The interesting sights in Holland

Holland is a small country. You can travel from north to south in four hours by car. The short distances give you the opportunity to reach many sights. Neighbouring countries, such as Belgium or Germany, are reachable within one to two hours.

Interesting sights impressions:

The weather is an important factor for many visitors. In Holland you will discover that the four seasons each have their own charm. Besides that, Holland has a gentle winter, so the country is well worth visiting all year round. One of the many interesting sights of Holland is the international city of Rotterdam, with its world renowned museums and shops. Rotterdam is centrally situated in the heart of Holland, only half an hour away from lots of interesting sights and sceneries. For example, the city of Delft, famous for its Delft Blue Porcelain and its historic city centre, and Gouda, well-known for its cheese.

Rotterdam … and surroundings

Dynamic Rotterdam, a beautiful city with the largest port in the world at her outskirts, is proud to be one of the pillars of the Dutch economy. In the twentieth century, hard work created a city that has no equal in The Netherlands. Rotterdam catches attention with its dazzling (multicultural) urban life, its imposing architecture (both historic and modern) and its many festivals.

Museums
There is always something to do in Rotterdam. Visit one of our 30 museums and drift back to the days of yore, the Dutch Masters or contemporary art. The Museumpark combines five museums dedicated to art and architecture, including the internationally renowned museums Boijmans Van Beuningen and Kunsthal. Other interesting museums are: De Dubbelde Palmboom, Schielandshuis, Mariniersmuseum (Royal Netherlands Marine Corps), Maritime Museum, Havenmuseum (unique objects from the port and shipping industry, returned to working order), Natuurmuseum Rotterdam (museum of natural history), Nederlands Foto Instituut (photography) and NAi (architecture). Rotterdam's collection of museums is known to be called comprehensive.

Architecture
Rotterdam can rightfully call itself the city of architecture in The Netherlands. Not only because of its imposing skyline with offices and luxurious residential high-rises, but also the recent developments at De Kop van Zuid, the post-war reconstruction of the city and the well-known Van Nelle Factory by Brinkman & Van der Vlugt from the 1930s add to this. A few square kilometres in the city centre gives you a complete overview of what the twentieth century has produced in the way of modern architecture. ArchiGuides offers architectural excursions. A truly historical sight is to be found in Delfshaven, where the Pilgrim Fathers left for the West in 1620 to become founders of the United States of America.

Attractions
In Rotterdam Zoo you can make a voyage of discovery through the world's oceans and meet many inhabitants of the sea and its coastlines in Oceanium. The motto of Rotterdam Zoo is "give animals space", which results in roomy animal accommodation and a lot of attention to natural development and a living habitat that looks as much as possible like the original animal homes in the wild. Do not miss the other oasis in the city: the idyllic Arboretum Trompenburg: a lovely urban garden dating back to 1820 with an unprecedented array of beautiful trees, plants and flowers. Broaden your knowledge of the city during one of Spido's cruises through the harbour and then see the splendid city from the heights of the Euromast. Industrial Tourism gives you the chance to go by bus and/or boat to take a peek behind the scenes in the world's biggest port. More than 25 harbour related companies and institutions can be visited. Other attractions are: Kijk-Kubus (Cube Houses), historic Delfshaven and the Pancake Boat (see the city while eating pancakes). In case you prefer to spend some time indoors, Holland Casino Rotterdam assures you of a truly unforgettable afternoon or evening.

Shopping
Shopping in the modern centre is especially attractive. The department stores around the Beurstraverse and the many shops on the Lijnbaan, the Van Oldenbarneveltstraat, Karel Doormanstraat, Nieuwe Binnenweg, Witte de Withstraat and the Kruiskade have an enormous variety of goods to offer. And every Sunday all shops in the city centre are open. Special purchases include Delft blue pottery, flower bulbs, Gouda cheese, silverware, glass, crystal, diamonds and all the renowned fashion names.

Restaurants
As you would expect of a large seaport, you can enjoy good food from every corner of the world in Rotterdam. With its incredibly wide assortment of restaurants - from the local café on the corner with its affordable blue plate specials to the classy Parkheuvel on the river with its three Michelin stars - this is a really great city for eating out. Your meal just might be graced by a singing waiter, a cowboy act or elegant theatre.

Hotels
For the traveller first class, tourist or even backpacker, Rotterdam has a wide range of hotels to offer. Spend the night in a nostalgic historic building at the waterfront, in a brand-new modern hotel in the middle of the bustling city centre, or as the only guest in the smallest hotel of Rotterdam with only one room. Hotels range from one to five stars. Hostels and even an urban camping facility are also available. Each with its own characteristics and image; an accommodation to suit every budget!

Surroundings
Not only is the city of Rotterdam itself worth a visit, but so are its surroundings. Beaches, polders, countless historic monuments and wonderful sights to see - nowhere else in the Netherlands is there such a variety of landscapes all in one place. What about the historic towns of Delft (porcelain) and Gouda (cheese), The Hague (Peace Palace), Schiedam (Dutch gin) Kinderdijk (18 windmills on the UNESCO list) and the port area with its many historical villages. The Maeslantkering at Hook of Holland, the impressive final section of the Delta Works, is also worthwhile a visit. These cities can be reached by bus and/or public transportation and in case of Dordrecht, Ridderkerk and Alblasserdam even by Fast Ferry, a boat connection that takes you to Dordrecht in only 45 minutes.

“Out of the bus” tour and other suggestions for successful daytrips

Rotterdam and its surroundings offer a lot of tour possibilities. It is, of course, possible to go by bus, but why not use some other means of transport? A tram, for example, or a boat, train or the subway. An example….

Programme

Rotterdam:
A wide range of choices in Rotterdam; historical buildings among the modern city centre with its countless shops and museums. The Euromast (185 metres), from which you can overlook Rotterdam and the varied landscape of Holland. Museum Boijmans van Beuningen with a famous collection of the Old Masters and contemporary art. Industrial Tourism can take you backstage in world port number 1 and see things you would never find on your own!

Delft:
Visit the Royal Mausoleum in the New Church and the other magnificent historical buildings around Delft’s bustling market square. Wander along quiet canals or have lunch at a waterside café, followed by a visit to the famous Chinaware factory at the Royal Porceleyne Fles.

Dordrecht & Kinderdijk:
In Dordrecht, the oldest town in The Netherlands, you can make the “speaking façade tour”, a fantastic tour along old houses which will tell their own story through a multimedia device.
Kinderdijk, famous for its beautiful mills. Visit the windmill Exhibition Centre and make a picturesque boat trip to see the mills.

Schiedam:
After morning coffee in Schiedam’s Grand St. John’s Church, it is possible to start with a visit to “De Nieuwe Palmboom” windmill. Make a tour through the historic 18th century town.

Leiden & Keukenhof:
On a fine spring day, a trip through the colourful tulip fields will bring you to the university town of Leiden. Home to the Pilgrim Fathers, birthplace of Rembrandt and garden for the first Dutch tulip. A beautiful sight near Leiden is the Keukenhof. The Keukenhof offers you flowers combined with art! The different gardens all show their own theme, such as a Chinese garden.

The Hague:
The morning can be spent visiting the palaces of The Hague, with a tour of the Binnenhof, the old parliament building, and a visit to see the Old Masters at the Mauritshuis museum. In the afternoon, you can step into the world of Holland in miniature at Madurodam!