line once had its head office on Wilhelminapier and operated the Europe North America line from 1873-1978 enabling many Europeans to migrate to America.
The former cruise line Art Nouveau-style building escaped the bomb damage of 1940 and opened in 2006 as the fabulous Hotel New York Rotterdam. The hotel was renovated and furnished with American decor to maintain the building’s connection with its past.
Hotel New York is a popular destination among locals and tourists in Rotterdam. People come to connect with the history of the area whilst enjoying some of the hotel’s offerings which include a tour of the building, an atmospheric restaurant and a bar with wonderful waterfront views.
Getting to Wilhelminapier
There are several ways to get to Wilhelminapier from the city centre. You could get there by walking, bike, car, metro or bus. Rotterdam Water Tax connects all Rotterdam harbours; Rotterdam Water Tax stops right next to Hotel New York. The Cruise Terminal is located right on Wilhelmina Plein.
14. Explore Katendrecht
Katendrecht, a neighbourhood located just next to the Wilhelminapier, is another absolute if you’re around Rotterdam’s south bank area.
Historically, Katendrecht was a working-class marine neighbourhood with a negative reputation. However, similar to Wilhelminapier, recent new buildings especially around the harbour are breathing new life into Katendrecht.
The crane-shaped pedestrian and cycle Rijnhaven Bridge provide a shortcut between Wilhelminapier and Katendrecht affording lovely views of the river and modern buildings in the area including the new Rotterdam Floating Office and the popular Fenix Food Factory.
Don’t miss the S.S. Rotterdam!
Take a trip into the history of sea travel with a visit to the S.S. Rotterdam, a former Holland America Line flagship ocean liner and the largest ship ever built in the Netherlands. The ship was built in the 50s and is famous for transporting many people across the Atlantic.
It’s now permanently berthed and converted into a hotel and a tourist attraction in Katendrecht.
A visit to the SS Rotterdam offers a unique glimpse into the fascinating history of the ship. The ship runs a variety of tours and experiences for a full immersion into the world of sea travel.
You could also choose S.S. Rotterdam as your base if maritime-themed stays are your thing. The ship is a popular special occasion dining destination in the city. It’s definitely a place to visit if you’re a ship fanatic.
Search Rotterdam Hotels
15. Take a Spido Boat Tour
Price: Spido Harbour Tour €16.50 Pp (Duration -75 mins)
An exciting way to really see Rotterdam is to take a Spido Boat Tour and explore the city’s harbour, iconic landmarks and modern skyline from the water.
The Spido covers most of the top Rotterdam attractions such as the Euromast Tower, Port of Rotterdam, Erasmus Bridge and many other sights along the Nieuwe Maas River. The boat’s audio guides provide history and interesting facts about the city’s architecture, maritime culture and current Port activities.
See: Harbour Tour with a live guide
If you’re wondering what to see in Rotterdam with kids, the Spido Boat tour is a perfect choice as it’s suited to all ages. It’s fully accessible and a lovely family-friendly activity in Rotterdam.
Spido offers many other varieties of day trips and themed cruises around Rotterdam. Evening Harbour Tour, High Tea and High Wine Cruises are some of the many other popular Spido Boat Tours.
See all Rotterdam Harbour Tours
16. Take a Ride on a Water Taxi
Price: Starts from €4.50
A ride on a Rotterdam Water Taxi to navigate the city and its harbour is guaranteed to send excitement levels to the highest point. It really goes on the top of our list of fun things to do in Rotterdam. The water taxi is a fun and efficient way to travel around Rotterdam worth considering.
The Water Taxi has a total of 50 stops around Rotterdam and Schiedam. The taxis are also available for tailor-made tours and large group bookings, however, prior booking is required. Book a Water Taxi Here
Waterbus 21, leaving from Erasmus Bridge, is a good deal just in case you plan to visit the famous windmills in Kinderdijk UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Staying longer in Rotterdam?
17. Explore Rotterdam Zoo
Price: Over 12 years old €27, 3 to 12 Years €22
Rotterdam Zoo or Diergaarde Blijdorp, is one of the oldest zoos in Europe and a top favourite for many in the Netherlands.
The zoo features over 1,500 specimens from all corners of the globe arranged in various thematic environments which include the Oceanium, Amazonica, Africa and Asia as well as various conservation and educational exhibitions.
The zoo’s large aquarium, polar bears, prairie and bison wolves and animal feeding displays are some of the attractions that are sure to put a smile on the little ones or any animal lover.
Given Rotterdam Zoo’s size, it’s best to set aside a full day to explore its huge number of habitats and exhibits, awesome child-friendly playgrounds and gardens.
Rotterdam Zoo is one of the highly rated things to do in Rotterdam with kids, so if you’ve got some with you, definitely don’t miss it.
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I hope you enjoy Rotterdam! Let me know if you have any questions, I will be glad to help.
Rotterdam Walking Tours
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HBT
Thanks for this list. Was super helpful. I hope to visit in July.
Adelaide
Thaks, I’m glad you found the post useful. Have a great time in Rotterdam!