With our Smartphone Walking Tour Architecture Rotterdam, you’ll discover how the city rose from the ashes to become the Netherlands’ ultimate open-air museum of architecture. From post-war reconstruction to world-class city. Welcome to Rotterdam – the city of bold design, light, and lines. On foot, at your own pace, with your smartphone as your guide.
When the city center was destroyed in 1940, Rotterdam chose not to rebuild the past but to look to the future. Architects were given the freedom to dream, dare, and create. The result? A skyline full of contrasts, iconic landmarks, and bold experiments. On this walking tour, you’ll see the city through the eyes of architects, designers, and residents. From the futuristic Central Station to the surreal Cube Houses. From monumental post-war reconstruction to cutting-edge skyscrapers. Every building tells a story.
Want to discover Rotterdam’s architectural gems but prefer to explore on your own? With our GPS-guided Rotterdam Architecture smartphone walking tour, you can stroll through the city at your own pace. No need for paper maps or fear of getting lost – the app smoothly guides you along the route. Perfect for families and small groups! The tour can be done anytime, with no time slots or schedules. Along the way, you’ll enjoy fun facts, surprising stories, interactive quizzes, and helpful tips – like having a real Rotterdammer walk beside you.
This route takes you past remarkable spots that together form the soul of the city. You’ll see how history and innovation go hand in hand, how concrete becomes poetry, and how a city transforms into an open-air museum of architecture.
🏛️ A route featuring architectural highlights in the city center
📲 Easy navigation via your smartphone – available in Dutch and English
ℹ️ Read about stories, join in fun quizzes, and discover fascinating background info along the way
📍 Rotterdam Central Station
📍 Paulus Church
📍 TR25 Schouwburg
📍 Lijnbaan
📍 City Hall
📍 Post Rotterdam (Post Office)
📍 Market Hall
📍 St. Lawrence Church
📍 Cube Houses
📍 Old Harbour
📍 White House
1. Choose the route you want to explore and book it via the calendar on the tour page.
You’ll receive a confirmation email with a unique code. This code is your ticket to activate the route in the app. Once you’ve purchased a route, you can use it as many times as you like.
2. In the email, you’ll find a link to our web app.
Click this link on your smartphone. Then, add the web app to your home screen so it functions like a regular app. Not sure how to do that? Watch this video for step-by-step instructions.
3. Open the app, select your route, and enter the unique code to unlock it.
When prompted, be sure to allow location access — a pop-up will appear asking for permission.
4. After you grant location access, a dot will appear on the map showing your exact position.
The route is clearly marked, making it easy to follow.
5. As you get close to each stop, you’ll receive a notification.
At every stop, you can read the story in your selected language. This way, you’ll not only see the highlights of the city but also learn more about Rotterdam as you go!
✅ For the best experience, we recommend doing the smartphone tour with a small group of 1-4 people. You only purchase the route once and can experience it together.
✅ For larger groups, such as school classes, it is possible to split up the group and download a route per group. This way, everyone can explore the city at their own pace!
✅ Read the texts and let one of you take on the role of a guide.
✅ You can simply follow the route with any smartphone (Apple/Android). Make sure your phone is fully charged or bring a power bank.
