Rotterdam makes you think of skyscrapers, bridges and a sleek skyline, not of greenery. Yet the city is full of parks, woods and gardens, if you know where to look. We lived here for years (Sebastiaan for around fifteen), and in every season we’d end up in one of these places. These are our ten favourite parks in Rotterdam.
Rotterdam’s parks on the map
The 10 best parks in Rotterdam
#1 Eiland van Brienenoord
Few Rotterdammers ever go there, but Eiland van Brienenoord is one of the most unusual green spaces in the city. Beneath the well-known Van Brienenoord Bridge lies an island of woodland, meadows and wide views over the river Maas. From the bank you look straight up at that enormous bridge, and a little further on the city skyline comes into view.
Our favourite part is the Highland cattle that roam here. With their shaggy coats and long horns they’re the island’s permanent residents, and with a bit of luck you’ll bump into them on your walk.
→ Discover 7 hidden highlights in Rotterdam
#2 Trompenburg Gardens & Arboretum
Even many locals have never heard of Trompenburg. This tree and plant garden in Kralingen once belonged to the country estate of a wealthy Rotterdam family, who later placed it in a foundation so everyone could enjoy it. You’ll find rare trees and plants from all over the world.
We like to wander here without a plan, from the ponds to the greenhouses and back again, and finish with a drink at the tea house. Trompenburg is the only place on this list where you pay to get in, but with a Dutch Museumkaart you walk straight in. It’s well worth it.
#3 Kralingse Bos
The city’s green lung is the Kralingse Plas, a lake with the Kralingse Bos woods around it. You can walk around the water with the skyline in the background, or head into the trees. Along the way you’ll pass the deer park and De Ster, a windmill that still grinds spices.
On a summer evening this is one of the nicest places in Rotterdam. Pick up some food and a disposable barbecue, find a spot by the water and watch the sun sink behind the towers. Kralingen itself is a lovely neighbourhood to walk through too, with plenty of stately old houses.
Tip: like the windmill at the Kralingse Plas? Then cycle from Rotterdam to the famous windmills of Kinderdijk, about an hour away by bike.
#4 Het Park
With a name like Het Park (‘The Park’), it needs no explanation that this is Rotterdam’s best-known park. Many people also call it the Euromast park, because the Euromast tower stands right next to it. It was laid out in the mid-nineteenth century by the Zocher family, the landscape architects who also designed the Vondelpark in Amsterdam, and it’s the oldest city park in Rotterdam.
Do take the Rododendronlaan to the old Norwegian church on the north side. In summer it gets busy here, because barbecues are allowed in Het Park and Rotterdammers make the most of it. For coffee or lunch, head to Parqiet, a park café in a white coach house with deckchairs on the grass.
#5 Historische Tuin Schoonoord
For me, a walk through Het Park always includes a stroll around the Historische Tuin Schoonoord, whose entrance is right next to it. This garden was designed by Zocher too. Once there was a mansion, greenhouses, a tea garden and a coach house, but the buildings disappeared over the years. What remains is a garden of just over a hectare, now run by a foundation and open to everyone. Highlights are the eighteenth-century entrance gate, the aviary, a 200-year-old beech tree and the lovely pond. Guided tours are held regularly, and online you’ll find a free walking route with information about the gardens.
#6 Park Zestienhoven
North of the centre, in Schiebroek, Park 16hoven lies between the allotment gardens. Much of the park consists of rolling grassy hills with a deer park, but our favourite part is the shady woodland. Here you’ll find water with picturesque little bridges under the trees. A bit further on is a willow lane with a stork’s nest, where storks breed almost every year. A fun extra is the flock of sheep you’ll often see moving through this part of Rotterdam to ‘mow’ the grass. Don’t be startled if you suddenly hear a plane taking off: Rotterdam The Hague Airport is right next to the park.
#7 Bergse Bos
On the northern edge of Rotterdam, above Hillegersberg, lie the Lage and Hoge Bergse Bos. Our favourite part is the Lage Bergse Bos, home to a large herd of Highland cattle. We’ve pretty much always spotted them. In the Hoge Bergse Bos you can climb the 22-metre lookout tower for a view over the woods and lakes.
Several walking routes run through the Bergse Bossen, such as the Boswachterspad (Forest Ranger’s Trail) of about 10 kilometres. Afterwards, recharge at family restaurant Bergsche Plas, with pancakes and a waterside terrace, or at Lake House on the edge of the woods.
#8 City Hall courtyard garden
A small but very special patch of green is hidden inside City Hall. The Stadhuis is one of the few buildings in the heart of Rotterdam that survived the 1940 bombing, which makes it stand out all the more among the high-rises. At the heart of this beautiful building lies a courtyard garden with statues, flowers and benches. It’s freely accessible from the entrances on either side of City Hall. With a bit of luck you’ll catch a newly married couple having their wedding photos taken.
→ Discover the 13 most photogenic places in Rotterdam
#9 Vroesenpark
On warm days, the Vroesenpark in Blijdorp is the sunniest spot in Rotterdam. The whole neighbourhood seems to come outside, and as soon as evening falls the barbecues are lit everywhere; there are even special bins for the hot coals. In summer there are regular (food) festivals.
Outside peak season it’s a pleasant park too, with a playground for kids and outdoor fitness equipment. In the middle of the park is the Vroesenpaviljoen, with a big terrace for sunny days and a cosy indoor space when it rains.
#10 Museumpark
On a city break to Rotterdam you’ll almost certainly pass the Museumpark. This is home to the Kunsthal, the Natural History Museum and the mirrored Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, where you can peek into the museum’s art storage. The park itself was once the estate of a wealthy Rotterdam family, and their villa is now the Natural History Museum.
A large part of the park is paved and used for events, such as the open-air cinema at the end of summer. For real greenery, walk on to the area by the Natural History Museum, or cycle over to Het Park by the Euromast.
