The Rotterdam City Hall (Stadhuis) is one of the most important historic buildings still standing in the city. It is a mainstay of city sightseeing and architectural tours, and you can marvel at its stately design on foot or by bike with a guide to learn about its history and fascinating Byzantine, Roman, and Art Deco details. Be sure to pay attention to the two statues flanking the main entrance and 10 others in the City Hall gardens, each representing a value or virtue of Rotterdam. To admire the building’s interiors, book an official guided tour via the city’s tourist office.
The City Hall building is one of the most photogenic in Rotterdam, so be sure to bring your camera.
Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather on walking and cycling tours of Rotterdam.
The ground floor and courtyard garden are open to the public; the garden has benches and offers a quiet respite from the city.
The City Hall building is fully accessible to wheelchair users and strollers.
Rotterdam City Hall is located at Coolsingel 40. It can be reached by taking Rotterdam Metro lines D or E to Stadhuis station, or by taking tram lines 21, 23, or 24 to Stadhuis. It is also about a 10-minute walk from the city’s main train station and within walking distance of most sights in Rotterdam’s old town.
The City Hall building is open Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 5pm. While the ground floor lobby and internal courtyard garden are open to the public, you must book an official guided tour to see the remainder of the interiors.
Rotterdam is famous for its modern architecture, but this urban design feature resulted from a WWII tragedy. The city was reduced to rubble during the Rotterdam Blitz by the German Air Force on May 14, 1940, and only a handful of buildings survived. Among these are the City Hall; Hotel New York, the former headquarters of the Holland America Line; Witte Huis, Europe’s first skyscraper; and St. Lawrence Church (Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk), the only example of medieval architecture remaining in Rotterdam.
