Things to do in Rotterdam

Why go to Rotterdam

• Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen)

  Tilted yellow cubes perched above a pedestrian bridge, one of the most surreal and photogenic architectural experiments in Europe.

• Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Depot

  The world's first publicly accessible art storage depot, a mirrored bowl housing 151,000 works with a rooftop forest and skyline views.

• Markthal Rotterdam

  A jaw-dropping horseshoe-shaped market hall covered in a giant digital fruit-and-flower mural, packed with food stalls and artisan vendors.

• Euromast Tower

  Shoot 185 meters above the city for panoramic views of the world's busiest port stretching to the North Sea horizon.

• Maritime Museum Rotterdam

  Dive into Rotterdam's identity as a global shipping titan through immersive exhibits, real vessels, and an outdoor harbor filled with historic ships.

Good to know in Rotterdam

• A single OV-chipkaart (transit smart card) covers trams, metros, and buses, load it at any station and save versus buying single tickets; a day pass runs about $9.
• Tipping is appreciated but modest, rounding up or leaving 5-10% is the norm; never feel obligated to tip at cafes or food halls.
• Tap water in Rotterdam is clean, safe, and some of the best-tasting in Europe, carry a refillable bottle and skip buying bottled water entirely.
• The Museum Rotterdam and several smaller galleries offer free entry, and the Boijmans Depot is free for visitors under 18; check museum websites for the first Wednesday or Sunday free-entry deals.

Trip essentials