Where is the cruise port of Rotterdam

The Rotterdam Cruise Port is located in the city center on the banks of the Nivier Meuse River, 300 meters from the tram stop and 500 meters from the Wilhelminaplein metro station. The train station is located 30 minutes walk. It is also conveniently accessible by metro, tram or taxi, which will cost around 15 euros.

Free Wi-Fi is available at the cruise terminal. Surrounded by a large selection of restaurants, bars and cafes, there are several hotels, a supermarket, car rental and parking. All sights of Rotterdam are within walking distance.

How to get to Rotterdam cruise port

If your cruise starts or ends in Rotterdam, it is more convenient to fly to Amsterdam. Airfare to Rotterdam is usually much more expensive than to the capital. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is 60 km from the cruise terminal in Rotterdam. Getting to it is easy enough. There is a direct train from Schiphol Airport to Rotterdam, the journey time is 20 minutes non-stop. The fare is 12 euros. The cruise terminal is 3 km from Rotterdam Centraal Station. It is convenient to get there by metro, tram or taxi, which will cost around 15 euros.
If you arrive at Rotterdam - The Hague Airport, getting there will be even easier, because it is only 10 km away from the cruise terminal. The city center can be reached by bus number 33, which runs to Rotterdam Centraal Station, travel time 20 minutes.

Routes, excursions, transport in the port of Rotterdam

Public transport in Rotterdam is represented by buses, trams and metro. The metro includes 2 lines: Erasmuslijn (blue) and Calandlijn (red). They connect at the Beurs station - the only place where you can "change the line". Trains run every 10 minutes, the journey time from station to station is about 4 minutes.

Tram network (8 lines). All of them, except for line 2, stop at the main railway station. At each stop there is a detailed map with all routes and stops, conductors work, the traffic interval is about 10 minutes.

The most convenient travel ticket option for tourists is OV-chipcard smart cards. They are sold at ticket machines, post offices, railway stations, major bus stops, tobacconists, newsstands, and RET offices. The cost of a smart card valid for one day is EUR 7 for adults and EUR 3.5 for children from 4 to 11 years old. The deposit for the card is 7.5 euros. The cost of single tickets valid for the metro, trams and buses within an hour from the moment of the first pass is 3 euros. A ticket for two hours will cost 3.5 euros.

In addition, you can use the Rotterdam Welcome Card for travel, which includes the use of public transport without restrictions within the selected time - 24, 48 or 72 hours. The cost of the card for one day is 10 euros for adults and 7 euros for children from 4 to 11 years old, for two days - 13.5 euros for adults and 8.75 for children.

According to Rotterdam, because it is riddled with canals and runs the unusual Splashtours amphibious sightseeing bus. The cost for an adult is 26.50 euros, for a child under the age of 11 - 18 euros. Russian guide, unfortunately, no.

Taxi is quite expensive. You can rent a car at a specialized parking lot or order by phone. The basic fare is about 3-4 euros (up to 7.5 euros) plus 1.5-2 euros per kilometer.

In Rotterdam, there is a tuk-tuk (three-wheeled open moto-bike with a sidecar) - a great alternative to a taxi. The fare depends on the zone: within one zone for one - 3.50 EUR, for two - 5 EUR, for three - 6.50 EUR. For each next zone, add 3.50 EUR. Moreover, tuk-tuk can be ordered in advance.

Like every other city in Holland, Rotterdam is very friendly to cyclists. Cycling around the city center is perhaps the most convenient and fastest way to get to your destination. There are not only special paths, but also separate traffic lights, which are intended exclusively for cyclists.

You can rent a bike near the main railway station (Schaatsbaan, 41-45). The only nuance that everyone should remember is not to forget to “tie” the bike in order to avoid theft (a padlock with a digital code is always given when renting).

What to see around Rotterdam

15 km from the center of Rotterdam is the village of Kinderdijk, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, whose mills are the symbol of Holland. The most convenient way to get there is by water taxi Waterbus. To do this, you need to use bus number 202. The fare is 8 euros in both directions, travel time 26 minutes. The Erasmusbrug pier is located on the other side of the river, opposite the terminal. We must cross the bridge. If time permits, the same water taxi can take you from Kinderdijk to the town of Dordrecht.

Shops and Cuisine of Rotterdam

As a rule, shopping starts from the Lijnbaan shopping street, where a huge assortment of various shops is presented. The new shopping street in Rotterdam is Beurstraverse, located between Hoogstraat and Lijnbaan. Here are world brands and not only. A must visit is the new indoor food market The Markthal Rotterdam. A striking feature of the arched structure is the colorful "Cornucopia" murals by artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam. They cover the entire internal ceiling, which is almost 11 thousand square meters! The market is a 30-minute walk from the cruise terminal, at Dominee Jan Scharpstraat 298, next to the Rotterdam Blaak railway station.

It is recommended to take a walk through local restaurants and cafes; many establishments can rightfully be considered true gastronomic attractions. One of the best restaurants is located right next to the cruise terminal - HMB Restaurant, open from 12.00 to 00.00, Sun. and Mon. - day off.

Where to stay before and after the cruise?

For a pre-cruise stop at the port, try Airbnb, where you can rent a full-fledged apartment for the price of a hotel room. By registering with our link you will receive coupon for 2100 rubles. for your first stay from 4500 rubles!

Top things to do in and around Port of Rotterdam

These hotels are selected by us based on our own experience, and the experience of other cruise travelers. Determining factors when choosing: proximity to the cruise terminal of Rotterdam, the ability to quickly and easily get to the ship, as well as the airport or railway station.

Rotterdam (Netherlands) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Rotterdam with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Rotterdam (Netherlands)

Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe and the second largest city in the Netherlands. It is located in South Holland near the North Sea on the Nieuwe Maas River, formed by the Rhine Delta and the Meuse River. Rotterdam is one of the most modern cities in Holland and one of the most dynamic in Europe. It is famous for its modern architecture, nightlife and shopping, avant-garde art and cuisine.

The climate is temperate maritime with fairly cool summers and mild winters. The average temperature of the warm period is often below 20 degrees, while in winter it rarely drops below zero.

Practical Information

1. Population - 639.5 thousand inhabitants
2. Area - 206.4 sq. km
3. The language is Dutch.
4. Currency - euro.
5. Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
6. Visa - Schengen.
7. The main shopping streets are Lijnbaan and Hoogstraat, which are pedestrianized. Alternative shopping can be arranged at Botersloot and Pannekoekstraat. These streets are located to the east of the Market Square.
8. Many pubs, bars and restaurants are located in the Oude Haven (old harbour) and Blaak area.

Story

Rotterdam was founded in the 13th century at the dam where the small river Rotte flows into the Meuse. The name of the city can be translated as "dam on the Rotte". Already in 1340 the settlement received city rights. Thanks to its advantageous position, Rotterdam quickly developed into one of the largest Dutch ports. In 1360, the construction of the city walls began.

In 1572, Rotterdam was sacked by the Spanish. At the beginning of the 17th century, a new large port was built. Very quickly, Rotterdam turned into one of the most important and largest ports in Europe, which it remains to this day. At the beginning of the 20th century, the city's fortifications were demolished, which held back the growth of the city. During the First World War, Rotterdam acted as a base for the secret services. In May 1940, German troops bombed the city center.

How to get there

The airport is located 6 km north of Rotterdam. There are direct flights to major cities in Germany, Spain, Italy and England. Amsterdam Schiphol is 58 km away and offers more destinations. You can get to the city from the airport by bus 50.

Rotterdam is a major railway junction. There are high-speed trains from Antwerp, Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris. The city is also distinguished by good car accessibility.

Public transport is represented by metro, buses and trams. The Amsterdam Metro consists of 5 lines. There is a unified system of travel. A day card that gives access to all public transport costs 10 euros.

Attractions

There are not many historical and cultural monuments to be found in Rotterdam. The main attractions were created relatively recently.

Kijk-Kubus - cubic houses designed by architect Piet Blom. They are a museum.

De Markthal

De Markthal is a market combined with residential apartments. For the painting on the walls and ceiling, it is often called the "Dutch Sistine Chapel".

Sculptural composition "Destroyed City"

The ruined city (De Verwoeste Stad) is a memorial of 1953, reminiscent of the destruction of World War II.

The Erasmus Bridge is one of the symbols of Rotterdam, an 800-meter bridge that connects the northern and southern parts of the city.

The Rotterdam Tower is the highest building in Rotterdam (185 m), built in the 60s of the 20th century. At an altitude of 100 meters there is an observation deck.

The central station is the gateway to Amsterdam and a building of interesting architecture.

De Brug is the four-story headquarters of Unilever Bestfoods Nederland, built as a bridge structure over an old factory.

Delta Museum

Delta Museum - reconstruction of an 18th century ship of the line.

The White House is a 45-meter office building of the late 19th century, the first skyscraper in Europe. Instead of a steel structure, thick load-bearing brick walls were used.

Delfshaven is a picturesque marina, a corner of old Rotterdam.

The Laurenskerk Church is a 15th century late Gothic church, one of the few medieval sights in Rotterdam.

The Maastoren skyscraper is the tallest building in the Netherlands. The height of the building is 164 meters.

The New Delft Gate is a steel structure built in 1995.

Oude- of Pelgrimvaderskerk is a historic church in Rotterdam.

The Schielandshuis is the only surviving building from the 17th century.

The Town Hall is a beautiful Romanesque and Art Deco building built in the early 20th century.

Willemsbrug is one of the symbols of Rotterdam, a beautiful red bridge that connects the city center and its northern part.

Kinderdijk - Nineteen historic windmills are one of the most important Dutch monuments and are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Located near the village of Kinderdijk, 23 km from Rotterdam.

The seaport of Rotterdam is sometimes referred to as Germany's main port. And this is indeed the case. For Central and Southern Germany, Rotterdam is essentially a nearby port, and accordingly, German businessmen take full advantage of this opportunity. And thanks in no small part to German products, the port of Rotterdam ranks fourth in the list of the largest ports in the world after Shanghai, Singapore and Ningbo. In 2010, 430 million tons of cargo passed through the port. Moreover, the main role in transportation through Rotterdam is assigned to the transportation of bulk cargo (raw materials, ore, coal, sand) and cargo in containers. The territory of the port is occupied, first of all, by various warehouses and offices of companies, including Russian ones, which also use the services of this infrastructure facility.

If you delve into history, the first mention of the port of Rotterdam dates back to the Middle Ages, when it originated as a transshipment point. It was at that time that the first harbors Oude Haven, Haringvliet and Leuvehaven appeared in Rotterdam. In the 19th century, the port had a problem - silting up of the rivers, which made it difficult to go to the sea and back. And it is possible that this unpleasant event would put an end to this grandiose object today, but as they say, the stars favored the city. The rapid development of industry in the Ruhr region required the presence of a port with large transshipment capabilities. And to solve these problems in 1830, funds were found for the construction of the Kanaal door Voorne canal.

As the amount of cargo was constantly growing, in 1872 another canal, the Nieuwe Waterweg, was laid, which connected the city directly with the sea. The appearance of the canal led to the emergence of new harbors on the island of IJsselmonde, which is now part of Rotterdam. It was then, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, that the harbors of Koningshaven, Binnenhaven, Entrepothaven and Spoorweghaven were founded there. In subsequent years, the number of harbors grew along with the increase in the volume of cargo passing through the port of Rotterdam. During the Second World War, the port of Rotterdam was badly damaged. But the war ended and the rapidly recovering German economy again demanded a large port near the industrial Ruhr. And if you need it, you will get it. The port was not just restored, it was practically rebuilt, while meeting the most modern requirements for maritime transportation.

The blockade of the Suez Canal in 1956 called for an increase in tanker traffic, and the port of Rotterdam, which in 1958 had one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the world (Europoort), was at the right time in the right place. Europort is still used today for transshipment of crude oil. From 1962 to 2004, in no small measure timely to previous achievements, the port of Rotterdam was the largest in the world. Today he is content with the status of the largest European. The area of ​​the port occupies 10 thousand hectares, and its length is about 40 km. The port is located on the shores of the North Sea and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It receives 30 thousand ships per year.

Of course, it has an excellent transport infrastructure connecting it with the rest of Europe. Dozens of harbors at their disposal process large cargo flows, the main part of which is oil and oil products, as well as ores and fossil coal. There are guided tours around the port. Therefore, those wishing to take a look at the largest port in Europe can take this opportunity. You can get there by land transport, as well as use the services of a water taxi (waterbus) or a river tram. There is also an opportunity to make sea excursions around the port.

There are several options for sea excursions - from one hour to 2.5 hours. They all start at the pier of the Erasmus Bridge. During the excursion, from the board of a modern pleasure ship, you can observe the work of the berths and docks of the port of Rotterdam, see its modern warehouses and thousands of containers that arrived from all over the world and are unloaded and loaded daily in Rotterdam. In addition, you can personally observe the work of ferries, shipyards and ship repair facilities, and many more interesting things.

The port of Rotterdam is the largest in Europe. Its area reaches 105 km2, and the length of the coastline is 40 km. The port is divided into 5 districts and 3 shipping zones, more than 40,000,000 consumers are served here and more than 400 million tons of various goods are transported annually.

Due to its favorable location, Rotterdam has become the main seaport in Europe. It is located at the mouth of the rivers Rhine and Meuse (South Holland), through which you can quickly and safely transport cargo from the Netherlands to Belgium, France and Germany. It is through Rotterdam that most of the goods sailing from Asia or America enter deep into continental Europe.

What is the value of the seaport of Rotterdam for tourists and is it possible to come here on an excursion? What is on its territory and how to get there? The answers to the most important questions for travelers are in this article.

Story

The first memories of the port of Rotterdam date back to the end of the 13th century, when a dam was built in a small fishing village at the mouth of the Rhine River. A little later, in 1340, a canal was dug in this place, known as the "Rotterdam Schie", which later became the main port of the province and a harbinger of Rotterdam.

The next significant stage in the history of the port came in the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries. After a short sea route to India was discovered, Dutch trade and shipping began their rapid development, turning Rotterdam into the country's second trading city. In 1873, the port was expanded and got access to the North Sea, not only ordinary cargo ships, but also larger ocean-going steamships began to sail here.

The First and Second World Wars destroyed more than a third of the objects of the port, whose importance only increased due to the development of industry in the Ruhr region. In the second half of the 20th century, Rotterdam literally “rose from the ashes” left after numerous bombings. In its place, a completely new city with practical and unusual architecture was built, the seaport became the embodiment of bold innovative projects that are admired not only from a tourist, but also from a professional point of view.

Interesting to know! Between 1926 and 1986, Rotterdam was the largest port in the world.

Modern port

Today Rotterdam is called the main "gateway to Europe". It is one of the largest ports in the world in terms of cargo turnover - more than 440,000,000 tons of goods pass through its berths and warehouses annually. Mostly oil products, ores, sand, coal and containerized cargo are transported through Rotterdam.

The landscape of the area around Rotterdam made it possible to establish road and rail links here, which became another advantage of the port. In addition, its territory is famous for its unusual architecture, as some companies whose warehouses and offices are located in this place created entire projects to create unique buildings with wide functionality. The port also has a small Maritime Museum.

Maritime Museum

Interesting fact! The seaport of Rotterdam is called the king of Dutch architecture.

The port of Rotterdam is a place where there are no nights. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. More than 135,000 ships and more than 4 million tourists come here every year who want to personally visit the main harbor of Europe.

Find out the RATES or book any accommodation using this form

Excursions in Rotterdam

To see the largest port in Europe from the inside is the dream of many travelers. To make this happen, Spido, headquartered near the Erasmus Bridge, organizes more than 5 tours of Rotterdam's waterways every day.

A fascinating ride on the speedboat Speedo will allow you to go where a taxi will not bring you and your feet will not bring you. You will see with your own eyes all the features of the operation of this huge mechanism: a tourist boat passes along the Meuse River through the main parts of the port, docks and shipyards, it sails past ships serving tugboats and tankers, and shows travelers the most interesting buildings of Rotterdam.

A tour of the seaport will be interesting for both children and adults. It lasts 1.5 or 2.5 hours and is accompanied by information in Dutch, English, French and German. Departure takes place almost every hour from under the Erasmus bridge.

Advice! Food and drinks on the ship are very expensive, so it is better to buy them in advance. The company does not prohibit bringing sandwiches, fruits and even wine on board.

Helpful information

• The cost of the cruise is 12 euros. Holders of the HollandPass card are entitled to a discount, which must be reminded to the cashier;
• The company is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. You can find out the exact time of the ship's departure only on the spot, since the schedule of the Speedo ship depends on its workload;
• Next to the ticket offices of the company is one of the best souvenir shops in Rotterdam. Here you can buy a lot of interesting gifts, mostly marine themes;
• If you want to enjoy the tour from the upper deck, ask for a blanket in advance and don't forget a scarf - the ship moves at high speed and the wind constantly blows passengers.

The port of Rotterdam is a unique mechanism, striking in its scale. Look at its power and strength with your own eyes! Have a good trip!

Related posts:

The presence of port cities in the territory of any country improves its economy. The largest port in the world, Rotterdam, is located in the Netherlands. Read about it in the article.

Description

Describing this port, one cannot but say that its area is measured by ten thousand hectares. Its total length is about forty thousand meters, or 40 kilometers. Its location is the delta of three rivers connected with the North Sea. It is also connected to a river called the Nivier Meuse. You can visit it any day of the week. It is open every minute. In total, more than thirty thousand ships moor here a year - it is so huge.

The port of Rotterdam consists of many harbours. Each of them has its own name and number, so it is impossible to confuse them. In addition, it has a connection with the whole country and other states through the railway.

The constant number of people living in the territory of this city is about 617 thousand, so it is one of the largest cities in the Netherlands, second only to Amsterdam in terms of population.

The port even has a motto, which sounds like this: "Strength in the fight."

Story

This port originated in the Middle Ages. It was at this time that harbors first appeared there. However, by the nineteenth century, the rivers that connected it to the sea routes were silted up, as a result of which the port of Rotterdam became difficult to access. Since it was in the 19th century that industry in the Ruhr region began to develop intensively, the port became in demand. So in 1830 he received a special canal.

Soon the number of ships passing through here increased, and in 1872 a second canal connected the port directly to the sea. New harbors have appeared, located on an island called IJsselmond. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, more and more harbors were formed as the port grew larger. In 1958, an industrial petrochemical complex appeared in the port of Rotterdam, one of the leading in the world. After that, even the largest ships could get here.

Until now, the port of Rotterdam is developing. So, in the 1970s, new harbors appeared here, and the amount of goods imported into its territory is increasing to this day. In the period from 1962 to 2004, it was the largest in the world, but recently the port of Shanghai has borne this title. Despite this, he remains the leader in Europe.

Activities in the port

At present, such a large port as Rotterdam is one of the most important in the world. The cargo flows processed here, for the most part, consist of such minerals as ore and coal. In addition, petroleum products and pure oil also get here. In total, the port has five harbors for receiving black gold, which include 68 berths.

Many people interested in shipbuilding visit the Netherlands. The port of Rotterdam is a place where life is in full swing. Ferries operate here, ships are repaired, and shipyards are also located. If we give exact numbers, then we can count 8 enterprises intended for ship repair.

Rotterdam is not only a seaport. More than 200,000 riverboats, 250 to be exact, moor in its marinas every year. It is part of a widely branched railway system. In addition, one of the largest metro stations is located here. Historical facts indicate that it was in this city that the first metro in the Netherlands was opened.

Interestingly, during one of the largest wars, namely the First World War, spies were active in the port.

Tours

The Port of Rotterdam is not only the world's leading port. This city is very popular with tourists. People organize both independent trips and group excursions. So, you can choose among several options the duration of such a walk. It can take 75 minutes or two and a half hours. In summer, you can take part in the excursion at least several times a day, even at night.

The program of excursions is designed in such a way that everyone can see all the most interesting. For example, berths, docks, warehouses, containers brought from all over the world will not be left without attention. At night, tourists have the opportunity to see the romantic Rotterdam - a port city, illuminated by thousands of lanterns and searchlights.

Attractions

The seaport of Rotterdam is a city that is rightfully considered the king of Dutch architecture. A large number of buildings are located here, which at different times were champions, for example, in height. So, one of the buildings built at the beginning of the twentieth century, for several years was considered the highest in the Netherlands. It towered 45 meters above the ground.

Of course, visiting the port, you can not help but be interested in local attractions. These include, in particular:

• Cubic houses, which are considered a prime example of modern architecture.
• Euromast, towering above the ground for many meters.
• The White House is one of the most beautiful in the entire city.

• Erasmus Bridge, or Swan Bridge. The largest drawbridge in the world, the construction of which cost the country $110 million.
• The Maritime Museum, by visiting which people can expand their knowledge of the history of shipbuilding.

Every year tourists visit the sights of Rotterdam. In total, there are about four million people who come to the port.