Car Rental Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a modern city with a thriving business district, scaling skyscrapers, contemporary architecture and an impressive, futuristic train station. The main road network complements this superbly, as it’s well maintained and thought-out. With multi-lane roads and clear signposts, Rotterdam is generally simple to navigate.

When it comes to parking there are plenty of on-street options and designated public lots, so you can park up your rental car and explore the sights on foot.

One thing to note is that the Netherlands has a rich cycling culture, and cyclists have priority on the roads and roundabouts. They’ll usually ride in separate bicycle lanes but make sure you leave plenty of space to let them pass safely. The maximum speed limit is generally 50km/h in built-up areas, unless otherwise signed.

When it comes to day trips from Rotterdam, you can head northwest along the A13 highway and follow the signs for The Hague. Paddle in the waves on the sandy beach, see the impressive parliament square and marvel over the art in the elegant Mauritshuis museum.

Amsterdam is around an hour away via the A4. Discover beauty by the canals in the capital city, and head to traditional and contemporary art museums to see famous work from locally-born artists such as Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

Just 30 minutes or so by car from Rotterdam you’ll also find the UNESCO World Heritage site at Kinderdijk. Head east via the A16 and A15 highways. Aligning the reflective waterway in this destination are 19 iconic windmills that were first built in the 1700s. Stroll around to take in the idyllic setting, and visit the museum to learn more about a working mill.

The speed limit on main highways typically ranges from 100km/h to 130km/h and will be clearly signed. On other rural roads it’s typically 80km/h, unless indicated otherwise.

With a flourishing art scene, contemporary skyline and a fascinating history to discover, this city is more than just its thriving business district.

You can explore all of this and more when you rent a car in Rotterdam.

Explore Rotterdam’s finest museums

One of the best art galleries to visit when in Rotterdam is the popular Kunsthal. Designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and built in the late 1980s in a contemporary style, it boasts a breadth of rolling exhibits, which means there’s always something new to see.

With huge blank spaces, there are no restrictions on how an artist can use the space. This opens-up the possibilities of photography, paintings, sculpture, film, visual effects and light shows.

The National History Museum is a great day out for the whole family, meanwhile. Discover interactive exhibits where almost 400,000 artifacts and fossils, including a huge Asian elephant skeleton, are on display.

Another great place to visit is the Maritime Museum. Founded in the 19^th century, it has immersive experiences for the whole family. Learn more about the seafaring traditions of the region in the permanent collections, which includes the oldest model ship in Europe, then delve deep under the waves to find what’s lurking beneath in the Sea Monsters exhibit.

Once you’re finished here, venture outside to explore the historic Old Harbour and find traditional wooden ships – including the replica of a 2,000-year-old vessel.

See Rotterdam from a great height

Take in the contemporary skyline at Rotterdam’s Lookout tower. Here the elevator will lift you up around 180 metres to the viewing platform where you can take in the view and enjoy dinner in the clouds.

The structure you see today was first built in 1960, and was later extended to take the lead as the tallest building in the city. It’s said that when conditions are clear, you can see all the way to Antwerp in Belgium.

Admire the contemporary architecture

Rotterdam’s skyline is relatively new, as much of the city was completely destroyed during World War Two. This led to a wave of contemporary architecture springing up in the post-war years.

The iconic Cube Houses were imagined by Dutch architect Piet Blom in the late 1970s and tessellate and topple together to create a canopy of white-topped grey squares. Overlooking the Old Harbour, visit the Show Cube Museum to see the unique interior of a cube residence. It’s so peculiar inside, the furniture had to be specifically designed to function in the space.

Visit the Market Hall to enjoy some local food and marvel at the patterned ceiling. With its striking glass facade and curving dome structure, inspired by an airplane hangar, it is truly a sight to behold.

The entire interior is covered in vibrant images of fruit and flowers. Peer up at the cheerful design and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the market stalls selling everything from fish to drinks, pastries, fruit and cakes. 

With car rental in Rotterdam you can take in all the best local attractions, before heading out to see the wider wonders of the Netherlands beyond.