Things to Do in Rotterdam: A Guide to Architecture, Food and Culture

If you’re searching for the best things to do in Rotterdam, this is the city that feels most like home for us right now. It is where we come back after trips across Europe, and even after living here since 2022 we are still finding new things to do. The city is modern and bold, shaped by the destruction of World War II and rebuilt with architecture that sets it apart from every other Dutch city. Towers of glass and steel sit next to quirky bridges and cube houses, and the skyline keeps changing.

At the same time Rotterdam is made up of small neighborhoods, local food halls and hidden corners that keep it interesting for both visitors and the people who live here. This is also the Netherlands’ largest port city which gives it an edge. It feels more international, more experimental and less traditional than Amsterdam or Utrecht. You can spend a day checking off landmarks like the Markthal, the Depot Boijmans and the Erasmus Bridge or you can wander through areas like Katendrecht and Noord where the city shows its local side.

For travelers Rotterdam is an easy base. Centraal Station connects you to Amsterdam in 40 minutes, Antwerp in just over an hour and Paris in under three. If you only know the Netherlands through Amsterdam, Rotterdam will surprise you.

Rotterdam Centraal Station

Rotterdam Centraal isn’t just a train station. It’s the city’s main gateway, and if you live here you pass through constantly. The roof shoots forward like it’s pointing you toward the streets, and the building has become one of Rotterdam’s landmarks. Every train line you need runs through here, from local sprinters to the high-speed Eurostar into London. Schiphol is only twenty-five minutes away, Antwerp is just over an hour, and Paris is reachable in under three.

What makes Centraal work is how everything connects. Trains, trams and metros all meet under the same roof, so you can switch without much thought. The underground bike parking fits thousands of bikes, which tells you a lot about daily life here. Inside there are lockers, supermarkets, bakeries and coffee bars, so you can load up before heading out.

For visitors, the plaza outside is a good place to pause. Locals meet friends here before nights out, and from this spot the city spreads in every direction. Walk south for the museum park and the glass-walled Depot Boijmans, east for the Markthal and the old harbor, or straight down for the main shopping streets. Even if you’re just in town for a day, you’ll end up here at least once.

    • Lijnbaan

    Lijnbaan was the first pedestrian shopping street in Europe, built in the years after the war when Rotterdam had to rebuild from scratch. Today it is still one of the busiest streets in the city. Big international stores line both sides, and it is always crowded on weekends when everyone seems to be out picking up clothes, phones or housewares.

    We usually cut through Lijnbaan when we need something practical. It is not where we spend most of our time, but it is useful for basics and you almost always end up here at some point. The side streets are worth checking too, with smaller shops and a few cafés if you want to take a break. If you are visiting Rotterdam for the first time, Lijnbaan gives you a sense of how the city rebuilt itself quickly and turned into a place that looks forward rather than back.

    Witte de Withstraat

    Witte de Withstraat is where Rotterdam goes out at night. The street is packed with bars, restaurants and late-night spots. On weekends it feels like the entire city ends up here. (so we don’t) Tables line the sidewalks when the weather is good, and it is a place where you can start with dinner and still be there hours later.

    We usually come here with friends for drinks or a dinner, and it always crowded. During the day the street is quieter but still worth checking out if you want to see a different side of the city. There are small galleries, record shops and cafés mixed in between the bars, which makes it feel more creative than other parts of Rotterdam.

    • Markthal

    Markthal is one of the buildings that defines Rotterdam. The curved arch is lined with apartments and offices, and inside is a massive food hall. The ceiling artwork is impossible to ignore when you walk in. Even after living here we still look up.

    We use Markthal in different ways. Sometimes it is just to grab groceries, other times it is a quick stop for lunch when we are in the center. Dylan and his friends meet here on weekend nights since it is right next to Blaak station and easy for everyone to reach. The stalls shift often but you can count on local cheese stands, fresh stroopwafels and plenty of international food options.

    It is always crowded on Saturdays and Sundays which can make it feel chaotic, but that is also part of why people come. The building itself is as much of a reason to visit as the food. Step outside and you are at the Cube Houses, the library and the weekly market that fills the square.

    Cube Houses

    The Cube Houses are one of Rotterdam’s landmarks. The bright yellow cubes tilt over the Old Harbor and always draw a crowd. They were built in the 1970s as an experiment in modern design, and they still look unusual decades later.

    We pass through this area often and it is always busy with people trying to line up the perfect photo. One of the houses is open to visitors, so you can step inside and see what living in a tilted cube actually looks like. The spot works well for a short visit since you can grab a drink in the Old Harbor or walk along the water once you are done.

    • De Oude Haven (Old Harbor)

    The Old Harbor is one of the few places in Rotterdam where you still feel the city’s past. Historic boats fill the water, and right above them are the Cube Houses. The contrast between old ships and tilted yellow cubes sums up Rotterdam in a single view.

    We often bring visitor here. The cafés and restaurants along the harbor light up after dark, and it is a good place to sit outside for a drink or a meal while the boats move in and out. Even with all the modern buildings around it, the Old Harbor has its own rhythm and always feels like a break from the rest of the city.

    Foodhallen Rotterdam

    Foodhallen is one of the best places in Rotterdam if you want variety. It’s an indoor food market with dozens of stands serving everything from dim sum and tacos to burgers and Dutch snacks. There’s plenty of space to sit, and it has the kind of atmosphere that works for lunch, dinner or just drinks with friends.

    We’ve come here a few times when no one can decide what they want to eat. It’s easy to split up, grab food from different stands and then meet back at a table. It does get busy, especially at night, but that’s part of what makes it fun. There is live music at night.

    • Fenix Food Factory

    Fenix Food Factory is in a former warehouse on Katendrecht, and it has a completely different feel from the other food halls in Rotterdam. It’s smaller and more relaxed, with local vendors selling fresh bread, cheese, beer and street food. The industrial setting gives it character, and the outdoor seating looks right out over the water.

    We like coming here on weekends for a drink or a quick bite. It feels less polished than Foodhallen, which makes it a good place if you want something casual. Sitting outside on a sunny day with a local beer is one of the best ways to take in this part of the city.

    Migration Museum

    Rotterdam has always been a city shaped by people coming and going, and the new Migration Museum highlights that history. The exhibits focus on stories of people who arrived here over the years and how migration shaped the city we see today. It feels personal and local, with more focus on real lives than just facts and numbers.

    We visited recently and spent more time there than we expected. It’s one of those museums that makes you think about the city in a different way, especially if you already know Rotterdam as modern and international. It’s still new, so it doesn’t get the same crowds as the bigger museums, but it’s worth the stop if you want to understand Rotterdam beyond the architecture. Get tickets here→

    • Bergweg Station Food Hall

    Bergweg Station used to be a small train station, but now the old building has been turned into a food hall. It’s not as big as Foodhallen or Fenix, but that’s part of the appeal. The space feels more local, with a mix of vendors and plenty of outdoor seating when the weather is good.

    We eat here often when we want something casual without the crowds. It’s an easy place to grab a quick meal or a drink, and the setting inside a historic station makes it feel different from the other food spots in Rotterdam. Also the best pizza in Rotterdam is here.

    Erasmus Bridge and the Riverfront

    The Erasmus Bridge is probably the most photographed spot in Rotterdam. Everyone here just calls it De Zwaan (the swan) because of the shape. It links the center to the south side, and if you live here you end up crossing it more than you think.

    For us it is usually on the way to Katendrecht or Food Hallen, but sometimes we walk it just for the view. From the middle you can see straight across the river with the skyline in front of you. At night the lights from the bridge and the boats make it one of the best places to stand and look back at the city.

    • Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen

    The Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen is one of the most unusual buildings in Rotterdam. Locals call it “the Pot” or “the Salad Bowl” because of the round mirrored shape that reflects the skyline back at you.

    All of the artwork is here because the main Museum Boijmans closed in 2019 for renovations. The Depot opened in 2021 so the collection could still be seen, and it’s the first public art storage facility in the world. Instead of only viewing curated exhibits, you can walk through the storage spaces and see thousands of works that aren’t normally on display.

    We’ve been a couple of times and always find something unexpected. The rooftop is another reason to visit, with wide views across the city and a café where you can sit for a while. It feels like a mix between a museum and a behind-the-scenes tour, and it shows a very different side of Rotterdam’s art scene. Get tickets here→

    Kunsthal

    Kunsthal is one of the big museums in Rotterdam, but it works differently than most. There is no permanent collection on display. Instead it rotates through shows that can be anything from photography and fashion to contemporary installations or more traditional painting. What you see depends completely on when you go.

    We have been a few times and that mix is what makes it work. Some of the shows pull in international crowds, others feel smaller and more experimental. The building itself was designed by Rem Koolhaas, one of the city’s best-known architects, and the layout makes it easy to move from one exhibit to the next. It sits right next to the Depot, so you can do both in a single visit without rushing. Get tickets here→

    • Euromast

    The Euromast is Rotterdam’s tallest tower and the place to go if you want a full view over the city. An elevator takes you up to the main deck, and from there a rotating glass lift pushes even higher. On a clear day you can see the skyline, the port and flat countryside stretching out past the edge of the city.

    There is a restaurant and bar at the top, which makes it easy to turn a visit into lunch or dinner instead of just a quick stop. In summer they run abseiling off the side of the tower for anyone who wants more than the view.

    Rotterdam Zoo (Blijdorp)

    Rotterdam Zoo, known as Blijdorp, is one of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands. It’s big enough to spend a few hours but doesn’t feel overwhelming, and the enclosures are spread out across themed areas. There’s also an aquarium with a long tunnel where fish and sharks swim right above you.

    We’ve been here many times and it’s an easy choice for a day out, especially if you’re visiting Rotterdam with kids. There are plenty of places to stop for food and shaded paths that make it comfortable to walk around. It’s outside the center but still close enough to reach by tram or bike. The red panda is our favorite. Get tickets here→

    • Delfshaven

    Delfshaven is one of the few parts of Rotterdam that survived the bombing in World War II. The old canals, churches and warehouses give it a completely different feel from the modern center. It was once the harbor for Delft, which is how it got its name, and it is known for being the spot where the Pilgrims left for America in the 1600s.

    Today Delfshaven is a small neighborhood with breweries, cafés and a handful of restaurants along the water. You can walk the canal in a few minutes, but it is worth slowing down and stopping for a drink at one of the terraces. Our favorite Bosnian restaurant is here.

    It is easy to reach by metro or tram, and the setting makes it a good contrast to places like the Cube Houses or Markthal. If you want to see a piece of Rotterdam that feels historic without being staged, Delfshaven is where to go.

    Know Before You Go

    Getting There: Amsterdam is easy to reach by train from most major European cities, and Schiphol Airport has direct flights from around the world. Centraal Station is in the city center, making it easy to arrive and start exploring.
    Best Time to Visit: April and May for tulips, September and October for fewer crowds
    Getting Around: Trams, buses and bike rentals make exploring simple without a car
    Tickets: Book museum passes and canal tours online early, especially for Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum
    Local Tip: Smaller boat cruises are quieter and less crowded than the larger group toursloring the cityl walks

    If you are visiting the Netherlands, you might also like:

    Things to Do in Amsterdam – Canals, museums and historic neighborhoods
    Things to Do in Haarlem – A smaller city with charm and easy beach access
    Things to Do in Delft – Canals, Delftware and historic churches