Most residents in Rotterdam have a very small outdoor space or even none! I am one of those and maybe you as a tourist also?
Because of that I can be often found in a park. For every occasion I have a favorite park. Although I like to picnic in every of them!
Swimming
If I want to swim on a hot summer day, there is only one place for me to go to (within cycling distance of the city center): “the Kralingse Plas”!
Although be aware that blue-green algae quite some times makes swimming not allowed.
Kralingse Bos & plas (which means forest and lake), as this park is actually called, is named the best recreation area in Rotterdam. In addition to swimming, you can for example also have a picnic, barbecue (only were allowed), walking, cycling, water sports, go to the petting zoo and sit on the terrace of restaurants/ beach clubs.
Location: Langepad 9, 3062 CJ Rotterdam
Sports
I like to sport outside the best! My favorite is doing my own created bootcamp at “the dakpark”.
Ideal because in this park they have stairs, platforms, benches, lawns and good paths.
This park is located on a roof (dak is the Dutch word for roof) of big shops and its parking garage in Rotterdam Delfshaven.
In addition to sports, you can also have a picnic, barbecue and cool off at the water stairs in this park.
The keilecafé is located opposite the roof park and worth mentioning. A permanent festival site with a great atmosphere. It is open from Wednesday to Sunday.
Location: Vierhavensstraat 79, 3029 BB Rotterdam
Barbecuing
Although I also mentioned the possibility of barbecuing in the two parks above, I myself go to “the park” to barbecue.
In this park you are not allowed to barbecue in most places, but it is allowed on the field to the right of the Harbourclub (a restaurant).
The park is my favorite because there are large trees here and you can choose a spot in the shade. Which is nice because I usually barbecue on very hot and sunny days.
Don’t feel like barbecuing and don’t feel like sitting in the air of those who do? Then choose a spot in about 80% of the rest of this park . Barbecuing is not allowed there.
The park is located at the foot of the Euromast, so you can combine it with a visit to it …..
Location: Baden Powelllaan 2, 3016 GJ Rotterdam
With childeren
I have no children myself, but when I have children to visit I usually walk to “the Heemraadspark”.
If you are at the location, don’t expect to find a traditional park. It is actually a long green strip alongside the water. You can sunbathe or have a picnic at the waterside.
Why I like to go there with children? At the intersection Nieuwe Binnenweg / Heemraadssingel you will find a whole row of swings. Baby, toddler and standard swings. But even more fun is the large playground at the Vierambachtstraat / Heemraadssingel intersection. Especially the very high slide is a favorite.
There are fences around the playground, so that children cannot easily walk towards the water. But if you want to visit a park not near water in this area, then walk to the Branco van Dantzigtpark in less than 10 minutes.
Location: Heemraadssingel, 3023 CC Rotterdam
Festivals
Although “het Vroesenpark” is a traditional park, where you can for example walk, play, sports, picnic and barbecue, I mainly come there during festivals that are organized there in the summer.
No festival during your visit? Then this park is definitely worth a visit to escape the busy city.
Since it is close to the zoo Blijdorp, you can easily combine these two.
Location: Stadhoudersweg 181, 3039 MC Rotterdam