Looking for a lovely park in Rotterdam? Even a real city dweller sometimes needs nature. Fortunately, greening is high on the agenda and that makes Rotterdam a wonderful, liveable city.
It offers a nice variety between the coolest urban apartments, offices, shops, streets and roads and beautiful green spaces for walking, cycling, relaxing, exercising or catching up with your friends. Some of these places are not to be missed, but for others you have to look hard.
In addition to parks, we also share some special green spots. Some are unmissable, but for others you have to look carefully. So are you ready for some peace and quiet in all the chaos of the city? Then read on and discover beautiful pearls!
In the centre you will find Het Park at the Euromast, a green city park with beautiful water features, lawns, old trees and blooming flowers.
When the weather is nice, it is wonderful to have a picnic in Het Park at one of the lakes, under a tree or in the sun. There are many flower gardens that are well maintained and when the weather is nice, the park is full of pleasant people who come to enjoy the weather.
You are also welcome at Dudok in Het Park. Located in a national monument from 1750 with a beautiful castle garden, Dudok in Het Park has a wonderfully romantic atmosphere. The brasserie is open from Tuesday to Sunday when the weather is nice for a delicious breakfast, lunch, drinks or just for coffee or tea with the famous Dudok apple pie.
If you do go to Het Park, don't miss out on this hidden gem. Historical Garden Schoonoord is located next to Het Park, between Parklaan and Westzeedijk.
Most Rotterdammers are familiar with Het Park, also known as the Euromast Park. Located next to this park, between the Parklaan and the Westzeedijk, you can find the Historical Garden Schoonoord.
Schoonoord has a rich history that goes back 350 years. Originally this garden was called 'Rest en Lust'. It was not until 1816 that it was given the name Schoonoord and in 1860 the current design for the garden was made and laid out in the English landscape style.
Today the pond, Lebanon cedars and beech trees can still be seen in the garden, choices made long ago. It has been a protected national monument since 2000.
As soon as you enter the 18th century entrance gate of this garden, you are no longer in the city centre, but you are in a protected national monument, a piece of oasis with a rich collection of flora and fauna. Walk around and enjoy the greenery, take a seat on a bench by the pond and read a book. That way you can really relax.
Historical Garden Schoonoord is open every day between 08:30 and 16:30.
Luchtpark Hofbogen is located in the centre of Rotterdam, where Hofplein station used to be. It can be reached in two ways. The first is via the entrance on the Heer Bokelweg at the Grafisch Lyceum Rotterdam, the other and nicest way is via the Luchtsingel: a 400-meter-long yellow bridge that connects Rotterdam Centre and Rotterdam North.
In the Luchtpark you will find vegetable gardens and fruit trees that local residents voluntarily maintain. There are picnic tables and benches everywhere in the park. At this height you can see Rotterdam North and Rotterdam Centre from a special perspective.
By building parks on roofs, we try to give nature a place again in heavily built-up Rotterdam.
This place may not be a park, but a beautiful courtyard with lots of greenery.
What makes the City Hall so special is that it is one of the few buildings in Rotterdam centre that survived the bombing of the Second World War. Many visitors marvel at the historic architectural style of the building from the sidewalk. But not everyone knows that the City Hall has a hidden courtyard, a place that is freely accessible during City Hall opening hours. And this hidden green spot is definitely worth a visit!
The City Hall Courtyard is a real oasis in the middle of the city. During the spring and summer, this garden makes a huge impression because of the beautiful flowers and green leaves on the walls. But it is also a particularly beautiful place in autumn, when the leaves turn red and orange.
In the Vroesenpark you will find an atmosphere unlike any other park. It is located in the pleasant Blijdorp district, about a fifteen-minute walk from the centre.
In the summer this park is open 24/7 and filled from morning to evening with people who come to enjoy the nice weather. Barbecuing is also allowed in the Vroesenpark and it has public toilets.
On a good day the atmosphere can best be described as a kind of festival ambiance. Hundreds of people on a piece of grass are simply enjoying themselves.
You may have passed it several times during your shopping day in Rotterdam, but there is a very special tree on the Lijnbaan. This tree was planted in 1851, when the Lijnbaan was not even there yet, and thus survived the bombing. When they started building the Lijnbaan, they had to take the tree into account in the design, because removing it was of course not an option.
This Rotterdam icon is a lovely green spot right in the centre, where you can take a seat in the shade of the branches for a well-deserved break, with of course a nice drink or snack.
A green spot that many Rotterdammers overlook is Stadspark Grotekerkplein, while it is located in the heart of Rotterdam. And to be precise: next to the Laurenskerk, between the Hoogstraat and the Meent.
Concerts can be found here regularly. In the summer you will also find groups of people sitting on the grass or along the water on the Delftsevaart. A wonderful place to relax after, for example, a day of shopping.
The beautiful Museumpark is located between the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen and the Westzeedijk. Besides the fact that the most popular museums in Rotterdam are within walking distance, it is also a beautiful green spot in the centre.
Next to the pond on the south side of the park are lawns where you can sit down and chill. You will also find many trees and plants here. Museumplein functions as an open-air museum, so be sure to admire the works of art on display.
You also have the Depot here, a large mirrored building in the shape of an egg, with a terrace on the roof covered with a real forest. Here they have placed no fewer than 75 trees, at a height of 35 meters. How cool is that?
Directly behind the Coolsingel is the stately Schielandshuis. Besides the fact that this 17th century building is a historical highlight in Rotterdam and therefore definitely worth a visit, it has a beautiful secret garden that is freely accessible.
We therefore recommend that you take a short walk here for a break. Find a nice spot and order something delicious to eat or drink in the restaurant of the Schielandshuis.
You may have overlooked it because of the iconic buildings of the Kop van Zuid, the stately houses of Noordereiland and the flaunting Erasmus Bridge, but along the Maasboulevard there are pieces of greenery where you can sit and enjoy the sun and the view.
You can of course find a bench here during your evening walk. But it's extra fun to bring a blanket, some snacks, and have a picnic while you have the best view of the city.
