Walking Route in Rotterdam
This walking route in Rotterdam covers a distance of about 8 kilometers and can be comfortably completed with stops in less than three hours.
If you’re visiting Rotterdam alone or in a group of up to three people and need someone to take photos, you can send me an email. Photography is one of my hobbies, and sometimes I make extra money with it. If I don’t have work that day, we can arrange something.
I’ve included some tips along the route, places to take a break, and hidden spots that tourists don’t usually know about.
You can download a map of the route in this link.
You’ll pass by several interesting places on this route: Centraal Station – Millennium Tower – Delftse Poort – Grotehandelsgebouw – Schouwburgplein (De Doelen, Pathe Cinema Complex) – Calypso – Westersingel – Santa Claus – Witte de With Straat – Museumpark (Boijmans Museum, Chabot Museum, Huis Sonneveld, Depot, Nieuwe Instituut, Kunsthal, Natuur Historisch Museum) – Schoonoord Park – Het Park – Euromast – Parkhaven – Maastunnel– Veerhaven –De Zalmhaven– De Wereld Museum – Wilhelminakade from the north side of the river – Erasmus Bridge – Remastered – Spido – Cooltower – Leuvehaven – Maritime Museum – De Verwoeste Stad – Schiedlandshuis – Koopgoot (shopping area) – World Trade Center – Post Office – City Hall – Weena Avenue.
Description of this walking route
Let’s start the route at the Central Station, exiting through the main entrance. In this square (Stationsplein), you can see the Delftse Poort building, the Millennium Tower, and the Groot Handelsgebouw.
Cross the street towards the Millennium Tower and go left along Weena Avenue, taking the first right turn you come across by Karel Doormanstraat. Continue along this street until you reach another square with four large red lamps. This is Schouwburgplein.
Here you can see the De Doelen building, the Schouwburg theater, and the Pathe Cinema Complex. By the way, the four lamps can be moved using controls at their base.
Go towards the Schouwburg theater and take Mauritsplaats Street to the right. After a short walk, cross the street using the bridge over the canal (watch out for trams and bicycles) and continue left along this walkway. This is Westersingel.
Keep walking along the center of the walkway with statues until you reach the crossing, and then continue to your left towards the Santa Claus sculpture. Follow Oude Binnenweg and take the first right alley through a tunnel on Mauritstraat Street. This is where rollerblade enthusiasts practice daily. Cross to the other side of Westblaak and go straight along Eendrachstraat. After a short distance, you’ll reach Witte de With Straat, where there are many cafes and shops to check out.
Continue to your right down Witte de With Straat and cross a small bridge. On your left, you can see an artwork by Picasso, and behind the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum. Keep going on this street, and on your right, you’ll see the Chabot Museum and a little further, on the same side, the Huis Sonneveld. You’ll reach the Depot Boijmans van Beuningen. Here, you can also find the Nieuwe Instituut.
Now we’ll enter the Museumpark through Melkkepadd Path. After a short walk, take a left turn over a bridge and follow the path through a grove, passing an entrance with two lions. In this corner, under the obelisk and next to the water, you can see an old mosaic map of Rotterdam.
Head towards the small Greek chapel (usually closed, but on Sundays, there’s a mass at 12, and it’s worth visiting inside) and turn right towards two buildings: the Kunsthal Museum and the Natuurhistorisch Museum.
After passing the two museums, go up a small incline towards the main road and cross to the left on the other side. Now you’re entering Het Park. Our route follows the first path on the right after entering the park, but if you have time, you can continue straight ahead for about 50 meters and find a gated entrance to Schoonoord Tuin, which is also worth exploring.
Let’s stick to the first right path into the park until you reach the Norwegian Church.
Now turn left, cross the bridge, and take the second right path towards the cafes in the park. One of them is Dudok, known for its delicious tarts.
After passing the cafes, take the first left path, and a bit further ahead, you’ll see an old wooden bridge to your right. Cross it, climb the slope, and on your right, you’ll find some metal stairs. Go up the stairs to reach the entrance of the Euromast.
Head towards the Chinese Boot, a Chinese complex with a buffet-style restaurant, and continue walking towards the river. Soon, you’ll see the entrance to the Maastunnel on your right. Take a look inside.
Keep walking on the bank of the river, heading towards the city, leaving the Maastunnel behind.
Walk along the river’s northern bank. Soon, you’ll pass an old port called Vershaven, where there are several cafes and vintage boats. Continue along the pier and walk further along the river. On the other side of the river is Wilhelminakade, where you can see Hotel New York, the World Port Center, the De Rotterdam skyscraper, the KPN building, and other skyscrapers.
Take a break in this area. Here, you’ll also find the De Zalmhaven building, the Spido boats, the Remastered center, and even a store with souvenirs.
Keep walking along the river, passing under the iconic Erasmus Bridge, and after passing it, you’ll come across a small slope to your left.
From here, you’ll have a view of Boompjes, a promenade along the river with tall buildings, the De Boeg monument, the De Hef and Willemsbrug bridges in the distance, and the island of Noordereiland.
As you return to the main avenue, cross towards the Leuvehaven metro stop. If you’re tired, you can take the metro here, and it will take you directly to the Central Station. If not, continue straight for about two kilometers. On your left, you can see the Cooltoren skyscraper, and on your right, Leuvehaven port and the Maritime Museum. In this port there is a small metallic bridge, cross it and turn to your left. On this square you’ll find the sculpture “Verwoeste Stad” by Zadkine.
Continue to the main entrance of the Maritime Museum, and cross the traffic lights on your right towards Coolsingel Avenue. First you will be passing by the tourist office, the Schiendladshuis, the shopping area, the World Trade Center, the Post Office, and finally, the City Hall. If you take the first street to your right after the City Hall, you can enter its gardens. It’s a cozy spot for taking photos.
We keep walking along Coolsingel until we reach Hoofplein, a square with a fountain. From here, go left along Weena Avenue, and about 400 meters to the right, you’ll find the Central Station again.
Don’t forget to check out the other routes I’ve prepared. Depending on how long you’ll be in the city, you might prefer one of the other routes.