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Rotterdam World War II

Our most recommended Rotterdam World War II

Rotterdam: Exclusive Rooftop Tour with 360˚ Skyline Views

1. Rotterdam: Exclusive Rooftop Tour with 360˚ Skyline Views

Take in panoramic views of Rotterdam on an exclusive rooftop tour. Visit four rooftops that are not usually accessible to the general public and admire the city's stunning skyline. Start inside the Rotterdam Discovery where you'll learn about Rotterdam's history and the reason why the city has more than 18 million m2 of flat rooftops. After approximately 10 minutes you will head to your first rooftop. Situated in a hotel on the Coolsingel, the rooftop gives you a marvelous view over the Coolsingel and the East part of the city center. Learn about the crucial role of multifunctional rooftops and what the city of Rotterdam is doing to develop more rooftops. After a short walk on the Coolsingel, passing the City Hall and Hofplein, you'll visit the second rooftop, the Dakakker. This is a green rooftop that is being used as a vegetable and fruit garden. They also have rooftop buffering water and a small cafe is included on top. The third rooftop is on a magical place right in the middle of the city center opposite the Sint Laurenschurch. Get an amazing 360˚ view of the skyline of Rotterdam, the Laurenschurch, the Markthal, and more. Afterward, your guide will take you along the Markthal, Cube Houses, and Old Harbor to end at the White House. Your last rooftop will be at the White House, once the highest building in Europe. Get an impressive view of the Meuse river, the Erasmus bridge, the Cube houses from the top, and beyond.

Rotterdam: WWII Walking Tour

2. Rotterdam: WWII Walking Tour

Take a shared group or private guided walking tour through Rotterdam to learn all about the impact WWII has had on this city and its resilience after being completely bombed during the war. This tour will take you through the history of the battlefields, the devastating bombing on May 14th, 1940, and the capitulation. Follow the borders of the fire zone, see the remaining scars left on the city, and discover the beauty of the Reconstruction period. Enjoy the views over the city rebuilt from the ashes, seen from the rooftops of the historical Het Witte Huis. Experience Rotterdam's tenacious spirit and ‘can do’ mentality during this impressive and informative tour.

Rotterdam 2-Hour Grand Walking Tour

3. Rotterdam 2-Hour Grand Walking Tour

Meet your guide by the spectacular new gate of Rotterdam, the recently built Central Station. On this 2-hour walking tour you will be introduced to the history and the character of the port city and the chronology of its post-war reconstruction. Enjoy a walk through the city center and visit architectural icons and national monuments such as the Groothandelsgebouw, the Lijnbaan shopping area, the neo-classical City Hall and the contemporary Timmerhuis. In the stunning new Markthal, or indoor market, you’ll stop for a 10-minute break. Afterwards, your walk continues along the River Maas with amazing views of the Head of South, which is a new development on the south bank. The tour ends at the Erasmus Bridge – the symbol of modern Rotterdam.

Rotterdam: Modern City Center Exploration Game

4. Rotterdam: Modern City Center Exploration Game

Immerse yourself in a city exploration game and follow clues to discover hidden secrets and amazing spots in the city of Rotterdam. Walk across the city’s iconic bridges and hear the story of the many Europeans who traveled through Rotterdam to New York. Play the game by solving each piece of the puzzle on your smartphone, guess the answer to unlock the story of each secret place. Untangle the past and learn about Rotterdam’s rapid architectural transformation after the Second World War. Explore the city and be given exact directions so you won't need a map, GPS, or guide. Play offline as you don't need an internet connection to play the game. Enjoy as a group and solve the clues together as you walk, or split into smaller teams and compete against each other. Go at your own pace as there is no time limit, the game however can be completed in 1.5 hours. Play without a guide, just download the app, go to the starting point, and begin the adventure.

The Netherlands: WW2 Private Day Trip

5. The Netherlands: WW2 Private Day Trip

Get picked up at your hotel by a professional guide who will drive you around and teach you all about how the Second World War unfolded in the Netherlands. First, discover the most important sites relating to the Second World War in Rotterdam. This historic yet modern city has many relevant monuments and buildings that survived the bombings, including the Rotterdam White House, its City Hall, the Laurens Church, and Delfshaven - a charming historical neighbourhood which retains its 17th-century buildings. Then, head over to Arnhem where the famous battle of Arnhem took place. Visit the Arnhem Oosterbeek Cemetery, the John Frost Bridge and its surroundings, and find out all about Operation Market Garden and why the battle turned out differently to planned. Historians continue to debate the reason behind the Market Gardens failure but the bravery of the soldiers has never been questioned. In Arnhem you can also take a break to eat or drink somewhere (at own expense). Since this is a private tour everything is very flexible. After the tour, the guide will drive you back to your hotel.

From Amsterdam: Rotterdam and Zaanse Schans Private Day Trip

6. From Amsterdam: Rotterdam and Zaanse Schans Private Day Trip

Start this tour with a pick-up from your hotel. From here, drive to the countryside of the Netherlands and explore Zaanse Schans, a must see when visiting the Netherlands. Explore these beautiful windmills and also see the original wooden houses, barns and shops. Your guide will take you inside one of these windmills. You also get the option to visit a cheese-making factory and stroopwafel factory. Here you can see how the Dutch cheese and waffles are made. From there, you will drive to the beautiful Rotterdam, the second Dutch city you will visit on this tour. Discover how the destruction of World War II led to an intensive rebuilding process and to Rotterdam becoming one of the most daring examples of modern architecture in the Netherlands. First, you will explore the city center of Rotterdam, here you will find many architectural sights like the new Markthal, the famous Cube Houses, the Erasmus Bridge and the Town Hall of Rotterdam. When going inside the Martkhal, you are able to take a break to eat and drink something. After, the guide will drive you to a more historical part of Rotterdam called Delfshaven, this is one of the few parts of the city that wasn't destroyed by the bombing. After Delshaven, your guide will drive you to explore the port of Rotterdam. Rotterdam houses the biggest port in Europe and until 2004 it was the biggest port in the world. After your visit to Rotterdam, your guide will drive you back to your hotel or any other desired location in Amsterdam.

Other Sightseeing Options in Rotterdam

Want to discover all there is to do in Rotterdam? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Rotterdam

Overall rating

4.0 / 5

based on 2 reviews

was fantastic to see the city from above, in so many different places, and in the meantime learn a lot about the history of the city, guide knew a lot and nice to tell. top!

Excellent tour, it was worth it. Tania, the guide, excellent in her explanations, her treatment and kindness.

Good walking tour of the city. Reviewed the history and all the various architecture.

Very nice tour, the story is beautiful and is clearly told, definitely recommended

Good tour of Rotterdam. Learned so much on our first day there. Highly recommend