Rotterdam Walk: Highlights, Architecture & WWII Gems | 2 or 3hrs
Description
Discover Rotterdam with a local guide on this walking tour, covering top landmarks and hidden gems. Learn all about the history of the city, from its roots in the 1200s and the devastating WWII bombardments, to its post-WWII rebirth, the major harbor, architecture, culture, and beyond. - Some highlights: Cube Houses, Markthal, Old Harbor Erasmus bridge and Art Depot - Some hidden Gems: Veerhaven, Shipping Quarter - Themes: History, Culture, Harbor, WWII, Architecture: Present and Future. - Small group of maximum 15 people. The 2- vs. 3-hour walking tour: In short, the two-hour tour gives you an overview and idea of the city, while the three-hour tour can help you really understand Rotterdam. The routes go even more to the core; the stories are more in-depth, and visualization is even richer. But, you can never go wrong with either choice.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The (Mirrored) Art Depot of Boijmans van Beuningen, with other places in the Museum District. Here you will learn about all the museums and the Land of Hoboken.
Het Scheepvaartkwartier (Shipping Quarter) is a hidden gem of the outer city center; a place many Rotterdammers don't even know about. Here you will experience the open and wide feeling of this beautiful harbor city! From the side of the river Maas, you will be able to see Hotel New York, Steam Ship Rotterdam and Erasmusbrug.
The Erasmus bridge is the big white bridge, crossing the river Meuse (Maas) and connecting north to south. It is an icon to the city and here you will hear all about the Second World War, the invasion, and bombardment of Rotterdam.
In the Maritime District you find many last of their kind boats aging over a 100-years. We will walk through this open-air museum, and you feel like you're back in time!
One of the most important statues in the city of Rotterdam regarding the Second World War, at Square 1940, with lots of meaning and history.
The White House is a historical icon and used to be the tallest office tower in Europe!
The old harbor is one of the oldest harbors in The Netherlands and also very cozy! From here, we have a great view of the cube houses, which will see from up close at our next stop!
The cube houses might be one of the most famous sightseeing locations in the city. While we walk through the street of cube houses (Overblaak), tou will learn everything about the why, how and architecture. You will walk through the 'concrete forest' on the way to the market square.
After we visited the market square, we will end the tour inside The Markthal. This made Rotterdam extra famous and is a modern indoor market with lots of food and colors! We also call it our modern Sistine Chapel, and you will find out why!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(165)
Our guide was excellent! His knowledge and enthusiasm was very impressive. As a local growing up in Rotterdam he had unique perspective of the city. He spoke very well and had extensive knowledge of the unusual architecture and history. His visual aids and photographs explained things so well and added to the experience.
Loved it! Yoreh is an excellent guide and helped bring the city alive for us. Fortunate to share it with several other lovely strangers too.
Thanks for making the effort leaving us a 5-star review! You all were a lovely group of strangers and remember that Rottourdam will always be there to welcome you again!
Yoreh was one of the best tour guides we have had the pleasure of experiencing on a guided walking tour of a city. He was knowledgeable, funny, and provided us a general overview of the evolution of Rotterdam over several centuries. His enthusiasm about Rotterdam was genuine. He also had many illustrations and pictures showing the development of the early city, before and after pictures of the city after the WWII bombing, and future development plans. He brought Rotterdam to life for us.
Thanks for leaving us such a genuine review, it is more than appreciated! Your review helps other travelers to make the right decision ;) We will pass on your review to our passionate guide @Yoreh!
It was wonderful. Guide was so knowledgeable and his love for his home town was contagious . His pictures helped his stories
Our guides are extremely passionable about the city! We love to share stories about our home town. Feel free to re-visit again whenever you are ready! Thanks for leaving us a 5-star review :)
Yoreh was outstanding. Well prepared and versed in the Rotterdam history
Yoreh is the heart and soul of Rottourdam! We will pass on your review!
Excellent tour. Tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. Great personality and sense of humour. We loved everything he shared with us, including all the ‘tidbits’.
It is great to hear you had good fun during the tour! Thanks for leaving us a 5-star review :)
Lots of history of the Netherlands and especially Rotterdam. If you are interested in WWII, this is for you! Also architectural highlights old and new.
We enjoyed guiding you around! Rotterdam has indeed a striking WWII history which is important to keep telling. All the best, Elmer
Elmer sent messages day before with all the information as to where to meet. Helpful details as to toilets enroute of the tour. Elmer was punctual had good information and large photos of old Rotterdam. Good pace of information and walking. Tips on how to use water taxis and places to visit which we will use during our visit
Thanks for the wonderful review and feedback; much appreciated :) We do our best to give the best experience to our guests. Hopefully you will visit again one day! Greetings, Elmer
Fabulous! We had a group of 8 with Elmer providing the tour. He was great! Very knowledgeable and interesting. The pace was perfect with a nice little break in the middle of the tour. We saw old, new and water sections of Rotterdam.
Thank you for leaving us such a great review! We are glad to hear you enjoyed the tour including a short break. Hope to see you back one day in Rotterdam! Kind regards, Elmer
This was a really great tour overall and introduction to Rotterdam. If it's your first time visiting (or if you have visited before, but haven't really explored), I'd recommend it to get your bearings straight and to introduce you to the city. Our guide (Elmer) was not only very informative, but he was ready to listen to questions and answer it thoroughly. I had a lot of questions about not only the history of Rotterdam, but about the culture and he couldn't have been more helpful. He also told me about the newly opened Dutch Photography museum, which upon his recommendation, I went to visit a couple of days after the tour. I definitely recommend taking this tour if you have the chance to do so!
Hi Brian! It was a joy guiding you around :) Hope to see you back one day and happy to hear you had a good time at the brand new Photo Museum. All the best, Elmer
