City centre
800 m from SchouwburgpleinThe old heart of the city between the river and Coolsingel, with the Markthal, the Cube Houses and cafés around the Oude Haven. The most central base, with shops and sights all within walking distance.
- Population
- ≈ 670,000
- Language
- Dutch
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Best time
- Jun – Sep
- Nearest airport
- RTM, 5 km
Start in the square: Schouwburgplein
Schouwburgplein, 3012 CL Rotterdam
Schouwburgplein is a large, open square a short walk from Rotterdam Centraal, designed as a raised stage for city life. The theatre, the De Doelen concert hall and a big cinema stand around it, and tall red lamps rise above the paving. The Lijnbaan, one of the first car-free shopping streets in Europe, starts a block away.
Within a short walk
- MarkthalDominee Jan Scharpstraat, Centrum, 3011 GZ Rotterdam900 m
- Depot Boijmans Van BeuningenMuseumpark 24, 3015 CX Rotterdam800 m
- St Lawrence ChurchGrotekerkplein 15, 3011 GC Rotterdam800 m
- Maritime Museum RotterdamLeuvehaven 1, 3011 EA Rotterdam700 m
Where to stay in Rotterdam
Kop van Zuid
1.9 km from SchouwburgpleinFormer docklands across the Erasmus Bridge, now full of tall towers, restaurants and wide quays. Hotels here often have river views, and the evenings are quieter than in the centre.
Katendrecht
2.3 km from SchouwburgpleinA narrow peninsula in the old port, once a rough sailors' district, now known for its restaurants around the Deliplein. Quiet at night, with FENIX on its edge and a short walk to Kop van Zuid.
Historic Delfshaven
2.4 km from SchouwburgpleinA small old harbour west of the centre that survived the bombing, with 17th-century houses, a brewery and canal-side cafés. A calm, pretty place to stay, with a tram and metro into town.
Kralingen
2.3 km from SchouwburgpleinA green district east of the centre, with large villas, a lake and woods for walking and cycling. It suits families and anyone who wants space, about fifteen minutes from the centre by metro.
Oude Noorden
1.7 km from SchouwburgpleinStreets of 19th-century houses north of the centre, along the river Rotte, with independent shops and cafés. A local, relaxed area to stay, a short tram ride from Rotterdam Centraal.
Things to do in Rotterdam
Markthal
Dominee Jan Scharpstraat, Centrum, 3011 GZ Rotterdam
A huge horseshoe arch of flats curving over a covered food hall, with a giant painting of fruit and vegetables across its ceiling. Come hungry, and look for the street market outside on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Cube Houses
Overblaak 87, 3011 MH Rotterdam
Yellow houses shaped like cubes, tipped on one corner and set on poles above a footbridge, designed by Piet Blom. People live in most of them, but one show cube lets you see how the tilted rooms work.
Erasmus Bridge
Willemsplein, 3071 NT Rotterdam
A white cable bridge over the Maas that locals call the Swan, linking the centre with Kop van Zuid. Walk across for wide views of the river and the towers on both banks.
Euromast
Parkhaven 20, 3016 GM Rotterdam
A concrete tower next to the city park with a viewing deck at 100 metres. A glass lift cabin turns slowly as it climbs higher still, giving you the port, the river and the skyline on a clear day.
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
Museumpark 24, 3015 CX Rotterdam
A round, mirrored building where you can walk through the stores of a major art collection and watch restorers at work. Take the lift to the roof garden with its birch trees and city views.
Kunsthal
Westzeedijk 341, 3015 AA Rotterdam
An exhibition hall by Rem Koolhaas with no collection of its own, showing art, design, fashion and photography in changing shows. Several exhibitions run at once, so check what is on before you go.
FENIX
Paul Nijghkade 3, 3072 AT Rotterdam
A museum about people on the move, in an old harbour warehouse on Katendrecht from where many emigrants once left. Climb the twisting steel staircase on the roof for a view over the Maas.
Rotterdam Zoo
Blijdorplaan 8, 3041 JG Rotterdam
A large zoo close to Rotterdam Centraal, with animals grouped by the part of the world they come from. The Oceanium, with its tunnel through a shark tank, is a highlight on a rainy day.
St Lawrence Church
Grotekerkplein 15, 3011 GC Rotterdam
A late-Gothic brick church, the only large building from the medieval town that still stands in the centre. It was badly damaged in 1940 and restored, and its plain, bright interior is open to visitors.
Maritime Museum Rotterdam
Leuvehaven 1, 3011 EA Rotterdam
The museum of the sea and the port, on the Leuvehaven, where historic ships lie in the harbour outside. Children can try harbour jobs in its play areas, so plan a few hours with a family.
Getting there
Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM)
3045 AB Rotterdam
5 km from the city centre
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
1118 AZ Schiphol
47 km from the city centre
Rotterdam Centraal railway station
Stationsplein, Centrum, 3013 AL Rotterdam
Main railway station, 500 m from Schouwburgplein
When to go
Average daytime high and night-time low per month (2005–2024). Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
- 6°Jan
- 6°Feb
- 9°Mar
- 13°Apr
- 16°May
- 19°Jun
- 21°Jul
- 21°Aug
- 19°Sep
- 15°Oct
- 10°Nov
- 7°Dec
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 6 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 7 |
| Low °C | 2 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 76 | 66 | 58 | 39 | 63 | 63 | 78 | 82 | 69 | 83 | 84 | 86 |
| Rain days | 15 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Daylight h | 8.2 | 9.8 | 11.7 | 13.8 | 15.6 | 16.7 | 16.3 | 14.6 | 12.6 | 10.5 | 8.7 | 7.8 |
The year in Rotterdam
The biggest events that come back every year, starting with the next one.
Late January to early FebruaryFilm
International Film Festival Rotterdam
Twelve days of independent and experimental films from around the world, shown in cinemas and concert halls across the centre. Tickets are sold per screening, and popular ones go fast.
AprilSport
Rotterdam Marathon
The largest marathon in the country, on a fast, flat course that starts at the foot of the Erasmus Bridge and ends on Coolsingel. Crowds line the route all day, and many streets close to traffic.
27 AprilHoliday
King's Day
27 April (26 April when the 27th is a Sunday)
The national holiday for the king's birthday. People wear orange, sell old things at street markets and gather for music in squares and parks. Trains and trams are busy all day.
JulyMusic
North Sea Jazz Festival
Three days of jazz, soul, funk and hip hop on many stages at the Ahoy, one of the largest indoor music festivals in Europe. Day tickets and hotel rooms sell out months ahead.
Late JulyFestival
Summer Carnival
A celebration of Caribbean, Latin American and Cape Verdean culture, with a big Saturday street parade of costumes and brass bands through the centre. Expect large crowds along the route.
Early SeptemberCulture
World Port Days
A weekend when the port opens up to visitors, with ship tours, rescue demonstrations and harbour boat trips along the quays of the Maas. Most of it is free to attend.
Practical information
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- 1 EUR = 1.12 USD = 0.83 GBP (ECB, 30 October 2026)
- Language
- Dutch
- Plugs
- Type F and C, 230 V
- Emergency number
- 112
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (summer UTC+2)
- Country calling code
- +31
- Traffic drives on the
- Right
Public holidays in the next 12 months
Shops and museums may close or keep Sunday hours on these days.
- Christmas Day (Eerste Kerstdag)25 Dec 2026
- St. Stephen's Day (Tweede Kerstdag)26 Dec 2026
- New Year's Day (Nieuwjaarsdag)1 Jan 2027
- Good Friday (Goede Vrijdag)26 Mar 2027
- Easter Sunday (Eerste Paasdag)28 Mar 2027
- Easter Monday (Tweede Paasdag)29 Mar 2027
- King's Day (Koningsdag)27 Apr 2027
- Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag)5 May 2027
- Ascension Day (Hemelvaartsdag)6 May 2027
- Pentecost (Eerste Pinksterdag)16 May 2027
- Whit Monday (Tweede Pinksterdag)17 May 2027
Rotterdam FAQ
When is the best time to visit Rotterdam?
Jun – Sep, when the average daytime high is between 19 and 21 °C.
Which airport is closest to Rotterdam?
Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM), about 5 km from the city centre.
What currency is used in Rotterdam?
The euro (EUR).
What plugs are used in Rotterdam?
Type F and C, 230 V.
What are the biggest yearly events in Rotterdam?
International Film Festival Rotterdam (Late January to early February), Rotterdam Marathon (April), King's Day (27 April), North Sea Jazz Festival (July), Summer Carnival (Late July), World Port Days (Early September).
Nearby cities
All guides in Netherlands →North Holland · 58 kmAmsterdamPopulation ≈ 740,000
Brussels Capital · 120 kmBrusselsPopulation ≈ 1,000,000
South Holland · 21 kmThe HaguePopulation ≈ 470,000
Flanders · 78 kmAntwerpPopulation ≈ 530,000
Last updated 31 October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.