Rotterdam to become an Architectural Marvel

Take a stroll around the Old Harbor or Marine Museums

Rotterdam’s Old Harbor, also known as Oude Haven, is a part of the revitalized Maritime District. It’s a boat basin that houses restored historic boats and houseboats.
You can either sit outside one of the many cafes or restaurants to watch people go by or stroll around the area and see the boats being repaired or painted. The signs identify the age of the ships and show photos of the site during its peak as a shipyard and commercial port.
The Maritime Museum Rotterdam is a short distance from this location. The museum was established in 1873 and offered a fascinating insight into the city’s relationship to the sea, its many waterways, and other natural resources. The museum’s vast collections include ship models and many seafaring paintings.
The adjacent Maritime Museum Harbor is another marine-related tourist attraction. This open-air facility houses the Buffel ironclad from the 19th century and an old lightship. More than 20 historical vessels are displayed here. Both sites offer English-language guided tours.
The SS Rotterdam is a recent addition to Rotterdam’s list of critical old vessels. It was launched in 1958 and is the most beautiful Dutch-built passenger ship ever to sail. The museum and hotel now house this elegantly decorated vessel. One of its most popular activities is to have lunch or dinner in the dining room.
The Kids Marina is where children can take control of their own cargo- or passenger vessel.

Explore the Art Collections at Museum Boijmans van Beuningen

Museum Boijmans van Beuningen is one of Europe’s most important art centers. It is well-known for its outstanding collections of paintings, sculptures, and applied and decorative arts from all over Europe.
The 14th-16th century painter Hubert and Jan van Eyck are well represented with works by Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel. Rembrandt (17th century) and Rubens (16 of 26 results by the latter can be viewed), while Van Gogh, Gauguin, or Gauguin represent later centuries. Chagall, Matisse, and Picasso are all represented.
You won’t forget the experience of visiting the museum’s “depot” now and again. This rare event gives the public access to the museum storage areas. It allows for a glimpse into gallery workings and rare artworks.

Explore World Cultures at Wereldmuseum

Another great museum is Wereldmuseum Rotterdam. This ethnographic museum, founded in 1883, features over 1,800 artifacts representing different cultures worldwide. This museum features both ancient and modern cultures in varying degrees. It offers a fascinating insight into the evolution of global cultures.
The museum hosts lectures and other events throughout the year. Guided tours can be arranged. There is a restaurant and a shop on the premises.

Take a tour of Grote of SintLaurenskerk.

The Great St. Lawrence Church (Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk) is Rotterdam’s only remaining medieval building. Most of them were destroyed by WWII. The late Gothic church is located in Grote Kerkplein. It dates back to the 15th century. It was built on once marshy ground, giving it a unique lean. This peculiar thin was only stopped after the foundation was rebuilt in 1650. Although bombings severely damaged it, the church was completely restored after the war.
The church’s bright interior will impress you. Its colored glass windows add to the effect. The three largest Danish organs in the church are on a marble base. It is on the inside wall, which houses the tower’s interior wall. The bronze doors at the main entrance on the theme of War and Peace were created by Giacomo Manzu. A statue of Erasmus, Rotterdam’s most famous child, is in front of the church.
Guided tours can be arranged. The modest admission fee covers a bilingual audio guide. There are also frequent concerts and other events at the church.

Have a look at the Cube Houses

Rotterdam has many examples of fine modern architecture. Many of these are inspired by Rotterdam’s location on the waterside. The famous Cube Houses of Rotterdam (Kubuswoningen) push the boundaries of architecture.
This block of houses was designed by Piet Blom (Dutch architect). Its unique cube-shaped upper stories can be seen from the Old Harbor. The Show Cube, one of the houses, is open for visitors. It contains information about the history and design of the buildings. Here is also a museum that focuses on chess.
The White House (Witte Uis) is another architectural treasure. This stunning Art Nouveau 10-story structure, once Europe’s tallest, was constructed in 1898. It is now a National Heritage Site with spectacular views from its rooftop.

Get Your Design Fix at Het Nieuwe Instituut

The Het Nieuwe Instituut is a museum that focuses on architecture and building design. This museum, translated literally as “The New Institute,” focuses on the evolution of different architectural movements. While the Dutch style is prominent, there are other international design movements.
Digital culture is featured in new exhibits. Visitors can also visit Sonneveld House across the street, an example of modernist architecture from the 1920s. Visitors can also see a café, shop, and a pleasant garden.

The Market Hall offers international cuisine.

Rotterdam’s Market Hall (Markt) is a popular meeting place. It opened in 2014 and is a large office complex.
Locals call it “Koopboog” or Horseshoe. The market’s arched ceiling is covered with larger-than-life murals of produce.
Many fast-food and fine restaurants offer everything from Balkan cuisines and Spanish tapas to exotic Indonesian dishes.

Check out the Kinderdijk Windmills

Kinderdijk, a beautiful village, lies 23 km east of Rotterdam on the River Noord. Its name is derived from a legend about a baby’s crib being left here in the St. Elizabeth’s Day floods of 1421. The name means “the children’s dyke”. It’s one of the most popular places in the Netherlands.
Each of the 19 well-preserved 18th-century windmills has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were built between 1722-1761 and together made up the country’s largest concentration of windmills. This history is celebrated on special Mill Days when their sails are set again in motion.
You can explore the museums in the Nederwaard, Blookwer mills, and Wisdom’s pumping station. You can also take fun tours of the canals.

Coolsingel is a beautiful place to wander through.

Coolsingel, also known as the “Cool” area and the main street in Rotterdam’s center, is home to the Town Hall (Stadhuis).
It was built in the Dutch Renaissance style between 1914 and 1920. The richly decorated interior is not accessible on your own. Guided tours can be booked through the tourist office.
Mari Andriessen designed the war memorial opposite the Town Hall in busy Stadhuisplein. Coolsingel’s other highlights include the Beurs-World Trade Center (a high-rise building with a greenish-blue-glass facade) and the Bijenkorf (“Beehive”) department shop which was designed by Marcel Breuer, a leading architect in 1958. The 26-meter tall sculpture Construction (1957), by Naum Gabriela, a French sculptor from Russia, is located in front of Bijenkorf.
You find the famous shopping streets Lijnbaan (and Koopgoot) in this vicinity. You’ll find De Doelen, a concert hall/congress center that was rebuilt in 1966 following its destruction in 1940, just a few blocks north of Bijenkorf. The venue has seating for approximately 2,200 people and boasts a great lineup of concerts. Theater Rotterdam Schouwburg is located nearby. It was opened in 1988.

Enjoy a Boat Tour of the Europoort

Rotterdam’s huge port covers half of the city’s 247-square-kilometer total. Much of this area is occupied by Europoort, a massive complex known as “Gateway To Europe.” You’ll also see miles upon miles of storage and quays built to serve the busiest port in the world.
Maeslantkering, near Hoek van Holland (Hook of Holland), is the starting point for one of the most popular sightseeing trips to the port. It includes a close-up view of the city’s surge barrier. Evening tours can be fun with Rotterdam’s most iconic landmarks, such as the magnificent Erasmus Bridge, which is spectacularly illuminated.

Bring the kids to Rotterdam Zoo.

Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp), established in 1857, is well-known for its successful breeding programs. Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp) is renowned for its successful breeding programs. Its highlights include the fascinating red panda and a few young elephants.
The priority is given to natural habitats: the Asian section contains a swamp forest with two large bird aviaries, a Mongolian steppe, and a Chinese garden. Numerous animals are native to the area.
The Oceanium at the Zoo is also worth a visit. It houses a wide range of marine life from all over the Americas. Plaswijckpark is a great place to take the kids if they still have energy after their visit. The park offers boat and train rides, an adventure playground, and a petting area.