Rotterdam is an ancient city in the Netherlands, rich in history and traditions. It was an important port for centuries, but World War II brought destruction. However, the city has been reborn, and today Rotterdam is a mixture of antiquity and modernity. Its attractions are a combination of historical monuments and modern buildings. There is something for everyone here: fans of advanced technology and history buffs. Rotterdam is known for its fantastic architecture, avant-garde art and vibrant festivals.
Interesting places What to see first in Rotterdam
Rotterdam amazes with its diversity: advanced technical structures, magnificent observation decks, well-kept parks and gourmet cuisine. But how not to miss anything important when there is so little time? In this article, we have collected the best attractions in Rotterdam to make your day in this city an unforgettable experience.
Rotterdam Town Hall
The century-old building of the Town Hall, serving as the municipal body of the city, survived the difficult times of the Second World War, was badly damaged, but thanks to efforts it was restored and restored to its original condition. In the 90s, it was recognized as a state monument due to its unique decoration with an abundance of images and sculptures. On the second floor there is a hall for luxurious receptions and ceremonies, which is often chosen even for wedding celebrations.
Boijmans-van Beuningen Museum
The history of one of Rotterdam's greatest museums dates back to the mid-19th century, when lawyer and collector Boijmans donated his art collection to Rotterdam. The museum itself was founded at the beginning of the 20th century, and its doors opened to visitors in 1935. Later, he was joined by the collection of another passionate art connoisseur, entrepreneur Beuningen. Both of these collections today form the basis of the museum’s exhibition. The gallery contains works of art from various eras, from the early Middle Ages to modern creations.
District Delfshaven
This area can be considered one of the magnificent attractions of Rotterdam, where the unique spirit of the past has been preserved. Most of the buildings survived military bombing and retained their historical appearance. A visit to this area allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Rotterdam 200-300 years ago. You can find valuable works of art in antique shops, and relax and enjoy a delicious lunch in cozy restaurants and pubs. A stroll through the streets of Delfshaven will allow you to have a good time, visit the old brewery, learn about the history on board the Delft ship or visit the Church of the Pilgrim Fathers.
St. Lawrence Church
This temple, which belonged to the Protestant community, is the only building in Rotterdam that has survived to the present day in the Middle Ages. It was originally dedicated to Saint Elizabeth, patroness of the poor. During the Second World War, the temple building received serious damage from two bombs, but remained intact. After restoration, the temple became a cathedral and received the name of St. Lawrence, the patron saint of the city. An interesting approach to the use of internal space is interesting: there is a cafe here, exhibitions are held, and candles are replaced by numerous electric lights.
Maritime Museum
Rotterdam, one of the largest port cities in Europe, certainly offers a museum dedicated to maritime themes. The Maritime Museum, the oldest in the city and one of the leading in the world, presents the rich history of navigation. Its collection includes more than half a million valuable exhibits: from models of ancient ships to designs of various designs, equipment, nautical charts and atlases. When looking for interesting things to do in Rotterdam, you can’t ignore this museum.
Montevideo skyscraper
The next object on the list of architectural values of Rotterdam is the Montevideo skyscraper, one of the tallest buildings in the city. This 140-meter skyscraper, located on the banks of the Meuse River, combines office, retail and residential spaces. Its contemporary modernist architecture is a harmonious combination of several blocks. The building's logo, shaped like the letter "M", mounted on the roof, acts as a wind turbine, reflecting the speed and direction of the wind. Magnificent views of the city and river make Montevideo a symbol of Rotterdam.
White House
One of the must-see attractions in Rotterdam is the White House - a magnificent building that looks like it came out of the pages of a fairytale book. Built in the late 19th century for offices, it stands on a foundation set on stilts due to the instability of the marshy soils. Many doubted its survival due to such a foundation, but the amazing Art Nouveau style helped the building survive time and war, and survive to this day in excellent condition.
Hotel New York in Rotterdam
Although hotels in Rotterdam usually offer coziness, a high level of comfort and a variety of services, one of them deserves special attention. The New York Hotel is one of the most impressive not only in the city, but throughout the Netherlands, thanks to its harmonious combination of antiquity and modernity. Situated on the shore of the bay, it attracts attention with its sophisticated style. Wood floors, high ceilings, huge windows, wrought iron railings and spacious beds create an old world atmosphere. A convenient location in close proximity to many of the city's famous museums completes this superb experience.
Cubic houses
Next to the pencil house in Rotterdam, you will definitely notice another architectural masterpiece from Piet Blom - cubic houses that attract attention with their unique design. These unusual buildings were erected in the 80s, but the idea for the project originated with the architect back in the 70s. Each cube house is a cube tilted 45 degrees, creating an abstract cubic tree. The complex consists of 32 cubes arranged in a hexagonal grid.
Pencil House
Famous Dutch architect Piet Blom became famous for his creative architectural projects in Rotterdam, including the Pencil House, built in the 1980s. This tall building with its elongated shape, hexagonal foundation and peaked roof resembles a sharpened pencil, hence its nickname. Next to it is a traditional cubic-shaped house, which locals are happy to call "eraser".
Railway station building
Travels to Rotterdam often start from its train station. This transport hub has existed since 1847, although the station building was built later, by 1957. In the early 2000s, it ceased to meet the requirements of the time, and in 2013 it was replaced by a modern building with developed infrastructure: shops, ATMs, cafes and pharmacies. Architecturally, the building stands out for its unusual shape, and the glass dome roof lets in maximum natural light.
Markthal
This object is a unique combination of a market and a residential building, located in the historical part of the city. The area where it is located was previously sparsely populated, so the municipality decided to create an attractive environment here. The result is a building of amazing architecture, combining housing, market and parking, which has become a symbol of Rotterdam. Particularly striking is the appearance of the building, where modern technologies are used: a completely glass facade with a metal mesh and an internal arch decorated with images of fruits, vegetables, flowers, ears of corn and butterflies.
Erasmus Bridge
Another landmark of the Netherlands that attracts the attention of the whole world is the longest drawbridge in the world - Erasmus. Its unique structure, stretching over 800 meters, is striking in its bold design, especially the curved pylon, symbolizing the rebirth of the city after the destruction of war. The bridge consists of several parts: a cable-stayed structure held in place by strong cables, and an unusual pylon, as well as a drawbar section that allows large ships to enter the port.
Port of Rotterdam
The largest port in the world is located in Rotterdam. Its history goes back to the Middle Ages, when this place served as a transshipment area and the first harbours. Today the port consists of many berths, each with its own name and number. The port of Rotterdam plays a key role in global economic exchange, receiving ships with a variety of cargo: from ore and coal to oil and petroleum products. Millions of tourists come here every year to see this amazing site with their own eyes and enjoy the beauty and attractions of Rotterdam.
Euromast
In Rotterdam, guides recommend visiting the Euromast for unforgettable city panoramas. This high-rise structure, 185 meters high, is created in the image and likeness of a ship's mast. At an altitude of about one hundred meters there is the so-called “ship bridge”, which originally served as the top of the mast. Later, it was decided to expand the structure by adding a technical platform on top. On the main platform, in addition to amazing views, you can visit a premium restaurant, and just below there is a cafe for a more modest relaxation. The upper levels even provide two top-level rooms for accommodation.
What else is worth seeing in Rotterdam besides the main attractions?
Additional places that are worth mentioning in the context of exploring the Dutch city are no less fascinating points. Photos accompanied by descriptions will allow you to see the main features and atmosphere of these places.
Botanical Garden "Arboretum Trompenburg"
Many people associate Holland with blooming gardens and parks, and it is no coincidence. In the very center of Rotterdam there is a unique park area that fascinates with its beauty. The history of this botanical garden goes back several centuries: its name comes from Admiral Martin Tromp, and the Van Hoy Smith family, who bought the site in the mid-19th century, invested the foundations of the future plant collection. In the park, amazing compositions of various plants, picturesque ponds and canals create an atmosphere of incredible beauty. A visit to the Arboretum Trompenburg garden is an immersion in another world, full of bright colors and aromas, which is different from the bustling city center.
Diergaarde Blijdorp Zoo
Visiting the Rotterdam Zoo with children is an unforgettable adventure. This zoo, which has existed for more than 150 years, provides not only spacious and well-kept grounds, but also a unique opportunity to meet rare and endangered animals. The zoo's inhabitants are divided into several zones that reflect their natural habitats. The botanical garden amazes with its aromas and magnificent flowers of Dutch plants. However, the real impression is visiting the aquarium, where you can observe the life of large fish and rare marine life.
Honingen Castle
The first mention of the ancient castle, located in the small town of Kralingen, dates back to the 13th century. Over time, the town became part of Rotterdam. The castle went through various trials many times: in the 15th century it was completely destroyed, but then restored to its original beauty. At this time, a pond was created around the castle, and its surroundings were developed into a park. During the Dutch Revolution in the 16th century, the castle was again destroyed, and the lands on which it stood were transferred to the city authorities in the 19th century. Over time, this place became a popular holiday destination, and several luxurious mansions were built on the banks of the old pond.
Oliphant Castle
The next object of consideration is an estate that existed on the territory of the modern city in the 16th century. These lands belonged to a certain nobleman who previously lived in Delft and was engaged in a successful ivory trade. As a sign of gratitude to the animals that brought him wealth, he named the castle on his new estate Oliphant, which translates as “elephant.” Over time, the castle changed owners several times until it came into the possession of the city mayor. Today, inside the restored palace there is a conference hall, a restaurant, and a banquet hall, where ceremonial and official events are often held.
Kinderdijk
Don't forget to include in your list of visits the village of Kinderdijk, located in the southern part of the country just 15 kilometers from Rotterdam. The site is home to 19 magnificent windmills, representing an important historical heritage. In the low-lying southern provinces of the Netherlands, floods were common. To solve this problem, windmills were built with a system of reservoirs that controlled the water level during periods of floods and droughts. Over time, with the development of pumping stations, the need for mills has decreased, but they still remain a symbol of the Netherlands and attract many visitors with their beauty and unique history.
Immerse yourself in the modern atmosphere of Rotterdam with tours from the travel agency "TurPoisk". This city stands out for its modern architecture and dynamic atmosphere, different from the old and calm towns of the Netherlands. Rotterdam attracts with its cubic houses, ancient museums, modern architectural masterpieces and medieval facades. This city is vibrant even at night, offering a variety of entertainment and exciting places to visit. Contact TourPoisk for a selection of tours to create your own unforgettable route and discover all the delights of Rotterdam.
