Overview
Kinderdijk, about 15km southeast of Rotterdam, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 19 windmills built in the 1740s standing in iconic rows — the Netherlands' most famous landscape. The windmills were built to drain polder land below sea level, symbolizing Dutch water management history. Two windmills open their interiors for tours, and walking or cycling paths between the mills offer idyllic Dutch countryside scenery. Admission about EUR 16. About 30 minutes by Waterbus 202 from Rotterdam's Erasmus Bridge.
Opening Hours
09:00-17:30 (March-October); 11:00-16:00 (November-February)
Travel Tips
Taking the Waterbus is the most scenic way to arrive. Renting a bicycle lets you cover all the windmills efficiently.
Hotels near Kinderdijk Windmills
Hotels and guesthouses in Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, South Holland
Other attractions in Rotterdam
Markthal
Rotterdam's landmark — a massive arched building housing a food market and restaurants.
Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen)
Houses tilted 45 degrees — one of the world's most distinctive residential buildings.
Erasmus Bridge
The 'Swan' — a cable-stayed bridge that defines Rotterdam's skyline, especially stunning at night.
Euromast Tower
Rotterdam's 185m observation tower, offering abseiling and zipline adventures.
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
The world's first publicly accessible art storage facility, with a striking mirrored exterior.
Rotterdam Centraal Station
Rebuilt in 2014 with futuristic design — the starting point of Rotterdam's architecture tour.
Old Harbor (Oude Haven)
Rotterdam's oldest harbor, where historic ships meet modern architecture on the waterfront.