Rotterdam by foot

Rotterdam walking itinerary: From the city centre to ss Rotterdam (9 km)

This walking route through Rotterdam takes you past some of the city’s most iconic sights and shows how the city changes as you leave the modern centre behind and explore the former harbour districts south of the Nieuwe Maas.

The route starts at Rotterdam Centraal, crosses Coolsingel and the historic city centre, and continues past the Markthal, Cube Houses and Oudehaven. From there, you cross the river via Willemsbrug and explore Noordereiland, Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht before finishing at the ss Rotterdam.

The route is approximately 9 kilometres long and takes around three hours if you don’t visit any attractions along the way. If you want to walk at a relaxed pace, take photos or stop for a drink or something to eat in Oudehaven, Wilhelminapier or Katendrecht, it is better to allow half a day.

Walking route map

Before you start, you can download the complete route map and keep it on your phone while walking.

Download the route map.

Route itinerary

The route is divided into eight stages. It starts at Rotterdam Centraal, crosses the historic city centre and then takes you across the Nieuwe Maas to explore Noordereiland, Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht.

Tips before you start

Before starting this Rotterdam walking route, there are a few things worth keeping in mind to make the walk more enjoyable.

Wear comfortable shoes: you will be walking approximately 9 kilometres, much of it through pedestrian areas, across bridges and along former harbour quays.
Allow half a day: although the walk itself can be completed in around three hours, you will need more time if you want to take photographs, visit any attractions or stop somewhere for food or a drink.
Download the map: it is a good idea to save the route on your phone before setting off.
You can leave the route early: metro stations are relatively close to the route during much of the walk.
You don’t need to walk back: the route finishes at ss Rotterdam. From there, you can continue to Rijnhaven metro station and take the metro back to the city centre or Rotterdam Centraal.

Route description

1. Rotterdam Centraal – Schouwburgplein – Coolsingel

The route starts at Rotterdam Centraal, leaving through the main entrance onto Stationsplein.

As soon as you leave the station, you will see several buildings that represent Rotterdam’s modern architecture. To your left is Delftse Poort, directly opposite the station stands the Millennium Tower, and to your right is the enormous Groot Handelsgebouw, one of the symbols of Rotterdam’s post-war reconstruction.

Continue along Kruisplein and through the pedestrian area until you reach Mauritsplaats. On your left you will see the colourful Calypso building, while Chinatown begins to your right.

Continue alongside the Westersingel canal and cross towards Pauluskerk. From here you will reach Schouwburgplein, home to De Doelen, the theatre and Pathé cinema.

Cross the square and continue towards Lijnbaan, one of the main shopping streets in the city centre.

Shortly afterwards you will reach Stadhuisplein, a lively square lined with bars and terraces. Here you will also find the Monument voor Alle Gevallenen 1940–1945.

Cross Coolsingel to reach the Stadhuis, Rotterdam City Hall. Next to it stands the historic former Hoofdpostkantoor.

2. City Hall – De Delftse Poort – Sint-Laurenskerk

Continue along Doelwater with City Hall on your right. After a few metres, you will find an entrance to the inner gardens of the Stadhuis.

It is worth stepping inside for a few minutes. This peaceful little corner in the heart of the city is also a good place to take photographs.

Continue along Doelstraat until you reach De Delftse Poort, an artistic reconstruction recalling one of Rotterdam’s former city gates.

Nearby you will find the beginning of the Luchtsingel, Rotterdam’s distinctive yellow pedestrian bridge.

💡 If you have time: you can make a short detour towards Luchtpark Hofbogen and the site of the former Hofplein railway station. This will add some time and distance to the route. To continue with the main walk, leave De Delftse Poort behind and follow Haagseveer.

Before reaching the first block of buildings, take the path around its left-hand side and cross the small wooden bridge. Continue along Oppert until you reach Sint-Laurenskerk, Rotterdam’s main historic church.

In front of the church stands the historic Statue of Erasmus.

If the church is open, it is worth taking a look inside. On certain days it is also possible to climb the tower for views across Rotterdam.

3. Binnenrotte – Markthal – Cube Houses – Oudehaven

From Grotekerkplein, continue towards Binnenrotte, one of the largest squares in central Rotterdam.

One of the city’s main outdoor markets is held here on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

Continue walking towards Blaak. Along this section you will pass the sculpture Everybody is Dead But Us, the Central Library and finally the spectacular Markthal.

It is worth stepping inside for a few minutes to admire its enormous interior artwork and browse the food stalls.

When you leave the Markthal, you will see the building popularly known as The Pencil.

Head towards the stairs beside the building to enter the Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen) complex.

Walk through the passage beneath the Cube Houses and you will arrive directly at Oudehaven, one of Rotterdam’s liveliest historic harbours.

This is a good place to take a break. Around the harbour you will find terraces and restaurants where you can stop for a drink while enjoying the boats and the historic Witte Huis.

4. Oudehaven – Willemsbrug – Noordereiland

From Oudehaven, continue along Oudehavenkade and Geldersekade towards the Witte Huis.

Then continue towards the river via Koningsdam and Oudehoofdplein.

As you approach the Nieuwe Maas, you will pass beneath Willemsbrug, easily recognisable by its distinctive red colour.

Beside the river you will find Maasbeeld, an enormous artwork approximately 182 metres long, suspended above the water.

From here, climb the stairs leading to Willemsbrug and cross the bridge.

This section offers excellent views over the river and Rotterdam skyline.

Shortly before reaching the end of the bridge, you will find a set of stairs on your right. Go down and continue to the left along Maaskade.

You are now on Noordereiland, an island in the middle of the Nieuwe Maas with an atmosphere quite different from Rotterdam city centre.

5. Noordereiland – De Hef – Entrepothaven

Continue walking along Maaskade beside the river.

At the end of the green area, you will find a set of stairs that takes you closer to De Hef, the historic railway bridge over Koningshaven.

After taking a look at the bridge, return to street level and continue along Maaskade.

Turn into Van der Takstraat and cross the Koninginnebrug.

On the other side, you will find a small green area where you can get another good view of De Hef.

Continue along Rosestraat until you reach the former Entrepot complex, then head towards Entrepothaven via Factorij.

This former harbour is now surrounded by residential buildings, converted warehouses and boats, making it a good example of how Rotterdam has transformed many of its old port areas.

Continue along Vijf Werelddelen until you reach the end of the harbour, where you will find the Binnenhavenbrug and the distinctive Poortgebouw.

6. Entrepothaven – Kop van Zuid – Erasmusbrug

From Poortgebouw, continue towards the river.

After a few minutes you will reach the Loods 24 memorial site, which commemorates the Jewish residents of Rotterdam who were deported from this area during the Second World War.

Continue along Stieltjesstraat towards Wilhelminaplein.

As you walk, some of the most impressive buildings in Rotterdam’s modern skyline will begin to appear, including the Maastoren and the towers of Kop van Zuid.

When you reach the Erasmusbrug area, cross towards Wilhelminakade, but do not cross the bridge.

Continue walking along the river with the Erasmusbrug on your right.

This is where one of the most spectacular sections of the entire route begins.

7. Wilhelminapier – Hotel New York – Rijnhavenbrug

Continue along Wilhelminakade, surrounded by some of Rotterdam’s most distinctive examples of modern architecture.

Here you will find De Rotterdam, the World Port Center and several other skyscrapers that have completely transformed this former port area.

At the end of the pier you will reach the historic Hotel New York, the former headquarters of the Holland America Line.

For decades, ships connecting Rotterdam with America departed from this area, and today it remains one of the city’s best-known historic landmarks.

Walk around Hotel New York and continue towards Rijnhavenbrug, the pedestrian bridge connecting Wilhelminapier with Katendrecht.

Cross the bridge. From here you will have excellent views of Rijnhaven, the Fenix Museum and the modern skyline you have just walked through.

8. Katendrecht – ss Rotterdam

After crossing Rijnhavenbrug, turn right along Veerlaan.

When you reach the small green area, take the path on the right and continue walking beside the river.

This section takes you through Katendrecht, a former port district that has developed into one of Rotterdam’s most interesting neighbourhoods.

From the waterfront you will also have an excellent panoramic view of Wilhelminapier and the city skyline.

Continue along the river until you reach the ss Rotterdam, the enormous ocean liner that served for many years as the flagship of the Holland America Line.

Today, the ship is permanently moored in Katendrecht and operates as a hotel, restaurant and visitor attraction.

This is where the main walking route ends.

To return to the city centre, continue along Maashaven Noordzijde towards Rijnhaven metro station. From there, you can easily take the metro back to Rotterdam Centraal.

Is this Rotterdam walking route worth it?

Yes, especially if you want to discover more than just Rotterdam’s main tourist centre.

Unlike a route limited to Coolsingel, Markthal and the Cube Houses, this walk takes you across the river to explore Noordereiland, Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht — three areas that are particularly interesting for understanding Rotterdam’s relationship with its port and the city’s urban transformation.

The complete route is approximately 9 kilometres long and can be walked in around three hours without long stops. However, I recommend allowing half a day so you can take your time, take photographs and stop in places such as Oudehaven, Wilhelminapier or Katendrecht.

Another advantage is that you do not need to walk back to the starting point, as you can simply take the metro back to the city centre.

Other walking routes in Rotterdam

If this route does not fit the amount of time you have available, or you would like to explore different parts of the city, take a look at our other walking routes through Rotterdam.

The 8 km walking route combines the city centre with Westersingel, Museumpark, Het Park, Euromast, Veerhaven and Erasmusbrug.

The 10 km walking route extends further towards Delfshaven, one of Rotterdam’s most interesting historic neighbourhoods.

Check our Rotterdam walking routes guide to compare all three routes and choose the one that best suits your visit.