Best Areas To Hire A Boat In Rotterdam
From Rotterdam’s disarmingly modern centre to the leafy suburbs of Hillegersberg, home to the idyllic Bergse lake, these are the best bases for boat hire in Rotterdam.
Rotterdam Centrum & Wijnhaven
There aren’t quite as many inner-city options for boating in Rotterdam as in Amsterdam but it’s a good starting point to see Meent market and to sail through the city centre under the glittering skyscrapers of Wijnhaven. From here you can sail along the river Rotte and under the Northern Bridge and connect to the Crooswijksesingel canal to see an old Heineken Brewery that pokes up next to the water.
Delfshaven
As the only area of central Rotterdam to retain its pre-war charms, Delfshaven is ideally located to rent a boat to tour the typical (but rare in Rotterdam) Dutch architecture from the water. Here, gabled townhouses and antique windmills are laced along the banks of an attractive 14th-century harbour, from which the pilgrims set sail for the New World.
Kralingse Lake
The huge lake in the middle of the Kralingse Bos parkland is perfect for lazy days practising your rowing or sailing in one of the Netherland’s prettiest parks. The tree-lined spaces are popular for an abundance of sports with forest runs, horse riding and restaurants to refuel, although it’s perfectly possible to sail from here to Lombardkade in the city centre if you’d prefer to stay on the water.
Bergse Lake<
Located in leafy Hillegersberg, the Bergse Lake is the heart of a stunning stretch of open green spaces punctuated by contemporary villas perched on the lakeside. Explore the little town for a slice of old Holland with its convivial village centre visible from the lake.
Dordrecht
Dordrecht, the Netherlands’ oldest city, lies to the south of Rotterdam and is a perfect option for sailors wanting a day out of town to experience the greenways and charms of the Nieuwe Merwede as it passes through the bucolic Nationaal Park De Biesbosch.