HAPPENING 29 May–9 June 2025 | An exciting rooftop slide will be the highlight of this year's Rotterdamse Dakendagen as the Maritime Museum's rooftop becomes a vibrant attraction for visitors.
Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj to feature giant slide from Maritime Museum
The 10th edition of the Rotterdamse Dakendagen festival will feature a unique rooftop experience with the Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj, running from 29 May to 9 June 2025 (closed on 2 and 3 June). The event will focus on the rooftop of the Maritime Museum, offering a creative blend of entertainment and urban exploration.
Visitors can explore an elevated exhibition showcasing ideas for the city of the future, enjoy panoramic views over the Coolsingel and Leuvehaven, and make a thrilling descent down a large slide from the museum’s rooftop. For those less adventurous, a staircase will provide a traditional route back to the ground.
The event also extends to the area around the Maritime Museum, where visitors can explore the museum harbour, admire the Jan Gat sculpture by Zadkine, and relax on a nearby terrace while watching others take the daring slide.
Inspiration behind the project
The Maritime Museum building, which dates back to 1986, is scheduled for renovation in the coming years. As part of this process, the municipality is exploring how the building and its surroundings can better reflect the changing cityscape. One idea involves creating a publicly accessible rooftop with views of both the Rotterdam harbour and the Coolsingel.
The Rotterdamse Dakendagen organisers saw this as an opportunity to test the idea of a rooftop space with the public, while adding an engaging and playful element to the experience.
The Maritime Museum's location holds special significance as a crossroads of the city’s four districts (North, East, South, and West), close to the country's busiest metro station. It also marks the point where the Rotte river transitions underground into the Nieuwe Maas. The rooftop exhibition will explore a vision of future cities where the boundaries between architecture, water, and green spaces increasingly blur.
What to expect on the rooftop
The rooftop will host an engaging exhibition showcasing innovative ideas for integrating green spaces, water features, and buildings in urban environments. The exact content of the exhibition is yet to be revealed, but visitors can expect to gain insights into sustainable city design. The rooftop will also provide impressive views over Rotterdam’s skyline, with a “Venster op de Rivier” (Window on the River) viewpoint — a long-awaited addition that has been on Rotterdam’s urban wishlist since the post-war reconstruction period.
Opening dates and ticket information
The Rotterdam Rooftop Roetsj will be open from Thursday 29 May (Ascension Day) to Monday 9 June (Whit Monday). The slide will be closed on Monday 2 June and Tuesday 3 June.
On weekends (31 May + 1 June and 7 + 8 June), additional rooftop events will take place across the city, expanding the festival's activities.
Ticket sales will open in spring 2025, both online and at the location. Admission prices are yet to be confirmed, but organisers expect costs to be comparable to the previous Rotterdam Rooftop Walk (€3.50), with an added fee for using the slide or zipline.
Accessibility and family information
While the rooftop will generally be accessed via stairs, organisers are exploring lift access for visitors who are unable to use the stairs.
The slide is expected to finish on a pontoon in the Leuvehaven, allowing visitors to return to the quay safely on foot. Children are welcome to join the rooftop experience under adult supervision, with age restrictions for the slide and zipline to be announced later.
How to get there
The Maritime Museum is located in central Rotterdam, easily accessible by public transport, bicycle, or on foot. The museum's surroundings include the bustling Leuvehaven and nearby cultural landmarks.
Address:
Maritime Museum
Leuvehaven 1, 3011 EA Rotterdam
