Section in Rotterdam
Top 10
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- Overview
Rotterdam
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Rotterdam is a young, dynamic city, continually renewing itself at a rapid rate. Sparkling skyscrapers, an impressive port, trendy restaurants and food markets, renowned museums and fun festivals are the direct result of the can-do mentality of the Rotterdammers. Add to that the many extraordinary attractions and city tours — by bike, bus, boat or on foot. Now is the perfect time to explore the Netherlands' second-largest city!
Rotterdam Zoo
For a splendid day out that the entire family is bound to enjoy, head to Rotterdam’s famous zoo: Diergaarde Blijdorp. The Zoo is situated in the district of Blijdorp, in Rotterdam Noord. Stroll across the African Savannah and stand face-to-face with the giraffes. Walk on the seabed in the indoor Oceanium and meet stingrays and sharks. Discover the Amazon in the largest butterfly paradise of Europe: Amazonica. Experience tropical temperatures, fragrant flowers, hundreds of colourful South American butterflies and greedy piranhas.
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Museum & Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. Throughout the year, the museum hosts a rich spectrum of temporary exhibits on a variety of subjects. Besides that, the collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, etchings and objects is impressive. It features many major Dutch and European works spanning the period from the early middle ages to the 21st century, from Jeroen Bosch to Rembrandt and from Van Gogh to Salvador Dalí and Dutch Design.
The museum building is closed for major renovation, but the entire collection of 145,000 objects accessible to the public in other museums. Within the Museumpark, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has built an art depot: Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen.
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Hotel New York
Embark on the Watertaxi for a ride to Hotel New York. One of the most beautiful historic buildings in the city, Hotel New York is a Jugendstil structure. The former headquarters of the Holland-America Line looks out towards the sea and is now a restaurant and hotel with 72 differently styled rooms.
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Cube Houses
The Cube Houses (Piet Blom, 1984) are part of the Blaakse Bos (Blaakse Wood) development which borders on the Laurenskwartier district and the Waterfront area. The architect wanted to design a kind of village within the city and saw the houses as trees and the whole area as a wood. The Cube Houses are tipped to one side as it were, making three sides face the ground and three face the sky. Don’t forget to visit the Kijk-Kubus (Show-Cube) to experience what life is like in a Cube House.
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Kunsthal Rotterdam
Kunsthal Rotterdam is housed in a striking building designed in 1992 by Rotterdam architecture firm OMA/Rem Koolhaas. The Kunsthal always presents several exhibitions simultaneously, taking visitors on an exciting journey along various cultures and art movements. From modern masters and contemporary art to forgotten cultures, photography, fashion and innovative design.
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Markthal Rotterdam
You’ll find an indoor market hall in various world-class cities, but the combination with luxury housing makes Rotterdam’s Market Hall (MVRDV & INBO, 2014) the first of its kind. The apartments are arched over the food market in a horseshoe configuration. The main hall houses the market itself, as well as shops, various restaurants including Jamie’s Italian (from Jamie Oliver) and a fourstorey car park situated below. Look up to enjoy the massive artwork sprawled across the ceiling: the ‘Horn of Plenty’ by Arno Coenen en Iris Roskam.
Sample the delights at the Markthal. In the first indoor market hall in the Netherlands, you can find nearly 100 fresh produce stalls, about 15 food shops and diverse restaurants including Jamie’s Italian (from Jamie Oliver). If you look up you will see the biggest artwork in the Netherlands, the wall painting the Horn of Plenty.
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Rotterdam Central Station
Rotterdam Central Station (Team CS, 2014) is one of the most iconic architectural sites in Rotterdam. The roof over the tracks is covered in solar panels and the striking hall roof points towards the city centre. A number of historic elements from the former station building (1957) by Sybold van Ravesteyn have been re-used, like the original clock in the front façade and the letters spelling out ‘Centraal Station’. In the main hall you can find several shops, information about public transport and the Rotterdam Tourist Information. If you’re looking for original souvenirs, don’t miss shopping at ‘Love Rotterdam. Gifts, Food & More’.
The square in front of the stations is a popular starting point for many walking and biking tours of Rotterdam's architecture.
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Euromast
At 185 metres high, the Euromast is the highest lookout tower in the Netherlands, and should you — against all odds — get bored of the stunning views, you can always seek thrills in the Space Tower attractions situated at the very top of the Euromast. Euroscoop, Rotterdam’s highest panorama elevator with glass floor, gives you a bird's eye view of the city.
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Spido Harbour Tours
Go on a tour with Spido, one of Rotterdam’s biggest attractions. The Port of Rotterdam tour (75 minutes) sails year-round and gives you a short but powerful impression of Rotterdam’s container ports.
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SS Rotterdam
The SS Rotterdam (1959), also known as "The Grande Dame", is the former flagship of the Holland-America Line. The steamship returned to its home port in 2008 after many voyages and nautical miles. Since then, it has been moored at the tip of the Katendrecht peninsula. It’s used as a hotel, restaurant and event venue. The terrace on deck offers a unique view of the city. An audio tour guides visitors through the authentic details of the restored lounges and decks and offers a peek at the engine rooms.
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