In collaboration with the Rotterdam Street Art Museum we offer the Rotterdam Street Art Tour. During this 1.5-hour walking tour, passionate and knowledgeable street art guides will lead you past some of the city’s most impressive artworks. They’ll share the stories behind the vibrant and expressive murals that adorn Rotterdam—diving into their origins, inspirations, meanings, and the messages they convey.
This public Rotterdam Street Art Tour is perfect for anyone who wants to experience the city in a creative and colorful way. The tour is available every Saturday from April through October at 14:00 and is conducted in English. You’ll walk alongside fellow curious travelers, exploring the murals together. Ask questions, laugh, learn, and discover how street art tells the story of Rotterdam. After the tour, you’re guaranteed to see the city through new eyes.
During the Rotterdam Street Art Tour, you’ll explore an impressive collection of artworks scattered throughout the main streets and side alleys of the West-Kruiskade and 1e Middellandstraat. A passionate street art guide will walk you through the area, sharing insights into the murals—each one with its own unique story. Some reflect the cultural diversity and history of the neighborhood, while others tackle social themes or serve as pure expressions of creativity.
📍 Dynamic and Colorful Murals: The neighborhood is a burst of color and creativity, featuring large-scale murals that catch the eye and spark reflection.
📍 Cultural and Social Messages: Many of the artworks carry deeper meanings and address current topics like gentrification, diversity, and social inequality.
📍 Stories of the Street Artists: Get to know the personal stories of the artists—their identities, motivations, and what drives them. These stories add depth to the art and show how street art often arises from engagement, protest, or sheer passion.
📍 Various Techniques: Discover the diverse techniques used in Rotterdam’s street art. Each method contributes to the distinct character of the artwork—and the neighborhood itself.
The West-Kruiskade and 1e Middellandstraat were once known as two of Rotterdam’s most notorious streets. Drug crime, dealers, and prostitution dominated the area, giving the neighborhood a long-standing negative reputation. While the drug trade and its related excesses have since disappeared, the area remains an exciting place full of energy and transformation.
In 2017, an initiative was launched to bring more street art to these streets, with the aim of promoting art and creativity. This project eventually evolved into the Rotterdam Street Art Museum—an open-air museum where the city’s walls serve as canvases for talented artists from both the Netherlands and abroad. The combination of the neighborhood’s rich, and at times turbulent, history with the power of street art has sparked a visible transformation—one that can be seen on every street corner today. What makes this district truly unique is its incredible diversity. With over 170 nationalities represented, the West-Kruiskade radiates a multicultural atmosphere.
✅ This tour is conducted in English.
✅ Total walking distance: approximately 1.5 kilometers – easily manageable for most people.
✅ The Rotterdam Street Art Tour is suitable for children aged 8 and up.
✅ All participants join the tour at their own risk.
Meeting point: Rotterdam Tourist Information CS. Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour’s departure time.
“Anne-Marie had the honor to start our bachelorette party with 12 ladies with a tour along Street Art and Highlights in Rotterdam. And what a fantastic job she did! She knows so much and told us so enthusiastically, we were speechless… that is very special for a group of 12 ladies.”
“The tour was amazing and everyone loved it! The guides were just so much fun. We might do a separate event in the future if you guys are interested too!”
“Thank you very much for the great street art tour with a very competent and cheerful colleague! She was an excellent guide and gave very interesting information. We learned a lot about Rotterdam and street art.”
