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Rotterdam Branding Toolkit

 Rotterdam is a young, dynamic city, continuously renewing itself at a rapid rate. Sparkling skyscrapers, an impressive port, trendy restaurants and food markets, renowned museums and awesome festivals are the direct result of the can-do mentality of the Rotterdammers. Add to that the many extraordinary attractions and city tours — by bike, bus, boat or on foot — and you understand why Rotterdam was voted Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2016.

currency

Euro

phone

112

hours

Generally, shops in the city centre are open 7 days a week, from around 10 am until 7 pm. On Sunday shops open their doors at 12 am. On Friday shops are open until 9 pm.

Most attractions can be visited 7 days a week as well. The Markthal is open until 8 pm except for Friday (9 pm) and Sunday (6 pm). Rotterdam museums welcome their visitors from Tuesday until Sunday (thus closed on Monday).

National holidays include Christmas, New Years Day, Easter, Kings Day (27th of April) and Pentecost.

population

Urban: 1.3 (2020)
Metro: 2.4 million (2020)

info

Rotterdam Tourist Information
Coolsingel 114
Opening hours: 9.30 am - 6 pm

Rotterdam Tourist Information
Stationsplein 20
Opening hours: 9 am - 6 pm

Rotterdam Tourist Information
Prins Hendrikstraat 281
Hoek van Holland
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10 am - 5 pm

+31 10 790 01 85
info@rotterdam.info

website

www.rotterdam.info

Rotterdam, Netherlands. City skyline on a beautiful sunny day. GagliardiImages/Shutterstock.com

Top 10

Daarzijn

Diergaarde Blijdorp

Ossip van Duivenbode

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Guido Pijper

The Cube Houses

Ossip van Duivenbode

Kunsthal Rotterdam

Ossip van Duivenbode

Markthal Rotterdam

Ossip van Duivenbode

Rotterdam Central Station

Spido

Spido harbour tours

Gaby Jongenelen

ss Rotterdam

City of Architecture

Full of energy and innovation, Rotterdam reinvented itself after the bombing of the Second World War. It broke with the past and chose modern architecture. The motto: light, air and space, was ground breaking for that time. Rotterdam still embraces experimentation: almost anything is possible. Here, you are constantly surprised by new initiatives: from a rooftop city farm to a music festival in the harbour, from an exclusive rooftop bar to a brewery in an old warehouse.

If you love architecture then a visit to Rotterdam — with its patchwork of architectural styles — is a must. Icons of the Nieuwe Bouwen era stand beside the typical reconstruction-architecture from the sixties, seventies and eighties. They clash cheerfully with the hypermodern landmarks that have been built in recent decennia: the Erasmusbrug, Rotterdam Central Station, De Rotterdam, the Timmerhuis and of course the Markthal.

Rotterdam Partners

Erasmus Bridge

Guido Pijper

The Cube Houses

Ossip van Duivenbode

Markthal Rotterdam

Ossip van Duivenbode

Rotterdam Central Station

Guido Pijper

De Rotterdam

Guido Pijper

Van Nelle Fabriek

Ossip van Duivenbode

Groot Handelsgebouw

Bart Hoogveld

Het Industriegebouw

Guido Pijper

Laurenskerk

Iris van den Broek

Luchtsingel

Rotterdam Zoo Rotterdam Partners

Attractions & Tours

Sailing through the port of Rotterdam, marveling at the exotic animals in Diergaarde Blijdorp (Rotterdam Zoo) or climbing the Laurenskerk tower: Rotterdam has an amazing variety of fun things to do for visitors of all ages.

Daarzijn

The Zoo and Oceanium

Miniworld

Miniworld Rotterdam

Rotterdam Partners

Hop-on Hop-off Citysightseeing

Rotterdam Partners

De Rotterdam Tours

Rotterdam Partners

CityCruise

Freek van Arkel

FutureLand

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk

Unit010

Plaswijckpark

Guido Pijper

Historic tram line 10

Kelsey Chance/unsplash.com

Culinary Bike Tour

Guido Pijper

The Cube Houses

Ossip van Duivenbode

Markthal Rotterdam

Spido

Spido harbour tours

Gaby Jongenelen

ss Rotterdam

The pittoresque Veerhaven IrisvandenBroek@rotterdambrandingtoolkit.nl

Water, Port & Harbours

As a port city, Rotterdam has unbreakable ties to the water, from the Maas River that flows right through the city to the many (historic) city harbours like Delfshaven. The city flows – courtesy of the Maas – seamlessly over into its industrial port that stretches for 40 kilometres to the Maasvlakte 2 and Hoek van Holland.

Marco de Swart

Maritime Museum Rotterdam

Rotterdam Partners

Splashtours

Daniele Varlonga

Historic Delfshaven

Freek van Arkel

FutureLand

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk

Shelley Trustfull

Maeslantkering

Rob van der Teen

Rotterdam Beach

Maasvlakte Beach

Maasvlakte beach

Spido

Spido harbour tours

Gaby Jongenelen

ss Rotterdam

Public art at the Westersingel IrisvandenBroek@rotterdambrandingtoolkit.nl

Art & Culture

Rotterdam has a rich cultural scene centred largely around the cultural axis between Museumpark and Witte de Withstraat. This area includes acclaimed museums like Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Kunsthal Rotterdam and The New Institute, where large and small (international) exhibitions for old and new art, design and photography are presented. The numerous galleries around Witte de Withstraat and the city centre are also well worth your time.

You don't necessarily have to head indoors to see art in Rotterdam, though. Pablo Picasso, Joep van Lieshout, Henry Moore, Paul McCartney, Elmgreen & Dragset: masterpieces by the world's most famous artists can simply be visited in public in Rotterdam. If you love street art, feast your eyes on the beauties around the Luchtsingel pedestrian bridge and the Hofbogen arches, where major and impressive wall paintings by local artists are progressively covering the walls.

Rotterdam also boasts many theatres, concert halls and arthouse cinemas where you go to be inspired and touched by (classical) music, theatre, cabaret, dance and musicals from local, national and international artists and companies.

Fans of arthouse films can indulge themselves at the charming old Cinerama cinema, at the LantarenVenster movie house or the new small Kino movie theatre. Or visit Rotterdam in January during the global International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Ossip van Duivenbode

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Jannes Linders

Chabot Museum

MVRDV

Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen

Ossip van Duivenbode

Kunsthal Rotterdam

Ossip van Duivenbode

Museum Rotterdam, Museum of the City

Iris van den Broek

Witte de Withstraat

Marco de Swart

Maritiem Museum

Aad Hoogendoorn

Wereldmuseum

Guido Pijper

Van Nelle Fabriek

Rotterdam Partners

Nederlands Fotomuseum

Guido Pijper

TENT Rotterdam

Aad Hoogendoorn

Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art

Gaby Jongenelen

ss Rotterdam

Iris van den Broek

Luchtsingel

Ossip van Duivenbode

Het Nieuwe Instituut

Rotterdam Partners

Sonneveld House

Gaby Jongenelen

Garage Rotterdam

Guido Pijper

Laurenskerk

Natural History Museum Rotterdam

Natural History Museum Rotterdam

Rotterdam Partners

Festivals & Events

If you enjoy festivals, then Rotterdam is the place to be! Throughout the year there are festivals galore from small and intimate to downright spectacular. It's no surprise that Rotterdam has been voted as one of the best festival cities in the world several times. Rotterdam festivals are characterised by their daring, innovativeness and cosmopolitan character. They often take place at extraordinary venues like parks, old warehouses, rooftops and shipyards.

Sophia van den Hoek

International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)

Guido Pijper

Art Rotterdam Week

NN Marathon Rotterdam

NN Marathon Rotterdam

Rotterdam Partners

ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament

Rotterdam Partners

Motel Mozaïque

Rotterdam Partners

Opera Days Rotterdam

Rotterdam Partners

Rotterdam Architecture Month

Rotterdam Partners

Port of Rotterdam North Sea Jazz Festival

Rotterdam Partners

Rotterdam Unlimited

Rotterdam Partners

World Port Days

Rotterdam Partners

Gergiev Festival

Bijenkorf Rotterdam Bijenkorf Rotterdam

Shopping

Shop till you drop! Whatever your style is and whatever you are looking for, Rotterdam is the place to be. Most shops in the city centre are open seven days a week. From trendy boutiques to megastores, from popular brand stores to the more tranquil, high-end fashion chique, you can find it all in Rotterdam. Let the shopping begin!

Bijenkorf Rotterdam

Bijenkorf Rotterdam

Rotterdam Partners

Fenix Food Factory

Hudsons Bay

Hudson's Bay

Jan Bijl

De Groene Passage

Guido Pijper

Love Rotterdam. Gifts, Food & More.

Iris van den Broek

Evernow

Ossip van Duivenbode

Markthal Rotterdam

Shelley Trustfull

Margreeth Olsthoorn

Shelley Trustfull

Susan Bijl

Rotterdam Partners

De Kaashoeve

Rotterdam Partners

Contemporary Showroom

Keet Store

Keet Store

Funkie House

Funkie House

Shelley Trustfull

INCONCEPT

Shelley Trustfull

Wendela van Dijk

Shelley Trustfull

Joline Jolink

Shelley Trustfull

Skatestore Rotterdam

Dutch food in small plates Rotterdam Partners

Culinary Rotterdam

Whether you're in the mood for a quick but delicious hamburger or curious about the latest molecular cooking techniques, feel like dining at a spectacular location, or simply want to grab a beer from a local brewery, it's all easy to find in Rotterdam. From trendy coffee bars and organic lunchrooms to fancy cocktail bars, from stylish restaurants (with Michelin stars) to surprising eateries and adventurous fast food concepts, Rotterdam's culinary options are extensive, and interesting newcomers join the list every week.

Rotterdam Partners

Fenix Food Factory

Rotterdam Partners

Fitzgerald

Rotterdam Partners

HMB Restaurant

De Jong

Restaurant De Jong

Rotterdam Partners

De Matroos en het Meisje

Rotterdam Partners

FG Restaurant

Jan Bijl

De Groene Passage

Titia Hahne

By Jarmusch

Wonen in Rotterdam

Parqiet

Guid Pijper

Brasserie Schielandshuis

Titia Hahne

Alfredo’s Taqueria

Lorenzo van Galen

DeliBird

Iris van den Broek

nhow Bar and Kitchen

Titia Hahne

Restaurant Héroine

Iris van den Broek

Foodhallen Rotterdam

Kelsey Chance/unsplash.com

Culinary Bike Tour

Ossip van Duivenbode

Markthal Rotterdam

Rotterdam Partners

De Kaashoeve

Bars & Nightlife

Like so much else in Rotterdam — the architecture, the people, their cultures and customs — the city's nightlife is filled with contrasts. Glamorous cocktail bars and classic pubs, hip and happening dance clubs and intimate concert venues. Depending on what you like to do when you hit the town and what mood you're in, Rotterdam can offer you wildly different nights out. It's all up to you!

Rotterdam Partners

Rotown — The Vegan Snackbar

Rotterdam Partners

Maassilo / Factory010

Annabel/Rotterdam Partners

Annabel

Rotterdam Partners

Bird

Rotterdam Partners

Ballroom

Iris van den Broek

nhow Bar and Kitchen

Rotterdam Branding Toolkit

Supermercado

Rotterdam Branding Toolkit

Wunderbar

Cody Chan/unsplash.com

Kaapse Maria

Iris van den Broek

De Gele Kanarie

Rotterdam Centraal train station Rotterdam Partners

Tourist Information & Transport

Rotterdam The Hague Airport

An increasing number of European cities provide direct flights to Rotterdam The Hague Airport. Operators Transavia, CityJet, British Airways, bmi regional, Turkish Airlines, TUIfly, Lufthansa, Jetairfly.com, VLM, Vueling, Corendon and Onur Air fly to the second regional airport in the Netherlands.

From Rotterdam The Hague Airport, you can reach the very heart of Rotterdam (Central Station) very quickly, travelling by taxi or public transport:
Car/taxi 10-15’
RandstadRail and Airport Shuttle bus (bus 50) 15’
RET (bus 33) 20-25’

Schiphol Airport is only 25 minutes away from Rotterdam Central Station by NS International trains.

Address: Rotterdam Airportplein 60

Email:

Phone:

Website: www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl

More Information:

Rotterdam Tourist Information - Website & Offices

Are you interested in visiting Rotterdam but looking for some more inspiration?

Visit the official Rotterdam Tourist Information website www.rotterdam.info for a complete view of the city's highlights and activities.

The staff at the Rotterdam Tourist Information Offices at Coolsingel and Central Station love to help you find your way in Rotterdam once you have arrived. Their tips will turn your visit into an even better experience.

www.rotterdam.info
info@rotterdamtouristinformation.nl

Rotterdam Tourist Information Coolsingel
Coolsingel 114 (in the garden of the Schielandshuis, entrance Coolsingel)

Rotterdam Tourist Information Central Station
Stationsplein 20 (main entrance)

Address: Coolsingel 114

Email: info@rotterdamtouristinformation.nl

Phone:

Website: www.rotterdam.info

More Information:

Public Transport

Rotterdam has an excellent public transport (OV) system, mostly provided by the RET. Train, metro, tram, bus and waterbus can take you everywhere. Planning your route is easy via www.9292.nl.

To travel on public transport, you need a public transport chip card (for sale at any Metro Station).

If you are planning on doing a lot of travelling, you can also purchase one of the following products:
* Rotterdam Welcome Card: with 1, 2 or 3 days of free travel by bus, tram and metro (plus 50 discounts on fun things to do in Rotterdam). Starting at €12,- for 1 day.
* Tourist Day Ticket: a day pass that allows you to travel across the province of Zuid-Holland for 24 hours by bus, tram, metro and waterbus. The price is €13,50.

Address:

Email:

Phone:

Website: www.ret.nl

More Information: