43th Wereldhaventocht 2026

What are these walking routes about?

Each of the Wereldhaventochten tours is a fascinating and cozy city walk which, no matter which distance you choose, will direct you through the Kralingse Bos, over the Willems- and Erasmus bridges, through Katendrecht, along the ss Rotterdam, over the Wilhelmina peer, through the Lloydkwartier, Delfshaven to the finish. These walks are always organised in the first full weekend in September, coinciding with "World Port Days" festivities.

The Wereldhaventochten are being organised by Botu Wandelen. The name "Botu" is short for the combination of the areas Bospolder and Tussendijken in the western part of Rotterdam.BoTu Wandelen with its members creates an annual walking programme. Members of the club will do a weekly walking trip, participation is not obligatory.

Rotterdam is known as the biggest European port. The Wereldhaventocht is particularly known as a "walk in the port". The routes van these trips will go largely through the bigger part of the port area of Rotterdam, and walkers will often walk along the waters as often as possible. The modern Rotterdam ports will not be visited, for they are upto 50 kilometres away from the Rotterdam city centre.

What can you expect

The city of Rotterdam is split by the river Maas, the city has banks on both sides of the rivier. You will have the oppertunity to admire the now famous skyline from both sides of the river, because of two connections over the river: the Willems bridge and the Erasmus bridge. During the walking tours, walking enthusiasts will have magnificent views onto de rivier and its busy shipping. The walker will get ample oppertunity to admire all thesurrouding activities on the river as well as on the quays because of the annual “Wereldhavendagen” event. It is to be expected that on certain moments of the walking trip, things will be very busy because of all the visitors of the "World Port Days", but that will only increase the joy the along the way. The “World Port Days” event is basically a free gift during your walking trip.

The routes have been coordinated, so that there will be something for everyone. Harbour views, modern and historical architecture have been included into the tours. Next to the harbour views and the skyline of the city's modern architecture, the alker will also be presented with historical Delfshaven. A unique harbour corner that was created in 1389. Because Delfshaven has been preserved quite well through the centuries, people easily feel themselves wandering in historic times.