The top 10 sights in Rotterdam

Discover trendy Rotterdam with its groundbreaking architecture, mighty harbor and exciting skyline. Off to the dynamic metropolis! / The top 10 sights in Rotterdam

Anyone who hasn’t been to Rotterdam should definitely put it at the top of their travel list. The emerging trend city in the southwest of Holland offers architectural highlights, delicacies in an artistic ambience and numerous attractions for every type. Here we have the top 10 for you.

1. Markthal

The Markthal in Rotterdam only enjoyed architectural cult status in 2014 – after five years of construction. A daring arch of truly gigantic proportions stands out even in a city that boasts so many examples of pioneering architecture. On the huge ceiling of the hall you can admire the largest work of art in the world on an area of ​​11,000 square meters. The colorful painting by Dutch artist Arno Coenen is unmodestly referred to as the Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam. As grandiose as the architecture and art may be, in the end it is the products that count in a market hall – and here too the city has more than enough to offer: an area the size of a soccer field with 96 market stalls full of fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, cheese and Flowers, specialties from near and far. There are also 20 shops and restaurants. Do not miss!

2. Euromast

Landmarks: Berlin has the television tower, Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Barcelona has the Sagrada Familia – and Rotterdam has the Euromast. The distinctive tower was built between 1958 and 1960 based on designs by Dutch architect Huig Maaskant for the Floriade, an international garden show that only takes place every ten years. The name of Rotterdam’s tallest building is a testament to the city’s cosmopolitanism and international outlook: Euro is a reference to Rotterdam’s location in the heart of Europe, Mast was chosen because the word is not only understood by Dutch people, but also by many others languages, including German, English, Swedish, Norwegian or Danish. And what can you do on the 185 meter high Euromast? Well, a lot! You can race up to the observation deck in the super-fast elevator and enjoy the phenomenal view from there, even as far as The Hague or Antwerp on a clear day. You can also enjoy food, drinks and the view in the brasserie at 100 meters above sea level. And if you have a head for heights and are a bit brave, skip the elevator and abseil directly from the tower.

3. SS Rotterdam

Another superlative: The SS Rotterdam is the largest passenger ship ever built in Holland. As a former flagship of the Holland-America Line, she sailed the Rotterdam-New York route before being used as a cruise ship due to the increasing competition from air traffic across the Atlantic. The “Grande Dame” of Rotterdam retired in 2000 and has been majestically anchored in front of the city ever since. The ship is free to visit, so take a walk or have an aperitif on deck with a view over the Meuse and the city skyline. Exciting are the guided tours, which are offered daily and deal with the art and technology on board, while exploring the bridge and the engine room. If you want to experience the nautical atmosphere even more intensively, you can stay in one of the 254 modern rooms of the SS Rotterdam Hotel, which is on board today.

4. Explore the city from the bus

Rotterdam is full of impressive sights that are best explored on a bus tour. From Rotterdam Centraal train station you go to Museumpark, where the two important art museums Boijmans van Beuningen and Kunsthal Rotterdam are located. Next stop is the iconic Erasmus Bridge at the port, another architectural highlight and a landmark of the city. From there the tour goes to the Euromast, then on to the Kop van Zuid, where the cruise terminal is also located. The last stop is the town hall before returning to the train station. You can get on and off as you wish.

5. Kop van Zuid

The spectacular Erasmus Bridge connects the city center with the Kop van Zuid, a relatively young district characterized by its dynamic cultural scene and impressive architecture. The Kop van Zuid was once a port area and since the 1990s has developed into a lively, cosmopolitan entertainment district with theatres, cafes, restaurants and bars. Old buildings have been renovated and given new uses, while others have been rebuilt – of course with a sense of exciting architecture, as one is used to in Rotterdam. Highlights include the Hotel New York, housed in the former main building of the Holland America Line, the World Port Center designed by Norman Foster and the steel and concrete Montevideo, the second largest residential building in Holland.

6. Fenix ​​Food Factory

Located in the Katendrecht district, Fenix ​​Food Factory is Rotterdam’s new go-to place for foodies. The atmosphere in the converted warehouse with a view of the Hotel New York and the other skyscrapers on the Kop van Zuid is relaxed, casual and a little alternative. Inside you’ll find a brewery, butcher, bakery, cheesemaker, deli, coffee roaster and Holland’s first specialty cider shop. What all suppliers have in common is the high quality of the products and their passion for good food and drinks.

7. Laurenskerk

In a city famous for its modern, daring architecture, the St. Laurenskerk church is a reminder of the past: Rotterdam’s Grote Kerk (Great Church) is the only remaining medieval building in the urban area. The church was built in late Gothic style between 1449 and 1525, was badly damaged by bombing during World War II and was rebuilt between 1952 and 1968. Worth seeing are the ditches of the sailors Kortenaar, Van Brakel and Witte de With, the four organs, including the largest in Holland, and the bronze doors by the Italian artist Giacomo Manzù, which were added in 1968.

8.Meent

Rotterdam is a city full of energy whose only constant is constant change. This also applies to the shopping opportunities in the city, which are constantly changing. A good example is Meent Square, which has become one of the hottest new shopping areas in recent years. Here you won’t find any big shopping malls or mainstream shops, but rather concept stores and one-brand stores that primarily attract a young, hip, trend-conscious clientele with individual tastes. The area around the Meent is not only characterized by great shopping, but also by its relaxed and cozy atmosphere with numerous chic cafes and bars.

9. Museum Park

It will come as no surprise to you to learn that this beautiful park in the center of Rotterdam owes its name to the many museums that can be found in its vicinity. A highlight is the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, whose collection includes 140,000 pieces, including works by Rubens, Fabritius, Ruisdael, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Kandinsky, Magritte, Dalí, Kokoschka and many others. Renowned for its progressive and daring approach, the Kunsthal Rotterdam hosts over 25 exhibitions a year in a space of 3,300 square meters. Dutch Expressionist Henk Chabot’s paintings, drawings and sculptures are showcased at the Chabot Museum, housed in a striking white villa in Museum Park. Also worth seeing are the Netherlands Architecture Institute and the Natural History Museum Rotterdam.

10. Spido Harbor Tour

The best way to experience the maritime side of Rotterdam is on board a ship on the Spido harbor cruise. The tour takes you through one of the largest ports in the world, past shipyards, huge container ships, the Euromast and the SS Rotterdam, with the impressive city skyline in the background. Tours last 75 minutes and are available year-round.

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