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Rotterdam

Rotterdam travel guide

City in South Holland, Netherlands

Things to do10 experiences
Best time to visitAugust
Nearest airportRTM · 3 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+1
Population664,311

About Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands by population and the largest by area (319.4 km2). It is in the province of South Holland, part of the North Sea mouth of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta, via the New Meuse inland shipping channel, dug to connect to the Meuse at first and now to the Rhine.

Things to do in Rotterdam by type

10 tours, tickets and experiences across 3 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • Flexible 1
Ways to go
  • Private 4
Browse all things to do in Rotterdam

Top experiences in Rotterdam

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 10 available.

See all things to do in Rotterdam

Where to stay in Rotterdam

Popular hotels in Rotterdam, out of 148 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Rotterdam

Best time to visit Rotterdam

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Rotterdam is August, when average daytime highs are around 74°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 35° – 44° 14
Feb 39° – 48° 13
Mar 40° – 54° 11
Apr 45° – 60° 14
May 52° – 66° 13
Jun 56° – 69° 14
Jul 59° – 72° 18
Aug 60° – 74° 10
Sep 55° – 67° 14
Oct 50° – 59° 15
Nov 42° – 51° 13
Dec 40° – 47° 9

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Know before you go

Currency
Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
Language
Dutch
Calling code
+31
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Europe/AmsterdamUTC+1
Capital
Amsterdam

Upcoming public holidays in Netherlands

  • Christmas DayEerste Kerstdag
  • St. Stephen's DayTweede Kerstdag
  • New Year's DayNieuwjaarsdag
  • Easter SundayEerste Paasdag
  • Easter MondayTweede Paasdag
  • King's DayKoningsdag

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Rotterdam

These are the airports closest to central Rotterdam. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • RTM Rotterdam The Hague Airport3 mi (5 km) from the city centre
Search flights to Rotterdam

Getting around Rotterdam

RET operates the buses, trams, and metro within the city. You could find a journey planner and some network maps there. Alternatively you'd use the pan-Netherlands journey planner – 9292.nl. Transport generally arrives every 10 minutes during the day.

Tickets

You can use your contactless bank card.mw-parser-output .error-deadlink{color:red;background:yellow;display:none;white-space:nowrap}[dead link] to pay for any public transport that also accepts the OV-chipkaart. This system is called OV-Pay and is the most convenient way to travel. Debit and credit cards from Maestro, V PAY, Mastercard and Visa are supported. As anywhere else in the country OV-chipkaart can still be used to pay all kinds of public transport.

By metro

There are 5 metro lines in the city. Unlike many metro systems, however, these function more like metro systems in the city and light rail lines on the outskirts.

By tram

There are nine tram lines in the city. Each tram has a conductor. Tram stops provide a detailed map of the public transport system for on-the-go route-finding. Most lines operate every 10 minutes on workdays, with a more frequent service during rush hours on some lines.

Rotterdam travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Rotterdam?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Rotterdam is August, when average daytime highs are around 74°F and rain falls on about 10 days a month.

What is the weather like in Rotterdam?

August is usually the warmest month in Rotterdam, with average highs of 74°F (23°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 35°F (2°C). The wettest month is typically July, with about 102 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Rotterdam?

Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM) is the closest airport, about 3 miles (5 km) from the centre of Rotterdam.

What currency is used in Rotterdam?

Rotterdam uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.

What time zone is Rotterdam in?

Rotterdam uses the Europe/Amsterdam time zone (currently UTC+1). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Rotterdam?

RET operates the buses, trams, and metro within the city. You could find a journey planner and some network maps there. Alternatively you'd use the pan-Netherlands journey planner – 9292.nl. Transport generally arrives every 10 minutes during the day.

What are the top things to do in Rotterdam?

Popular experiences you can book in Rotterdam include Nieuwe Maas Pancake Cruise - Ticket, Hike & Bite Food Tour and Highlights Architecture Walking Tour Markthal, Timmerhuis and Depot. Destina Holidays offers 10 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Rotterdam?

The most popular types of experiences in Rotterdam are city tours (6), gastronomy & nightlife (2), cruise & water tours (2) and travel services (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Rotterdam?

Popular areas for hotels in Rotterdam include Rotterdam and Papendrecht. Well-reviewed options include NH Atlanta Rotterdam and Leonardo Hotel Rotterdam Savoy.

How many hotels can I book in Rotterdam?

Destina Holidays currently lists 148 properties in and around Rotterdam, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.