Rotterdam & Kinderdijk

The Cube Houses by architect Piet Blom (1984) are Rotterdam's most iconic building — and one of the most photographed buildings in the Netherlands. 38 cube-shaped residential houses, each tilted 45 degrees and standing on concrete pillars, form a kind of abstract treetop over the street. The idea: a "forest" of houses, where each cube represents a tree.

One cube (Kijk-Kubus, "Show Cube") is set up as a model house and can be visited. Inside, you see how surprisingly livable the slanted walls are — and how crazy it must be to live there. Some of the cubes are set up as a hostel (Stayokay) — one of the most unusual accommodations in the Netherlands.

The Markthal (2014) is Rotterdam's culinary landmark and an architectural statement. The enormous horseshoe arch — designed by the Rotterdam architectural firm MVRDV — combines a market hall with 228 apartments in the side walls. The interior ceiling is painted with an 11,000 m² artwork (Horn of Plenty by Arno Coenen): giant fruits, flowers, fish, and insects in psychedelic colors.

What to try

• Bitterballen — The perfect fried meat croquettes to accompany beer
• Dutch Cheese — Dozens of types of Gouda (from young to extra old), Edam, Leidse Kaas
• Poffertjes — Tiny fluffy pancakes with butter and powdered sugar
• Surinamese Snacks — Bara, Roti, Broodjes — Rotterdam's culinary heritage
• Kibbeling — Fried cod with remoulade, a Dutch classic
• Fish — Freshly caught oysters, crabs, herring directly from the North Sea

The Markthal is also perfect in the rain — and in Rotterdam, it rains more often than one would like. In the basement, there is an Albert Heijn supermarket, in case you want to shop for your holiday apartment.

The Erasmus Bridge (Erasmusbrug, 1996) — affectionately called "the Swan" by Rotterdammers — is the most elegant bridge in the Netherlands at 802 meters long. Its asymmetrical pylon (139 m high) has become a symbol of Rotterdam. Spectacularly lit at night.

Rotterdam is an open-air museum for architecture. After the bombing on May 14, 1940, which destroyed the entire city center, Rotterdam decided not to reconstruct but to completely rethink. The result is a city that celebrates architectural experiments:

Architectural Highlights

• De Rotterdam — Rem Koolhaas' vertical city: three interlocking towers (150 m), the largest building in the Netherlands. Hotel, offices, apartments in one complex.
• Centraal Station — The main station opened in 2014 with its wedge-shaped stainless steel facade makes an architectural statement upon arrival.
• Timmerhuis — MVRDV's pixel-like city hall: stacked modules that look like a computer graphic.
• Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen — The world's first fully accessible art depot: a mirrored kettle where you can view the museum's collection in storage (not in the museum, but in the depot!). Rooftop garden with panoramic views. Admission: 22.50 €.
• Floating Office Rotterdam — The largest floating office building in Europe in Rijnhaven. Built of wood, energy-neutral — Rotterdam's response to climate change.

The Euromast (185 m) offers the best panoramic view over Rotterdam, the harbor, and on clear days, all the way to The Hague and Delft. The tower was built in 1960 for the Floriade and was extended to its current height in 1970 with the rotating space tower.

At 100 meters high is the Crow's Nest — an observation deck with a restaurant. Those wanting to go higher can take the Euroscoop: a rotating glass capsule that slowly ascends to 185 meters. For adrenaline junkies: Abseiling from the Euromast (100 m) is possible — one of the craziest activities in Rotterdam.

Kinderdijk is THE postcard motif of the Netherlands and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. 19 historic windmills from the 18th century are lined up along polder canals — built to keep the low-lying land dry. It is the most impressive testament to the Dutch battle against water.

What you need to know

• Two mills can be visited inside — You learn how millers and their families lived and worked in the cramped mills. The mechanics of water pumping are fascinating.
• Best time to visit: Early morning (from 9 AM) or late afternoon. The lighting at sunrise or sunset is magical. In July and August, all mills turn on Saturdays (from 1:30 PM).
• By bike: The best way to experience Kinderdijk. The bike paths along the canals are flat and picturesque. Bicycles can be rented on site (5 €).
• By boat: Waterbus line 202 from Rotterdam Erasmusbrug directly to Kinderdijk (approx. 35 min., with OV-Chipkaart approx. 5 €). The most beautiful way to arrive!

Kinderdijk is about 15 km southeast of Rotterdam. By car: Parking at the entrance (approx. 8 €). To avoid the hustle: Walk over the dike from Alblasserdam — the view of the row of mills from afar is almost more beautiful than up close.

Rotterdam has developed into the food capital of the Netherlands — more diverse and experimental than Amsterdam, and often cheaper. The city is proud of its multicultural cuisine, shaped by the largest Surinamese and Cape Verdean community in Europe.

Culinary Hotspots

• Fenix Food Factory — In a former warehouse on the Katendrecht peninsula: local breweries (Kaapse Brouwers), cheese makers, bakers, and a coffee bar with harbor views. Best on Saturdays. The real Rotterdam.
• Katendrecht — The former red-light district (yes, really) has become Rotterdam's trendiest neighborhood. Restaurants, bars, the Hotel New York (former headquarters of the Holland-America Line), and the view of the skyline.
• Witte de Withstraat — Rotterdam's cultural street: galleries, independent restaurants, craft beer bars. In the evening, the epicenter of Rotterdam's nightlife.
• Oude Haven — Rotterdam's oldest harbor: houseboats, historic ships, and around it, restaurants and terraces with views of the Cube Houses.

What you must try

• Kapsalon — Rotterdam's most brilliant invention: fries, döner meat, cheese gratin, salad, garlic, and sambal sauce. Invented in a Rotterdam döner shop. World-class junk food.
• Surinamese Roti — Rotterdam has the best Surinamese restaurants outside of Suriname. Warung Mini (Eerste Middellandstraat) is legendary.
• Fish from the harbor — Europe's largest port delivers freshly caught fish. Best at the Markthal or Fenix Food Factory.