Monodisperse ZnWO4 and Eu3+-doped ZnWO4 nanorods are prepared via a simple hydrothermal method. The structure and morphology are characterized through X-ray diffraction pattern and transmission electron microscope. The nanorods are pure wolframite and Eu3+ ions completely enter into the lattice. The diameters of ZnWO4:Eu3+ nanorods are about 20~40 nm and the lengths are about 50~70 nm. The excited and photoluminescence spectra of ZnWO4 and Eu3+-doped ZnWO4 nanorods indicate an energy transfer from WO2-4 groups to Eu3+ ions. Electric dipole transition 5D0-7F0 of Eu3+ ion is weak, while electric dipole transition 5D0-7F2 is very strong, which indicates that Eu3+ ions are in C2 symmetry points of the lattice.