Architecture and nature in the heart of Rotterdam

Anyone who looks out over Rotterdam from the Van Brienenoord Bridge will see the most beautiful skyline in the Netherlands. But even if you cycle through the city, you can discover many architectural delights. And beautiful urban nature.

Head of South
The route naturally takes you along the banks of the Maas, but also through the beautiful part of Delfshaven that enjoys a protected cityscape, partly because of its historic buildings. At the Kop van Zuid you can see the industrial heritage of the Cruise Terminal, where thousands of passengers left for America from 1873 to the mid-1970s. The Rotterdam from 2013 by architect Rem Koolhaas is also an eye-catcher. This sustainable building consists of three closely placed towers of almost 150 meters high.

Kralingse Bos
Rotterdam is more than just beautiful buildings. You drive through Het Park where you see the Euromast. The Kralingse Bos was planted in 1928. The oak trees were cut down en masse during the Hunger Winter to fuel stoves. The restored forest, a wonderful green oasis, was not officially opened until 1953. The route ends at one of the most famous architectural highlights: the world-famous Cube Houses.

Unique old city mills
At the Kralingse Plas, which was created by peat extraction, you will see the only two snuff mills in the Netherlands: mills where tobacco leaves are ground to produce snuff. The Ster dates from 1866 and was built on the foundation of a flour mill that burned down in 1865. De Ster also fell prey to flames in 1962 and was rebuilt in 1969. Near De Ster is De Lelie, a mill that stood in the Kralingen district from 1740 to 1840. It has been at its current location since 1840. In addition to snuff, spices are still ground in both mills. In Delfshaven you will pass the hull of Het Confidence, a former malt mill from 1853.