Rotterdam Things To Do

Rotterdam is a foodie haven and the perfect place to indulge in Dutch culinary delights. Known for its diverse food scene and multicultural influences, Rotterdam offers a wide range of options for food lovers, and you can experience it all with a walking food tour!

The Private Walking Food Tour of Rotterdam takes you on a 3 hour tailor-made journey of the tastebuds. Here you venture into neighbourhoods and dining hotspots like Kruiskade, Chinatown, and Markthal market, and marvel at famous sites all while sampling local delicacies such as herring, Stroopwafel, and krokets.

Explore Rotterdam by bicycle! The city is known for its bike-friendly infrastructure and offers a great way to see its sights. Rotterdam has an extensive cycling network so you can easily reach various attractions, parks, neighbourhoods, and cultural sites. You can rent a bike or go on one of the many cycling tours. Here you can enjoy a scenic ride while also getting a bit of back story about the landmarks and neighbourhoods.

With the Rotterdam Highlights 2.5-Hour Bike Tour, you can experience Rotterdam from a local perspective on their guided bike rides. You will start at Rotterdam Centraal Station, and visit landmarks like City Hall and the impressive Markthal market. Then cycle through the revitalised Kop van Zuid district, passing by iconic buildings like Hotel New York and the striking Erasmus Bridge. The tour will then take you through Rotterdam’s gorgeous parks and give you a better understanding of the city’s layout, before concluding with a coffee stop.

Rotterdam’s hipster area is best known for its theatres, Mediterranean restaurants, artisanal ice-cream shops, cafes, and bars and nightclubs.

Witte de Withstraat is one long street packed with countless places to eat and drink, lots of outdoor seating, and great vibes. We got recommended Bazaar for affordable middle eastern food but ended up at SOJU which is a Korean chicken and beer place.

We stopped by De Witte Aap for beers (and they were open until 4 am on Saturday, so a good place for nightlife too). We also went to Spikizi which is a ‘speakeasy’ cocktail bar with very potent rum cocktails!!

Check out what we ate and drank, and how much it all cost on my Instagram highlight for Rotterdam.

This Rotterdam hot spot is a little confusing as it’s not actually the renowned Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen but instead the storage location for the museum. As the world’s first art storage depot that’s open to the public, it houses all of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen’s 151,000 artworks! Handy, considering the actual museum has been closed for renovations for a while.

However, most visitors aren’t drawn to the depot for its grand art collection but instead for the cool mirrored façade of the building. You can see the landscape of the city reflected on the depot’s exterior. If you’re in the area drop by and try and spot yourself in the reflection!

As it’s still an art storage facility, displays may be slightly less curated compared to an actual museum and you may not be able to see the really famous art pieces. So, the inside may be a bit hit-and-miss and not worth the €20 price ticket for some visitors.

Het Park is a stunning English landscape-style park, designed in 1852, that offers a fantastic outdoor experience. It’s got everything you need for a chill day out. You can play mini-golf, hang out on the benches, or even fire up a BBQ in the designated area. Plus, there are these gorgeous lakes that add to the scenery.

The best part is that it’s within walking distance of both Euromast and the waterfront. So, if you feel like checking out some landmarks or taking a nice walk by the water, it’s super convenient. For all you outdoor enthusiasts, there’s a hike and bike trail that lets you explore the park.

Het Park was honestly, so beautiful! They had lots of wild flowers and really well groomed gardens. Parts felt like we were walking through a tranquil forest – you forget you’re in the middle of a city! There are also some cafes for food and drinks. I stopped for a cone and a scoop of pistachio ice cream for €1,80.

The Old Harbour, with its charming cobblestone streets and vintage ships, takes you back in time and gives you a glimpse of what life was like in the past. It’s a true gem, dating all the way back to the 14th century; holding the title of the city’s oldest port! As you stroll through its historic streets, you’ll see a captivating mix of old and new buildings that create a distinctive landscape. It’s a cool mashup of old and new that creates a totally unique vibe.

If you get a bit peckish on your walk you can stop by one of the many cafes and restaurants in the area. Harvest Cafe & Bakery is great for fresh pastries and coffee, while LOT&DAAN serves equally tasty brunch staples. If you end up being in the Old Harbour around dinner time, why not try one of the best Indian restaurants in the city, 91Spices.

The nearby Mariniers Museum is a treasure trove of nautical artefacts and exhibits. It’s a must-visit for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in Rotterdam’s rich marine corps history.