Welcome to Rotterdam

Architecture in Rotterdam

Rotterdam attracts a great deal of international interest as a city of architecture. A few square kilometres of the city centre offers a complete overview of what the twentieth century has produced in terms of modern architecture. Appealing examples of pre-war architecture include the Van Nelle Factory and the Huis Sonneveld. The innovative and adventurous period after the war is expressed in such structures as the Groothandelsgebouw, the Cube houses, the Kunsthal, the Luxor Theatre and the Erasmus Bridge. Both specialists and interested visitors find what they are looking for in Rotterdam.

Attractions

Some four million visitors find their way to the wide variety of top attractions in Rotterdam each year. The city offers something for everyone: those who love the hectic bustle of the city or who want to rise up into the air or who want to look into the eyes of sharks, but also for people who are searching for the peace and beauty of nature. One of Rotterdam's main attractions is Diergaarde Blijdorp, the extensive zoo that includes the impressive Oceanium, where visitors can walk through the huge shark tunnel surrounded by sharks and giant tortoises. A visit to Rotterdam would not be complete without a tour of the harbour on the Spido or a visit to the 185m-high Euromast. Fun for the whole family can be had at the Plaswijckpark with its extensive playground, road safety training park and zoo. For an oasis of peace in the middle of the hectic city, visit the lovely gardens of Arboretum Trompenburg.

Museums

Cultural live is vibrant in Rotterdam. There is a broad selection of museums in Rotterdam. From modern art to historical treasures, from architecture to photography, from historical ships to exotic animals - just about anything you can imagine is displayed in a museum in the city. Prominent museums include the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, the Netherlands Architecture Institute, the Kunsthal, the Wereldmuseum (World Arts Museum), the Maritime Museum, the Netherlands Photomuseum and the Historical Museum of Rotterdam. In addition, there are many interesting galleries and provocative expositions at locations such as the Las Palmas warehouse.

Water

Rotterdam is famous for its port, the biggest in Europe. During an impressive boat trip, you can see the gigantic throughput facilities, which are shifting further towards the sea all the time. Simultaneously, the inner-city docklands are being transformed into attractive, lively areas with busy pavement cafés, innovative architecture, unique bridges and an excellent choice of shops, restaurants and bars.

Restaurants

Rotterdam is a city of many flavours. For the Dutch, French to the Chinese, Moroccan, Turkish, you name it, you can find it in Rotterdam. There are many reasonably prized restaurants but also offers luxurious dinner venues for an exclusive business lunch or meetings and incentives. From a simple pub, or a trendy place like the Westelijk Handelsterrein to one of the best restaurants of Holland: Parkheuvel. A restaurant as ‘Wijn of Water’ stands apart by its experimental setting; eating and drinking from a sea container in a beautiful harbor environment.

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