Cities
Netherlands Rotterdam South Holland Historical Landmark

Delfshaven

About

Delfshaven is one of Rotterdam’s most atmospheric historic districts, a rare part of the city that survived the 1940 bombing and still reflects the charm of the Dutch Golden Age. Centered around its picturesque harbour, the neighbourhood is lined with traditional canal houses, old warehouses, and moored wooden boats that evoke centuries of maritime life. Once a colony of Delft, it grew through shipbuilding, herring fishing, and jenever distilling, shaping its character as a working harbour town. Delfshaven is also known for its connection to the Pilgrim Fathers, who departed from here in 1620 before continuing their journey to the New World. Today, the area blends heritage with creativity, offering small museums, artisan shops, breweries, and cosy cafés along the water. Its quiet streets and historic scenery make Delfshaven a peaceful escape within modern Rotterdam, inviting visitors to step back in time.

Rotterdam Netherlands
Delfshaven
Location

Delfshaven is located on the right bank of the Nieuwe Maas river in west Rotterdam, Netherlands, centred around the historic Voorhaven harbour. This preserved 14th-century borough, once an independent port for Delft until annexed by Rotterdam in 1886, is easily reached by Delfshaven metro station (lines A/B/C), tram stops at Delfshaven or Heemraadsplein, or via A20 exit 12. Nearby attractions include the Pilgrim Fathers Church where the Mayflower Pilgrims prayed before departing in 1620, De Distilleerketel windmill, Piet Heynstraat with its boutique shops and cafes, Aelbrechtskolk canal basin, Dutch Pinball Museum, and the vibrant Schiedamseweg shopping street, all within the picturesque canalside area blending maritime history with lively local culture.

Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum Kunsthal Rotterdam Kunsthal Rotterdam Museum Wereldmuseum Rotterdam Wereldmuseum Rotterdam Museum Maritime Museum Rotterdam Maritime Museum Rotterdam Museum Museum Rotterdam Museum Rotterdam Museum Chabot Museum Chabot Museum Museum Natural History Museum Rotterdam Natural History Museum Rotterdam Museum Nederlands Fotomuseum Nederlands Fotomuseum Museum Nieuwe Instituut Nieuwe Instituut Museum Sonneveld House Sonneveld House Museum Rotterdam Public Transport Museum Rotterdam Public Transport Museum Museum Belasting & Douane Museum Belasting & Douane Museum Museum Cube House Museum Cube House Museum Museum Mariniers Museum Mariniers Museum Museum Dutch Pinball Museum Dutch Pinball Museum Museum Villa Zebra Villa Zebra Museum Miniworld Rotterdam Miniworld Rotterdam Museum Stoom Stichting Nederland Stoom Stichting Nederland Museum Stichting Museum Overschie Stichting Museum Overschie Museum Korenmolen De Distilleerketel Korenmolen De Distilleerketel Windmill Museum De Dubbelde Palmboom Museum De Dubbelde Palmboom Museum Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum Trompenburg Tuinen & Arboretum Botanical Garden Rotterdam Ahoy Rotterdam Ahoy Events Venue Portlantis Portlantis Museum Theater Rotterdam Schouwburg Theater Rotterdam Schouwburg Theatre Nieuwe Luxor Theater Nieuwe Luxor Theater Theatre Oude Luxor Theater Oude Luxor Theater Theatre Theater Zuidplein Theater Zuidplein Theatre Theater Walhalla Theater Walhalla Theatre Maaspodium Maaspodium Theatre Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk Church Sint-Lambertuskerk Sint-Lambertuskerk Church Paradijskerk Paradijskerk Church Heilige Familiekerk Heilige Familiekerk Church Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel Sparta Stadion Het Kasteel Stadium Huis ten Donck Huis ten Donck Palace Kasteel van Hillegersberg Kasteel van Hillegersberg Castle Erasmusbrug Erasmusbrug Bridge Markthal Markthal Market Euromast Euromast Observation deck FENIX FENIX Museum Het Park Het Park Park Kralingse Plas Kralingse Plas Park Vroesenpark Vroesenpark Park Museumpark Museumpark Park Essenburgpark Essenburgpark Park Diergaarde Blijdorp Diergaarde Blijdorp Zoo