Tourist in Rotterdam - what to see and do
Welcome to a vibrant and modern city with plenty of activities and sights for those who want to explore on their own.
First information about the arranged tours you can sign up to when you register - then information about what you can do on your own in Rotterdam.
IMA arranged tours
28 March - Guided Walking Tour of Rotterdam
A guided walk of the centre of Rotterdam visiting the must-see highlights of the city.
Rotterdam is the architecture capital of the Netherlands and ranks among the top international architectural destinations. The city is like an open museum of architectural styles and achievements, an example of postwar reconstruction and urban planning and modern development. It’s a vibrant, cosmopolitan place of multiple cultures.
Are you interested in buildings and a walk with a professional guide who knows everything about Rotterdam, from Central Station to ‘De Reus Van Rem'? Then book this tour!
Rotterdam promotes itself as 'Manhattan on The Maas', not surprising because since the second World War, the building fever has not stopped. Your guide will connect the history of the new buildings in the city, and you will hear fascinating anecdotes about the ambition of modern-day Rotterdam. From Central Station, along the Lijnbaan, the Coolsingel and the beautiful town hall. On the way, you can admire each unique building.
The tour ends at the Markthal, after which you can explore further on your own.
Maximum 20 participants
Time: 28 March 2025, 10.00 hrs.
Start: Hilton Hotel
End: Markthal
Time: 28 March 2025, 10.00 hrs.
Start: Hilton Hotel
End: Markthal
Fee: €32 per person
Food and drink bought during the tour are for your own account.
Food and drink bought during the tour are for your own account.
28 March - Royal Delft Museum in Delft
The special collection of Delft pottery of King William III can be admired in the Royal Delft Museum. He donated his collection to De Porceleyne Fles in 1887, on the one hand in recognition of the efforts to revive the once famous Delft pottery and on the other hand as study material for shapes and decoration techniques.
The royal donation was gratefully accepted, and De Porceleyne Fles happily met the condition set by King William III: that the collection had to be exhibited in a dignified manner within the company.
The tour is in the Royal Delft Museum, where you will hear and see the story of the company and the history of Delfts Blue pottery. You will visit the factory and see the master artists at work.
Practical info
Fee: €32, per person. The tour includes the audio guide, coffee or tea and Dutch apple tart.
Please buy your own return train ticket in advance +/- €8.00 in the OV9292 App, which you can download in Google Play or the Apple Store. This is valid for all public transport in The Netherlands.
You can also use your credit card to buy tickets simply by swiping your credit card at the ticket barrier, to check in and out as you go. All other costs are for your own account.
You can also use your credit card to buy tickets simply by swiping your credit card at the ticket barrier, to check in and out as you go. All other costs are for your own account.
Delft's streets are mostly cobblestones, so wear comfortable shoes.
We will travel by train from Rotterdam Central to Delft. The journey takes about 13 minutes and there are trains between Rotterdam and Delft about every 10 minutes.
09.45: From the Hilton Hotel, we walk to Rotterdam Central Station (10 mins) to catch the train.
10.19: Arrive in Delft and stroll through the picturesque streets of Delft to the Museum. (10 mins)
10.30: Start of Tour – we will spend about 1.5 hours in the museum & museum shop.
After the tour we will wander through the picturesque streets of Delft to soak up the atmosphere of this historic city. Ringed by canals, Delft is known as the manufacturing base for Delftware, hand-painted blue-and-white pottery. In its old town, the medieval Oude Kerk is the burial site of native son and Dutch Master painter Johannes Vermeer. Once the seat of the royal House of Orange, the 15th-century Nieuwe Kerk houses the family's tombs and overlooks Delft's lively market square.
14.30: Walk to Delft Station & catch the train to Rotterdam.
Times may vary slightly.
Times may vary slightly.
City of Delft
Delft is a city where history and modern innovation go hand in hand. The characterful city centre with its historical facades and canals reflects a rich history, while the cityscape is graced by the subtle appearances of Delft Blue. This traditional ceramic, recognizable for its deep blue colour, helps maintain cultural heritage by adorning numerous elements of the city, from public artworks to street signs. Did you know that the name Delft comes from the verb 'delven', which means ‘to dig’? The city originated on a delf, a man-made watercourse we now call a 'canal'.
30 March - Keukenhof
Experience the Stunning Beauty of Keukenhof: A Tour to Remember! 🌷
As part of our International Training Day in Rotterdam, we are delighted to offer an unforgettable tour to Keukenhof, the world-famous garden of Europe. Open for just eight weeks each year, the Keukenhof is known for its breathtaking display of vibrant tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, Keukenhof is the perfect place to relax, connect, and be inspired by nature's beauty.
Keukenhof is also the international and independent showcase for the Dutch floricultural sector, with a special emphasis on flower bulbs. In the space of eight weeks Keukenhof demonstrates what the Dutch floricultural sector has to offer. The focus in the park is on the 7 million spring flowering bulbs, 100 flower bulb companies display their products, and 500 growers present an enormous variety of cut flowers and pot plants at more than 20 flower shows.
There are several restaurants in the park. Across the park you will also encounter a few mobile food outlets.
Join us on Sunday, 30 March 2025 for this incredible experience:
🕘 09:00: Departure by coach from the Hilton Rotterdam
🌸 10:00: Entry to Keukenhof, you are free to walk around and discover the many beautiful gardens and the flowers that make them so iconic or wander into one of the exhibition halls and admire the blooms on show. Don't forget to stock up on your own Dutch tulip bulbs to take home.
🕑 14:00: Coach Departure back to the Hilton
🌸 10:00: Entry to Keukenhof, you are free to walk around and discover the many beautiful gardens and the flowers that make them so iconic or wander into one of the exhibition halls and admire the blooms on show. Don't forget to stock up on your own Dutch tulip bulbs to take home.
🕑 14:00: Coach Departure back to the Hilton
Price per person: €50,- per person. This includes transport and entrance ticket for the Keukenhof. All other costs are for your own account.
This is a unique opportunity to explore one of the most stunning spring gardens in the world. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy the beauty of Dutch flowers and make lasting memories!
Download the Keukenhof map here. The 2025 map will be available in February.
Download the Keukenhof map here. The 2025 map will be available in February.
What flowers can you expect to see?
Tourist information - what to do when in Rotterdam
Useful Links
Download the complete guide made by IMA Netherlands about what to do when in Rotterdam
Official Rotterdam Tourism Website: For event calendars, tickets, and more.
Public Transport Information: Details on trams, buses, and metro lines in the city.
Rotterdam Pass: A discount card for attractions and activities.