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Rotterdam Walking Tour: History & Architecture
5.0
141 Ratings
Rotterdam
Discover Rotterdam’s highlights and hidden gems with a personal photographer. Capture memories at iconic spots and receive high-res photos the next day.
Discover Rotterdam’s highlights and hidden gems with a personal photographer. Capture memories at iconic spots and receive high-res photos the next day.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Santa Claus (Beeld) - The Santa Claus statue by Paul McCarthy, initially unwanted, now stands proudly in the city. It has become an icon that many people from Rotterdam cherish, and here’s why.
- Depot Boymans Van Beuningen - The mirrored Art Depot of Boijmans van Beuningen, along with other locations in the Museum District, offers insights…
- Santa Claus (Beeld) - The Santa Claus statue by Paul McCarthy, initially unwanted, now stands proudly in the city. It has become an icon that many people from Rotterdam cherish, and here’s why.
- Depot Boymans Van Beuningen - The mirrored Art Depot of Boijmans van Beuningen, along with other locations in the Museum District, offers insights into all the museums and the Land of Hoboken.
- Nieuwe Werk - Het Scheepvaartkwartier (Shipping Quarter) is a hidden gem in the outer city center, unknown to many Rotterdammers. Here, you can experience the open and expansive feel of this beautiful harbor city! From the river Maas, you can see Hotel New York, Steam Ship Rotterdam, and Erasmusbrug.
- Erasmusbrug - The Erasmus Bridge, a large white structure crossing the river Meuse (Maas), connects the north to the south. It is a city icon, and here you will learn about the Second World War, the invasion, and the bombing of Rotterdam.
- Maritime Museum Rotterdam - In the Maritime District, you will find many century-old boats, the last of their kind. Walking through this open-air museum, you will feel transported back in time!
- The Destroyed City - This is one of the most significant statues in Rotterdam related to the Second World War, located at Square 1940, rich with meaning and history.
- Witte Huis - The White House is a historical icon and was once the tallest office tower in Europe!
- Old Harbour - The old harbor is one of the oldest in the Netherlands and exudes charm! From here, there is a great view of the cube houses, which will be seen up close at the next stop!
- Kubuswoningen - The cube houses are among the most famous attractions in the city. As you walk through the street of cube houses (Overblaak), you will learn about their purpose, design, and architecture. You will stroll through the ‘concrete forest’ on the way to the market square.
- Markthal - After visiting the market square, the tour concludes inside The Markthal. This venue has made Rotterdam even more famous and is a modern indoor market filled with food and vibrant colors! It is also referred to as the modern Sistine Chapel, and you will discover why!
What's Included
- Walk through Cube Houses Street (Overblaak)
- Explore architecture: old, current, and future building styles
- Get dining suggestions in Markthal (Market Hall)
- Discover photo spot suggestions
- Enjoy snacks
- Receive supportive photos and sheets
- Small group tour, max 15 people
- Learn history from harbor to WWII and rebuilding
- Guided by a professional local guide from Rotterdam
- Walk through Cube Houses Street (Overblaak)
- Explore architecture: old, current, and future building styles
- Get dining suggestions in Markthal (Market Hall)
- Discover photo spot suggestions
- Enjoy snacks
- Receive supportive photos and sheets
- Small group tour, max 15 people
- Learn history from harbor to WWII and rebuilding
- Guided by a professional local guide from Rotterdam
Additional Information
Explore Rotterdam with a local guide on this walking tour, showcasing both renowned landmarks and lesser-known treasures. Delve into the city’s rich history, from its origins in the 1200s and the devastating WWII bombings, to its post-war revival, major port, architecture, culture, and more.
- Highlights include: Cube Houses, Markthal, Old Harbor,…
Explore Rotterdam with a local guide on this walking tour, showcasing both renowned landmarks and lesser-known treasures. Delve into the city’s rich history, from its origins in the 1200s and the devastating WWII bombings, to its post-war revival, major port, architecture, culture, and more.
- Highlights include: Cube Houses, Markthal, Old Harbor, Erasmus Bridge, and Art Depot
- Hidden Gems: Veerhaven, Parklaan, Shipping Quarter
- Themes: History, Culture, Harbor, WWII, Architecture: Present and Future.
- Small group with a maximum of 15 participants.
Location
Oude Binnenweg 137
Oude Binnenweg
The meeting point is at Eendrachtsplein / Oude Binnenweg 137: in front of the Santa Claus statue. The guide will have a YELLOW Rottourdam umbrella. You can reach this location by tram (4, 6, 8,) and metro (A/B/C). From Cruise Terminal tram 5 or 3, or Metro D/E.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(141 Ratings)
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Stuartgq8315no
Nov 14, 2025
Rotterdam in 3 hours really is possible :o). - My wife and I enjoyed a tour of the highlights of Rotterdam with Elmer of RotTOURdam. He was very well organised with a portfolio of photographs and fact sheets to give background to the many places we visited. His English was excellent and the four of us (two couples) thoroughly enjoyed the whistle stop walk. If you want to see Rotterdam in 3 hours this is the tour for you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Culture61077835472
Nov 5, 2025
Friendly, informative and knowledgeable about his hometown - Elmer was very friendly and excited to show us his home city! He was very informative and enjoyed showing us the diverse architecture of Rotterdam.
We did follow his recommendation for the best Apple Pie in town which definitely lived up to the hype!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travel14189856423
Nov 4, 2025
Rotterdam, an interesting discovery - As well as being a pleasant and friendly person, Elmer is an excellent guide. He was very well prepared and showed great enthusiasm and motivation in showing us around and telling us about his city, Rotterdam. We learnt a lot about Rotterdam, its history, its activities and its mentality. The time flew by because it was so interesting. We highly recommend Elmer as a guide for discovering Rotterdam.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Theurbantraveller
Oct 25, 2025
Great experience - Book this tour now. Highly recommended. Family run.
Tour guide Itzel was fantastic. My wife and I had our tour on 20th September 2025. It was a great experience. Itzel made it fun and had great knowledge. It was a good way to orient yourself in a new Town. Small group and personal touch. There was only 3 of us. Had a really super time, learnt lots and asked lots of question. Muchas gracias Itzel. Also visit Remastered and pancake boat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James
Oct 23, 2025
Rotterdam Revealed: A 3-Hour Journey with Yoreh - Yoreh’s 3-hour walking tour of Rotterdam is a masterclass in storytelling, local insight, and architectural wonder. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to truly feel the city.
If you’re considering a walking tour in Rotterdam, look no further than Yoreh’s 3-hour experience. From the moment the tour began, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical sightseeing stroll. Yoreh, a native of Rotterdam, brings an infectious passion and encyclopedic knowledge of the city’s history, culture, and urban evolution.
We explored Rotterdam’s highlights and hidden gems, weaving through iconic architectural landmarks, WWII remnants, and vibrant neighborhoods. Yoreh’s storytelling is exceptional—he doesn’t just recite facts, he immerses you in the city’s soul. Whether discussing the post-war reconstruction or pointing out quirky local details, he made every stop feel meaningful.
What stood out most was his ability to connect past and present. He spoke about Rotterdam’s future plans and urban innovations with the same enthusiasm as its historical roots. His personal anecdotes added warmth and authenticity, making the tour feel more like a walk with a friend than a formal guide.
The pace was perfect—engaging without being rushed—and Yoreh was attentive to everyone’s interests and questions. He even offered local tips for food, museums, and hidden spots to explore afterward.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maryds5098dd
Oct 22, 2025
Great tour of Rotterdam - Yoreh was a wonderful guide! The tour was informative and entertaining. Learning about the beginnings and past challenges of the city, I left with a real appreciation of the perseverance of the people of Rotterdam! And, it is a really interesting city with cool architecture! Highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
309gilest
Oct 17, 2025
A wonderful way to get to know Rotterdam - This was an absolutely brilliant walking tour to get to know Rotterdam. Yoreh our guide was so knowledgeable and passionate about his city, it shone through!!!
A combination of history, humour and details really made the three hours fly by. So much information and hidden gems that you wouldn’t know unless you did this tour.
As a first time visitor Yoreh made the city accessible and so interesting - definitely recommend as a great way to learn about the wonderful city and people of Rotterdam.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Traveler806425
Oct 15, 2025
Wonderful experience! - This was an amazing tour! Yoreh knows his city and it's history. He was fun and made it a great experience. I would highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fabdaga
Oct 12, 2025
The Perfect Way to Discover Rotterdam with Yoreh - Our tour of Rotterdam with Yoreh was outstanding! He struck the perfect balance between sharing well-researched historical insights and adding humorous anecdotes that kept the visit lively and memorable. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to discover Rotterdam in a meaningful and fun way!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
George_m
Oct 10, 2025
Amazing tour of Rotterdam - One of the best tours I have ever taken. Yoreh not only provides in-depth information on the history, architecture, and main sites of Rotterdam, but he also provides the context and details that make the information more fascinating and relatable. Yoreh utilizes many photos to illustrate the major changes that occurred as a result of all the destruction that occurred during WWII. He is a wealth of information about the city and provides many recommendations. If you are visiting Rotterdam, this is a must do tour.
Review provided by Viator
