Walking path in Rotterdam

Rotterdam walking path: Art, parks and Delfshaven

This 10-kilometre walking path through Rotterdam combines some of the city’s main museums and parks with the historic district of Delfshaven, old harbour areas and peaceful canals.

It is a particularly interesting route if you want to get away from the busiest tourist areas for a few hours and discover a different side of Rotterdam, where modern architecture meets historic parks, former harbours and neighbourhoods that survived the bombing of the Second World War.

Along the route you will pass through Museumpark, Het Park, Euromast, Parkhaven, Sint-Jobshaven, Delfshaven, Coolhaven and Heemraadssingel, as well as many lesser-known corners of the city.

Walking path map

Before you start, you can download the complete route map and keep it with you during the walk. It shows the approximately 10-kilometre itinerary and the main places of interest you will pass along the way.

Download the route path map.

Route itinerary

The route is divided into six stages and starts at Rotterdam Centraal. From there, you will walk through Westersingel, Museumpark, Het Park and Euromast before continuing through former harbour areas and reaching the historic district of Delfshaven.

Afterwards, the route continues through Coolhaven and Heemraadssingel before returning to Rotterdam Centraal.

Here is a summary of the route:

Tips before starting this walking path

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

Wear comfortable shoes: although the route is almost completely flat, you will walk around 10 kilometres and probably a little more if you explore the parks, museums or harbour areas along the way.
Allow more than three hours: the route itself can be completed in around three hours, but if you want to take photos, visit a museum, go up the Euromast or stop for something to eat, it is better to allow half a day.
You can shorten the route: you do not have to complete the full 10 kilometres. The route passes several metro stations and tram stops, so you can easily return to the city centre or Rotterdam Centraal at any point.
Take the map with you: download the map before you start so you can check the route while walking.
Take a few breaks: Museumpark, Het Park, Parkhaven, Delfshaven and Heemraadssingel are all good places to stop, have a drink or simply enjoy the surroundings.

Route description

1. From Rotterdam Centraal to Museumpark

The route starts at Rotterdam Centraal Station. From Stationsplein you can see some of the most distinctive buildings in this part of the city, including the Millennium Tower, Delftse Poort and Groot Handelsgebouw.

Cross the square towards Schouwburgplein and continue along Mauritsplaats until you reach the small bridge over the canal. Cross it and turn left to begin walking along Westersingel, one of the most pleasant promenades in central Rotterdam and known for the many sculptures that form part of its open-air art route.

Continue for approximately 400 metres until you reach Sylvette, created by Carl Nesjar from a design by Pablo Picasso. Turn right here to enter the Museumpark area.

On your left is Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen and, a little further ahead, Chabot Museum and Huis Sonneveld. In the same area you will also find the spectacular Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen and, opposite it, Het Nieuwe Instituut.

Enter Museumpark via the Melkkoppad path. After walking a short distance, cross the small bridge on your left and continue through the trees until you pass an entrance flanked by two lions.

Beside the obelisk and close to the water, you can see an old map of Rotterdam made from mosaics.

Continue towards the small Greek chapel and then turn right. You will reach two of the best-known museums in this area: Kunsthal Rotterdam and Natuurhistorisch Museum.

2. From Museumpark to Het Park and Euromast

After exploring the museum area, walk up towards the main road and cross over to enter Het Park, one of Rotterdam’s most beautiful historic parks.

The route continues along the first path on the right. However, if you have time, you can continue straight ahead for about 50 metres, where you will find large gates on your left leading to Schoonoord, a small historic garden hidden beside Het Park that is also worth visiting.

Return to the route and continue along the first path on the right until you reach the Norwegian Church.

Turn left, cross the bridge and take the second path on the right towards the cafés inside the park. This is a good place to take a short break before continuing.

After leaving the buildings behind, take the first path on the left. A few metres further on, you will find an old wooden bridge on your right. Cross it and walk up the hill.

On your left you will see a set of metal stairs. Climb them and you will reach the entrance to the Euromast, one of the great landmarks of Rotterdam’s skyline and one of the best viewpoints in the city.

Parkhaven is also located in this area and, a little further ahead, you will find the entrance to the Maastunnel, the historic tunnel beneath the Nieuwe Maas.

If you have time, it is worth taking a few minutes to see its distinctive entrance and historic escalators.

3. From Euromast to Delfshaven

From the Euromast, cross the road towards the water and continue to the right along Parkhaven.

When you reach the first bridge, turn left onto Westzeedijk. Then take the first path on the left and continue along Sint-Jobsweg. A few metres further ahead, turn right onto Sint-Jobskade.

When you reach the harbour, continue to the left towards the river along Sint-Jobshavenkade.

This part of the route reveals a very different side of Rotterdam from the city centre, taking you through former port areas that have undergone major urban transformation in recent decades.

Continue alongside the water until you reach the Slavery Monument, which commemorates Rotterdam’s role in the history of slavery and colonial trade.

After the monument, continue along Loods Celebes until you reach the hockey fields and follow the harbour along Schiehaven.

At the end of the harbour, turn right onto Schiemond and then left onto Westkousdijk.

You will soon reach a pedestrian crossing that takes you across to Westzeedijk. Once on the other side, turn left and take the first path on the right towards Middenkous.

Continue alongside the water until you reach Mouterbrug. Cross the bridge and continue to the right.

Shortly afterwards, one of the most characteristic views of Delfshaven will appear, with its windmill, canals and historic buildings.

Continue along Achterhaven and then Piet Heynsplein until you reach Piet Heynstraat.

4. Delfshaven: An essential stop

Delfshaven is one of the most special places on this route and is worth spending some time exploring.

Unlike much of central Rotterdam, this historic district largely survived the bombing of 1940 and still preserves canals, historic buildings, former warehouses and narrow streets that offer a glimpse of what Rotterdam looked like before its post-war reconstruction.

At the end of Piet Heynstraat you will reach Piet Heynsbrug. Cross the bridge and continue towards Aelbrechtskolk, one of the most beautiful and photogenic parts of the neighbourhood.

This is also a good place to take a break during the route. You can try a local beer at De Pelgrim or relax at one of the cafés around the historic harbour.

From here, continue along Aelbrechtskolk until you reach the main road.

5. From Delfshaven to Coolhaven

When you reach Schiedamseweg, turn right and continue until you reach the historic Lage Erfbrug bridge.

Cross the bridge and turn right to follow the promenade alongside the water.

Continue along this pleasant stretch for approximately 600 metres. You will pass beneath a bridge before reaching Coolhaven metro station.

Directly opposite the station is Museum Rotterdam ’40–’45 NOW, dedicated to the history of Rotterdam during the Second World War and particularly to the consequences of the bombing of May 1940.

If you are tired by this point, you can finish the route here. From Coolhaven you can easily return to central Rotterdam by metro.

If you want to complete the full 10 kilometres, one of the quietest sections of the route still lies ahead.

6. Heemraadssingel and return to Rotterdam Centraal

Enter Coolhaven metro station and walk through the underground passage until you emerge on the other side, beside the Heemraadssingel canal.

This tree-lined canal offers a striking contrast with the modern architecture of central Rotterdam. It is a peaceful residential area and one of those places that many visitors never get to see.

Continue along Heemraadssingel for approximately one kilometre until you reach Beukelsdijk. Turn right and then take the first street on the left, Suze Groeneweglaan. At the end of this street, turn right and continue along Essenburgsingel.

At the end of the canal, you will see the entrance to a small park on your left. If you have time, you can take a look; otherwise, continue to the right until you reach the traffic lights.

From here, follow Weena towards the city centre.

After a few minutes, Rotterdam Centraal Station will come back into view, marking the end of this circular walking route of approximately 10 kilometres.

Is this Rotterdam walking path worth it?

Yes, especially if you have already visited Rotterdam’s main city-centre attractions or if you want to combine architecture, parks, history and less touristy neighbourhoods in a single walk.

Unlike other routes that focus more heavily on Rotterdam’s major architectural landmarks, this itinerary lets you discover a quieter side of the city. Museumpark, Het Park and Delfshaven are the main highlights, but along the way you will also explore former harbour areas, canals and residential neighbourhoods that many visitors overlook.

The route is approximately 10 kilometres long, so you should allow between three and four hours. If you visit one of the museums, go up the Euromast or take a longer break in Delfshaven, you can easily turn the walk into a half-day excursion.

There are also several metro stations along the route, particularly around Delfshaven and Coolhaven, so you can shorten the walk if you are tired or have less time available.

Other walking routes in Rotterdam

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

The 8-kilometre route combines some of the main attractions in the city centre with Museumpark, Euromast, Veerhaven, Leuvehaven and the northern bank of the river.

The 9-kilometre route takes you through the historic city centre, Sint-Laurenskerk, Markthal, the Cube Houses, Oudehaven, Noordereiland, Wilhelminapier, Katendrecht and the ss Rotterdam.

This 10-kilometre route is particularly recommended if you prefer to combine art, parks, former harbour areas, historic Delfshaven and some of Rotterdam’s quieter canals.