Parks in Rotterdam to walk, picnic and recharge

At 1,200 metres long and 85 metres wide, Dakpark in Rotterdam-West is one of the largest rooftop parks in Europe. The park sits nine metres above street level, on top a shopping promenade. From this green oasis, enjoy views of Rotterdam’s harbour and skyline. There is plenty to do, adults can have a barbeque and children can play and cool off at the water staircase. At Dakpark Restaurant, you can enjoy an extensive breakfast or a high tea.

Local residents take care of the park together. During Bakkie Buurttuin, neighbours maintain the shared garden, and every Thursday morning the Mamacafé brings parents and children together. Dakpark is not only green, but also a lively social meeting place.

One of the most idyllic places in Rotterdam is het Park near the Euromast. With 21 hectares, it is the city’s largest listed green monument. Landscape architects Zocher, father and son, designed the park in 1852 as a romantic walking area. That atmosphere is still very much alive today, with old trees, winding paths and scenic ponds.

People come here to exercise, picnic, barbecue or dance during festivals. Several cafés and restaurants are located in the park, including Parqiet and The Harbour Club. At the publicly accessible Park Pavilion, you can enjoy a cup of tea and learn more about this special green space.

Insider tip: do not miss Tuin Schoonoord. This hidden garden lies at the edge of the park and features a remarkable collection of plants and wildlife.

If you want to fully immerse yourself in nature without leaving the city, head to Kralingse Bos. At around 250 hectares, it is the largest forest in Rotterdam. Walk or cycle around the lake, climb among the treetops at Klimbos Fun Forest, or relax at one of the cafés.

For many locals, Kralingse Bos feels like a backyard. It is a popular place for running, skating, picnicking and barbecuing. In summer, birthdays are celebrated here and children play in the playground or visit the petting zoo.

From the northern side of the lake, where wooden boardwalks cross the water, you enjoy beautiful views of Rotterdam’s skyline.

Insider tip: for pure tranquility, visit the Heemtuin. This hidden gem just past the small beach area offers pure nature, including peat marshland and rare plants. Walking along the bridges and boardwalks, you almost forget you are in a big city.

As the name suggests, Museumpark is home to several museums, including the Kunsthal and the Natural History Museum. Designed by Rem Koolhaas, the park is divided into different zones, each with its own character. Near the Kunsthal, you find a paved square, which gradually transitions into a greener and more romantic scene by bridge.

Further on, a large open terrain offers space for events and is home to the iconic Depot Boijmans van Beuningen, opened in 2021. Behind it lies the Nieuwe Instituut, the museum for architecture, design and digital culture. Across the street, you will find the Chabot Museum and Huis Sonneveld. You can easily fill an entire day exploring Museumpark.

Somewhat hidden in Hillegersberg lies Prinsemolenpark. Walking along the River Rotte from the city, you reach the Bergse Voorplas and the park. It is a calm place to stroll along the water and through greenery. Rowers often glide past on the Rotte, and in summer, it’s a popular swimming spot for locals.

Follow the Bergse Plas and you will arrive at the lively Bergse Dorpsstraat, where you can enjoy an ice cream or a drink on a terrace. Another nice option is renting a small boat to explore the Bergse Plassen and the Rotte from the water.

In Kralingen, you will find Trompenburg Gardens & Arboretum, often called Rotterdam’s green museum. This eight-hectare botanical garden is a true haven for peace and nature lovers. Its collection of trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs and tubers is so extensive that the garden is officially registered as a museum.

There is also a desert greenhouse filled with cacti and succulents, and they are currently developing a food forest. Trompenburg is open daily for walks, and throughout the year it hosts events and workshops, from spring festivals to plant markets. At garden restaurant Flora, located at the back of the garden, you can enjoy food and drinks surrounded by greenery.

De botanische tuinen van arboretum Trompenburg

A newcomer and already a favourite among locals is Tuschinskipark. As soon as the first sunny days arrive, this green space along the Coolhaven fills up quickly. The park sits in front of Little C, a neighbourhood often compared to New York’s Greenwich Village because of its distinctive architecture.

Add views over the harbour, and you have a lively urban hotspot. After work, people gather here to sit with drinks in the grass or head to Old Scuola for a wood-fired pizza while watching the sunset. Tuschinskipark is also part of the Green Connection, an eight-kilometre walking route linking green spots in Rotterdam-West.

Vroesenpark is another local favourite. On warm summer evenings, much of the neighbourhood comes together here for barbecues. In autumn, it becomes a popular walking spot, with rich colours and crisp air. Sports groups train here daily, adding to the park’s lively feel.

Located near Diergaarde Blijdorp, Vroesenpark is a perfect place to pause during a busy city trip. Vroesenpaviljoen is open seven days a week all year round, serving breakfast, lunch, coffee and drinks.

In the heart of Rotterdam, Wijkpark Oude Westen is a welcome green escape. From the busy West-Kruiskade, you step through the gates into the park, where you are greeted by the “Giant of Rotterdam”, a statue of Rigardus Rijnhout, who stood 2.37 metres tall.

At the entrance, you will find benches and fountains, followed by a large grassy field. At the back of the park you’ll find a small neighbourhood farm where farm animals and a community garden are attended to by local residents.

Next to Rotterdam Ahoy lies Zuiderpark. Covering 430 hectares, it is the largest park in the Netherlands. When it was created in 1952, it was designed as a park for active use rather than decoration. With adventure playgrounds, a small beach, forests, sports fields, allotment gardens and plenty of water, there is always something to do.

At Zuiderpark Adventure Point, you can rent kayaks and canoes, while children enjoy the petting zoo at De Molenwei. From Zuiderpark, the Blue Connection begins, a water route linking Rotterdam with the Buijtenland of Rhoon and the Zuidpolder in Barendrecht. The route can be explored on foot, by bike or even by canoe.