There is a big chance that you will experience at least one rainy day in Rotterdam. Unfortunately the weather in The Netherlands can be quite unpredictable and we often have four seasons in a day. Most Dutch people are used to the weather and are equipped with a good umbrella and rain coat. You’ll be surprised to still see many locals riding their bikes outside on the worst rainy day you have ever witnessed.
Don’t feel like getting wet? I totally understand. But, don’t let a very rainy day hold you back from doing anything fun. In this article you can find plenty of things to do on a rainy day in Rotterdam.
TIP: Go full on tourist mode and take the hop, on on off bus and stay nice and dry.
Be sure to also read this post with more fun things to do in Rotterdam!
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1. Go on an audiovisual journey in Remastered
Experience the interactive experience Remastered. In this attraction you will be taken on an audiovisual journey for an hour and you become one with the art.
Walk under a waterfall, go on an adventure with the unearthly creatures of Hieronymus Bosch, learn to time travel and surround yourself with paintings by Dutch Old Masters such as Van Gogh and Mondriaan. Each time you enter a new world and you don’t know what to expect.
Buy your tickets via this link.
Address
Willemsplein 79, 3016 DR Rotterdam
2. Enjoy the view from the Euroscoop
The Euromast is an absolute must-visit. With its impressive height of 185 meters, it is the tallest building in the Netherlands. Rainy day? No problem! There are countless reasons to explore and enjoy the Euromast.
Enjoy the view while sitting comfortably inside and have something to eat and drink. You are welcome in the restaurant for brunch, lunch, high tea and dinner! You can look over the city from your table.
There is more! Discover the viewing platforms at 100 and 112 meters high. Bring an umbrella, because not everything is covered. Run straight to the Euroscoop to go to the top of 185 in a covered cabin. Unless you’re afraid of heights, of course.
And nice to know: the Euroscoop has recently been renewed! As you are taken on this exciting ride, you will get a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. But that’s not all: the brand new, intelligent glass floor goes from matt to transparent. This makes the experience extra special.
TIP: Buy your ticket here to go up the Euromast. The ticket price is higher if you buy entrance tickets on the day of your visit, so book it as soon as possible. Don’t forget to click on the option of the Euroscoop tickets!
Address
Parkhaven 20, 3016 GM Rotterdam
3. Go on the Splashtour
Maybe a water activity isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when it rains. But in the splashtour you are completely dry, despite what the name suggests.
At first glance it looks like an ordinary bus tour, which takes you past the most special places in Rotterdam, but there is much more! During this adventurous tour, the bus literally takes a dip in the Maas.
As the bus moves on, discover the city from the water. A fun, immersive way to explore our city. So, don’t let the weather stop you, jump on board and experience Rotterdam in a unique and dry way with the Splashtour!
Book your rideBoek hier with the Splashtour
Address
Parkhaven 9, 3016 GM Rotterdam
4. Eat pancakes on a boat
If you are looking for the real Dutch experience with the family, you should go with the Pannenkoekenboot or Pancake Boat. In addition to tasting the typical Dutch pancakes, you will explore Rotterdam with a boat trip on the Maas.
A super fun children’s activity, but secretly also fun (and delicious of course) for the grown ups. And that way you are nice and dry during the rain in Rotterdam!
Address
Parkhaven 13, 3016 GM Rotterdam
5. Visit Miniworld with (or without) kids
Miniworld Rotterdam is a super fun place for a day out with your kids in Rotterdam. It is an indoor miniature world of Rotterdam with everything you can imagine. Here the kids discover the world in miniature size, a unique way to get to know the metropolis of Rotterdam better.
Expect over 650 square meters with Rotterdam polder landscapes, modern and historical architecture and of course the port of Europe. Everything is surprisingly detailed. Really a top place for a family outing in Rotterdam!
TIP: Already get your ticket for Miniworld Rotterdam!
Discover more fun things to do with kids in Rotterdam.
Address
Weena 745, 3013 AL Rotterdam
6. Visit a museum for a cultural experience
Photo by Walter Herfst.
On a rainy day there is nothing more delightful than losing yourself in the splendour of art. You are inside a museum, protected from the cold and wetness. Fortunately, Rotterdam offers an abundance of museums. As an extra advantage, many Rotterdam museums are also within walking distance of each other in the Museumpark.
An example of an interesting museum is the Natural History Museum Rotterdam, pictured above. This museum has been located on the Land van Hoboken on the Westzeedijk in Villa Dijkzigt since 1987. Inside, a veritable treasure trove of knowledge about insects, fish, birds, mammals, shells and plants unfolds.
Another gem is the well-known Kunsthal. Every Rotterdammer has been here at least once in his life. Various and high-profile exhibitions are always organized here. From modern and contemporary art to forgotten cultures, photography, fashion and design. The Kunsthal offers something for everyone.
But there are also museums outside Museumpark. For example, you have the Maritime Museum Rotterdam. This special museum is located in one of the largest and oldest museum harbours in the Netherlands. Here you will learn more about the past and present of the port of Rotterdam.
TIP: get your tickets for Maritieme Museum here.
Check out these interesting museums in Rotterdam.
7. Immerse yourself in the world of VR at LantarenVenster
Going to the movies, but just a little different! That is possible at LantarenVenster. They are one of the first cinemas to offer virtual reality in their film programme.
Step inside for Nu:Reality’s Inner Journey, which runs through September 2023. Be immersed in five VR experiences with beautiful visuals and special stories.
The adventure already starts in the foyer, where you can choose from two interactive VR games: The Book of Distance or Goliath. Then you take a seat in a cinema room for a magical journey with three special films in 360º: Passenger, Ferenj and Conscious Existence.
Address
Otto Reuchlinweg 996, 3072 MD Rotterdam
8. Experience virtual reality at Zero Latency VR
We stay in the virtual reality world for a while. With Zero Latency VR you can experience the most advanced free-roam virtual reality with two to eight people at the same time. Free-roam VR means that you move and walk around freely, in this case in a gigantic 200 square meter hall.
Together with your team you fight against rampaging zombies, space robots or discover a fantasy world. A fun and exciting way to work on team building!
Click here for more information.
Address
Vierhavensstraat 66, 3029 BG Rotterdam
9. Visit the ss Rotterdam
Photo by Mark de Rooij.
The ss Rotterdam is a legendary flagship of the Holland America Line. With its rich history and special stories, this ship is more than worth a visit. For example, follow one of the guided tours, be locked up in the Escape Room or eat at one of the restaurants.
In addition, there are also many fun children’s activities, such as treasure hunts, watching movies and there is even a special Playroom.
TIP: already buy a ticket with an audiotour.
Address
3e Katendrechtse Hoofd 25, 3072 AM Rotterdam
10. Play a game of lawn bowling at Mooie Boules
Mooie Boules is an indoor food hall. Ideal for hiding from the rain! It is also a unique hotspot, because it is the very first Rotterdam food hall where you can also play a game of lawn bowling.
You can find Mooie Boules in a characteristic metal factory in the emerging ZOHO area. The factory has been completely transformed into a French village square. Local restaurants serve signature dishes and the bar serves a wide range of wine, specialty and local beer. Mooie Boules is a perfect spot for fun with friends!
Definitely an ideal spot for a fun time with friends!
Address
Vijverhofstraat 45, 3032 SB Rotterdam
11. Sing your heart out at Dikke Mic
Photo by Laura Siliquini.
Next to Mooie Boules you will find Dikke Mic. This is totally your place if you love karaoke! Here they have several karaoke rooms in the basement, each with its own theme and inspired by the small Asian streets and alleys. In total there are eight private karaoke rooms that can be booked from 4 to 30 people.
Is singing not really your thing? You also have several arcade games here. You are guaranteed to have a pleasant evening with your friends at Dikke Mic and of course you will stay completely dry.
Address
Vijverhofstraat 47, 3032 SB Rotterdam
12. Hit a hole in one at Glow golf in Schiedam
Foto door Marc Verhees Fotografie
Experience an unforgettable adventure at the EUROSCOOP Cinema and Leisure center in Schiedam: Glowgolf! Here you enter an enchanting setting with the World of Fantasy theme to play a round of mini golf.
Encounter flying dragons, mysterious creatures and giant candies as you make your way through this wondrous golf course. Can you hit a perfect hole in one in this magical environment? Let the adventure begin!
Click here for more information!
Address
Noorderweg 24, 3119 XX Schiedam
13. Have a peek inside the Kijk-Kubus
A visit to the Kijk-Kubus is a great thing to do on a rainy day in Rotterdam. In the Kijk-Kubus you get a glimpse what a Cube House looks like from the inside.
Rotterdam is known worldwide for its architecture. This is partly due to the iconic Cube Houses. So rain or shine, you must visit the Cube Houses!
TIPS: during this Rotterdamse tour you also get a look in one of the Cube Houses. You will also take a water taxi, visit De Rotterdam and the Oude Haven and go to the rooftop of Het Witte Huis.
Another fun tip: to really have the full experience of living in a Cube house, you can also decide to stay at Stayokay Rotterdam Cube Hostel, which is a hostel in one of the cubes. Stayokay Rotterdam Cube Hostel offers private rooms for up to 6 people, as well as mixed, male and female dorms.
Check out this post for more hostels in Rotterdam.
Address
Overblaak 70, 3011 MH Rotterdam
14. Go to the Markthal for fresh and varied food
Raining or not, if you’re a tourist in Rotterdam you should visit the iconic Markthal. Luckily, the Markthal in Rotterdam is the first covered market in the Netherlands, so an excellent place to hide from the rain!
At the Markthal you will find fresh and varied food. In total there are around 90 stalls, 20 shops and restaurants. If you aren’t looking for anything to eat, drink or buy, we still recommend you to visit this already iconic place. The Markthal is a pretty cool building; from both the outside and inside.
TIP: check out this tasting tour, a great way to try a lot of different foods in the Markthal!
Address
Verlengde Nieuwstraat, 3011 GM Rotterdam
15. Play all kinds of games at POING
A real arcade hall with classic pinball machines, karaoke and a classic dance machine! At POING you can play all kinds of fun games, but also have a drink and order something tasty from their Asian kitchen. It’s a great hotspot where you can catch up with friends and have a fun time together.
During a rainy day in Rotterdam, POING is an ideal place to hide from the bad weather and play fun games until late at night.
Address
Schiekade 201, 3013 BR Rotterdam
16. Visit Cinerama or another movie theater
The perfect time to visit one of the local cinemas in Rotterdam! We have some cool smaller cinema houses, such as Cinema, Lantaren Venster and KINO. At KINO you can also hang out at the bar and grab a bite to eat.
Of course there is also the option to go to Pathé and watch one of the current blockbusters. But the local cinemas just have a bit more character.
Address
Westblaak 18, 3012 KL Rotterdam
17. Have a swim at a pool
Rotterdam has a large number of indoor swimming pools! And of course swimming indoors is a great way to still stay active in bad weather. There are swimming pools with fun children’s recreation, but also swimming pools with saunas and steam cabins.
According to our blogger Kim, the Van Maanenbad in Blijdorp is one of the most beautiful swimming pools in Rotterdam:
“The indoor pool is straight out of a Wes Anderson movie. There’s a steam sauna, great!”
Kim has listed indoor and outdoor swimming pools in Rotterdam.
Adres
Van Maanenstraat 8, 3038 CZ Rotterdam
18. Go shopping and stay dry
In Rotterdam we are quite prepared for the rain. For instance, at the Lijnbaan and Koopgoot you can shop without having to walk in the rain, because there is a roofed area next to the shops.
If you want to stay completely dry, we recommend to shop at one of the shopping malls such as Alexandrium or Zuidplein.
Rotterdam is an excellent city for vintage shopping as well. And be sure to check out Olivia’s article about gift shops in Rotterdam.
19. Explore the waters with the watertaxi
Foto door @maarten_see_hooijmeijer.
It may sound strange to go on the water on a rainy day in Rotterdam, but during the watertaxi ride you’re actually indoors!
The watertaxi is a form of public transport, but a hundred times more fun! Book a ride on the website or order a taxi by phone and get dropped off at one of the 50 locations in the city. A nice way to see Rotterdam from the water and also an adventure, because the taxis can ride over the waves pretty quickly.
In addition to the practical function of the water taxi, you can also book it in combination with a tour. With this Rotterdam tour Rotterdamse tour you visit De Rotterdam, the Cube Houses, the Markthal and you get to ride the watertaxi!
20. Get on board for a boat trip in Rotterdam
RIVER CRUISE ROTTERDAM
The best way to experience Rotterdam is of course by taking a boat trip. Because believe us: from the water, Rotterdam looks very different! Sail under the Erasmus Bridge and the Willems Bridge, view the various ports, see where the Holland-America Line once left and experience Rotterdam’s unique character.
We recommend this tour for a quiet 1-hour cruise, which covers all the highlights of Rotterdam. It’s possible to sit on top of the deck, but you can also sit indoors to take shelter from the rain.
21. Exciting times at one of the Escape Rooms in Rotterdam
Photo by Live Escape in Rotterdam.
Do you and your friends love adventure? Then a visit to one of the Escape Rooms in Rotterdam is a great idea. For instance, you can visit Live Escape. Here you have three rooms: The Safe House, Lab13 and The Boiler Room.
At The Safe House, you and your friends unexpectedly witnessed a murder in the Rotterdam Underworld. In anticipation of the court case, in which you are the most important witnesses, you will be placed in a Safe House. But is it really safe?
In LAB13, horrible experiments were done by Russians. According to local residents, the lab is still being used. You must do the first exploration…
In The Boilerroom, your group enters a largely burned-down apartment to find Sophie. Once inside you will find out what has happened in the apartment and that Sophie is not the only one who has disappeared without a trace. Will you be able to find Sophie before you get caught?
Read Mathilde’s article for more fun Escape Rooms in Rotterdam!
22. A fun afternoon of climbing
Bezoek bijvoorbeeld de Klimmuur Rotterdam.
Rotterdam has several climbing halls in Rotterdam. For example, Klimmuur Rotterdam, where you can spot a spectacular overhanging main wall of 17 meters high. In addition, there are many different walls that are suitable for both novice and experienced climbers. There are about 130 routes.
But it doesn’t stop there. This location has a second and third floor where there is a bouldering hall and a training room. So you can combine secured climbing with bouldering, or just drop by for the other types of training.
Want to discover even more climbing halls? Then read Kim’s article with the best climbing parks and climbing halls in Rotterdam!
23. Enjoy a day of beauty & wellness in Rotterdam
Being completely pampered is of course the best way to spend a rainy day in Rotterdam. Book a relaxing massage at one of these massage spots in Rotterdam (like Weleda City Spa), let your nails shine again at one of these nail salons in Rotterdam or go to a spa for a day.
Another way to pamper yourself is to make an appointment at The Glambar in Rotterdam Noord. Here they will make your hair and face beautiful. And all while enjoying a drink and a cake.
24. Go on the Rotterdam hop on, hop off bus
Are you in Rotterdam for the first time and do you want to see as much as possible? Then a hop-on hop-off is more convenient than you think. With a 24- or 28-hour ticket you can get in and out wherever and whenever you want.
Of course it is best to discover Rotterdam on foot or by bike, but during a rainy day it is nice that you can hide from the rain in a bus and warm up. Then to brave the rain again with your umbrella and still admire all the sights of Rotterdam!
TIP: Get your tickets for the hop on, hop off bus.
25. Ice-skating at the Rotterdam ice rink
In December, January and February you can visit the Rotterdam Schaatsbaan (ice rink) in Kralingen. Chocolate milk, mulled wine, a Unox sandwich and wrapped in a thick coat. That is the real winter feeling! A super fun (winter or rainy day) outing in Rotterdam with your friends.
26. Have a cup of coffee at a cosy hotspot
Nothing better than reading a book and drinking some tea or coffee during a rainy day in Rotterdam. There are plenty of cozy places in Rotterdam that you can choose from! Harvest Coffee Brewers is a great option.
The owners of Harvest Coffee Brewers used to work in Melbourne, where making coffee is considered a true art. With their obtained experience and skills, they returned to Rotterdam to set up a coffee bar as they know them in Melbourne: with delicious food and the perfect cup of coffee.
A great place to spend a rainy day in Rotterdam. Be sure to also check out these great coffee places in Rotterdam.
27. Enjoy a cosy high tea, high wine or beer tasting
The vegan high tea at Tea Lab.
Tasting delicious tea, wine or beer in combination with tasty bites. No need for beautiful weather to enjoy good food and drinks! A high tea is perfect for a rainy day in Rotterdam. Or what did you think about a wine- or beer tasting!
Are you going for a tasty high tea with unlimited cups of tea and sweet treats such as scones, pies and chocolate? Or for a high wine with tasty savory snacks and delicious wines?
Another possibility is a beer tasting in Rotterdam. Something different than a simple beer in the local pub. During a beer tasting you can taste special beers and enjoy snacks.
All three are perfect ways to spend a rainy day in the city!
28. Visit the Foodhallen on Kop van Zuid
The Foodhallen is located in the beautiful monumental Pakhuismeesteren on the Kop van Zuid in Rotterdam. Here you can get food at 15 different food stands.
In addition to local food, there is also a central bar that serves Rotterdam drinks, such as Kaapse Brouwers and Bobby’s Gin from Schiedam. Ideal for a snack and a drink!
TIP: regularly there are fun events organized in the Foodhallen. So keep an eye on their website!
And that are the 28 things to do on a rainy day in Rotterdam. Again, don’t let rain ruin your fun in our city and make the most out of it. 🙂
1 reply on “28 Things to do on a rainy day in Rotterdam”
Great ideas! I love escape rooms and this one looks awesome. I’d also love to spend an afternoon in that spa.