Best Things to Do in Rotterdam
The best things to do in Rotterdam include seeing the city’s unique architecture, like the Cube Houses, going up the Euromast and visiting its many museums.
Rotterdam, easily reached by train from Amsterdam, is the second city of the Netherlands but very different from the capital. In some ways it’s a little more staid, but in others it’s funkier. It also seems much bigger, because the centre sprawls where Amsterdam is kept compact by the canals.
But you must go, if you’ve got the time, as it’s got great shopping, some amazing modern architecture (you don’t have to be into architecture to enjoy it) and its port area is one of the biggest and busiest in the world. That might not sound like too much of a come-on, but Rotterdam’s port is so incredible you really have to see it.
Journey time from Amsterdam on the train is about 35-40 minutes on a fast service. Slower trains can take about 60-75 minutes, so be sure to take a fast train, especially if you’re only making a day trip.
ROTTERDAM’S ARCHITECTURE
Rotterdam’s Cube Houses
Rotterdam has become renowned for its startling modern architecture, which manages to combine the Dutch flair for quirky originality with stylish modern concepts. Just walk around the city and you never know quite what you are going to see.
The simple Euromast thrusts into the air like an Olympic torch, and down by the harbour you can see a building that seems to lean over at an alarming angle. It’s the KPN Telecom building, designed by Renzo Piano, the architect best known for the ‘inside-out’ Pompidou Centre in Paris.
The best-loved examples are probably the fun-looking Cube Houses, or Kijk-Kubus at Overblaak 70 (010 414 2285; kubuswoning.nl). These angled cubes supported on poles make you wonder how people can live in them. You can find out by staying in the hostel that’s now in the cubes. You can also visit the houses, details on the website.
You can visit this and see other examples of Rotterdam’s unique buildings on an organised Architecture Tour. See any tourist information centre or travel agent for details. See also the website for Walk Rotterdam.
ROTTERDAM PORT AND EUROMAST
Euromast
No head for heights? Better stay on the ground, as the Euromast first takes you to a height of 100 metres (328ft) where there’s a breath-taking view of Rotterdam and its vast harbours, which really makes you appreciate the enormous size of them. You can abseil back down from here, if you’ve got the nerve. You can then take a ride even higher on the Euroscoop rotating elevator that whizzes you right to the top, 185m/607ft in the air.
Parkhaven 20
010 436 4811
euromast.nl
Europoort
The best way to see the vast ports of Rotterdam (and it really is amazing to see them) is on a tour on the Spido boat. It lasts about 75 minutes and there’s an introductory movie to set the scene, and as well as seeing the port you get excellent lowdown views of some of the city’s quirky architecture. They also do day trips, wine cruises, evening tours and more.
Willemsplein 85 (under Erasmus Bridge)
010 275 9988
spido.nl
ROTTERDAM MUSEUMS
Museum Rotterdam
You should take a chance to see inside this building, which is a 19th-century warehouse in the old port at Delfshaven. It focuses more on the city’s history as a port, and on the human side of it. You really get caught up in some of the personal stories here.
Voorhaven 12
010 476 1533
museumrotterdam.nl
Maritiem Museum Rotterdam (Maritime Museum)
With such an impressive maritime history, Rotterdam has a great story to tell and this museum does it justice. There are lots of interactive exhibits, including a 15m (49ft) long model of the modern port, and plenty of activities to appeal to children, too.
Leuvehaven 1
010 413 2680
maritiemmuseum.nl
Museum Boijmans van Beuningen (Boijmans Museum)
The city’s main art museum has a fine collection ranging from the Old Masters to more modern works by artists including Kandinsky, Dali and Magritte. Others include Van Gogh, Gaugin, Monet, Degas, Titian, Rembrandt, Breughel and Hieronymous Bosch. This is an unmissable museum for the art enthusiast.
Museumpark 18-20
010 441 9400
boijmans.nl
Natuurmuseum (Natural History Museum)
Going back to 1927 in a villa that goes back even further, to 1851, this is a bit of an old-fashioned natural history museum. There are lots of stuffed animals and birds, some beautiful butterflies and some scary bugs, and the highlight is the 15m/49ft long skeleton of a sperm whale.
Westzeedijk 345, Museumpark
010 436 4222
hetnatuurhistorisch.nl
Nederlands Fotomuseum
The Dutch don’t have a huge reputation as being among the world’s best photographers, but this national museum shows that maybe they ought to have. It has an archive of about four million negatives from over 80 of the country’s leading photographers, which it uses in rotating displays. There are also visiting photography exhibitions too. Excellent.
Witte de Withstraat 63
010 213 2011
nederlandsfotomuseum.nl
Wereldmuseum (World Art Museum)
The roots of this fascinating museum go back to Dutch sailors in the days of the spice trade, bringing back interesting objects from Indonesia. This has now built up into a collection of over 200,000 items celebrating the arts and crafts of cultures all over the world. There are especially good displays on Islamic and Aboriginal arts, and the 19th-century photographic archive is really fabulous.
Willemskade 25
010 270 7172
wereldmuseum.nl