Hotels near Delfshaven

Delfshaven is the one district that survived the 1940 bombing largely intact - a small pocket of 17th-century canal houses, brick warehouses and a working windmill that shows what pre-war Rotterdam looked like. Built as the harbour of Delft in 1389 and independent of Rotterdam until 1886, its picture-postcard triple harbour (Voorhaven, Achterhaven and Aelbrechtskolk) is lined with restored merchant houses and small workshops. The De Distilleerketel windmill from 1727, still working, grinds grain for the local craft distillery.

The Pilgrimvaderskerk (Pilgrim Fathers Church) on Voorhaven 12 is where the Mayflower Pilgrims held their last European service on July 22, 1620 before sailing for America. The interior is still used for services and open to visitors on Wednesday afternoons for free. The area's small bars and jenever proefokalen (tasting rooms) make it Rotterdam's best evening walk, and it's blessedly free of the modern-architecture tour groups. Reach it in 10 minutes by metro or 25 minutes by scenic tram 8 from the centre.

Pro Tip: Stop at Stokerij De Tweekoppige Phoenix on Aelbrechtskolk 12, a 1904 jenever distillery that still makes gin and jenever on-site, with tastings from EUR 8. The Delfshaven canal walk is at its best on Sunday morning when the district is at its quietest.