attractions - RotterdamStyle.com

Featured

Rotterdam New Year’s Eve fireworks and light show

Bryan van Putten attractions 12 November 2024

HAPPENING 31 December | Rotterdam's New Year’s Eve celebrations are a must-experience for residents and visitors alike. The city’s renowned Het Nationale Vuurwerk (National Fireworks) display at the Erasmus Bridge lights up the skyline, creating an unforgettable start to the new year. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of this event.

The national fireworks show at the Erasmus Bridge

Het Nationale Vuurwerk will take place at the iconic Erasmus Bridge. This centralised location allows spectators to gather along the riverside for a perfect view, without the distraction of multiple fireworks sites. The Erasmus Bridge has become a symbol of Rotterdam's New Year's festivities, providing an ideal setting for this grand event.

From 22:30 onwards, DJ's will play the biggest hits of the as the year. You can enjoy traditional Dutch oliebollen (Dutch doughnuts) with family or friends and count down together with all the other visitors during a spectacular countdown! At exactly 00:00 hours the most beautiful fireworks burst out everywhere.

Free entry and the best viewing spots

The fireworks show is free to enjoy from various vantage points across Rotterdam, but the best experience is along the Boompjeskade. Here, you’ll find the heart of the celebrations, with a crowd of approximately 60,000 people joining in a massive countdown at midnight. Arriving early is recommended for securing a prime spot and enjoying the pre-show atmosphere.

Map to Boompjeskade:

Is the fireworks show safe?

Safety is a top priority at Het Nationale Vuurwerk. A designated safety perimeter around the fireworks setup on the Erasmus Bridge ensures that spectators remain at a safe distance from the launch area. With these measures in place, attendees can enjoy the event with peace of mind.

Public transport options and schedules

Rotterdam’s public transport will be running on a special schedule for New Year’s Eve to accommodate the increased demand. Here are some key departure times for metro services near the event:

Wilhelminaplein (Kop van Zuid):
- 01:27: Metro line E to Meijersplein
- 01:52: Metro line E to Rotterdam Centraal
- 02:10: Metro line E to Slinge
Beurs (downtown Rotterdam):
- 01:30: Metro line E to Meijersplein
- 01:30: Metro line C to Vijfsluizen
- 01:40: Metro line C to Schiedam Centrum
- 01:55: Metro line E to Rotterdam Centraal
- 02:01: Metro line C to Capelsebrug
- 02:06: Metro line E to Slinge

The last metro service to Nesselande departs from Beurs at approximately 20:51. For real-time updates, plan your trip with the 9292 app, which provides the latest schedules and transport advice.

Parking and bike facilities

For those driving to the event, several car parks in Rotterdam’s city centre will be open 24/7. The closest parking facility to the Erasmus Bridge is the Boompjes car park. Other options include:

Parkeergarage Schouwburgplein I and II
Q-Park Zuidplein
ParkBee Kruisplein/Schouwburgplein
Meentgarage (Binnenrotte)
And many more listed on official sites

Cyclists can find bike parking at Terwenakker 33, 3011 XS Rotterdam, located conveniently for accessing the fireworks show at the Erasmus Bridge.

Aftermovies National Fireworks at Erasmus bridge in Rotterdam

Euromast Rotterdam: spectacular views and unique experiences

Bryan van Putten attractions 30 July 2023

Discover the Euromast in Rotterdam, a popular landmark offering stunning views, fine dining, and thrilling activities like abseiling. Learn all you need to know.

^{Photo: Iris van den Broek}

Euromast: a landmark and a destination

The Euromast has been an internationally renowned icon in Rotterdam since 1960. With a height of 185 metres, it is one of the highest buildings in the city and offers a unique 360-degree perspective. This special Rotterdam icon is a popular (tourist) attraction that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Moreover, the Euromast also has a brasserie where you can have lunch, (literally) high tea or dinner while you watch the city below. And, if you're up for a total experience, you could even spend the night at the Euromast in one of their suites.

Excitement and thrills at high altitude

Looking for a unique outing to test your courage? Then the Euromast in Rotterdam is the place to be. For the real daredevils, there is a special activity to do from May till September: the highest rappelling point in all of Europe! From the viewing platform at 100 metres height, you step over the balustrade and let yourself sink down while looking out over the city.

You don't need any experience to rappel from the Euromast, but you do need some guts, of course. The adrenaline rush you get from it is more than worth it, and you will be rewarded with the most beautiful view of Rotterdam. The experienced and certified instructors guarantee safety, because participants are always secured with climbing belts and wear protective gloves. After an instruction, you can start stepping over the balustrade, which for many is the most exciting part.

The descent takes about 15 minutes, during which you hang free from the building for the most part and determine yourself how fast you go. Rappelling is an ideal activity for an exciting company outing, bachelor day or even for an original romantic date.

Abseiling from the Euromast in Rotterdam

Dining at the Euromast restaurant

The Euromast restaurant, also known as the Brasserie, is a modern and stylish dining venue in the iconic Euromast tower in Rotterdam. Offering stunning panoramic views of the city skyline, the restaurant serves a diverse menu with a focus on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The culinary offerings range from creative international dishes to classic Dutch favourites, catering to various tastes and preferences. The restaurant is known for its ambiance, exceptional service, and unique location, making it an ideal choice for a memorable dining experience in Rotterdam.

Every season, the Euromast restaurant introduces a new spring menu, offering a range of creative dishes inspired by international cuisines. With recent options including recipes such as pulled chicken sandwiches with ras el hanout spices and grilled bavette with asparagus, the Euromast restaurant caters to a variety of tastes.

High altitude dining at Euromast restaurant in Rotterdam

Coffee bar and concept store

The Euromast is often seen as a tall tower with a viewing platform, but there's actually plenty to do at the Euromast, before or after rappelling. For example, there's a coffee bar and concept store on the ground floor, which are free to visit. At the coffee bar, you can go for a coffee break and grab a snack or get something to go and enjoy in the park where the Euromast is located. At the concept store, a mix of products by Rotterdam icons is available.

Euromast viewing platform and Euroscoop

You can also go higher up by taking the elevator to the viewing platform at 100 metres. Or step into the Euroscoop (pronounced as Euro scope). At 185 metres, you can admire the 360-degree view while rotating, which even allows you to see as far as the port of Rotterdam, The Hague, and Delft.

Euroscoop experience at Euromast Rotterdam

The Euromast not only offers astonishing views over Rotterdam, but the attraction has added a real 'thrill experience' to the Euroscoop. During a ride with the Euroscoop, you see the city and its surroundings from all angles, while the glass floor beneath you becomes transparent. As a result, it feels as if you are floating above Rotterdam! It's an exciting experience, supported by a light show, sound effects, and music until you reach the top at a height of 185 metres.

Euromast' Euroscope now has a glass floor

The ride, which lasts about 7 minutes, offers a 360-degree perspective of Rotterdam. A voice-over simultaneously informs you about the vibrant city, its inhabitants, the diversity, and the impact of the enormous harbour area. The brand new and intelligent glass floor, which transitions from opaque to transparent, makes a ride with the Euroscoop even more enjoyable. Do you dare?

About the Euromast

Since 1960, the Euromast has been a fixture in Rotterdam's skyline, providing visitors with a unique 360-degree perspective of the city. In addition to its stunning views, the tower offers fine dining and even overnight stays in its high-altitude suites. The Euromast is part of the Magnicity group, which highlights iconic towers worldwide, including the Berliner Fernsehturm, Paris Montparnasse, and 360 Chicago.

Windmills - Dutch icons of Rotterdam

Bryan van Putten attractions 10 September 2019

Ever wanted to visit a windmill and take a peek inside? You can and you don't need to leave the city to do it. Rotterdam has various windmills to admire and many are open to the public.

So, you're in the Netherlands. That means you've seen windmills practically everywhere, right? Funnily enough, I recently found out there are a few windmills left that are still alive and kicking today. On the one hand, it seems cheesy and touristy, but on the other hand, it’s interesting to see one from the inside!

Obviously, there are a few “proper” windmill-landscapes, like Kinderdijk. Windmills you see scattered around the landscape are usually pumping stations from the 18th century, built to keep the polders dry and adjust the wet Dutch countryside. However, you do not have to leave Rotterdam for your Dutch Icon experience. In my case, we didn’t even have to leave the neighbourhood.

Windmills of Rotterdam

In Delfshaven there is the Distilleerketel (Distillery Kettle). That’s its name. In the old days, this mill was used in the production of Jenever - which later became Gin. The old folks loved their booze. Can you tell?

In Kralingse Bos, you'll find the Lelie (Lily) and the Ster (Star). In Hillegersberg Noord, there's the Prince Windmill (Prinsenmolen). In Zestienhoven, there's a windmill called the Speelman (Musician). Nearby, in Molenlaankwartier you'll find the Vier Winden (Four Winds) and across the river in Oud Charlois, the Zandweg (Sand Road). For a total overview of Rotterdam's many windmills check out the Wikipedia page (Dutch).

There are also three mills, no longer equipped with blades, like the Hope. Yeah, I know, the name is not very fitting.

Inside the Distilleerketel Distillery Kettle

Visit a windmill

Anyway, you can visit most of them and take a look on the inside. Your best bet is to go there and check the sign on (or near) the door. For some, you need to call until you are blue in the face – I didn’t get anywhere when I tried to contact the Kralingse Bos' windmills years ago. Some have tours at specific times, others you need to call to make an appointment.

Some, like the Distileerketel (Distillery Kettle) in Delfshaven have opening hours. I can really recommend that one: It is cosy and lovely. The people who run it are delightful and you can get a tour during opening hours. You can be sure to find open doors on Wednesday and Saturday. During the summer months, on Sunday as well.

If you rock up during opening hours, you can get a tour for a few quid through the whole tower of the windmill. Between 12:00 -17:00 is always a safe bet but check their website to be sure. Learn more about the secret way the windmills can be used to communicate, the things they used to mill – e.g. how they make expensive blue paper and how the millers daringly climb into the mill to adjust the “sails.”

If you dare, step out on the platform and enjoy the view, or take some pictures. If you don’t want to go up, buy some flour (it’s as fresh as it gets, cause that's its primary function these days) or have a cup of tea and a ginger biscuit. The lady who runs it (Virginia I suppose since it's Virginia's kitchen) knows how to make them crisp and spicy in just the right way.

P.S. with a Rotterdam Pass, you can get a big discount on the tour.

Stairs of the Windmill de Distilleerketel (Distillery Kettle)

Children

A word to the wise: the stairs are no more than a ladder. They are steep and some things like trap doors are fully functioning. The platform of the windmill has a fence, but it looked more like a suggestion to me. So, if you are not sure your children are up for a climb or have a phase of not listening, do reconsider. If not, the windmill people are not fussy about children. My five-year-old and two-year-old were allowed up, no problem. Even when my two-year-old threw a fit, because she didn’t want to leave the grinding stone, they were super helpful. I don’t know why the grinding stone was so attractive, maybe you only understand if you are two. Anyway, you can also hire their canoe and explore nearby waters. I do assume that other windmills also offer boats since most of them are close to the canals.

Roof of the Distilleerketel (Distillery Kettle)

Roof of De Walvisch (The Whale) Windmill Museum

Windmill Museum

And if you want to go on a bit of a bike ride/car ride or public transport ride, go to Schiedam. They have a windmill museum inside a windmill. It’s called the Walvisch (Whale), and from its platform, you can see many more windmills. Mainly, you get the idea of what it was like in the old days when windmills were the first factories that could produce, pump and mill stuff. They also have a bigger shop and more flour, should you be in the mood for some windmill cookie action. For an extra Euro, you can even test the windmill principle and grind your own flour. Assertiveness required! Oh, and they have a bigger boat that is used for canal tours through the old city centre. Very scenic.

I am sure to revisit both of them!