18 energising places to work or study in Rotterdam

Whether you’re a student or professional, finding the perfect place to work or study in Rotterdam is sometimes the key to unlocking productivity. 🧠

No matter if you want to dive into the bustle of the city or find a quiet place to hustle on your own, there are stacks of unique work and study spaces in Rotterdam. Here are 18 of them!

1. cafe @Home: gezellig in a cup

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cafe @Home is your home away from home, coming in with a casual atmosphere and plenty of space to sit down, plug your laptop in, and get cracking on that work.

This café has highly-rated coffee and smoothie options to get those creative juices flowing, plus free WiFi to get your workflows flowing. 😉

cafe @Home is located in the centre of Rotterdam near Oostplein, so it’s easy to get there via bike or public transport.

You’ll find a lot of people working here throughout the day, so you can expect a chill, but motivated atmosphere!

2. NN Douwe Egberts Café: the go-to for busy travellers

NN Douwe Egberts Café is perfect for anyone who wants to get some work/study time in before their commute. Located right next door to Rotterdam Central Station, you can travel from any part of the city by public transport or bike. 

This cosy spot has free WiFi, and tables with plugs, and is wheelchair accessible. Generally, most people buy at least one snack or drink while working or studying there, with prices ranging between €5 and €10. 

Good to know: since it is a café, it can get a little noisy. The café also has a free meeting room (handig!), but you have to book it in advance.

3. The Rotterdam Collective: the workplace for creative minds

You’ll love The Rotterdam Collective if you’re looking for a like-minded hub of creative and innovative individuals!

While the membership is a little pricey, you’ll have access to desk spaces, free WiFi, a kitchen, a meeting room, and lots of coffee. 

However, let op! This cosy co-working space only has space for 30 people, and you can only book a spot by the month — so make sure you have a game plan for your upcoming work schedule. 

4. Centrale Bibliotheek Rotterdam: there’s no place like the library

Return back to the student roots or try out something that isn’t the university library — either way, the Centrale Bibliotheek Rotterdam is an ideal place to work or study in Rotterdam. 

Rotterdam’s central library has got it all: WiFi, lots of space and plug availability, books upon books (natuurlijk!) and an accessible location in the city centre. 

READ MORE | Study in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

Keep in mind that you may have to pay a (small) yearly fee to access some facilities, including the computers and the WiFi. 

5. Man Met Bril Koffie: a laptop-friendly café option

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There’s no better place to work or study in Rotterdam than somewhere that takes its coffee seriously — so Man Met Bril Koffie is just the perfect spot!

The café is set up with large chairs and tables so your delicious snacks and drinks won’t get in the way of your laptop when working.

Naturally, it is a café, so the noise levels might be slightly higher than expected for a study space. 

6. Lebkov & Sons: for early mornings and late nights

Lebkov & Sons is open for longer hours than your average café — ideal for early risers and anyone who likes to study in the evening. 

The café has free WiFi and is also located next to Rotterdam Central Station, which is convenient for anyone who needs to travel to and from the city. 

While there isn’t a lot of seating, you’ll find lots of people working, a great ambience, and all kinds of food and drink options. Eet smakelijk!

7. Spaces: the stylish coworking space

If you’re looking for a sleek and modern office, look no further than Spaces. 

Located in one of Rotterdam’s first high-rise buildings, Spaces has all kinds of office rentals with utilities and cleaning included, on-site parking, and breakout areas. 

And as the cherry on top, the offices have huge windows and natural light and an incredible view of the city — what’s not to love?

8. Anne & Max: a coffeehouse to remember

While it’s traditionally a café, Anne & Max has a welcoming atmosphere, making it a comfortable place to work or study in Rotterdam. 

The café is located in the city centre but doesn’t get too busy — perfect for those study focus sessions. Anne & Max has free WiFi and comfortable seating (albeit some smaller tables).

Since it’s located right in the city centre, you’ll get a nice view of the city, but that means it can get a little busy at times. 

9. Erasmus University Library: study at the ‘ol reliable campus

Erasmus University Rotterdam Library Renovation / Defesche Van den Putte architecture + urbanism https://t.co/8scRc63Uyn pic.twitter.com/jXvsrncwHH

— ArchDaily (@ArchDaily) June 2, 2020

If there’s any place any student should try working or studying in Rotterdam, it’s the Erasmus University Library. 

Let op: you’re typically only allowed to study on campus as an Erasmus University student and if you’ve booked a study space in advance. 

The university library is a great spot to study — easily accessible before and after classes, good WiFi, and with plenty of outlets and study space (unless it’s in the middle of finals week). 

10. Coffeecompany: the staple café spot

Coffeecompany is a homey café chain, ideal for customers who love a good cup of coffee and want to get into the flow. 

The chain has three cafés all located within Rotterdam city centre, making it easily accessible. All the branches are laptop-friendly with free WiFi and lots of outlets to charge your laptop. 

READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #41: Call everything “gezellig.” All. The. Time.

Coffeecompany has a cosy atmosphere, but it’s not always quiet, and some branches are dimly lit — this spot might be better off for a short work or study day in Rotterdam. 

11. 42workspace: a hustling, bustling place to work

42workspace is the place for anyone working in tech, from freelancers to start-ups and scale-ups. 

Ergonomic chairs? Check. Exclusive events for members? Check. A knowledgeable tech community? Check!

Located in the hustle and bustle of Rotterdam, a day pass or subscription for 42workspace lets you order drinks, chat with the community, and explore their incredible building — rooftop party, anyone?

12. Baker & Moore: food to keep you motivated

Reserve a table for delicious food and a comfy study space at Baker & Moore. This café has free WiFi and plenty of seating and table space, so you can easily set up your laptop to work or study.

Why work at Baker & Moore in Rotterdam? Let’s put it this way: a dedicated laptop area upstairs, delicious carrot cake, and even outdoor seating for Rotterdam’s summer days. 😉

13. StationsHuiskamer: a little piece of home

StationsHuiskamer is the ultimate place for on-the-go working or studying in Rotterdam. This café is located right inside Rotterdam Central Station and is the perfect mix of a home office and a cosy hangout. 

Many people describe StationsHuiskamer as a living room — perfect for meeting a friend but has all the facilities for working and studying, including free WiFi, power outlets, and space to sit. 

And because it’s located inside the train station, it’s extremely convenient for anyone who is coming to or from Rotterdam! 

14. Hopper Coffee: your hipster study spot

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Another café-turned-study corner, Hopper Coffee is another chill place if you’re looking for a lowkey study session with friends. 

This chill atmosphere is great for those laid-back work or study days with bright lighting, comfy seating, and the smell of fresh coffee brewing. 

While they have free WiFi and outlets perfect for laptops, Hopper isn’t the largest coffee house, and you may find it a little busy for working or studying in Rotterdam. 

15. Het Nieuwe Kantoor Rotterdam: the flexible co-working space

Het Nieuwe Kantoor goes the extra mile as a co-working space. The building has large, open spaces, bright lighting, and gorgeous views — definitely an inspiring place to work. 😌

The workspaces are comfortable, clean, and accessible, and you can make use of plenty of facilities, including meeting rooms, the kitchen, and a refreshments bar. 

This coworking space has two locations in Rotterdam, both with fast WiFi, meeting rooms, and ergonomic work desks and screens.

16. Bagels & Beans: for the snacking students

Bagels & Beans is another laptop-friendly café chain with five branches in Rotterdam, three of which are in the city centre. 

This bagel and coffee heaven is home to a cosy atmosphere, free WiFi and power outlets, excellent for a study day with your friends or to grab a snack on the side. 

The noise levels may be slightly higher for a study space, especially if it’s busy, but the chill music and friendly staff make for a pleasant atmosphere to study. 

17. The New Café: the hangout for architecture lovers

The New Café is an extension of the architecture, design and culture museum Het Nieuwe Instituut in Rotterdam. 

This chic, modern café makes for a lovely study space for anyone who wants to enjoy the museum or the rest of the Museumpark. 

The café is wheelchair accessible, has indoor and outdoor seating, and offers free WiFi, making it a perfect spot to grab your laptop and get to work. 

18. Tribes: the place for digital nomads

Tribes is our final location for places to work or study in Rotterdam, offering a perfect mix of flexibility, accommodations, and professionalism. 

Living up to its brand, this office space offers all kinds of coworking plans and memberships at its two main locations in Rotterdam. 

Tribes has the hippest offices with nearby public transport, catering services, and facilities for meeting rooms and conferences. 

Productivity will no longer be a mystery with these most energising places to work or study in Rotterdam.

Do you have a favourite place to work or study in Rotterdam? Share your recommendations in the comments!