Rotterdam is a modern city full of impressive architecture that combines cutting-edge design with historic charm. Here are some not-to-miss spots around the city to get a taste of this vibrant Dutch capital's culture and history.
Market Hall is one of the most popular gathering points in Rotterdam, and it's an architectural wonder with a soaring arched ceiling that looks like a horseshoe. Nicknamed "koopboog" by locals, it's a stunning symbol of the city's modern urban ingenuity.
Coolsingel
The Coolsingel is Rotterdam’s most prominent boulevard, a main road that crosses the city centre from north to south. It is one of the most expensive plots in the game of Monopoly, and was formerly lined with office and commercial buildings, but also with the few public buildings that survived the bombing during World War II: the city hall, the main post office and the stock exchange.
Until recently, the street was busy with traffic. Every day, 22,000 cars roared along the Coolsingel at up to 50 kilometres per hour.
But that was all about to change thanks to a 58 million euro redesign by West 8. The new design balances traffic on the one hand, creating comfortable walking, cycling and public transport routes while also reinvigorating the public space.
A large number of old sycamore trees were replaced by new ones, and round benches, raised planting beds with seating edges and ornamental light elements were added to the streetscape. The new Coolsingel is a lively, green space that can host a range of events - from the summer carnival to the annual NN Rotterdam Marathon.
In addition to the new 'golden' cycle path, there are also two black asphalt lanes for cars, which only allow speeds of 30 kilometres an hour. These are positioned along the side of the road, so as to not block pedestrians or people who prefer cycling on the other side of the street.
The 'golden' cycle path is paved with warm natural 'kandla gres' stone, in a circular pattern. This makes the new Coolsingel a real green oasis in the heart of a bustling Dutch metropolis.
It is a place where you can enjoy the view of Rotterdam's skyline and take in the atmosphere. It's also a great place to relax and take in the views of the river Maas.
Another notable thing about Coolsingel is that it is the location of the luxury hotel Atlanta, a building that was built in 1931 to a design by the architect Frans van der Togt in the Art Deco style. The hotel is a popular destination for tourists and residents, especially in the summer.
Tourists consider renting a car one of the best ways to enjoy all that Netherlands has to offer. Renting an economy class car in Amsterdam will cost about 18 euros per day.
Museum of Boijmans Van Beuningen
The Museum of Boijmans Van Beuningen is a notable place around Rotterdam, especially for art fans. The museum displays a collection of Dutch and European art from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. This includes works by Jheronimus Bosch, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Dali, Mondriaan, and more.
During your visit, make sure to check out the museum’s gift shop, which stocks a wide range of books and postcards as well as items by local designers. There’s also a cafe, where you can sip on a drink or eat a sandwich while overlooking the sculpture garden.
One of the most popular places around Rotterdam, the museum is a must-visit for tourists and locals alike. However, you should be aware that the museum is very busy and it can be hard to find your way. It is also located in a large building, so plan accordingly and bring a map if you don’t want to get lost.
While it’s worth a visit, the Museum of Boijmans Van Beuningen can be a little overwhelming for first-time visitors. It is a bit crowded with school groups, and the layout of the museum is a little confusing, with rooms that are difficult to navigate and narrow corridors.
But the museum is free to enter and the collection is impressive. There are several exhibitions that take visitors through the history of Dutch and European art, showing how everyday objects have changed over time.
For example, the museum has a beautiful collection of medieval jugs and glassware. You can also explore the history of Dutch furniture and design.
It also features a rooftop forest at 35 metres, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. A restaurant is also available on the rooftop, and the museum has a gift shop.
The Museum of Boijmans Van Boijmans Van Beuningen has a collection of over 151,000 objects and is one of the largest museums in the world. But it doesn’t have a gallery for each and every piece, so the museum stores most of its art in a storage depot that is accessible to visitors. The depot is a new type of experience for art lovers, allowing them to take a closer look at the behind-the-scenes process of maintaining and caring for the museum’s collection.
Cube Houses
Located near the Old Harbour and the Rotterdam Central Library, Cube Houses are one of Rotterdam's most notable landmarks. Designed by architect Piet Blom, these buildings were built in the 1970s as an effort to counteract the city's utilitarian urban design and foster social cohesion.
These striking residential buildings are built in the shape of cubes tilted at a 45-degree angle. They are anchored to the ground with concrete pillars and are divided into three levels that are connected via a narrow staircase. The lower level is used as a living room, while the upper level hosts the bedrooms and bathrooms.
The houses' exterior walls also tilt to face the ground or the sky, allowing windows and skylights to open up. There are even small balconies in some of the cubes.
While some of the homes are owned and occupied by private residents, others have been converted into businesses or museums. Currently, the largest cube is home to a hostel, while another non-residential property houses a museum dedicated to the buildings' history and design.
According to Blom, these cubic buildings were meant to represent "trees in a forest," with each individual house forming a triangular "trunk" that connects to the neighboring cubes. He saw each house as a component of an urban village that would combine private and public functions such as housing, a school, small businesses, a playground and more.
These unique houses are still an eye-catching sight and they remain one of the most unusual architectural structures in the world. The question remains, however, how do the residents live in these asymmetrical buildings without falling over?
While this might seem like a daunting task, the architects behind the cube houses made sure to create a structure that was not only safe but functional as well. The angled walls and roofs ensure that the inhabitants have plenty of space, while the interiors are compact enough to allow for a variety of furniture and storage spaces.
Miniworld Rotterdam
One of the most notable places around Rotterdam is Miniworld Rotterdam, which offers a unique way to see the city from a birds-eye view. Located close to Rotterdam Central Station, this indoor miniature world takes you through the stories, history, architecture, and maritime tradition of Rotterdam while also presenting you with a vast rural Dutch landscape filled with windmills and villages.
The world of miniatures is a fascinating experience, and one that will appeal to both children and adults alike. With a total of 600 square meters, this unique place brings the city of Rotterdam to life through a series of miniature scenes.
At a scale of 1:87, the miniature world displays all the major buildings and neighborhoods in the city, including the Erasmus Bridge, Euromast, and the Hotel New York. These buildings are complemented by a variety of smaller local cities that are featured as well.
Guests can take advantage of a free, 30-minute (Dutch) behind-the-scenes tour for 2 to 10 people. This allows them to view areas that are typically not open to the public, such as traffic control and shadow stations.
Another great feature of Miniworld is its day and night simulation. During the day, the residents wake up and start their daily activities, with trains running nonstop and ships docked at their port. At night, thousands of lights light up to simulate the sunset and sunrise.
If you are looking for a place to spend time with your family, Miniworld Rotterdam is a must-see destination. There are a variety of different tours and activities to choose from, so you can find a program that’s right for you.
There are also several workshops for adults and children that teach them how to create miniatures of their own. Depending on the type of workshop you choose, it can be very enjoyable and even educational.
For those who are interested in the history of the Netherlands, Museum Rotterdam is a great option. It displays documents and artifacts relating to the country’s rich past. Its Coolhaven annex is particularly interesting, as it highlights Dutch wartime experiences.