Architecture Rotterdam: top 10 must-sees for architecture lovers

Designed by OMA and Rem Koolhaas, De Rotterdam is often described as a vertical city. Completed in 2013 on the Wilhelminapier, the building combines housing, offices and a hotel in three stacked towers. Its shifting volumes reflect the density and energy of the city. For a great view of the building itself, head to Elvy Gastro Bar in the nhow hotel.

Finished in 2022, De Zalmhaven is the tallest residential building in the Netherlands. Designed by Dam & Partners, the tower stands in the Scheepvaartkwartier and is accompanied by lower buildings that soften its presence in the neighbourhood. From restaurant Celest on the 57th floor, you can take in wide views across Rotterdam.

Since 1996, the Erasmus Bridge has connected the city centre with Kop van Zuid. Designed by UNStudio, the bridge is easily recognised by its steel pylon, shaped like a swan’s neck. It is both a vital traffic connection and one of the most photographed icons of Rotterdam.

Opened in 2025 on Katendrecht, Fenix is housed in a former harbour warehouse from 1923. The transformation includes the Tornado, a striking double spiral staircase designed by MAD Architects. The building brings together Rotterdam’s harbour past and its cultural present in one bold intervention.

The Cube Houses, designed by Piet Blom and completed in 1984, remain one of Rotterdam’s most playful architectural experiments. The tilted yellow cubes sit above a pedestrian area and challenge traditional ideas of living space. A visit to the Kijk-Kubus offers insight into how these homes are laid out.

Located in Museumpark, the Kunsthal opened in 1992 and was designed by Rem Koolhaas and OMA. The building is known for its unusual routing and mix of materials, including concrete, glass and steel. There is no fixed visitor route, making the architecture itself part of the experience.

Rotterdam Central Station opened in 2014 and was designed by Team CS. The station combines glass, steel and wood in a sharp, modern design. Its angled roof canopy clearly marks the entrance to the city and reflects Rotterdam’s forward-looking character. Although the 1957 station by Sybold van Ravesteyn is no longer standing, his work can still be seen in the Rivièra Hall and many other listed buildings at Diergaarde Blijdorp.

Completed in 1920 and designed by Henri Evers, Rotterdam City Hall is one of the few buildings on the Coolsingel that survived the bombing of 1940. Its richly detailed façade contrasts with the surrounding modern architecture. Inside, a quiet courtyard offers a moment of calm in the city centre.

Since 1937, De Kuip has shaped the skyline of Rotterdam-Zuid. Designed by Leendert van der Vlugt of Van der Vlugt & Stam, the stadium is a classic example of the Nieuwe Bouwen movement, with its focus on light, space and a clear, functional structure. The open steel construction and floating stands reflect ideas closely related to Bauhaus functionalism. During a stadium tour, you can visit the players’ tunnel, step onto the pitch and explore the museum, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at this modernist landmark.

Designed by Brinkman and Van der Vlugt and completed in 1931, the Van Nelle Factory was a landmark of progressive industrial architecture. Its transparent façades, functional floor plans and use of steel and concrete make it a key example of the Nieuwe Bouwen movement. As with Bauhaus design, the focus here is on functionality, transparency and social ideals. In 2014, the complex was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, a recognition of its global significance. The Van Nelle Factory can be visited on guided tours with UrbanGuides, organised through the Chabot Museum.