Rotterdam travel guide

Photo of Rotterdam, Netherlands by Markus Christ
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Introduction to Rotterdam

Rotterdam Zoo, Cube Houses, and Erasmusbrug have one thing in common - they're all three very good reasons to visit Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Rotterdam has plenty of experiences to offer curious travelers. This city in South Holland, the Netherlands is a travel destination everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Boasting a variety of natural beauty and architecture, a unique historical background, and a culture as rich as its population of over 631.2 thousand people, the city of Rotterdam is truly one of the main highlights of the Netherlands.

Easily accessible from Rotterdam The Hague airport, Rotterdam is the perfect base for a memorable and unique vacation in the Netherlands any time of the year.

Travelers curious about Rotterdam might find it interesting that the city was named after dam. You'll learn more fascinating facts about Rotterdam as you explore this spectacular city.

Traveling to Rotterdam is especially rewarding for anyone eager to connect with locals and learn more about their unique culture and traditions.

Get ready to explore and learn more about the city of Rotterdam below!

Top services in Rotterdam

Here on this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Check out the cheapest and most popular flights offered by 337 airlines that fly to the Netherlands. Browse the 116 top-rated tours available to you in Rotterdam. Compare the rates and services of the 6 types of places to stay in Rotterdam and the 4 car rental companies offering CDW insurance coverage. We make it easy for you to find and book the top services in Rotterdam.

Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Rotterdam, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place. Book with Guide to Europe to get an expertly-curated and fully-customizable itinerary and experience the best of Rotterdam on your vacation in the Netherlands.

Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Rotterdam from our free 24/7 customer support. Continue reading to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the city of Rotterdam!

Learn more about the Netherlands

There are many reasons to visit the city of Rotterdam, but a trip to the Netherlands needs no explanation.

Exploring the Netherlands, which spans 42,201 square kilometers, is an adventure of a lifetime. The Netherlands offers an abundance of truly magical places to discover, including cultural, historic, and scenic sites of significant value to both locals and travelers.

As the home country of many world-famous attractions like the spectacular Rotterdam Zoo, Cube Houses, and the Erasmusbrug, you’re all set for a unique and memorable travel experience in the Netherlands.

Click or tap the link below to discover more about the Netherlands.

What to see in Rotterdam

Photo of Rotterdam, Netherlands by Markus Christ

Rotterdam has something for everyone. Regardless of age and interest, travelers have the best time exploring every corner of the city.

Read on to discover the best places to visit and find out what to expect from the city of Rotterdam.

Top attractions in Rotterdam

Home to plenty of top attractions, Rotterdam is more than just a wonderful city in the Netherlands. Rotterdam is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of the Netherlands.

One fascinating sight in Rotterdam is the unforgettable Rotterdam Zoo. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Rotterdam. This remarkable attraction is located at Blijdorplaan 8, 3041 JG Rotterdam, Netherlands and is open for visitors Monday - Sunday, between 09:00-18:00.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in the Netherlands, check out our list of top attractions in Rotterdam below. Discover the best places to visit in Rotterdam, including the fascinating Rotterdam Zoo, Cube Houses, Erasmusbrug, Kunsthal Rotterdam, and Maritime Museum.

Map of attractions

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Rotterdam.

Things to do in Rotterdam

Photo of Rotterdam, Netherlands by Mark de Rooij

Enrich your travel experience in Rotterdam by joining tours and activities. Rotterdam offers an exciting selection of top-rated tours and it's easy for every traveler to find something to their liking. Take the opportunity to catch the top attractions on a tour, stay active with an adventurous excursion, or learn something new about the local history or culture of the city.

Discover the most popular experiences in Rotterdam below.

Most popular experiences in Rotterdam

Traveling is all about gaining new experiences. You can have that and more in the city of Rotterdam.

Rotterdam offers numerous tours and activities for travelers to choose from. Walking Tours, Historical Tours, and City Tours are only a few of the many experiences you can book for your holiday in the Netherlands.

Explore the most popular experiences you can join in Rotterdam by clicking on one of the top-rated tour categories below.

Top tours & tickets starting in Rotterdam

Travelers in Rotterdam can choose from 17 categories of top-rated tours and tickets. If you're curious about what the most frequently recommended experiences in the city are, Activities is the answer.

The most popular tour in Rotterdam is the fantastic Highlights Rotterdam PRIVE bicycle tour. By joining this highly recommended tour, travelers get to learn more about what makes Rotterdam one of the best travel destinations in the Netherlands.

Rotterdam also offers plenty of budget-friendly tours and activities that promise travelers a unique experience in the city. The affordable Rotterdam Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour is the cheapest tour in the city. This experience costs around 6 EUR and allows travelers a great time in Rotterdam.

Secure an unforgettable experience for your upcoming trip to Rotterdam and book a top-rated tour in the city. Discover the best tours, activities, and tickets in Rotterdam below.

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Search for things to do in Rotterdam

Discover the best things to do in Rotterdam. Choose from 116 fantastic tours and activities available in the city.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Rotterdam. Click the green button to view your options.

Vacation packages in Rotterdam

Photo of Rotterdam, Netherlands by djedj

The best and easiest way to visit Rotterdam is by booking a vacation package. A vacation package includes everything you need for a worry-free and perfectly planned holiday in the Netherlands.

Booking a vacation package to Rotterdam means spending less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation. A vacation package includes everything from flight tickets, accomodation, and a rental car, to 24/7 personal travel support and a carefully planned travel itinerary. You can also take your vacation in Rotterdam to the next level by adding tours, tickets, and activities to each day of your trip.

Apart from providing you with everything you need to travel comfortably, your vacation package to Rotterdam is also fully customizable. In other words, you can add or remove services at your own convenience, to create the perfect vacation for you and your travel companions.

On our website, you will find unique vacation packages to Rotterdam, including flight tickets, hotel reservations, and recommendations for the best sightseeing spots, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Continue to the next section to learn more about what types of vacations you can book in the city of Rotterdam.

Find vacation packages in Rotterdam

Discover and compare vacation packages that take you to the wonderful city of Rotterdam.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Rotterdam get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in the Netherlands. Your customized holiday package to Rotterdam is only a few clicks away!

How to get to Rotterdam

To get to the city of Rotterdam the fastest way possible, travelers from outside the Netherlands can travel by plane. International travelers can fly to Rotterdam by booking flights with any of the 24 airlines that offer direct flights to Rotterdam The Hague airport. Some airlines that operate flights to Rotterdam The Hague airport are Ryanair, Azul, Air China, United Airlines, and Turkish Airlines. Go to this page to compare all flights to Rotterdam.

To reach the city of Rotterdam, travelers can choose from various airport transfer options available at Rotterdam The Hague airport.

If you're looking for the best flight ticket deals to Rotterdam, knowing the cheapest travel time and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we have this information for you. Discover more about the cheapest and most popular flights to Rotterdam The Hague airport and Rotterdam below.

Find cheap flights to Rotterdam

Photo of Rotterdam, Netherlands by Dimitry Anikin

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Rotterdam, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in the Netherlands. However, it is usually cheaper to fly to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in March.

The cheapest one-way flight to Rotterdam costs around 40 EUR and is offered by the airline Transavia. The flight leaves on July 4 at 2 and departs from Pula airport in Pula, Croatia.

The cheapest round-trip flights to Rotterdam cost approximately 108 EUR in total. The departure flight leaves on February 12 and the return flight is scheduled on February 26. The flight time is around 4 hours per way.

The return flight is operated by Eindhoven.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to the Netherlands and the city of Rotterdam from your city of departure.

Popular flights to Rotterdam

Travelers visiting Rotterdam in the Netherlands can fly to Rotterdam The Hague airport directly from 1658 destinations worldwide.

The three most popular routes to Rotterdam The Hague airport and the city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands depart from Rotterdam The Hague airport in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Norman Manley International airport in Kingston, Jamaica, and Cochin International airport in Kochi, India.

Travelers can fly to the Netherlands by choosing from from 1 weekly flight(s) from Rotterdam; from 7 weekly flight(s) from Kingston; and from 2 weekly flight(s) from Kochi.

The airline that operates most flights to the Netherlands is Cambodia Airways. Cambodia Airways offers 14 scheduled flight routes to the Netherlands.

Discover the most popular flights to Rotterdam below. Click to view flights to Rotterdam, the Netherlands from destinations all across the globe.

Where to stay in Rotterdam

Photo of Rotterdam Netherlands, by Markus Christ-skyline

An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a city as fantastic as Rotterdam is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience.

The best place to stay in Rotterdam usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodation in downtown Rotterdam offers a ton of benefits.

Staying at the heart of the city allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Rotterdam and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally-located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Rotterdam planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

In Rotterdam, you'll find 6 different types of places to stay catering to every taste, budget, and reason for travel. For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in the Netherlands can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the 5-star or 4-star hotels in Rotterdam. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range hotels to budget-friendly accommodations in the city, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Rotterdam.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Rotterdam in the next sections.

Popular types of accommodation in Rotterdam

A trip to the fascinating Rotterdam, the Netherlands, means opportunities to relax at any of the 6 different types of places to stay in the city. Overall, travelers can choose from the following: 155 hotels, 43 vacation rental apartments, 6 cottages, 2 bed & breakfasts, 2 hostels and 1 guesthouse. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Rotterdam provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Among all these choices available in the city, Art Hotel Rotterdam is one of the top picks of travelers in Rotterdam.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Rotterdam. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

In Rotterdam, travelers looking for an economical yet top-rated place to stay usually choose Ibis Rotterdam City Centre. For approximately 68 EUR, guests can book a comfortable Double Room at this popular hotel.

Below is a list of all 6 different types of places to stay in Rotterdam. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Top hotels in Rotterdam

Hotels are travelers' go-to accommodations in Rotterdam for the unique experience they provide. So if you're the kind of traveler who prefers staying at hotels, you'll be glad to know that the city is home to around 209 hotels.

Besides offering basic amenities, many hotels in Rotterdam provide meals and extras, such as shuttle services, spa facilities, tour desks, and other services. But because not all hotels in Rotterdam are created equal, finding the best in the city often requires careful research. For your convenience, we've done all the research to make it easier for you to check out all the top hotels in Rotterdam.

Mainport Design Hotel by Inntel Hotels offers the most luxurious rooms and is perfect for travelers looking for the ultimate 5-star hotel experience in Rotterdam. If comfort, convenience, and affordability are your non-negotiables, check out Art Hotel Rotterdam, the top 4-star hotel in the city. When all you need is a pleasant place to rest and sleep in between your activities in Rotterdam, the highest-rated 3-star hotel, Hotel Breitner, is for you.

Below is our hand-picked list of the best hotels in the Rotterdam. Travelers are encouraged to book early as these hotels quickly reach capacity.

Click the arrows or swipe the list to see each hotel's ratings, reviews, locations, rates, and more. You can read detailed descriptions of each hotel by clicking the cards.

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Search for accommodation in Rotterdam

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the city of Rotterdam on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the city of Rotterdam that match the information provided.

Car rental in Rotterdam

Photo of Rotterdam, Netherlands by Rudy and Peter Skitterians

Experience the freedom and convenience of a self-drive vacation by renting a car for your adventures in Rotterdam. Rotterdam has 4 car rental companies ready to provide you with the perfect vehicle for your travels.

Automatic cars for rent in Rotterdam start from 35.21 EUR per day or 246.5 EUR per week. The cheapest automatic rental car is a N6 Toyota Yaris Hybrid.

If you prefer driving a manual car, you’ll find multiple options for rent in Rotterdam, starting from 28.71 EUR per day or 200.97 EUR per week. The cheapest manual rental car is a Toyota Aygo.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, below.

Popular types of car rental in Rotterdam

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the city of Rotterdam to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Rotterdam can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore the Netherlands at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Rotterdam is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Rotterdam is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the city of Rotterdam.

Check out all options available in Rotterdam and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in the Netherlands below.

Search for car rental in Rotterdam

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Rotterdam. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

Popular destinations to visit after Rotterdam

Photo of Rotterdam Netherlands, by djedj-city

The city of Rotterdam is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in the Netherlands. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that the Netherlands has it all.

The Netherlands is calling, and the country is asking you to experience its culture and diversity to the fullest! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in the Netherlands that are as magical as the city of Rotterdam. The most popular travel destinations in the Netherlands are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

All the best destinations in the Netherlands

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in the Netherlands. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Domestic flights from Rotterdam

Photo of Rotterdam, Netherlands by Philippe Piheyns

A taste of the Netherlands through a visit to Rotterdam can often reignite a traveler's passion for adventure. When this happens, the best way to satisfy this wanderlust is to book a domestic flight from Rotterdam to another remarkable destination in the Netherlands.

To begin your search for the best or cheapest flights from the city of Rotterdam to other spectacular locations in the Netherlands, jump to the last section of this travel guide.

Popular domestic flights from Rotterdam

Travelers in the Netherlands can catch flights to domestic airports in Maastricht, Eindhoven, and Amsterdam. Domestic flights in the Netherlands are operated by 2 airlines: Transavia, and British Airways. There are around 3 scheduled flight routes operating to Rotterdam on a weekly basis.

From Rotterdam, travelers can book scheduled flights to 3 domestic destinations.

Search domestic flights from Rotterdam

Traveling to another city or region in the Netherlands? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Rotterdam to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in the Netherlands on the selected dates.

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