When I first visited the Maritime Museum in Rotterdam, what struck me wasn’t the indoor exhibitions — though they’re decent — but the museum harbour stretching behind the building. Historic steam tugs bob in the water, a red cast-iron lighthouse towers over the dock, and visitors clamber aboard working vessels. The surprise? In winter (November through April), all these ships and cranes close completely. The museum essentially splits into two very different experiences depending on season.
Quick overview
Maritime Museum Rotterdam costs €19 for adults, with children (4-15) paying €13.50. Under-4s enter free. The museum opens Tuesday to Saturday at 10am and Sundays at 11am, closing at 5pm. During school holidays, it also opens Mondays. Closed Mondays (except school holidays), New Year’s Day, King’s Day, and Christmas Day. Online booking is mandatory — even with discount cards — and includes a discount on walk-up prices.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €19 adult | Tue-Sat 10am, Sun 11am | Leuvehaven 1, 3011 EA Rotterdam | Under 4s, Museumkaart holders | Not specified |
How much does the Maritime Museum Rotterdam cost?
Pricing is straightforward with no seasonal variations or dynamic pricing schemes.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | €19 | Ages 16+ |
| Child | €13.50 | Ages 4-15 (must be accompanied by adult) |
| Infant | Free | Ages 0-3 |
| CJP/Student | €11.50 | Valid student ID or CJP card |
Museumkaart holders enter free, as do Rotterdam Pass holders, ICOM members, VriendenLoterij VIP KAART holders (18+), Rembrandt Association members, and NedLloyd Pensioenfonds members. However — and this catches people out — you must still book online in advance even with these free-entry cards. Simply showing up with a Museumkaart won’t guarantee entry.
Important: Boat tours cost extra. Your admission ticket covers the museum and harbour access, but summer harbour cruises must be purchased separately at the ticket desk.
Is the Maritime Museum Rotterdam free to enter?
No, except for under-4s and various discount card holders. Unlike Amsterdam’s many free museums, Rotterdam charges admission. The museum doesn’t participate in free entrance days or evening programmes. Your only route to free entry is through a valid Museumkaart or one of the listed discount programmes — and even then, pre-booking is compulsory.
What time does the Maritime Museum Rotterdam open?
Opening hours follow an unusual pattern. Tuesday through Saturday: 10am to 5pm. Sundays and public holidays: 11am to 5pm. Note the later Sunday opening — don’t turn up at 10am on Sunday morning.
During school holidays, it’s also open on Mondays from 10am to 5pm. Outside school holidays, the entire facility closes on Mondays. The museum also shuts for New Year’s Day, King’s Day (April 27th; in 2025 observed April 26th), and Christmas Day. One oddity: On Saturday 31st January 2026, it closes at 4pm instead of 5pm.
The museum harbour, historic ships, cranes, and workshops are accessible Monday to Saturday from 11am (Sundays from noon) — but only from May through October. From November through April, all outdoor ships and cranes close completely.
Do I need to book Maritime Museum Rotterdam tickets in advance?
Yes, absolutely. The museum’s website states clearly: “Make sure to book your tickets online in advance — even if you have a discount card.” This isn’t a suggestion. Walk-ups risk being turned away, particularly during peak periods.
For the children’s exhibition Plons! The Future of the Sea, you need a separate time-slot reservation on top of your general admission ticket. This free reservation is mandatory if you want to visit that specific exhibition.
History
The Maritime Museum Rotterdam opened in 1874, founded by Prince Henry of the Netherlands. It’s one of the oldest maritime museums in the country. The collection began in 1852 and now encompasses over 850,000 objects spanning six centuries of Dutch maritime history.
In 2014, the separate Museum Harbour merged administratively with the main museum, creating a single entity covering both indoor exhibitions and the outdoor vessel collection. The museum won the 2018 Dutch Museum Award. The facility is at Leuvehaven in Rotterdam’s Maritime District, where the city’s port historically began.
The museum underwent significant modernisation in recent decades to appeal to contemporary visitors, though some reviewers note the indoor exhibitions feel underwhelming compared to the International Maritime Museum in Hamburg.
What you’ll see inside
Destination Port City traces Rotterdam’s evolution into Europe’s largest port through historic artefacts and interactive displays.
Offshore Experience simulates working on an offshore oil platform — visitors consistently rate this as the museum’s standout attraction. You’ll experience the scale and challenge of drilling operations, crane work, and wind energy installation.
Masterpieces showcases 25 treasures from the collection, including the Mataró model (Europe’s oldest ship model, over 600 years old), the Itinerario by explorer Jan Huygen van Linschoten, and Joan Blaeu’s 17th-century sea charts.
Plons! The Future of the Sea (separate time-slot booking required) is a hands-on children’s exhibition for ages 4-12 about ships, ports, and maritime transport.
The Museum Harbour features steam tugs, a working grain elevator, a steam-driven sheerleg crane, and the red cast-iron Low Light lighthouse from Hook of Holland. Most vessels can be boarded.
Workshops in the Leuvepavilion demonstrate shipbuilding and vessel restoration techniques.
What’s included with your ticket?
- All indoor permanent exhibitions
- Offshore Experience simulation
- Masterpieces gallery
- Destination Port City exhibition
- Museum Harbour access (vessels closed November-April)
- Workshop demonstrations
- Museum café access
- Museum shop entry
Not included: Plons! time-slot (free but must be booked separately), harbour cruises (extra charge, summer only), boat tours (purchased at ticket desk), library access (by appointment only), parking.
Things to do near the Maritime Museum Rotterdam
Markthal (200m northeast, 3 minutes’ walk) — Stunning horseshoe-shaped market hall with 96 food stalls beneath a residential arch. The ceiling features The Horn of Plenty, a 4,000-tile artwork covering 11,000 square metres — the Netherlands’ largest. Free to enter; stallholders charge for food.
Cube Houses/Kijk-Kubus (250m north, 4 minutes’ walk) — Architect Piet Blom’s tilted cubic houses from 1984, one of Rotterdam’s most photographed landmarks. The Kijk-Kubus show cube lets you experience the interior. Located next to Oude Haven.
Erasmus Bridge (600m southwest, 8 minutes’ walk) — Rotterdam’s iconic “Swan” bridge spanning the Nieuwe Maas river. Completed 1996, the asymmetric white pylon reaches 139 metres. Free to walk across. Best photographed from the southern bank at sunset. Connects city centre to Kop van Zuid district.
Witte de Withstraat (500m north, 7 minutes’ walk) — Cultural corridor lined with contemporary art galleries, trendy boutiques, and vibrant bars. Links Museum Park to the Maritime District. The street comes alive after dark. Home to Kunstinstituut Melly and TENT Rotterdam galleries. Free to wander.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen (1.2km north, 15 minutes’ walk) — Fine arts museum in Museum Park housing 700 years of European art, including works by Bosch, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh. The distinctive mirrored Depot building opened 2021.
Practical tips
Location: Leuvehaven 1 in Rotterdam’s Maritime District, next to Beurs metro station. The museum sits near the Erasmus Bridge, Markthal, and Hotel New York. Central Rotterdam location makes it extremely walkable.
Getting there: Metro to Beurs station (literally next door). Trams 7, 20, 23, and 25 also serve the area. Rotterdam Centraal Station is 1.5km north — a 20-minute walk or 5-minute tram ride. Cycling is straightforward with bike parking available.
Parking: No on-site parking. Use nearby Q-Park Kruisplein (10 minutes’ walk) or street parking (metered, expensive). Consider parking at a P+R facility outside the centre and taking public transport.
Time needed: Budget 2-3 hours for the indoor museum. If the harbour is open (May-October), add another hour to explore vessels. The Offshore Experience alone takes 20-30 minutes. If visiting with children and booking Plons!, allow a full afternoon.
Crowds: Weekday mornings outside school holidays are quietest. Weekends and Dutch school holidays (particularly summer) get busy. Some visitors report long queues for paper tickets even with online bookings.
Photography: Allowed throughout for personal use. The outdoor harbour vessels make excellent photo subjects, particularly the red lighthouse and steam cranes.
Accessibility: The museum is accessible, though boarding historic vessels in the harbour presents challenges for wheelchair users. Contact the museum ahead if you have specific mobility requirements.
Food: The on-site museum café (called “the galley”) serves food and drinks with harbour views. Prices are reasonable by museum standards. Alternatively, Markthal is 3 minutes away with 96 food stalls. Harvest Cafe Bakery on nearby Glashaven gets excellent reviews for breakfast and brunch.
What to wear: Indoor spaces are climate-controlled. If visiting the outdoor harbour, dress for Dutch weather — it’s exposed and can be windy even in summer. In winter, when ships are closed, you’ll spend minimal time outdoors.
With children: The Plons! exhibition targets ages 4-12 specifically. Remember to book your time slot separately. The Offshore Experience appeals to all ages. Boarding historic vessels (summer only) captivates children, though supervision is essential — these are working museum pieces, not playgrounds.
Library: The museum holds one of the Netherlands’ most comprehensive maritime literature collections, dating from 1857. Rare materials accessible by appointment only — contact ahead.
FAQs
Why is the museum harbour closed in winter?
The historic vessels and cranes close from November through April for conservation reasons. Cold, wet weather accelerates deterioration. The museum jetty and workshops remain accessible, but you cannot board ships during this period.
Do I really need to book online?
Yes. The museum requires advance online booking, even for discount card holders. This applies even during quiet periods. Walk-ups may be turned away.
Is the museum suitable for young children?
The Plons! exhibition targets ages 4-12 specifically. Younger children may engage with the Offshore Experience and harbour vessels (in summer), but much of the indoor museum caters to older visitors. Some parents report disappointment with the children’s areas.
How long are the harbour cruises?
Summer harbour cruises run for approximately one hour through Rotterdam’s waterways on historic vessels. Purchase tickets separately at the museum desk — they’re not included in admission.
Can I visit just the museum harbour?
No. The harbour forms part of the overall museum experience. Your €19 ticket covers both indoor and outdoor areas. There’s no harbour-only ticket.
Is this museum worth visiting?
Honest assessment: the Offshore Experience is excellent, and the outdoor harbour (May-October) offers something unique. However, the indoor exhibitions don’t match major European maritime museums. Visit if you’re interested in Rotterdam’s port history or have children. Skip if you’re pressed for time and have seen world-class maritime collections elsewhere.
