Delfshaven Self-Guided Tour: A Guide to Rotterdam’s Old Town

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Stroll across Piet Heynsbrug, a picturesque bridge named after the famous Dutch admiral Piet Heyn. From here, you’ll enjoy scenic views of Delfshaven's historic canals and traditional Dutch houses.

   Passes by

2. Another charming bridge, Mouterbrug offers beautiful vistas of the peaceful harbor and surrounding architecture, immersing you in the quaint charm of old-world Rotterdam.

   Passes by

3. Walk along the scenic harbor lined with historic ships and beautifully preserved buildings, giving you a true sense of Delfshaven’s rich maritime heritage.

   Passes by

4. Pass by this iconic windmill, a symbol of Dutch heritage, and hear about its role in powering distillery factories, an essential part of Delfshaven’s industrial past.

   Passes by

5. Visit this historic church and learn about its connection to the Pilgrim Fathers, who set sail from Delfshaven to escape religious persecution and embark on their journey to the New World.

   Passes by

6. See the brewery housed in the former Delfshaven Town Hall, where traditional Dutch beer is still brewed today. Discover its ties to the area’s rich brewing history.

   Passes by

7. This tiny, historic guild house was once where porters gathered to carry heavy sacks of grain. Passing by, you’ll get a glimpse into the everyday working life of Delfshaven’s past.

   Passes by

8. Located in a restored grain warehouse from 1825, this museum offers a fun, nostalgic stop as you pass by, with its quirky collection of vintage pinball machines.

   Passes by

9. Stop at the monument dedicated to Piet Heyn, one of the Netherlands’ most famous naval heroes. Learn about his exploits, including capturing the Spanish silver fleet.

   Passes by

10. Spot the popular “Locks of Love” seat, where couples leave love locks overlooking the canal, with a fantastic view of the Euromast observation tower in the background.

    Passes by

11. This well-preserved section of the city offers a snapshot of Delfshaven's history, where narrow streets and ancient buildings create a window into Rotterdam’s past.

    Passes by

12. Explore this part of Delfshaven where the scars of World War II are still visible, as the area survived the bombing that devastated much of Rotterdam during the war.

    Passes by

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 7 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Know before you go

How it compares in Rotterdam

• Its from-price is 92% below the median of the 239 experiences we list in Rotterdam.
• It is shorter than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 49 of 239.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a modern Dutch port city rebuilt after 1940, known for bold architecture, a huge harbour, the Cube Houses, a market hall and waterfront views.

Rotterdam was bombed in May 1940 and rebuilt in a modern style, so it is unlike the old canal towns of the Netherlands: glass towers, bridges and daring architecture line the Nieuwe Maas river, which is crossed by the white Erasmus Bridge. It has Europe's largest seaport, and the harbour can be toured by boat. Delfshaven, a small quarter of old canals that survived the bombs, is where the Pilgrim Fathers left in 1620.

Top-ranked sights in Rotterdam: Markthal (Market Hall) , Church of St. Lawrence (Sint Laurenskerk), Erasmusbrug (Erasmus Bridge).

See all 239 experiences in Rotterdam