World Port Days 2026 at the Maritime Museum
The Port of Rotterdam takes centre stage during the World Port Days. There’s also plenty to discover at the Maritime Museum Harbour. Admire historic ships, see remarkable machinery and technology in action, and listen to the stories behind our maritime heritage.
Get started with some fun family activities, step aboard unique ships and discover how the harbour used to operate. A weekend full of adventure, history and maritime experiences for young and old alike.
Practical information
The World Port Days 2026 will take place from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September. During World Port Days, the Maritime Museum Harbour is free to visit on:
Saturday 5 September from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm
Sunday 6 September from 11.00 noon to 5.00 pm
On Friday 4 September, the museum’s regular opening hours and admission fees apply. A valid ticket is required to visit the museum.
Come along and experience the harbour up close!
Use our ticket discountWorld Port Days 2026 programme at the Maritime Museum Harbour
See the Red Figee 12 in action
The iconic harbour crane from 1964 is a special piece of Rotterdam’s harbour history. During a demonstration, you’ll discover how the crane worked and why one of its legs was made longer, so that the crane could travel perfectly straight.
Discover the power of steam
Step aboard the Stadsgraanzuiger 19 and discover the impressive engineering behind this historic machine. See how the steam engine and air pumps worked together to extract dry bulk goods, such as grain, seeds and rice, from ships.
Let the engine run
Discover this powerful diesel engine from 1953, built by the Bolnes engineering works. It is one of the first sheet-steel welded diesel engines used in Dutch shipping. The engine was not only carried on board, but also served as a test engine at the maritime college.
Family workshop at the smithy
Don’t miss this chance to sign up for a special family workshop at the smithy during the World Port Days! In just one hour, you and your family will get to work and create your very own piece. The workshop is for groups of up to six people, including adults and children aged 8 and over. Sign up now!
Make your own skipping rope
Saturday and Sunday 11:30 - 16:00
Can you tie a knot in it? Discover the age-old craft of rope-making and make your own skipping rope. Adjust it to the perfect length and take your homemade skipping rope home with you!
Go treasure hunting on the sandy island
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 - 16:30
Grab a spade and go in search of hidden treasures! Dig in the sand and discover what lies hidden beneath the surface.
Long live plastic
Saturday and Sunday 12:00 - 17:00
From packaging to litter in the water: plastic is everywhere. Come along to this creative workshop to find out how plastic is recycled and give it a new lease of life.
Deck mopping
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 - 17:00
Brace yourself like a real sailor! Scrub the deck until it sparkles and discover just how important this daily chore used to be on board.
Sailing with model boats
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 - 17:00
Come aboard at the mini harbour at De Wielewaal and steer a remote-controlled boat yourself! Children learn to steer, turn and moor just like real captains. A free maritime activity for the whole family.
Paint your own sail and set sail on an adventure
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 - 17:00
Paint the sails and listen to exciting stories about the sea, ships and adventures. A creative activity for story lovers of all ages!
Sing Along with Beachcomber Thijs
Saturday and Sunday
12:00 - 12:30 and 14:00 - 14:30
Come aboard the seagoing ship Zeemeeuw and join Beachcomber Thijs on a musical adventure along the coast and out to sea. With violin, accordion, piano and guitar, Thijs takes you to Bird Island, where birds from all over the world come together! Children can sing along, discover different musical instruments and learn through play about the sea, waves, tides and nature.
Meet the Hutten family on board the Annigje
Saturday and Sunday 11.00 - 17:00
Step aboard the historic Hasselt barge, built in 1908. This authentic sailing vessel, which is still in service today, offers a glimpse into how inland waterway skippers lived and worked around 1900. Meet the Hutten family of skippers and discover what it was like to live and work on the water.
Learn all about sailor’s knots
Saturday and Sunday 11.30 - 16:30
On board the historic tjalk Gruno, you’ll learn how to tie maritime knots, such as the figure-of-eight knot and the clove hitch. With the help of volunteers, you’ll have a go yourself. The Gruno sailed throughout the Netherlands until 1972 and offers a glimpse into how skippers used to live and work on a traditional cargo ship.
Come and see the tugboats from Maassluis
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 - 12:00 Take a look around on board vessels such as the Tonijn and the Bruinvisch and experience the rich history of Dutch tugboat shipping. Both of these historic tugs have been restored with great care and demonstrate how these sturdy workhorses were once used in the harbour and at sea.
Experience the history of the Balder
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 - 12:00 Step aboard the VL.92 Balder, a historic herring lugger from Vlaardingen. Built in 1912 for herring fishing using the ‘vleet’ method, the Balder is now a sailing museum ship. Discover what life and work on board were like and experience the history of Dutch herring fishing.
In collaboration with World Port Days, the Maritime Museum is organising special excursions that are only available to book during this weekend. Book your tickets via wereldhavendagen.nl.
Boat trip: Take a cruise through Rotterdam’s port history
Experience the history of the Port of Rotterdam on a historical boat tour along the Nieuwe Maas. Step aboard the Volharding 1 or join us on the Dockyard V for a unique boat trip. Along the way, you’ll sail past landmarks such as the Erasmus Bridge, the SS Rotterdam and the Rotterdam skyline, whilst learning more about the fascinating history of the museum ships. Good to know: the boarding point is not in the museum harbour, but at the Zuid excursion terminal.
Excursion: Life and work on board
This tour takes you back to days gone by. Discover how families used to live and work on board – not just the men, but the women and children too. You’ll visit areas on board that are not normally accessible to visitors. A guide will take you to the living quarters and the mates’ quarters of the towboat Geertruida, you’ll meet the historical inhabitants of the Annigje and get a glimpse inside the skipper’s quarters of the Graanelevator. The tour starts at the Lighthouse in the museum harbour.
Excursion: A boat trip from Dak to Dok
Experience the World Port Days from the water, from a bird’s-eye view and at a historic shipyard. Take an electric boat trip through the Maritime District, enjoy the view from the Witte Huis and discover Stadswerf Koningspoort. Includes stories about Rotterdam as a world port and a visit to the ‘Launch!’ exhibition.
This exclusive guided tour is a special collaboration between Stadswerf Koningspoort, the Erfgoedhavens Rotterdam Foundation, the Witte Huis, Inside Rotterdam and the Maritime Museum Rotterdam.
Boat tour through the Maritime District
Take a look at our Stadsgraanzuiger 19 and the historic harbour from the water! Along the way, the skipper of the electric boat will tell you the story of the area and show you the most beautiful spots. Weather permitting, the electric boat sails several times a day.
Let’s drop anchor at Het Lage Licht for a while
Enjoy fresh coffee, delicious pastries, light lunches and tasty hot dishes at the museum café, Het Lage Licht. A charming meeting place where visitors and passers-by come together, and where culture and hospitality go hand in hand.
Discover the museum shop
Have a look round the museum shop and find an original maritime gift or a memorable souvenir of your visit. With a surprising range of items, there’s something appealing for young and old alike.
1. When are World Port Days 2026?
World Port Days 2026 will take place from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September in Rotterdam.
2. Is the Maritime Museum Harbour free to visit during World Port Days?
Yes. The Maritime Museum Harbour is free to visit on Saturday 5 September from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm and Sunday 6 September from 12.00 noon to 5.00 pm. On Friday 4 September, the Maritime Museum’s regular opening hours and admission fees apply. A valid ticket is required to visit the museum.
3. Can I also visit the Maritime Museum during World Port Days?
Yes, absolutely! The Maritime Museum is open to visitors during World Port Days. A valid museum ticket is required for admission. The Maritime Museum Harbour is free to visit on Saturday and Sunday during World Port Days.
4. What are the opening hours during World Port Days?
The Maritime Museum Harbour is open on Saturday 5 September from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm and on Sunday 6 September from 12.00 noon to 5.00 pm. On Friday 4 September, the museum’s regular opening hours apply.
5. How do I book tickets for the excursions during World Port Days?
Tickets for the excursions can be booked via wereldhavendagen.nl. See the different excursions above and book your tickets using the relevant link.
6. How do I get to the Maritime Museum Harbour and where can I park?
The Maritime Museum Harbour is located in the centre of Rotterdam and is easily accessible by public transport. The nearest metro station is Leuvehaven. If you are travelling by car, you can use the car parks and parking facilities in the vicinity of the museum.
7. Is there a map of the Maritime Museum Harbour?
Yes. You can find a map at the location showing where to find the different activities, historic ships and other parts of the programme.
