Location: Rotterdam
Top Things to do in Rotterdam
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Rotterdam, South Holland Province
Holland's most modern city began as a fishing village in the 13th century. It was developing into an industrial and trading power when German bombers destroyed the city center and harbor in 1940. However, Rotterdam's unique architecture now brings many visitors to bike around this urbane, cosmopolitan city. Old Dutch-style houses can still be found in historic Delfshaven, from where the pilgrims set sail in 1620. Cultural offerings from summer's carnival to classical music give Amsterdam competition.
Restaurants in Rotterdam
1. Erasmus Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,718 reviews
Considered an architectural work of art, Rotterdam's imposing bridge that is shaped like a harp soars over the largest harbor in Europe.
Reviewed By Hermes_NL - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The iconic Erasmus bridge, nicknamed “the Swan”, crosses the wide river Nieuwe Maas in Rotterdam. It offers a great opportunity to take a city walk and reach out from the industrious North shore to the bubbling “Kop van Zuid” and the gentrified Katendrecht peninsula.
2. Kop van Zuid
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Reviewed By Hermes_NL - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Kop van Zuid is a superbly gentrified former docklands area very much in the center of Rotterdam- can be reached by foot easily via the iconic Erasmus bridge. The centerpiece is no doubt the monumental Holland America Lijn building, now hotel New York. It is surrounded by stunning highrise architecture such as De Rotterdam and the Montevideo buildings. A very nice and arty city park (featuring eg. the fabulous Lost Luggage Depot artwork) sits at the western waterfront. A must see in Rotterdam!
3. The Destroyed City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By Robert937 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
The reason why this 1953 statue and its sculptor Ossip Zadkine is so well appreciated by the people of Rotterdam is it captures exactly the feelings of the people after the Nazi bombing of the heart of the city in 1940. Powerlessness and desperation about the bombs and the devastation they caused. They took our heart away. The boy from Smolensk (Belarus) who became French citizen Zadkine never experienced bombings as he escaped to the USA in time in 1941, but still his strong sense of empathy helped him to create the sculpture. His style is clearly influenced by cubism and he may also have been inspired by Picasso's 1937 painting of Guernica, another testament to Nazi cruelty.
4. Wilhelminapier
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By 474arv - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
The Wilhelmina pier was created in the 80th after many years of being neglected and has become a hotspot of Rotterdam. There is a big theatre Nieuwe Luxor, the foodhallen , a excellent art filmhouse, the photomuseum and in the back there is Hotel New York where you can have a meal or just a drink. This used to be a shipping office and from this point Dutch immigrants traveled to Amerika. In the summer the outside terrace from Hotel New York is lovely .There are many cruise ships during the year who enter the Wilhelminapier . Nice is to have a walk near the riverside. The pier you can also enter by watertaxi wich gives a little extra.. The Wilhelmina pier is connected by a little bridge wich gives you aces to Katendrecht wich has several good restaurants and the Fenixhallen,Not to be missed..From the bridge you have a spectacular view on the Wilhelmina pier In February there is Art Rotterdam in the Cruiseterminal, So lot's to see and to do . Not to missed.
5. Rotterdam Centraal Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,324 reviews
Reviewed By marcomC5864DZ
Apart from a great organization, an easy-to-move around lineup, I enjoyed the spectacular architecture. It is worth the visit just for it. As well lots of shops, restaurants, a central location and good connections with the city transport system, makes it a good location to arrive in town (and it's just 20' from Amsterdaam)
6. Veerhaven
7. Park Schoonoord
8. Het Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 282 reviews
Reviewed By tiawot_itadakimasu - Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Every big city has a park and like any other city Rotterdam has its own city park called "Het Park" In the spring/ summer season you will see a lot of people having a picknick or just lay down on the grass to enjoy the moment While in the fall/ winter time you see many people walking in the park with or without their dog(s) to get a breath of fresh air A good place to escape the city buzz and go back to nature ???? Thanks for taking the time to read our review her on TripAdvisor, and don't forget to subscribe here to see what else we have been doing. Want to read more or watch more about us #creatingnewmemories #travelingtheworld #tastingdelishfood or #exploringthemind ? (TIAWOT, there is a world out there) Have a great day Namaste Maya & Anthony #TIAWOT #Itadakimas #Arigatō
9. De Rotterdam
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 337 reviews
Reviewed By Hermes_NL - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
De Rotterdam is the largest building of the Netherlands measured in floor space ... some 160,000 square meters. It resides on the gentrified docklands area De Kop van Zuid and was designed by the famous Rem Koolhaas of OMA architects.
