Museum of world cultures on Rotterdam's Maas waterfront in the former clubhouse of the Royal Yacht Club, with a hands-on exhibition for children.
September 18, 2026 – August 29, 2027
Surrealism as a worldwide way of thinking: works from Mexico, Australia, Trinidad, Indonesia and Europe – from Wifredo Lam to Roberta Stoddart – together with pieces from the museum's own collection and loans.
In 1851 the Royal Yacht Club, presided over by Prince Hendrik, took over the town palace on the Willemskade. Members donated ship models, maritime objects and ethnographic pieces, from which a naval museum emerged in 1873. After the prince's death the building passed to the city, which decided in 1883 to establish an ethnological museum; the Museum voor Land- en Volkenkunde opened on May 1, 1885.
Among its founding fathers was the Rotterdam scholar Elie van Rijckevorsel, who brought back more than 900 objects from journeys to the Dutch East Indies, Brazil and South Africa and bequeathed them to the museum – including Javanese batiks, weapons, headdresses and shields. In the first half of the 20th century the museum took part in expeditions to New Guinea; later the focus shifted to the countries of origin of Rotterdam's immigrants.
After years of declining visitor numbers, the museum returned to its roots in the early 2000s: the ballroom and the splendor of the yacht club were restored, and the displays were concentrated on the collection's finest pieces. Since 2017 it has worked with the Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen, and since 2023 it has shared the name Wereldmuseum – alongside the museums in Amsterdam, Leiden and Berg en Dal.
The collection comprises more than 80,000 objects from 127 cultures, gathered by Rotterdammers since the 19th century. The children's exhibition Superstraat was added in 2019.
| Adults | €16 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €10CJP holders aged 19 and over |
| Children & teens | €6.50free up to age 5 · Ages 6–18 €6.50 online or €8 at the ticket desk; with CJP up to age 18 €7; free up to age 5 |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Companion of a person with a disability admitted free |
| Students & apprentices | €11with a valid (digital) student ID |
Online prices; at the ticket desk, adults pay €18. Free with the Museumkaart, VriendenLoterij VIP card, ICOM, Vereniging Rembrandt and Rotterdampas (show physical cards; only the Rotterdampas is also accepted digitally). Refugees and their volunteer companions receive free tickets through the MuseumBuddy program.
Wheelchair entrance next to the main entrance; all floors reachable by elevator; three loaner wheelchairs, mobility scooters allowed. No induction loop, no quiet areas. Sign-language tours and programs take place regularly; adapted tours via educatie@wereldmuseum.nl.
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
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Wereldmuseum Junior: the hands-on exhibition Superstraat (texts in Dutch), free Sunday activities on festivals from around the world (ages 6 and up), animal bingo as a scavenger hunt, studio workshops and children's birthday parties. Strollers are not allowed in Superstraat and are parked in the multipurpose room.
Vasteland
From Rotterdam Centraal, tram 8 (toward Spangen) to Vasteland, then walk along the Maas; or tram 3, 5 or the metro to Leuvehaven. Also water bus line 20, Aqualiner 1 and 2, and water taxi.
No on-site parking at the museum.
No on-site parking; paid parking in the surrounding area, free from 18:00 on the Parklaan and adjacent streets. No reserved accessible parking spaces.
The museum stands on the corner of Willemskade and Veerkade near the Erasmus Bridge.
Get directionsMuseum café with a terrace overlooking the Erasmus Bridge and the Veerhaven (Tue–Sun, also without a museum visit); museum shop Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00, no ticket needed. Unattended cloakroom and lockers; bags larger than A4 are not allowed in the exhibitions.
Up to 450 guests.
Ballroom, Elie van Rijckevorsel Hall and Salon for conferences, receptions, dinners and celebrations; official wedding venue. Inquiries: reserveringen@wereldmuseum.nl, 010-2707150.
Inquiries & details| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
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| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography without flash is permitted; tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed. |
| Good to know | Wereldmuseum tour for groups of up to 15 people (60 min.) €75 plus admission; custom tours by arrangement; inquire ideally one month in advance. Children under 12 only with adults. Pets other than assistance dogs are not allowed. |
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