Rotterdam

For a splendid day out that the entire family is bound to enjoy, head to Rotterdam’s famous zoo: Diergaarde Blijdorp. Rotterdam Zoo is situated in the district of Blijdorp, in Rotterdam Noord. Stroll across the African Savannah and stand face-to-face with the giraffes. Visit Bokito the gorilla and his family. Walk on the seabed in the indoor Oceanium and meet stingrays and sharks. Discover the Amazon in the largest butterfly paradise of Europe: Amazonica. Experience tropical temperatures, fragant flowers, hundreds of colourful South American butterflies and greedy piranhas.

You’ll find an indoor market hall in various world-class cities, but the combination with luxury housing makes Rotterdam’s Market Hall (MVRDV & INBO, 2014) the first of its kind. The apartments are arched over the food market in a horseshoe configuration. The main hall houses the market itself, as well as shops, various restaurants including Jamie’s Italian (from Jamie Oliver) and a fourstorey car park situated below. Look up to enjoy the massive artwork sprawled across the ceiling: the ‘Horn of Plenty’ by Arno Coenen en Iris Roskam.

Rotterdam Central Station (Team CS, 2014) is one of the most iconic architectural sites in Rotterdam. The roof over the tracks is covered in solar panels and the striking hall roof points towards the city centre. A number of historic elements from the former station building (1957) by Sybold van Ravesteyn have been re-used, like the original clock in the front façade and the letters spelling out ‘Centraal Station’. In the main hall you can find several shops, information about public transport and the Rotterdam Tourist Information. If you’re looking for original souvenirs, don’t miss shopping at ‘Love Rotterdam. Gifts, Food & More.’

When in Rotterdam, you simply cannot miss out on the opportunity to take a Spido boat cruise around this massive harbour, one of the largest in the world.