Sustainable Rotterdam

Sustainable Attractions

Since 1960, the Euromast has been the ultimate high-rise experience in Rotterdam. To maintain this status, not only is the phenomenal view of the city important, but also a sustainable perspective on the future. With a Golden Green Key Certificate, the Euromast achieves the highest level of sustainability for day tourism. This includes using green energy, implementing special waste policies, and cooking with local products. The same goes for Diergaarde Blijdorp, which not only provides sustainably built animal enclosures but also examines all materials and products through a sustainable lens. Did you know the penguins there enjoy a nice, cold environment thanks to the many solar panels on the Oceanium's roof?

Another iconic attraction in Rotterdam is a boat trip with Spido. The fuel consumption of this ship is 20 percent lower than other vessels of the same size, meaning a reduction in CO2 emissions as well. Additionally, the eco-mode is the standard here: slower and more sustainable. As a passenger, this also gives you more time to enjoy a beautiful view of the city from the water. Many of Rotterdam’s sustainable initiatives are not only interesting but also spectacular to visit. This is the city of elevated agricultural land, where large industrial warehouses are being transformed into new breweries. It's also home to a floating farm. Have you ever seen a real "Sponstuin" (sponge garden)? These are just some of the inspiring and sustainable experiences you can enjoy in Rotterdam.

Sustainable Stays

Many climate-adaptive measures, such as green roofs and water plazas, are visible throughout the city. What you might not see immediately is Rotterdam’s conscious effort to stimulate local and socially responsible entrepreneurship, which is just as important. For example, sixteen Rotterdam hotels joined forces in the Hotel Neutraal project, collaborating with Green Leisure Group, BlueCity, Rotterdam Partners, and the City of Rotterdam. Together, they are taking steps towards a CO2-neutral and circular future for Rotterdam's hotel sector. This means not only saving on costs, energy, and water but also reducing waste and food waste. If you want to experience Rotterdam in a conscious and sustainable way, check out our tips for a mindful and sustainable stay.

Sustainable Eating & Drinking

Rotterdam’s food culture perfectly reflects its sustainability mission. There are many eco-friendly restaurants, passionately run by ambitious entrepreneurs. Take Rotonde, for example: this progressive (and award-winning) restaurant addresses various food-related issues, from sourcing to waste management, making it as circular as its name suggests. Or Spirit, located in the Groene Passage, where you can eat vegetarian and organic dishes or take them to go. At The Harvest, the menu changes with the seasons, ensuring you always find something fresh and different. 

Sustainable Nightlife

Every sector in Rotterdam contributes to a greener future, including the city's many festivals. These large events, with their high visibility, inspire millions of visitors (4.7 million per year!) to make sustainable choices. Rotterdam Festivals works hard to make festivals more sustainable, in collaboration with event organizers, and both the sports and cultural sectors. Research into alternatives to single-use plastics is just one example. Whether you're dancing at North Sea Jazz, watching a film at IFFR, or running in the NN Rotterdam Marathon, you can enjoy these events knowing they are contributing to a more sustainable future. Read more about sustainable nightlife and what the future holds for it.

Sustainable Port, Nature & Beaches

You might think of Rotterdam’s port more than its nature or beaches, but they are closely connected. Sustainability is a key focus here, as with Europe's largest port, Rotterdam carries a significant responsibility. Also, fun on the water: the Waterbus and Water Taxi. The Rotterdam Water Taxi is the ultimate Rotterdam transport mode and now offers a less polluting, quieter electric version that can carry more passengers on its journey across the Nieuwe Maas.

Speaking of the river, it serves as both a connector and a contributor to biodiversity, with several tidal parks. Rotterdam is also greening at height. For example, with the Dakpark, the largest public rooftop park in Europe, the rooftop farm DakAkker atop the Schieblock, and the two-kilometer-long Hofbogenpark, which thrives on an old railway viaduct in Rotterdam North. Greening, sustainability, and repurposing real estate go hand in hand here! The same is happening at the Rotterdam beach in Hoek van Holland, where bunkers serve as hotel rooms, and the Maeslantkering—a technical marvel—protects the area from water. Read more about Rotterdam as a green and boundary-pushing port city.

Sustainable Art & Culture

With over 170 different cultures, diversity is an integral part of Rotterdam. New people, different stories, and innovative art are all embraced here. For example, the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, a reflective and publicly accessible art depot with a green roof and sustainable energy system. Also, the Rotterdam Rooftop Days, a festival that takes place exclusively on the city's rooftops, showcasing the added value of sustainable roofs. Rooftops can prevent heat stress and increase biodiversity, making them ideal for achieving climate goals. Yes, Rotterdam is a progressive and fertile ground for innovation, but let's not forget its heritage! Those who pursue sustainability also cherish what already exists. Find out which cultural hotspots and artistic events you should not miss.

Sustainable Architecture

In a city bursting with energy and construction activity, the importance of sustainable architecture—from design and functionality to materials and construction—is evident. The destruction of Rotterdam's city center in 1940 provided an opportunity for renewal. The result is a patchwork of architectural styles, with icons of the Nieuwe Bouwen movement (such as Huis Sonneveld and the Van Nelle Factory) alongside post-war reconstruction buildings (like the Industriegebouw and Rotterdamsche Bank) and ultra-modern skyscrapers (such as De Rotterdam and Zalmhaventoren).

Even before the bombing, Rotterdam was already a pioneering architectural city! In housing, for example, sustainable usability quickly became a key consideration. Notable examples of this innovation include the Bergpolderflat by Van Tijen (the first Dutch gallery flat), Piet Blom’s Cube Houses, and the Justus van Effen block by Michiel Brinkman. That same drive for innovation, a focus on functionality, and sustainability still dominate today. From the Nieuwe Bouwen and post-war reconstruction to high-rise buildings, the city is now in the phase of innovative and climate-adaptive architecture. This is evident in the Rijnhaven, a test bed for floating buildings. The spectacular Floating Office (by Powerhouse Company) is made entirely of wood, self-sufficient, sustainable, and floating! Floating homes (Havenlofts) and a floating farm (Floating Farm) have already been realized. Water is not a barrier in Rotterdam; it's simply another kind of building ground. In the city’s outdoor spaces, measures like water plazas, swales, green roofs, and less concrete are being implemented to adapt to the climate.

Although the city’s sustainable goals might seem at odds with the aim to build 50,000 new homes by 2040, Rotterdam's architects are making the best of both worlds. Firms like MVRDV, Powerhouse, Superuse Studios, LOLA Landscape, and Mei architects and planners are working ambitiously to create a healthy urban environment. The goal is not just sustainable construction, but regenerative building: reducing construction damage while adding value across all aspects. The award-winning wooden residential tower SAWA is a beautiful example of this. Read more about Rotterdam as a city of sustainable architecture.

Sustainable Shopping

More and more sustainable shops are opening their doors in Rotterdam. This is happening not just in the city center but also in the city's various neighborhoods. Each area has its own unique character, catering to the diverse needs and people. So, besides XXL stores and international brands, you can also shop for sustainable classics, vintage treasures, hyperlocal, handmade, and upcycled items. 

The Future of Rotterdam is Sustainable!

Rotterdam is working hard to change, especially when it comes to sustainability. It's not just the city government but also major players like the public transport company RET and the Port of Rotterdam that are contributing to this transformation. Only by working together can we achieve sustainable change. This focus is also visible in Rotterdam's urban projects, which create spaces for residents and visitors to connect within a healthy and green environment, while also providing solutions for challenges like heat stress and water management. Read more about the impact of Rotterdam’s seven urban projects.