Walking path in Rotterdam

Art, Parks and Canals

Total distance: 10 kilometers
Approximate duration: 3 and a half hours (with stops)

Tip: if you visit Rotterdam on your own or in a small group and want photos during the walk, you can write to me. Photography is one of my hobbies, and if I’m free that day, we can organize something.

Along the route, you’ll find tips, resting spots, and corners little known by tourists.

Download the walking route map of Rotterdam from this link.

Main places along the route

These 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 – Schouwburgplein –Westersingel – Sylvette – Museumpark (Museo Boijnmans van Beuningen, Museum Chabot – Nieuwe Instituut – Depot Boijmans van Beuningen – Kunsthal – Natuurhistorisch Museum) – Het Park – Euromast – Maastunnel – Parkhaven – Slavernijn Monument – Delfshaven – Coolhaven – Museum Rotterdam 40-45 NOW – Beautiful views of rivers, docks and canals along the route.

From Centraal Station to Museumpark

Cross the square diagonally toward the Schouwburg Theatre and continue to the right along Mauritsplaats. Cross the street and go over a small bridge across the canal. Continue to the left along the pedestrian path until the next intersection. You’re now on Westersingel.

Follow this avenue for about 400 meters until you reach Picasso’s artwork, Sylvette, and take that street to your right.

You’re entering Museumpark. On your left is the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, a bit further ahead on the right is the Chabot Museum, and on the same street, Huis Sonneveld. Also here you’ll find the Depot Boijmans van Beuningen and, across the street, the Nieuwe Instituut. Now enter the park via the Melkkeppad path.

After walking a few meters, take a path to the left, crossing a small bridge, and follow it through a wooded area passing an entrance flanked by two lions. In this corner, next to the obelisk and by the water, you can see an old mosaic map of Rotterdam.

Continue toward the small Greek chapel (it’s usually closed, but on Sundays there’s mass at 12:00, and it’s worth visiting inside) and turn right toward the two buildings ahead. They are the Kunsthal Museum and the Natuurhistorisch Museum.

From Het Park to Delfshaven

After leaving the two museums, go up a small slope to the right toward the main road and cross to the other side on the left. You’re now entering Het Park.

Our route continues along the first path we find to the right, but if you have time, you can go straight, and about 50 meters to the left you’ll see an entrance with large gates. That’s the entrance to the Schoonoord Tuin; it’s also worth a short walk there.

We’ll continue along the first path on the right when entering the park until you reach the Norwegian Church.

Now turn left, cross a bridge, and take the second path to the right toward some cafés in the park. One of them is Dudok, where they serve delicious cakes.

After leaving the houses behind, take the first path to the left, and a few meters ahead, you’ll see an old wooden bridge on your right. Cross it and go up the slope; on your left, you’ll see metal stairs. Climb them, and you’ll arrive at the entrance to the Euromast.

In this area is the Chinese Boat and, a bit further ahead, the entrance to the Maastunnel (if you have time, take a look inside).

After the Euromast, cross the street toward the water and turn right along Parkhaven. When you reach the first bridge, go left along Westzeedijk.

Take the first path on the left and continue along Sint-Jobsweg, and a few meters further turn right on Sint-Jobskade. When you reach the dock, continue left toward the river along Sint-Jobshavenkade. Continue alongside the river until you reach the Slavernijn Monument.

After the monument, continue to the right along Loods Celebes until you reach the hockey fields, where we’ll continue along the dock via Schiehaven.

At the end of the dock, continue to the right along Schiemond and then to the left along Westkousdijk.

Soon you’ll see a pedestrian crossing to your right to cross to the other side of the avenue toward Westzeedijk. Once you cross, continue to the left and take the first path you find on your right, which will take you to Middenkous street. Follow it to the right and then to the left, walking along the water.

Soon you’ll see a bridge called Mouterbrug; cross it and continue walking to your right until you reach the windmill. You can go inside the mill if you wish.

Then continue along Achterhaven and then along Piet Heynsplein until you see Piet Heynstraat on your right. Take it.

From Delfshaven to the final point

At the end of this street, you’ll find another bridge, Piet Heynsbrug—cross it. You can also take the opportunity to have a drink in one of the bars in the area. De Pelgrim is a brewery that makes its own beer, or a few meters further along the route, there’s a bar area where you can try the Bitterballen garniture (Dutch tapas). Café de Oude Sluis, Café Soif, or Café aan Zet are good options.

After crossing the bridge, continue to the left along Aelbrechtskolk until you reach the main road. Continue to your right along Schiedamseweg and later turn left to cross the old bridge Lage Erfbrug.

After crossing this bridge, continue to your right along the walkway next to the water, and continue along this path for about 600 meters until you reach the Coolhaven metro station, passing under a bridge.

Right in front of the metro station, you’ll see the Museum Rotterdam 40-45 NOW.

Enter the metro station and continue through the underground passage until you reach the other side, next to the Heenraadssingel canal.

Follow Heenraadssingel for almost a kilometer until you reach the end of this road, and when you get to Beukelsdijk, turn right.

Then take the first street to the left, Suze Groeneweglaan. At the end of this street, continue to the right along Essenburgsingel.

At the end of this canal, you’ll see the entrance to a dog park on your left (have a look if you have time). If not, continue to the right until the traffic light and follow Weena Avenue until you reach the train station again.

Other walking routes in Rotterdam

Don’t forget to check out the other routes I’ve prepared in the links at the end of the page. Depending on how long you’re staying in the city, you might prefer to do another one of them.

Route 1 | Route 2