Things to do in  Rotterdam

Rotterdam’s new market hall is also the largest indoor market in the country. Architecturally striking, the building is designed with apartments flanking a horseshoe-shaped arch. Inside the glass facade is a covered public square and market hall, with more than 100 food stalls, eight restaurants, and 15 shops, and one of the Netherlands’ largest artworks on its ceiling.

Regarded as Rotterdam’s main church, the 16th-century Church of St. Lawrence—also called the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk—is the only late Gothic medieval building still standing in the city. Beautifully restored after heavy World War II bombing, the church symbolizes Rotterdam’s long history and its resilience to adversity.

Linking north and south Rotterdam across the River New Meuse, the Erasmus Bridge (Erasmusbrug is one of the city’s most notable landmarks. Opened in 1996, it’s striking for its single, angled pylon, which lends it the nickname “The Swan” (De Zwaan and makes it a must-see for visitors.

Even in a city with lots of out-of-the-ordinary architecture, Rotterdam’s Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen manage to stand out from the crowd. Designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom and built in the early 1980s, these yellow-and-gray cubic houses are perched at a 45-degree-angle, creating unusual lines and strangely shaped interiors.

Rotterdam’s bold Central Station (Centraal Station) is a showstopper and fitting introduction for arriving visitors to the city’s famously edgy architecture. Renovated in 2014, the midcentury station stands out for its unique design with a glass-fronted facade topped by a futuristic stainless-steel roof that soars high above the building.

In their heyday, this group of 18th-century windmills in Kinderdijk formed part of an essential water management system for locals who struggled to keep their feet dry. Today, visitors can learn about the windmills at a visitor center—formerly the village pumping station—and visit two windmills that have been converted into museums. Photography opportunities abound, as these wood-and-stone windmills have become an iconic Dutch sight.

One of the trendiest corners of Rotterdam, Old Harbor (Oude Haven) was the city’s first port, dating back to 1350. Today, this vibrant area along the north bank of the Meuse River is a mix of historical and modern architecture—including Piet Blom’s famous Cube Houses—where visitors can experience the best dining and nightlife in the city.

Rotterdam’s Euromast observation tower—which was built in 1960—rises to 607 feet (185 meters, making it the Netherlands’ tallest building. Extended to its current height in 1970, the observation tower offers restaurants, hotel suites, abseiling experiences, a viewing platform, and a rotating Euroscoop glass elevator with panoramic views.

A visit to Kunsthal Rotterdam, one of the city’s most prestigious museums, offers the opportunity to appreciate both art and architecture. The dynamic institution is known for its ever-changing and intriguing exhibition program displayed in an architecturally inspired multifloored building, designed by famed Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas.

Most of Rotterdam’s historic buildings were destroyed by World War II bombing, with a few notable exceptions, including the city’s grand City Hall (Stadhuis). Built in the first two decades of the 20th century, this massive Beaux Art-style palace features four wings around an interior courtyard and a soaring clock and bell tower.

The kid-focused Maritime Museum Rotterdam is one of the world’s oldest and largest museums dedicated to naval history. Family-friendly permanent exhibitions include an interactive model of the city’s port and the Professor Splash play space; outside, several moored ships can be explored at the open-air Harbour Museum.

One of Rotterdam’s oldest areas—having escaped bombing during World War II—Delfshaven fringes the River New Meuse on the city’s western edges. Originally a harbor for the nearby city of Delft and the 1620 leaving point for the Pilgrim Fathers, its gabled houses, historical ships, and quayside shops and eateries are magnets for visitors.

Note: The Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is temporarily closed. Rotterdam’s premier art museum began with bequests from two wealthy Dutch art lovers: Frans Jacob Otto Boijmans donated his collection to the city in 1847, and Daniel George van Deuningenfollowed suit in 1955. From 16th-century paintings to contemporary glassware, the museum’s displays of western works are constantly changing; it has featured 20th-century bodies of work by German Expressionist Max Beckmann and French surrealist Yves Tanguy, as well as pieces from hundreds of years earlier. Highlights of this expansive 140,000-work collection include Pieter Bruegel’s peerless Old Testament offering The Tower of Babel (1553), which warrants close inspection for all its detailed activity; scores of delicate drawings by Renaissance artist Fra Bartolommeo; Rembrandt’s winsome Titus at his Desk; and a collection of Gerrit Rietveld’s distinct colored wooden furniture. The many other artists represented here include Rubens, Dalí, Da Vinci, Monet, Picasso, Van Eyck, and Man Ray. All works are housed in a stylish red-brick building designed by Adrianus Van der Steur, now updated with airy glass galleries and surrounded by a sculpture park and fountains. Free temporary exhibitions are on display in the Willem van der Vorm gallery and Serra Hall just inside the main entrance.

Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp) is known for its successful conservation and breeding programs. Visit the zoo for the chance to see creatures from all around the globe, from African pygmy hippos to Asiatic lions, North American polar bears to Australian swamp wallabies. There’s even an on-site aquarium and butterfly garden.

Once an abandoned port area on the south bank of the Nieuwe Maas River, Kop van Zuid has since been revitalized to become a modern urban renewal success story. An eclectic mix of modern skyscrapers and restored historic warehouses, the neighborhood is now a vibrant business, residential, dining, cultural, and entertainment destination.