Eurekaweek 2025! Tips for students (and of course all other Rotterdammers)

The Eurekaweek takes over Rotterdam from 18 to 20 August. It is the largest introduction week in the Netherlands, exclusively for first-year bachelor and (pre-)master students. They get to know Erasmus University and Rotterdam. But where should they go when the Eurekaweek is over? This overview is also useful for Rotterdam non-students.

Study

Being in a small room taking in all the lecture material can be quite mind-numbing. Learning for exams or working on theses is often more inspiring in a different environment. De Doelen offers studio workspace and the Central Library is also a popular place. It is even possible to rent a study space here. At the end of 2025, the library will close for refurbishment and a temporary location will open in a former Rotterdam municipal office at Librijesteeg 4, about 300 metres from the current library. This temporary library will open in mid-January 2026 and there will also be space to study there.

These days, there are also lots of (coffee) joints where you can study such as at Cafe at Home in the industrial building, the various Coffee Company outlets or at Lebkov next to Central Station.

Food and drink

When students are not uncomfortable standing in the kitchen cooking for themselves or roommates, they also like to eat out. But of course, it should not and cannot cost too much. Stalles on the Nieuwe Binnenweg has been a place serving attractively priced pizzas for years. There are more than 20 different types of freshly prepared pizzas on the menu from €7.50. Cheap lunch can be had at Little Italy, the sandwiches are not expensive but richly filled!

There are also a few specific establishments in Kralingen on Oostzeedijk where students can get value for money. Such as Thai restaurant De Kleine Ondeugd, Hugo, Eetcafé de Stoep and Bierlokaal Locus Publicus.

Besides Locus Publicus, there are many other cafes where students can grab a nice beer or other drink. In Delfshaven is Café de Oude Sluis and on the border with the city centre Bakeliet and Steijn. On and around Witte de Withstraat, you can find De Witte Aap, De Schouw, NRC, Café Zwarte Schaap, Wunderbar, Bierboutique or Reijngoud. Biergarten is close to Central Station. In Noord, De Gulle Gier, De Bel and Salon Tropica are popular.

Kapsalon
Even the royal family knows the Kapsalon, the authentic Rotterdam culinary creation. King Willem-Alexander, Máxima and Alexia suddenly found themselves at Jaffa on Witte de Withstraat this summer. Uitagenda previously visited the famous shoarma joint for The Great Uitagenda Hair Salon Test.

Going out

Longer into the night. There are free opties for that. Besides, at Villa Thalia they put up a well-known artist like Ronnie Flex almost every week. Around the corner are other tents that cater to youthful audiences. Such as at De Beurs and on Stadhuisplein, with plenty of nightlife venues for going nice and wrong such as De Après Skihut. The city centre is also home to Club Centraal and Club Uniek.

The Oude Haven has traditionally been a popular destination for students with, for example, The Cube and De Vrieden Live. For more alternative offerings, V11, Rotown and Worm are the venues.

Need karaoke? Fame, Duke of Tokyo and Pretty Boules are the spots, while opportunities for dancing include BIRD, Annabel, Perron, Toffler, Supermercado, Munch and the Maassilo.

Festivals

Rotterdam is a real festival city. In late summer, there are a few more like Give Soul at Stadshaven Brewery, RSCW next to the Biergarten, Poing Festival at Brutus, Festival Downtown, ADATP and Left of the Dial. Our overview of all festivals can be found via this link.

Cultural offer

Whatever they say. Students are also really interested in culture. At several museums, students are allowed in at a discount. Around the Museumpark, there are regularly cool exhibitions at the Kunsthal, the Depot, the New Institute and the Natural History Museum.

The various theatres and venues such as TR Schouwburg, Theater Zuidplein and the old and new Luxor Theater often offer student discounts. At Arminius, there is a mix of debates, performances and other events. Club Haug is the place for stand-up comedy.

Welcome student: Rotterdam teaches you how to live!

The municipality of Rotterdam has mounted a campaign to give all first-year MBO, HBO and WO students a warm welcome to the city. On this site, students give more tips and there is a list of activities.

That is why the last week of August and the first week of September are dedicated to all students starting their new school year in Rotterdam. Every year, this involves some 40,000 students. After the Eureka week, the school year starts on Monday 1 September.