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Living in Rotterdam: a century of housing ideas

1 hour and 30 minutes
English

Description

Everyone knows Rotterdam for its skyline, but the city’s most daring ideas are hidden in its neighbourhoods. On this walk, we’ll leave the tourist centre behind and explore how Rotterdam reinvented the way people live.

We’ll start at the Bergpolderflat, one of Europe’s first high-rise gallery flats, then walk through Bergpolder and Blijdorp, neighbourhoods planned in the 1930s with courtyards, brick facades and green streets. We’ll finish in Vroesenpark, a park designed as part of the neighbourhood.

I’m an urban designer and a former Blijdorp resident, and I’ll show you how to read a neighbourhood: why the streets are shaped the way they are, who these homes were built for, and what they still teach cities today.

Guide: Priya

Guiding since 2026

Hi, I’m Priya! I’m an urban designer from India, and Rotterdam has been my home since I came here for my master’s at Erasmus University. I’ve spent my life looking at how cities are made: why one street feels welcoming and another doesn’t, who homes were built for, and how places change over time. I’ve studied and worked on neighbourhoods in India, Nepal, Kenya and now the Netherlands, and Rotterdam still surprises me every day. My tours aren’t about memorising dates. They’re about learning to read a city, so that after a walk with me you’ll notice things you’d never have seen on your own. I’ve lived in this part of Rotterdam, so you’ll hear the local stories too, not just the textbook ones. I keep my tours relaxed, curious and full of conversation. Ask me anything! See you soon, look for the maroon hat!

4 stops

1 hour and 30 minutes

Meeting point:Café De KomedieMeet me outside Café De Komedie, [Schieweg 177A, 3038 AS Rotterdam]. Look for me in a maroon hat. Please arrive 5 minutes early, as we start on time.Open in Google Maps →

1

Outside visit

BergpolderflatOne of Europe’s first high-rise gallery flats (1934), where modern apartment living began.

2

Outside visit

BlijdorpA 1930s planned neighbourhood: brick blocks, courtyards and green streets.

3

Outside visit

Rotterdam ZooThe zoo’s original 1930s buildings, designed as part of the same neighbourhood plan.

4 stops

1 hour and 30 minutes

Meeting point:Café De KomedieMeet me outside Café De Komedie, [Schieweg 177A, 3038 AS Rotterdam]. Look for me in a maroon hat. Please arrive 5 minutes early, as we start on time.Open in Google Maps →

1

Outside visit

BergpolderflatOne of Europe’s first high-rise gallery flats (1934), where modern apartment living began.

2

Outside visit

BlijdorpA 1930s planned neighbourhood: brick blocks, courtyards and green streets.

3

Outside visit

Rotterdam ZooThe zoo’s original 1930s buildings, designed as part of the same neighbourhood plan.

Free tours don't have a fixed price. At the end, each person contributes to the guide the amount they consider fair based on their satisfaction. As a guideline, Guruwalk recommends between €15 and €50 per participant.

Accessibility

Suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Groups

Does not accept large group bookings.

Pets

Suitable for bringing pets.

Minimum attendees

Requires a minimum of 2 people to conduct the tour.

Additional costs

The tour does not require payment for entries or additional expenses.

Free cancellation

If you cannot attend the tour, please cancel the reservation, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.