Things to do in
Rotterdam

Discover architectural gems, hip neighborhoods, and creativity galore in this vibrant Dutch city.

Our most recommended things to do in Rotterdam

Rotterdam: Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

1. Rotterdam: Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

Embark on a round-trip city cruise of Rotterdam to see one of the world's most innovative ports in the world. See the busy traffic of sea-going and inland ships, listen to informative commentary via an audio guide, and admire the city's impressive skyline as its imposing buildings glide by. Start your boat tour from Willemsplein. Get a unique perspective of the harbor's shipyards, docks, and the hypermodern transshipping of thousands of containers. On the way back, soak in views of the steamship 'Rotterdam', the former cruise flagship of shipping company Holland America Line.

Rotterdam: Rotterdam Zoo Blijdorp Entry Ticket

2. Rotterdam: Rotterdam Zoo Blijdorp Entry Ticket

Visit Rotterdam Zoo and see fascinating animals that feel perfectly at home in specially-imitated natural landscapes. Avoid the long lines and explore one of Europe’s most beautiful zoos. Rotterdam Zoo supports a number of conservation projects in the wild and actively participates in many breeding programmes for endangered species and is one of the international top ten of zoos in this field. Dive into Oceanium and take a magical voyage over the bottom of the sea and along coastal regions, meeting many marine and coastal inhabitants such as fish (from herring to sharks), puffins, snakes and a large group of king penguins. Discover beautiful butterfly paradise Amazonica where you'll experience tropical temperatures, fragrant flowers, thousands of colorful South American butterflies, the awesome anaconda and greedy piranhas.  In Africa, an exciting path takes you safely past a group of large crocodiles! Once you’re at the top of the path, stand eye to eye with the giraffes. At a safe altitude, admire the other inhabitants of the new savanna such as hyenas, kudus, ostriches and zebras. On the African Gorilla Island, you will be delighted by Bokito’s playful gorilla family. ...and much more! On top of these experiences, see a rare species of forest giraffe, take a voyage through Asian marshes, and discover the Ice Cave for a magnificent view of polar bears.

Rotterdam: Euromast Lookout Tower Ticket

3. Rotterdam: Euromast Lookout Tower Ticket

The Euromast is Rotterdam's icon. At 600-feet high, it’s the highest watchtower in the Netherlands and an essential part of the skyline of the city. Discover amazing stories about the city using our Magnicity app. Take incredible photos and marvel at the unique view of Rotterdam. When the weather allows it you can see up to 18 miles in the distance and at night you can see the stars come to life. Enjoy your visit to Euromast for a brunch, lunch, dinner, high tea, or high wine at 300 feet high in the brasserie. In the coffeecorner on the ground floor, you’ll find some the best coffee in Rotterdam. You can also enjoy fresh pastries, a warm panini, or a wrap. Get an adrenaline rush by adding a ticket to the Euroscoop. Enjoy dizzying views of Rotterdam from a rotating elevator with a glass floor experience at 185 meters in the air on the outside of the Euromast. An absolute wow factor high in the sky!

Rotterdam: "Remastered" Digital Art Audiovisual Experience

4. Rotterdam: "Remastered" Digital Art Audiovisual Experience

Experience the old Dutch Masters reimagined by the new Dutch Masters. Discover a new digital art audiovisual world created by the best Dutch digital artists.  March up with Jeroen Bosch's eerie creatures. Immerse yourself in the colorful scenes of Van Gogh and dance to the beats of Mondrian's "Victory Boogie Woogie." This unique 60-minute experience includes walking through a waterfall, making your own UFO fly on a gigantic LED screen, interacting with schools of fish and sailing through the clouds. The digital wonders of the world Over 1,500 square meters includes 60 state-of-the-art projectors, 50 loudspeakers, 15 km of cables, the largest indoor LED screen in Europe with 245 million pixels and a 20,000-pixels resolution.  Enjoy one of the best views of the skyline of Rotterdam from a terrace located under the Erasmus Bridge. Playground Create your own 3D digital art by drawing and scanning your image. It will be displayed on Europe's biggest indoor LED screen. Push the buttons to make Godzilla appear! Or maybe even rainbows, octopuses, rain, confetti and falling stars. Waterfall Enter the Digital World through the tide. Let waves of LED guide you through the waterfall and enter the dark. Blackout Alley It’s your first encounter with some of the creatures by Jeroen Bosch; get below the surface and hear the sounds of what lives underneath. Underworld Dive without the need for scuba equipment. Interact with thousands of fish and admire their serenity. Dripping Cave and Elevator Step out the water into the dripping cave and get into the elevator which will take you to the clouds. Overworld Walk through the clouds and gaze at the birds dancing in flocks. Step into the boat and sail over the clouds. Speculum: Eden, Paradise and Hell Enter the garden of earthly delights. Remastered Relax and enjoy the show! Earth Back to our planet. Let’s take care of it!

Rotterdam: 1-Hour Sightseeing Splash Tour

5. Rotterdam: 1-Hour Sightseeing Splash Tour

Take a tour of the city to see the most exceptional and beautiful places in Rotterdam, followed by a thrilling splash — a spectacular dive into the Maas River. Suddenly the bus turns into a seaworthy vessel, sailing down the river with spectacular views of the city skyline.  Board the amphibious bus in the center of Rotterdam and enjoy a 1-hour sightseeing tour that takes you past the city’s highlights. Learn about the history of this port town from your expert guide, or through the multilingual audio commentary available on board.

Rotterdam: Pancake Cruise

6. Rotterdam: Pancake Cruise

In a relaxed atmosphere, enjoy a mixture of sightseeing and culinary adventure with this pancake cruise along the waterways of Rotterdam. Feast on freshly baked natural, apple and bacon pancakes and a plethora of garnishes such as cheese, ham, fruits, jams and eggs. How many pancakes can you eat in-75 minutes? You'll find out on this tour.  For the younger guests, there is a large playroom filled with balls in the hold of the boat. Also colouring pictures and colour pencils. Plenty of fun is to be had for people of all ages. As you sail across the Rotterdam waters, you will have a beautiful view over the impressive skyline. From the water you can not miss the famous and bold architecture of Rotterdam’s large buildings!

From Amsterdam: Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague Guided Day Tour

7. From Amsterdam: Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague Guided Day Tour

See the best of Holland on a day-long tour that includes a visit to Rotterdam, and the old port with its charming yellow houses. Take a river cruise, visit the food market, stop in Delft and tour The Hague. Begin your tour with a drive to Rotterdam, famous for its modern architecture. During the city tour, drive along the banks of the river Maas, to the old port and the remarkable yellow cube houses. Embark on an amazing 1-hour river cruise and then visit the famous food market. Continue on to Delft for lunch (not included) and a visit to the Royal Delft Manufactory, the last remaining Dutch ceramic factory from the 17th century. Take a city tour of The Hague by bus, where you will see the beautiful Houses of Parliament, the working palace of the Dutch king, and the Peace Palace. The last stop, before heading back to Amsterdam, will be at the miniature town Madurodam.

Rotterdam: Kinderdijk Windmill Village Entry Ticket

8. Rotterdam: Kinderdijk Windmill Village Entry Ticket

Explore the windmill village of Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See museum mills and a pumping station, then glide across the polders on a tour boat. Journey back through time to a world of old Dutch windmills. Stroll through the centuries-old buildings of a delightful village, and see fascinating exhibits from different historical eras. Visit two museum mills, open-air displays, and a pumping station. There's also an interactive scavenger hunt for kids, a multi-screen film, and an app to make the most of your visit. Then, clamber aboard one of the inclusive tour boats. Glide across the polder waters as the many windmills of the village drift past.

Amsterdam: Go City Explorer Pass - Choose 3 to 7 Attractions

9. Amsterdam: Go City Explorer Pass - Choose 3 to 7 Attractions

Visit 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 top attractions of your choice and save up to 50%* compared to buying individual tickets with an Amsterdam Explorer Pass. Learn all about the brewing process at the Heineken Experience, soar over the Netherlands on a 5D flight simulator at THIS IS HOLLAND, enjoy some window-shopping on a private guided tour at Royal Coster Diamonds, take in the views on the 100 Highlights Canal Cruise, and many more. Visiting Amsterdam from 21 March to 12 May 2024? The Keukenhof tulip festival is a must-see! Stretching as far as the eye can see, the fields of brightly colored flowers are truly stunning. Tickets do sell out, so make sure to reserve your spot early. Browse the included digital guide to plan and book ahead the attractions you want to visit, then show the digital or printed copy of your pass on the day. With the Amsterdam Explorer Pass, you can choose 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 attractions from the following: • Heineken Experience • Rijksmuseum • Keukenhof Entry and Shuttle Bus (21 March - 12 May '24 | reservations required) • THIS IS HOLLAND • Moco Museum - Banksy & more • A'DAM LOOKOUT • Amsterdam Canal Cruise • Madame Tussauds Amsterdam • Rotterdam, Delft & The Hague Live Guided Tour • Tour de BonTon • The life of Anne Frank & Neighbourhood Tour • Rembrandts Amsterdam Experience • House of Bols Cocktail Experience • Royal Experience - Royal Coster Diamonds • Amsterdam Light Festival Cruise (1 Dec - 21 Jan | reservations required) • Pedal Boat 1-hour • MacBike Bike Rental • Houseboat Museum • Our House Experience • Boom Chicago • Ferry to Muiderslot Castle (Seasonal - April to October) • Amsterdam Castle Muiderslot • Volendam, Edam & Windmills Tour • Diamond Museum Amsterdam • Zaanse Schans Tour • Museum Het Rembrandthuis • AMAZE Amsterdam - immersive audiovisual experience by ID&T • Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam • The Amsterdam Dungeon • Amsterdam Uncovered - Guided Walking Tour (reservations required) • Self guided Foodie Tour of Jordaan (reservations required) Attractions and tours are subject to change. Check the Go City digital guide included on your confirmation voucher for the full list of inclusions, opening times, and reservation instructions, when applicable, before you go. *Savings based on itineraries on Go City website.

Rotterdam: Harbor Cruise with Live Guide

10. Rotterdam: Harbor Cruise with Live Guide

Relax and see Rotterdam's most spectacular landmarks as you sail down the Maas River on a round trip boat cruise with live commentary and a bar with drinks and snacks. Find a place inside the cozy salon or sit on the open deck. Start your cruise from the Parkhaven under the Euromast. The boat will pass by the Sint Jobshaven, the Waalhaven, and the Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij, home to Onderzeebootloods. Spot the container ships if you are lucky. See the famous cruise ship SS Rotterdam and the Hotel New York where the Holland America Line used to be housed. Enjoy the skyline of downtown Rotterdam, as you approach one of the most famous city landmarks, the Erasmus bridge.

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Top sights in Rotterdam

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Frequently asked questions about Rotterdam

What top attractions are a must-see in Rotterdam?

The must-see attractions in Rotterdam are:

What are the best day trips and excursions from Rotterdam?

The best day trips and excursions from Rotterdam are:

Kinderdijk

Other Sightseeing Options in Rotterdam

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What people are saying about Rotterdam

Overall rating

4.4
(7,742 reviews)

A beautiful morning surrounded by greenery is a way to escape from the noise of the center of Rotterdam! Museum visits allow you to fully live the experience. For the boat tour we expected to get to the last mill, but instead the tour ends at the 2nd museum!

The best part of this experience was having the chance to see animals you had never seen before! The park is gigantic and suitable for occupying an entire afternoon in Rotterdam! Highly recommended!

Pleasant and enjoyable tour, full of interesting & fun facts. With great views of Rotterdam from the roof terrace.

We really enjoyed our visit here. It was a truly immersive and surprisingly emotional experience.

The availability in terms of timetables of the BoatBus service