AroundTown presents the Rotterdam City Tour. There is no better way of getting to know the city of Rotterdam. A tour guide will show all the points of interest by bike.

Architecture aficionados come from all across the globe to admire the city. The attraction is unsurprising: the city’s story, the bombardment and reconstruction, plus the courage involved in commissioning big-name architects to contribute to the cityscape, past and present, makes a visit to Rotterdam fascinating and intriguing.

Must See:

Central Station
CS has had a total makeover in recent years, making the station one of the most iconic architectural features in Rotterdam. The roof over the tracks is partly covered in solar panels, continuing uninterrupted into the angled roof over the station hall. Its point aims towards the city centre. A number of historic elements from the former station building (1957) by Sybold van Ravesteyn have remained intact, such as the original clock in the front façade, the letters spelling out Centraal Station (now in LED lights) and the ‘speculaasjes’, two granite sculptures on platform 1.

De Markthal
You’ll find an indoor market hall in various world-class cities, but the combination with luxury housing makes Rotterdam’s Markthal the first of its kind. The apartments are draped over the food market in a horseshoe configuration. The Markthal has about 100 fresh food stands, nearly 15 food shops and various restaurants, with a supermarket and a four-level underground car park below. As you wander amongst the market stands, look up to enjoy the massive artwork sprawling across the ceiling: the ‘Horn of Plenty’ by Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam. Thanks to this grand span of art, the Markthal has been referred to as the Dutch version of the Sistine Chapel.

De Rotterdam (building)
De Rotterdam is an iconic example of urban architecture.
The three linked towers are nearly 150 metres high, forming a ‘vertical city’ of high-class flats, a 4-star hotel, offices, shops, restaurants, fitness and parking facilities.
Covering an area the size of a football field, the building was constructed according to highly sustainable building practices.
The name refers to the ss Rotterdam, a steamship that once sailed a regular route to New York and offered a wide range of functions for its passengers’ comfort.