Rotterdam 3-hour self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt

• Starting Location: in front of City Hall / Stadhuis Rotterdam, Coolsingel 40, 3011 AD Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Distance: 5.5 km / 3.41 mi, walking
• Duration: 3 hours
• Needed:
  • A fully charged Smartphone with internet access.
• Suggested:
  • Bottled water.
  • Local street map or tourist map.

Rotterdam is a major port city in the Netherlands within the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt river delta at the North Sea. The city’s history starts in 1270 when a great dam was built on the Rotte river (hence, Rotterdam). This dam was, in fact, the connecting of many fiefdoms’ protective walls into a single great wall. Indeed, these walls had been built up over time to protect against flooding.

However, this city can trace its origins further to 900 AD when early settlements were established around the Rotte estuary. In fact, these were part of the Holy Roman (German) Empire.

In 1340, Rotterdam was finally granted city rights by the Count of Holland and expanded. Various power struggles emerged for control of the city in the following 150 years. Then, the city became involved in the Eighty Year War between the Low Countries and Spain. This conflict stagnated growth but the following period saw prosperity as trade with England, France, America, and Spain increased into the 18th century. The city was occupied by the French from 1795 to 1813 and succumbed to recession at this time. Fast growth took hold once more when the French left as the exploration of Africa brought in a new trade. This is also when the city outgrew its city walls and expanded not only beyond, but across the river as well.

Rotterdam almost didn’t survive WWII as it was the subject of an early German invasion and bombings in 1940. It was later bombed by allied air forces to drive out the Germans. The city was almost completely reconstructed following WWII and boasts bold, modern architecture. Finally, nowadays, Rotterdam is home to almost 635 000 people and is Europe’s largest port.