Our top five sights

Euromast

Rotterdam’s literal high point is the Euromast, a 185m-high tower built in the 1950s. The observation deck at the top has unparalleled views.
Parkhaven 20, 010 436 4811
More

Delfshaven district

While much of the city is modern, the historic Delfshaven district made it through the war largely unscathed, and offers a rare window into the past.
Voorthaven and surrounding streets
More

Nederlands Architectuurinstituut

Showcasing Rotterdam’s position as a capital of architecture, the Nederlands Architectuurinstituut (NAI, Netherlands Architecture Institute) contains exhibits on the big names of both Dutch and international architecture, from Rem Koolhuis to Le Corbusier.
Museumpark 25, 010 440 1200
More

Kunsthal

The Kunsthal is a museum without a permanent collection. Instead it hosts several temporary exhibitions at a time, covering a wide range of usually fascinating themes.
Westzeedijk 341, 010 440 0301
More

Museum Boijmans van Beuningen

The city’s top gallery, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen has a rich collection of Dutch and Flemish art, from Hieronymous Bosch, via Rubens and Rembrandt to Piet Mondriaan.
Museumpark 18, 010 441 9400
More

Our top five activities

Abseiling

Everyone goes up the Euromast by lift, but if you’re feeling adventurous you can always take the left-field option and abseil back down again (book in advance).
Parkhaven 20, 010 436 4811
More

Boat tours

To fully appreciate any major port city you need to take to the water. Spido arranges a variety of boat tours, from 75-minute harbour trips to all-day cruises.
Willemsplein 85, 010 275 9988
More

Architecture tours

To learn more about the city’s infatuation with architecture, contact Rotterdam ArchiGuides to arrange a walking tour with detailed explanations about the buildings around you.
010 433 22 31
More

Cycling

Being flat and bike-friendly, a good way to cover some ground in Rotterdam is to rent a bicycle from Rijwielshop Rotterdam and take to the streets.
Conradstraat 18, 010 412 6220
More

Golfing

For golfers who want to keep their eye in, Golf Centrum Rotterdam is a driving range with around 80 covered tees.
Kleiweg 480, 010 418 8848
More

Our top five events

January: International Film Festival Rotterdam

The International Film Festival Rotterdam, held over a 12-day period in late January, is the Netherlands’ largest film festival. It features mainly arthouse movies from around the world.
More

April: Rotterdam Marathon

The Rotterdam Marathon is one of the Netherlands’ largest participation events. The course is fast and attracts world-class athletes as well as amateur fundraisers.
More

April: Motel Mozaïque

Motel Mozaïque is a multi-arts festival that takes place at venues across the city over a long weekend in early April. Music, theatre and art exhibits all vie for your attention.
More

June: Rotterdam Unlimited

Rotterdam Unlimited is a brand-new festival of music, dance, theatre and carnival celebrating Rotterdam’s multiculturalism. With events across the city the first edition will take place in June 2013.
More

July: North Sea Jazz Festival

The North Sea Jazz Festival, held in the giant Ahoy arena, features live performances by big-name jazz and blue artists from around the world.
More

Take a stroll around the park with no name simply known as Het (Dutch for “the”) Park which has gentle waterways and weeping willows. It’s also home to the Euromast, the highest tower in the Netherlands. You can take a lift up to a viewing platform at 95m, stay in a hotel at 112m or assail the full height on the Euroscoop ride to 185m.

Shopping

Rotterdam’s main shopping drags are Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse, where you will find most things you need. The city’s unofficial design centre is along Witte de Withstraat, which is lined with a quirky range of unusual shops and art galleries. The best department store is the Bijenkorf (Coolsingel 105, 0800 0818), which has designer label items, accessories and household goods. For more alternative fashion items, head for Nieuwe Binnenweg, or Van Oldenbarnveldtstraat. Held on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the huge outdoor market on Binnenrotteplein, near Rotterdam Blaak station, has everything under the sun on sale at its more than 500 stalls.

Food & Drink

Consistently receiving rave reviews and spoken of as Rotterdam’s best restaurant, the sleek and trendy Ivy (Lloydstraat 294, 010 425 0520) serves magnificent innovative modern Dutch creations from its open kitchen. If you can’t decide what to order, the tasting menus run up to 11 courses. If classic seafood in refined surroundings is more to your liking, then the intimate Zeezout (Westerkade 11b, 010 436 5049) could be just the thing you are looking for. Or for something more high-tech and totally off-the-wall, head for Izkaya (Lijnbaan 42, 010 281 0910). You order its wide range of pan-Asian dishes by selecting from your interactive table, which doubles as a touch-screen menu.

Nightlife

Rotterdam has many good bars. For something traditional, visit De Pelgrim (Aelbrechtskolk 12, 010 477 1189) in historic Delfshaven, a lovely old café that is also the tap for the adjacent brewery of the same name. The more modern Floor (Schouwburgplein 28, 010 404 5288) has a pretty beer garden at the back, and several of the city’s main theatres, cinemas and concert venues are located on the same square. For something livelier, Rotown (Nieuwe Binnenweg 17-19, 010 436 2669) has live bands most nights. But for the biggest names, the Ahoy (Ahoyweg 10, 010 293 3300) hosts global stars as well as touring shows such as Cirque du Soleil.

Accommodation in Rotterdam

A cut above the rest in every sense, the five-star Manhattan Hotel Rotterdam (Weena 686, 010 430 2000) occupies the lower half of the soaring Millennium Tower, the building dominating the skyline opposite the central railway station. It offers modern luxury in every conceivable form. For luxury in a more historic setting, the Hotel New York (Koninginnenhoofd 1, 010 439 0500) is an elegant establishment located in a riverside building that was once the home of the Holland America transatlantic shipping line. For somewhat more affordable luxury that retains the harbour views, try the Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre (Leuvehaven 80, 010 439 0500).A cut above the rest in every sense, the five-star Manhattan Hotel Rotterdam (Weena 686, 010 430 2000) occupies the lower half of the soaring Millennium Tower, the building dominating the skyline opposite the central railway station. It offers modern luxury in every conceivable form. For luxury in a more historic setting, the Hotel New York (Koninginnenhoofd 1, 010 439 0500) is an elegant establishment located in a riverside building that was once the home of the Holland America transatlantic shipping line. For somewhat more affordable luxury that retains the harbour views, try the Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre (Leuvehaven 80, 010 439 0500).

Our favourites

Hotel New York - Koninginnenhoofd 1 rotterdam, Tel: +31 (0)10 439 05 00 Website: www.hotelnewyork.nl Hotel New York is a modern hotel and café-restaurant with 72 rooms and 7 function rooms, situated in one of the most attractive spots in Rotterdam, a location with new town planning developments, international in scale. It is not the intention of HNY to look back nostalgically and capture the grandeur of hotels of yesteryear. Rather, it wants to bring to life the hospitality and the elegance of travel back then, in its own way.

The Manhattan Hotel - Weena 686 3012 CN Rotterdam, Netherlands Tel: +31 10 4302000, Website: www.manhattanhotelrotterdam.com The Manhattan Hotel (former Westin Rotterdam) is located right in the heart of Rotterdam, directly opposite Central Station. This extremely modern hotel is situated in the prestigious Millennium Towers and within walking distance of extensive shopping facilities and the bustling nightlife area. The rooms are fully furnished with all the mod cons and innovative facilities you might need, including internet, air conditioning, TV, separate shower and bath, and coffee and tea-making facilities.

Suitehotel Pincoffs - Stieltjesstraat 343071 JX Rotterdam, Tel: + 31 (0) 10 29 74 500 Website: www.hotelpincoffs.nl, Email: info@hotelpincoffs.nl. Suitehotel Pincoffs is situated in a national monument built in 1879, in Rotterdam’s Kop van Zuid, the city’s trendy left bank. This former customs building is full of authentic details and ambiance. Suitehotel Pincoffs offers charm, space and comfort. Its seventeen suites and luxury rooms are fully furnished, including Auping beds, modern bathroom fixtures and free internet facilities.

Flights from London City LCY to Rotterdam RTM with CityJet

Rotterdam The Hague Airport is 6km north of the centre. Most major car rental companies have desks in the arrivals hall. A taxi to the centre takes around 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, bus 33 leaves from outside the terminal building up to six times an hour, taking 28 minutes to reach the central station.

In the centre of Rotterdam, an efficient network of trams, buses and metro trains will get you around in minutes. The main shopping area is walkable form the main station. Taxis can be found outside the station, but you cannot hail one in the street – phone ahead or use a designated taxi rank.

Rotterdam The Hague International Airport Information

Rotterdam (RTM) Website www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl/ov. General information +31 (0)10 446 34 44 Getting to Rotterdam CityJet flights from London City LCY to Rotterdam. Choose from our schedule of up to 9 flights a day. For the full timetable click here. Check-in The minimum check-in time is 20 minutes. RandstadRail provides quick and easy access to the airport from The Hague, Leidschendam, Pijacker, Zoetermeer and Rotterdam Central Station, amongst others. The train stops at Meijersplein metrostation. From here an airport shuttle takes you to the terminal in just a few minutes. Search For Flights

Car Rental For exclusive discounts of up to 15% and up to 800 Flying Blue Miles, rent from our exclusive car rental partner Hertz at Rotterdam Airport.   Hertz Car Hire Public transport The 33 Bus service runs between Rotterdam Airport and the city's central station in around 20 minutes. Taxis The fare to Rotterdam central station is €19 and to the city centre costs around €23. Distance Rotterdam airport is 10 km from the city centre. Chauffeur service Magellan Global offer premium quality transport to and from the airport with a free 'meet and greet' service included in the price. You can book anything from a standard saloon to an S class Mercedes. Find out more »