Rotterdam by foot
The City Center and the River
Total distance: 9 kilometers
Approximate duration: less than 3 hours (including stops)
If you plan to visit Rotterdam at your own pace, this walking itinerary will guide you step by step through some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, as well as lesser-known corners.
Tip: if you’re traveling alone or in a small group and would like professional photos along the route, feel free to contact me. Photography is one of my hobbies and, if I’m available, we can arrange something.
I’ve included several tips throughout the route, along with places to grab a drink and hidden spots that most tourists don’t know about.
Download the walking map of Rotterdam from this link.
Main stops along the route
Here are some of the places you’ll pass during this walking route through Rotterdam. Click on the links for more information.
Central Station – Groothandelsgebouw – Millenium Tower – Delftse Poort – Calypso – Westersingel – Schouwburgplein – Lijnbaan – Monument voor Alle Gevallenen 1940-1945 – City Hall – Post Office – Delftsche Poort – Luchtsingel – Sint Laurenskerk – Bibliotheek – Markthal – Cubic Houses – Oudehaven – Witte Huis – Willemsbrug – Maasbeeld – Noordereiland – De Hef – Koninginnebrug – Entrepothaven – Maastoren – Erasmusbrug – Belvedere – Fantastic views of the North river bank – De Rotterdam – Wilhelminapier – Hotel New York – Rijnhaven – Rijnhavenbrug – ss Rotterdam – Maashaven
From Centraal Station to the City Hall
We start the walk at Centraal Station, exiting through the main entrance located at Stationplein.
On the left, you’ll see Delftse Poort, in front the imposing Millennium Tower, and on the right the majestic Groot Handelsgebouw.
Continue along Kruisplein, walking through the pedestrian area until you reach the intersection with Mauritsplaats. On the left stands the Calypso building and on the right is Chinatown.
We follow Westersingel along the canal, cross the bridge towards Pauluskerk, and continue to Schouwburgplein, where you’ll find the Schouwburg Theater, Pathé cinema, and the De Doelen concert hall.
Cross the square towards Lijnbaan, the start of the shopping district.
At Stadhuisplein, the adjoining square, there are lively bars and it’s a popular meeting spot for Feyenoord fans. Here you’ll also find the Monument voor Alle Gevallenen 1940–1945.
Cross Coolsingel towards the City Hall, with the historic Post Office to its right.
From Sint Laurenskerk to the port of Oudehaven
We continue our route along Doelwater, leaving the majestic City Hall building on our right. Just a few steps away, you’ll find the entrance to the City Hall gardens — a peaceful corner worth visiting.
Following Doelstraat, where the police headquarters are located, we reach the end of the street, where the monument De Delftsche Poort greets us. To the left, you can see the Luchtsingel (if time allows, visiting Luchtpark Hofbogen and the old Hoftplein train station is a great idea).
Leaving De Delftsche Poort behind, we continue right along Haagseveer. Walk on the left sidewalk, and before reaching the first block of houses, take the path that circles it from the left — here you’ll spot an old wooden bridge. Cross it.
After crossing the wooden bridge, continue along Oppert until you reach Sint Laurenskerk, the oldest church in Rotterdam. In front of it stands the statue of Erasmus.
If it’s open, it’s worth going inside; on Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can climb the tower.
From Grotekerkplein, turn towards Binnenrotte, where there’s a market on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Then turn right and you’ll find the lively market that takes place here on those days. Continue along Binnenrotte towards the Kubuswoningen.
Along this stretch, we come across the sculpture “Everybody is Dead But Us,” the Bibliotheek, and on the right, the Markthal, with Blaak metro and train station right in front. Don’t miss a look inside the Markthal.
Once outside the Markthal, you’ll see “The Pencil” building in front of you. Head to the stairs on its right, which will lead you into the interior gallery of the Kubuswoningen. Walk through the gallery until you reach the port of Oudehaven. This is a lively area with cafés where you can try local beers and enjoy Dutch tapas (bittergarnituur).
From the Maas River to the ss Rotterdam
Continue along Oudehavenkade and then Geldersekade, which takes you towards the Witte Huis. On special occasions, you can go up to its terrace using the elevator for a small fee. After the Witte Huis, take the cobblestone path to the left called Koningsdam, just past the entrance to the shipyard.
Then head right along Oudehoofplein. A few meters back, you can see the Spanish Bridge. Cross the avenue towards the river, under the Willemsbrug. Once you reach the riverbank, you’ll notice the artwork “Maasbeeld.” Go up the stairs on the left, cross the bridge to the other side of the Maas River.
Just before reaching the end of the bridge, you’ll see another set of stairs on the right. Go down and turn left to follow Maaskade.
At the end of this peaceful park, you’ll find a staircase to the left. Climb it to see what remains of the old “De Hef.” Then go back down and continue left along Maaskade. On the platform above the river once stood the old Willemsbrug. Take the first street to the left, Van der Takstraat.
Cross the Koninginnebrug and walk along the opposite side of the street, next to the park on your left. If you want to enjoy a different view of “De Hef,” I recommend climbing the small hill in the park.
Continue along Rosestraat and you’ll reach the square where the Entrepot building stands. From here, head towards the marina through Factorij. This area is known as Entrepothaven. Follow the path to the right along Vijf Werelddelen until you reach the end of this harbor, where you’ll find a drawbridge called “Binnenhavenbrug” and the Poortgebouw building.
Continue to your left and cross the street towards the river. A few meters ahead, on your right, you’ll see the monument to the Jewish children, Loods 24.
Continue along Stieltjesstraat and then Wilhelminakade until you reach the Erasmusbrug. Cross the road, keeping Erasmusbrug to your right, and walk along the riverbank until you reach, after passing Hotel New York, another bridge — the Rijnhavenbrug.
After crossing the Rijnhavenbrug, head right along Veerlaan, and when you enter the small park, take the first path on the right, Linker Veerlan. From here, you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of Wilhelminakade. Keep following the riverbank until you reach the ss Rotterdam.
After exploring the area around the ss Rotterdam, continue your walk along Maashaven Noordzijde until you reach Hilleland Street. To your left, you’ll see Rijnhaven metro station.
Our route ends here, but if you still have energy, you can keep walking to the Erasmusbrug, where there’s another metro stop. Both the metro lines from Rijnhaven and Wilhelminaplein will take you back to Rotterdam Centraal Station.
Other walking routes in Rotterdam
If you have more time in the city, I recommend checking out the other walking routes in Rotterdam I’ve prepared. Depending on your stay, you might be more interested in another theme or area.
Route 1 | Route 3