For more than 65 years, the Euromast has been the place to see Rotterdam from above. Now, after a major renovation, the 185-metre tower is opening a new chapter — one that keeps its landmark silhouette intact while giving the visitor experience a thorough, contemporary refresh.
A Tower Built From the City’s Own Story
Rising above Het Park on the edge of the city center, the Euromast has been an unmistakable feature of Rotterdam’s skyline since 1960, when it was built for the international horticultural exhibition, the Floriade. It was designed by renowned Dutch architect Huig Maaskant, who also shaped several of Rotterdam’s other post-war landmarks, including the Hilton Hotel and the pioneering Lijnbaan apartment buildings.
Maaskant drew directly on Rotterdam’s maritime identity for the design: the tower’s name fuses “Euro,” a nod to Rotterdam’s place at the heart of Europe’s port trade, with “mast,” reflecting the tower’s resemblance to a ship’s mast rising from the harbor. The observation deck and restaurant at the top were conceived as a crow’s nest — and if you look closely, that crow’s nest isn’t symmetrical. Maaskant deliberately pointed its narrow end toward the sea, a quiet tribute to the city’s enduring connection to the water.
Originally standing 107 metres tall, the tower grew to its current 185 metres in 1970 with the addition of what was then called the Space Tower. In 2010, it was officially designated a Dutch National Monument, cementing its status as protected cultural heritage.
What’s New for 2026
Work on the latest renovation began at the start of 2026, with the steel structure beneath the iconic crow’s nest carefully restored and the Brasserie completely reimagined with a new interior by Rotterdam-based Spring Architects. It was a genuinely large undertaking: around 120 people from 21 companies worked on the project, using more than 60 tonnes of recycled steel grit to restore the steelwork and roughly 1,400 litres of protective coating to see it through the decades ahead. Around 3,500 kilograms of old steel came out of the tower in the process — some of it recycled into new steel, some given a second life as decorative objects by a local artist’s studio.
Throughout, the team worked to honor Maaskant’s original vision rather than override it. Spring Architects’ project architect, Lucia Gimenez Puerta, says the brief was to capture Rotterdam’s vibrant, multicultural energy today while staying true to the tower’s 1960s design roots — and to keep it welcoming for the broad, international mix of visitors who climb the tower every year.
That respect for the past shows up in specific details: the redesigned Brasserie brings back Maaskant’s original idea of seating at three different heights, so every table has a strong view, an idea that had been lost in an earlier renovation. The suspended ceiling stays dark, as in Maaskant’s original concept, but now uses acoustic felt slats with small integrated spotlights that create the effect of a starry sky. Archival research into Maaskant’s use of tiled surfaces turned up a recurring shade of blue, which now anchors the space as “Maaskant Blue,” paired with the tower’s signature “Euromast Orange.” Sculptural, ribbed feature walls echo the water and the port, and greenery throughout nods back to the Floriade the tower was originally built for.
The refreshed Brasserie now seats 160 guests with panoramic views over the city and can host events for up to 350. Sustainable materials — reused flooring, recycled tabletops, retained original architectural elements — run throughout the redesign.
The Journey Up
A visit to the Euromast now starts well before the elevator ride. Added in 2025, The Rise of Rotterdam is an immersive, multi-sensory experience that sets the stage for the climb. It unfolds in two parts: in Rotterdam Risen from the Water, visitors are transported to a marshy landscape along the River Rotte in the year 1270, invited to help “build a dam” through projections, soundscapes, and interactive elements that place them at the literal founding of the city. In A Colourful Panorama, the story fast-forwards to 1960 and the construction of the Euromast itself, then sweeps through Rotterdam’s transformation into the international, architecturally bold city it is today.
From there, guests board the Euroscoop, the Euromast’s signature rotating glass elevator, for the ascent to 185 metres. The seven-minute ride comes with a light show, a soundtrack composed by DJ Oliver Heldens, and spoken-word storytelling about the city’s landmarks and port. Partway up, the elevator’s smart glass floor gradually turns transparent beneath visitors’ feet — though anyone who’d rather keep solid ground underfoot can switch it back to opaque with the touch of a button.
At the top, the 360-degree observation deck offers views stretching up to 30 kilometres on a clear day.
Beyond the View
The Euromast has grown well past being simply an observation tower. Guests can spend the night in one of its exclusive hotel suites 100 metres above the city — and from 10pm, overnight guests have the observation deck entirely to themselves. For those chasing more of an adrenaline rush, the tower also offers abseiling from the top, a popular pick for team-building days and bachelor or bachelorette celebrations. The Euromast’s striking setting also lends itself to private events, meetings, and celebrations, with panoramic views as the backdrop.
Dining plays a central role too. The renewed Brasserie serves an internationally inspired menu built on locally sourced ingredients, giving classic brasserie dishes a contemporary twist that founder-team descriptions call “raw yet refined.” Guests after something more seasonal can opt for the Chef’s Surprise Menu. The Euromast is also a member of Het Nieuwe Nassen, a collective focused on building a fairer, more nature-inclusive food system, and the Brasserie’s dishes are composed of at least 50% sustainable ingredients.
Part of a Global Network
Since 2020, the Euromast has been part of Magnicity, a French company that operates iconic observation destinations around the world, including Berlin’s Fernsehturm and 360 CHICAGO. Magnicity’s Rotterdam portfolio also extends to Celest, a sky bar and restaurant on the 57th and 58th floors of the city’s Zalmhaven tower.
Magnicity CEO Alexia Vettier frames the Euromast’s new chapter as part of a broader mission, describing every city as having its own story to tell and pointing to the tower’s new immersive journey as a way of bringing Rotterdam’s history to life while staying deeply rooted in the local experience.
Where to Stay in Rotterdam
If you’re building a trip around a visit to the Euromast, Rotterdam has no shortage of striking places to base yourself — the city’s contemporary architecture scene extends well beyond its skyline into its hotels.
nhow Rotterdam — Designed by Rotterdam-born architect Rem Koolhaas, this cutting-edge hotel sits in the Kop van Zuid district inside three glass-box structures, with sweeping views of the Maas River and Erasmus Bridge. Expect a crisp, white-centric interior, mirror-TVs, and an early-opening breakfast service that suits early risers heading out to the tower.
Hotel New York — Housed in the former headquarters of the Holland America Line on the Wilhelmina Pier, this boutique hotel trades in old-world character and maritime history, offering a distinctly different atmosphere from the city’s glassier newcomers.
Suite Hotel Pincoffs — A small, design-driven boutique property known for spacious suites and close attention to detail, tucked into a quieter corner of the city while still being easy walking distance from the center.
Morgan & Mees Rotterdam — A stylish, design-forward boutique stay in the Centrum area, prized for its warm interiors and well-regarded on-site restaurant — a good base for travelers who want to walk to the Markthal, Cube Houses, and Museumpark.
For first-time visitors, the Centrum neighborhood is generally the easiest base, putting most major sights within walking distance and close to Rotterdam Centraal station. Kop van Zuid is worth considering for river views and a slightly quieter pace, with the Euromast itself just a short tram or water taxi ride away.
Good to Know
The Euromast holds a Golden Green Key Certificate, the top level of sustainability certification in its category, and supports local social and charitable projects. It’s reachable via Rotterdam’s Coolhaven metro station, Tram 8’s Euromast stop, water taxi, or the nearby Q-Park Schiecentrale car park. The Brasserie is wheelchair accessible; the Euroscoop currently is not. The Euromast, its Brasserie, and The Rise of Rotterdam experience are open daily from 9:30am to 10pm at Parkhaven 20, 3016 GM Rotterdam.
