Discover the port, nature, and beaches

That Rotterdam is a port city is well-known to most people. Sunbathing and swimming at the beach, however, may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, Rotterdam has a beautiful beach in Hoek van Holland  – also known as Rotterdam Beach – where there’s plenty to do. Hop on the metro at Beurs station in downtown Rotterdam, and in just 37 minutes, you’ll be on the beach. How unique is that! In addition to the harbors, the beach, and the sea, this area has much more to offer. For example, a rich history that can be seen in the images, monuments, and many bunkers along the coast. You can even sleep in a bunker! Another impressive sight – and the largest 'artwork' in Hoek van Holland – is the Maeslantkering. No other water barrier in the world has larger movable components. This impressive feat of innovation can withstand a five-meter-high tidal wave. At Badweg and Zeekant, you’ll find most of the amenities, shops, and various beach pavilions. These pavilions are the perfect place to relax after a long walk, museum visit (Museum Icoon), bike ride, or beach stroll. And now, all that's left to do is enjoy.

This extraordinary garden is a special and important addition to Rotterdam's parks. It might also be Rotterdam’s best-kept 'green secret.' Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum is a botanical garden whose development started around 1820. Today, it boasts an impressive collection of trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and tubers. The monumental garden is located in Kralingen, on the edge of the city center, and consists of several types of gardens. There are traditional English-style gardens, a food forest, and a desert greenhouse. Covering no less than eight hectares, those seeking peace, nature lovers, and curious explorers can find their green happiness in ‘The Greenest Museum of Rotterdam.’ Words can't truly do justice to the lushness of this place, so be sure to see it for yourself. Tip: for coffee and cake, head to ‘De Uithoek,’ the tea house of Trompenburg, or book a guided tour or themed walk. It's also great fun for children.

Ask Rotterdam residents about their favorite spot in the city, and you'll often hear ‘het Park’. This ‘park by the Euromast’ is one of the loveliest places in Rotterdam. The winding paths invite many for a pleasant morning or evening walk. The grassy fields are perfect for playing, football, picnicking, and barbecuing. The monumental Heerenhuys now houses Dudok, where you can have breakfast, lunch, enjoy drinks, and listen to a Heerenhuyskamerconcert every Sunday morning. Equally romantic is the old coach house, where you'll find Parqiet . Relax in a deck chair on the grass and enjoy the laid-back park atmosphere and a fine menu. In addition to residents and visitors, this is a haven for birds, bats, and insects. Tawny owls nest in the hollows of the trees, and you can hear the woodpecker tapping on the wood. Did you know that many of the trees here are over a hundred years old?

If you think it can't get any greener or more lush in the city, there’s also the Historic Tuin Schoonoord, a green gem on the edge of het Park. Here, ornamental chickens roam, you’ll often hear a woodpecker tapping, and if you're lucky, you might spot the kingfisher darting by. Around every corner in this garden, there's another beautiful scene waiting to be discovered.

The rooftops in Rotterdam have a special status, particularly because architects and entrepreneurs see the potential in all that square footage up high. The Dakpark (Roof Park) is an example of the kind of thinking that Rotterdam residents excel at. This park is the result of a local residents' initiative! Situated nine meters above the ground, it’s a green oasis right in the heart of the city. With a length of 1200 meters and a width of 85 meters, it is the largest public rooftop park in Europe. It offers spectacular views of the harbors while you enjoy the grass beneath your feet, engage in sports, play, or have a picnic or barbecue. For children, it’s the place to be, with a playground and water stairway. In addition, you’ll find various (vegetable) gardens, grazing sheep (the park’s natural lawnmowers), and a walled garden with Mediterranean plants (the ‘warm room’) where you can seek shelter. In the summer, you can buy homemade treats at the kiosk and join in yoga or boot camp with a view.

There’s something magical about seeing the Rotterdam skyline shimmering in the distance while being surrounded by water and greenery. This is perhaps one of the best tips for visitors who want to experience 'the Rotterdam of the locals.' Here, you’ll find Rotterdam residents in their leisure time: running, cycling, walking, wading in the water, enjoying drinks on the terrace with friends, or spending time with family at the playgrounds or watching the deer. The bike and walking paths also lead through exciting natural areas. On warm days, the beach bath is a perfect escape, where you can swim, barbecue, or picnic on the surrounding lawns. Or, find refreshment by sailing a boat, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding (sup) on the water. A visit to this green oasis on the edge of the city is never the same. On a Sunday morning, you could take your children to the petting zoo, De Kraal (also accessible by ferry), and then enjoy a meal at De Nachtegaal of at restaurant De Tuin.

The artery of Rotterdam is undoubtedly the Nieuwe Maas. This river was decisive in the development of Rotterdam, which grew from a small town into a world port city. The Nieuwe Maas invites you to engage in sports and physical activities, for example through the 'Rondje Bruggen' or the 'Nieuwe Maasparcours.' And nothing is as spectacular as a ride on a fast Watertaxi: you bounce across the water! With about 50 docking stations spread throughout the city and surrounding areas, it's also an efficient way to travel. Tip: Discover the city and its historic and modern harbors during a Water Taxi tour. Combine a boat trip with a visit to a UNESCO World Heritage site by taking Waterbus 21 from the Erasmus Bridge to Kinderdijk. There, you’ll see the world-famous nineteen windmills: nowhere else in the world are so many historic windmills gathered together. The water of the Nieuwe Maas is of great importance to the city in many ways. In addition, the river also serves as a connector between city and nature, contributing to greater biodiversity with various tidal parks. Prefer to stay on land? You can still enjoy the Nieuwe Maas. For instance, by taking a walk along the Boompjes, Westerkade, and Parkkade. Be sure to take a seat on one of the benches along the way, gaze out over the water, and see the dynamic energy of the city reflected in it. Very calming, isn't it?

As mentioned above, Rotterdam is home to the largest port in Europe. That's something to be proud of. This beautiful mix of tradition, labor, sustainability, innovation, and dynamism brings the city a lot. You definitely need to see this with your own eyes. A boat tour is the ideal way to do that. Visit the Port Pavilion, the starting point to truly discover and experience the harbor. Most boat tours depart from Maaskade near the Erasmusbrug. 

Would you rather explore the harbour from dry land? Go for a discovery tour by bike with Inside Rotterdam, or visit the brand-new Portlantis at Maasvlakte 2. Here, you can interactively explore the past, present, and future of the Port of Rotterdam. From this spectacular building, you'll also enjoy impressive views of passing ships, the North Sea and Voorne-Putten.

Stare at the water of the Nieuwe Maas for more than five minutes, and you'll surely spot the Spido: one of Rotterdam's most famous attractions for over a century. The Spido harbor cruise gives you a short but powerful impression of Rotterdam's pride in just 75 minutes, passing landmarks like the Euromast and the ss Rotterdam.