Join us for an exploratory walking tour through Rotterdam with our Rotterdam Rooftop Tour where we visit and explore innovative and extraordinary rooftops in the city center. Led by a knowledgeable guide, this tour introduces you to creative examples of how Rotterdam is reimagining the use of its flat rooftops. Rotterdam has the highest number of flat roofs in the Netherlands, largely due to the post-war reconstruction following the bombing on May 14, 1940. With a staggering 18 million m² of flat roofs—1 million m² of which are in the city center—there is immense untapped potential waiting to be realized. This Rotterdam Rooftop Tour offers a new perspective on the city and introduces you, in an engaging way, to the city of the future and the crucial role rooftops will play in it.
By 2030, an estimated 70% of the global population will live in cities. In Rotterdam, the city center’s population is expected to grow from 40,000 to 60,000. To prepare cities for the future, we must make better use of rooftops—for housing, offices, recreation, rooftop gardens and farms, rainwater capture, and sustainable energy generation.
This public Rotterdam Rooftop Tour takes place every Saturday from April through October and starts at 14:30 in English. On the first Saturday of each month, there is also a Dutch tour starting at 14:00.
A knowledgeable guide will take you on a visionary journey across four rooftops that are normally closed or have limited public access. These rooftops showcase a variety of functions—from green roofs to meeting spaces. Along the way, you’ll learn about existing rooftop innovations and the city’s ambitious plans for the future. You’ll also enjoy breathtaking views of Rotterdam’s skyline. The Rotterdam Rooftop Tour is surprising, informative, and inspiring.
📍 Access to four exclusive rooftops in Rotterdam’s city center
📍 Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city
📍 Discover inspiring examples of rooftop innovation
📍 Learn about the city of the future
📍 Experience Rotterdam from a whole new perspective
✅ Total walking distance: approx. 4 kilometers, including some stairs – moderate to good fitness level required
✅ There is no break during the tour
✅ This Rotterdam Rooftop Tour is suitable for ages 12 and up
✅ Not suitable for those with limited mobility
✅ All participants join the tour at their own risk
✅ The tour takes place in all weather conditions
✅ The tour only runs with sufficient interest
Meeting point: Rotterdam Tourist Information CS. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour’s departure time.
“Amazing experience. This is something you can’t do on your own, you get to places that are otherwise inaccessible and unforgettable. The guide knows a lot and can tell you everything about the locations. Recommended!”
“Unexpected surprise. Definitely worth doing. Super fun tour! Especially if you live there. Very nice to be a tourist in your own city for once. And you can go on the Calex roof. Normally you are never allowed to.”
“I’ve been living in Rotterdam for yeaaaars, now I suddenly see my city from a completely different perspective. Nice walking tour and you get to places where you are not allowed to go as an ordinary citizen.”
“Had a great roof tour. Enjoyed the view of Rotterdam from a great height. Recommended for a company activity. With 20 colleagues divided over 2 guides, an inspiring tour was made during which a number of roofs with special functions were visited and we partly walked between the locations at height. I would not be surprised if more team outings follow from our company.”
All year • From 8 persons • A very nice tour through the center of Rotterdam. Inside and outside the beaten track. The highlights, history, architecture and more are all covered!
All year • For groups • Climb the tower of the medieval Laurenskerk and enjoy a spectacular view of Rotterdam. An enthusiastic guide tells ‘the story of the tower’ during the climb.
All year round • From 8 people • Up on the roof. Visit four exclusive roofs, hear all about innovative roof use and enjoy the spectacular skyline of Rotterdam.
