Discover many monuments, restaurants and museums in this historic part of Rotterdam!
The Maritime Quarter (Scheepvaartkwartier) is one of the richest areas in the Netherlands. You will find many monuments, luxurious apartments, historic warehouses, museums, a historic harbour and some of the best restaurants of the Netherlands!
The majestic warehouses ‘Westelijk Handelsterrein’ located under a glass roof at at the Van Vollenhovenstraat 15 are certainly worth your visit with its modern art galleries, restaurants and shops.
In the historic Veerhaven harbour you can get a flavour of the wealth of Rotterdam in the 19th century. You can see many traditional seagoing sailboats and yachts. The harbour was used in the past by the wealthy Royal Dutch Yacht Club which was housed in the monumental club house at the Willemskade 25. Today the World Arts Museum is located in the former club house. This museum is one of the best museums in the Netherlands and owns an impressive collection of art from all over the world.
Rotterdam’s main park, simply called The Park, is the oldest park of Rotterdam and forms a big part of the Scheepvaartkwartier. In the park you can visit the 18th century Heerenhuijs villa which is used for events and weddings. Next to the villa you can see the coach which belongs to the villa. Close to the Heerenhuijs there’s a 17th century style Norwegian seamen’s church that was given to Rotterdam when Norway became an independent country. At the west side of the park you can visit the Euromast which is the highest lookout tower in the Netherlands. From the 185 meters top you will have a fantastic view over Rotterdam and you will be able to look at one of the best restaurants of the Netherlands down in the park.
Restaurant Parkheuvel is the only restaurant in the Netherlands with 3 Michelin stars! You will have to make a reservation weeks or months in advance to get a table in this famous restaurant. There are many other things to see and do in the Scheepvaartkwartier like The Tax & Customs Museum, the Koningin Emmaplein with its majestic mansions, the Schoonoord park and the fine restaurants Zeezout, Restaurant Huson, Rosso and La Stanza.