An itinerary specially made for lovers of architecture. People who love to see cool buildings and maybe even learn a thing or two about them.
Take note! If you are a real architecture enthusiast, try to plan a trip during the Dakendagen (Roof Top Days), held from the 2nd to the 5th of June in 2022.
Day 1
Explore! Start with taking a walk around the Station Blaak area. You get to see the Cube Houses, the Markthal and the oldest building of Rotterdam, the Laurens Church, built in 1449. Walk towards the Oude Haven (Old Harbour) to see Europe’s oldest highrise office building, het Witte Huis (White House).
If you’d like to explore with a guide, there is a 2 hour tour with a local architect, who will introduce you to the architectural glory and history of Rotterdam.
In the afternoon visit the NAI (Nederlands Architectuur Instituut), a museum dedicated to architecture and design. Don’t forget to visit the Sonneveld House, right next the NAI. Built in the Nieuwe Bouwen style, the Dutch branch of the International School of Modernism.
Day 2
Definitely not to miss if you’re not afraid of heights, a visit to the Euromast. From the top you’ll get a good view of the city and it’s architectural masterpieces. if the weather’s good you’ll also see the highrises of the city of The Hague. Feeling hungry? Have lunch in the restaurant at 95 metres high. Enjoy a meal with a spectacular view!
Take a boat tour in the afternoon on the Spido. From the river you’ll have a unique view on the skyscrapers of the Wilhelminapier and Rotterdam’s top icon, the Erasmus Bridge.
Day 3
If you like to see a lot of the architectural highlights on a smaller scale, visit Miniworld Rotterdam. Parts of Rotterdam and surroundings are recreated in a 600 square metres area with over 150 rolling trains and 27,000 mini figures.
In the afternoon take a trip to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site with 19 windmills. The windmills are built in 4 different styles, with the oldest being almost 400 years old. The site is about a half hour drive away from Rotterdam. You can also take the waterbus from Rotterdam, line #202. Departure is at the Erasmus Bridge.
TIP! Buy a combined ticket for visiting the Euromast, the Spido, and the famous windmills of Kinderdijk. All jam-packed in one day.