Summary
Rotterdam, positioned in the southern Netherlands, stands as the country’s second-largest city, following the capital, Amsterdam, with a population nearing 630,000. This city has been significant for centuries, prominently serving as a major port due to its location on the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta.
Since the 1300s, the port of Rotterdam has evolved as a vital hub for the Dutch East India Company. The city faced substantial destruction during World War II when its center was largely bombarded; however, recovery efforts enabled a reconstruction, resulting in a modern port.
In addition to its intriguing port, Rotterdam showcases remarkable architecture, including the unique cube-shaped buildings and the Euromast Tower, while offering a diverse range of museums, dining establishments, and recreational activities.
1. Markthal Rotterdam
The Markthal is a remarkable architectural structure completed in 2009, serving both as an office building and a marketplace. Its design is distinct, featuring a large semi-circular gray façade and expansive windowed areas opening to the surrounding courtyard. Inside, visitors can admire the impressive artwork by Arno Coenen, showcasing colorful depictions of fruits, plants, insects, and flowers.
The marketplace within the Markthal boasts a vast selection of shops, stalls, restaurants, and bars, including a tea bar, tapas bar, and a shop dedicated to beverages, alongside over 70 other diverse businesses. It is indeed a vibrant and exciting venue to explore while indulging in quality food and drinks.
2. Rotterdam Zoo
Commonly referred to as Diergaarde Blijdorp, the Rotterdam Zoo boasts a long-standing history, despite requiring relocation during WWII to evade bombings. The zoo remains in excellent condition, featuring a botanical garden, Oceanium, and conducting breeding programs to conserve endangered species, such as the Red Panda.
The zoo comprises several themed sections, including a Chinese garden, Malayan Forest, Mongolian Steppes, and a crocodile river. Animal inhabitants include the Black Rhino, Greater Kudu, Sumatran Tiger, Asian Elephant, and Amur Leopard. This venue offers an exceptional experience for both children and adults, with a variety of enclosures and interactive features providing hours of enjoyment.
3. Euromast Tower
Constructed in 1960, the Euromast Tower serves as an observation point, delivering sweeping views of the Rotterdam cityscape. Standing at 606 feet, it is the tallest building in the city, thanks to its antenna. The tower encompasses a restaurant, conference room for business meetings, hotel suite, and an observation deck.
This site provides an ideal opportunity to observe the extensive expanse of Rotterdam and its ports, with moderate admission fees for both adults and children. For those seeking a bit of adventure, options for zip-lining or abseiling from the tower are also available.
4. Erasmus Bridge
This iconic bridge spans the Nieuwe Maas distributary of the Rhine and connects at the confluence of the Noord and Lek rivers. With a remarkable length of 802 meters, it ranks as the second-largest bridge in the Netherlands. The bridge is affectionately nicknamed “the Swan” due to its large upright mast resembling a swan’s neck.
The bridge features a bascule section at its center that opens to accommodate larger vessels traversing the waters. This impressive feat of modern engineering not only creates a spectacular backdrop for the port of Rotterdam but also stands as a remarkable structure to admire and traverse.
5. Rotterdam Central Station
Rotterdam is characterized by modern and avant-garde architecture, and the central station exemplifies this quality. The new terminal, inaugurated in 2014, has become an iconic architectural landmark. The structure features a triangular shape that angles towards the sky.
Key elements such as the clock and large lettering at the station’s entrance were salvaged from the old station to preserve its legacy. The station serves as a crucial hub, connecting travelers to numerous destinations across the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, Den Haag, Groningen, and Tilburg, with over 100,000 passengers utilizing its services daily.
6. Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk
The Church of Saint Laurence is the only remaining medieval architectural structure in Rotterdam. Constructed in 1449, it has undergone various expansions over the years.
Recognized as one of the first all-stone buildings in Rotterdam, it has hosted numerous significant events. Located in the old town center near the Maritime Museum and Erasmus Bridge, the church distinguishes itself against Rotterdam’s modern skyline.
The interior features beautifully decorated arches, soaring vaulted ceilings, stone reliefs, and intricate religious decoration, making it a site of both historical and aesthetic importance.
7. Europort
The region known as Europort represents one of the busiest port areas globally and serves as a primary trade entry point into Europe.
This expansive port offers a captivating environment for visitors to appreciate its magnitude and understand its critical role in the economy of the city and surrounding regions.
Boat tours provide an excellent means to experience the scale of the port, showcasing immense cargo ships, numerous quays, storage facilities, and shipyards, illustrating this extraordinary industrial marvel.
8. Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum is one of the largest institutions of its kind worldwide, possessing an extensive compilation of cartography, maritime artifacts, and artistic works. Located in central Rotterdam, it is conveniently situated near Markthal and the Cube Houses.
Among its fascinating exhibitions are a controversial painting depicting the Battle of Trafalgar, a collection of figureheads from various ships, as well as navy uniforms and flags associated with naval battles.
This museum truly showcases an impressive array of objects related to marine history and culture, with world-class artifacts on display.
9. Fenix Food Factory
This food factory offers a distinctive experience where visitors can immerse themselves in the culinary world, participating in workshops, tastings, and community markets.
The facility promotes locally-sourced fresh produce, showcasing delightful products such as freshly roasted coffee and homebrewed beer.
In addition to beer and coffee, visitors can indulge in delectable cheeses, various butcher’s meats, as well as artisanal bread and pastries from Jordy’s Bakery.
Food enthusiasts will undoubtedly appreciate the delights available at this site, fostering an opportunity for culinary exploration.
10. Rotterdam Boat Tour
A boat tour offers an excellent opportunity to view the impressive harbors and ports of Rotterdam.
Given the extensive nature of the port, traversing it on foot can be cumbersome; consequently, a boat tour provides a comfortable means of exploring while gaining insights from knowledgeable tour guides.
Many operators offer boat tours, with one notable option being the Spido Harbor Tour, lasting approximately 75 minutes.
The modern vessels feature ample indoor and outdoor seating, along with expansive windows for unobstructed views.
Guests can enjoy food and beverages while the commentary is available in both Dutch and English, making this an ideal way to relax and learn about the magnificent ports of Rotterdam.
11. Kinderdijk’s Windmills
Windmills are an iconic symbol of the Netherlands, representing a significant aspect of the country’s heritage.
Approximately 20 kilometers east of central Rotterdam lies the quaint village of Kinderdijk, which is charming in its own right.
What truly enhances this village’s allure is the line of windmills that grace its canals.
The 19 windmills, meticulously restored to their original condition, are now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This picturesque locale is a remarkable destination, surrounded by scenic countryside and an intricate canal network.
12. Depot Boijmans-van Beuningen
This serene and elegant museum, located in Rotterdam’s Dijkzigt district, ranks among the most significant art institutions in the country.
The museum showcases an exceptional collection of sculptures, paintings, and decorative arts from numerous artists worldwide, including Van Gogh, Dali, and Rembrandt.
Highlights of the collection include “Tower of Babel” by Pieter Bruegel and “Couple with their heads full of Clouds” by Dali.
In addition to its remarkable art collection, the museum’s architecture and grounds create a pleasant ambiance for visitors.
13. SS Rotterdam
The SS Rotterdam is a notable ocean liner, originally named the Grande Dame, constructed during the 1950s.
This vessel was one of the last luxuriously appointed liners and was finally retired in 2000. Throughout its history, it has undergone several name changes, including the Rembrandt and currently operates as a hybrid hotel and museum in Rotterdam.
Guided tours of the ship’s bridge and engine room offer fascinating insights into its operation during its more glamorous days.
14. The Witte Huis
This splendid building is one of the few structures to survive the Blitzkrieg during World War II in central Rotterdam, representing a vital piece of the city’s heritage and history.
The striking Art Nouveau architecture makes this building easily identifiable, featuring a white façade, ornate turrets, and an intricate roof that adds character.
Its exceptional design and extensive history have earned it the designation of a National Heritage Site, marking it as the first high-rise building in Europe.
15. Cube House Rotterdam
The Cube House is just what it sounds like – a set of residences characterized by a cuboid design.
This unconventional housing block, conceived by architect Piet Blom, features cubes tilted at a 45-degree angle.
These cubes represent a unique architectural concept, prompting curiosity about the living experience within such atypical angles. From a distance, the structure resembles an old 2D computer game, with one of the cubes open to the public for viewing the interior space.
