Rotterdam is among the largest and most important port cities not just in The Netherlands but entire Europe. The seven fun facts about Rotterdam further showcase how this industrial and multicultural hub with a modern outlook celebrates its heritage and culture with much elan.
One of the best ways to reach the city is by boat. Ferry tickets to Rotterdam are available on Ferryscanner. You can travel here from Hull or from Harwich to the nearby port of Hoek van Holland.
From incredible architecture, shopping, and arcades to secret bars, restaurants, and fun excursions, there are many things to do in Rotterdam. Moreover, the city presents ample opportunities for all ages to have a thrilling time. And as for witnessing its quirky side, these fun facts about Rotterdam will give you a glimpse into its animated character.
Cube Houses
Even though they are one of the most famous architectural sites in the city, no list of fun facts about Rotterdam can be complete without mentioning the cube houses.
A complex developed to handle residential planning issues, there are today 38 cube houses and 2 “super cubes.” Besides the striking shape of the Piet Blom-designed homes, it’s interesting to know that they are at an angle of 55 degrees.
Inside, the privately-owned cube houses of Rotterdam cover an area of 1080 sq ft, spread over three stories. Tourists can visit one of the abodes, which is now the Kijk-Kubus Museum. The standard admission fee for the museum is €3.
De Brandgrens
Although Rotterdam is an industrial yet trendy city with avant-garde architecture, it remains heavily invested in its past. The city continues to remember and share a close connection with the events that took place here during World War II.
First started in 2009, The Blaze Boundary is a series of red lights on the ground that demark the area bombarded during the war. The lights have a fire sign with a silhouette of a plane, a person, and a house burning, distinguishing them from other illuminations. The placement of the last light in the 12km circle took place in 2019, the 70th year of the bombing.
You’ll find the fire lights all around the center of Rotterdam, with one easily visible near the central train station. While walking around, you’ll also come across a few old buildings, just outside the circle, that escaped the 1940 bombings.
Kapsalon
A culinary fun fact about Rotterdam is that the city gets the credit for being the birthplace of kapsalon. A much-loved comforting street food, kapsalon consists of a takeaway metal tray loaded with fries, shwarma meat, melting Gouda, lettuce salad, and sambal sauce.
The dish, with its multi-cuisine ingredients, is a perfect testament to the city’s multicultural population. Furthermore, its origin story is quite idiosyncratic.
Nataniël Gomes was the first to come up with this unique concoction in 2003. A hairdresser, Gomes would specifically ask for all his favorite ingredients together on a plate when visiting the shawarma shop “El Eviva.”
Slowly, other customers started noticing this quirky request and began to ask for the same. Soon, the magic of kapsalon, translating to “hairdressing salon,” spread throughout The Netherlands and Belgium.
Avenue of Stars
Not many people might be aware, but until recently, Rotterdam was home to the second most extensive collection of celebrity hand-and-foot prints. Very much like the Hollywood Hall of Fame, the Avenue of Stars consisted of over 150 plates featuring Dutch and international stars.
Starting in 1990, the walkway at its height had prints of celebs like Jacky Chan, Johan Cruijff, Meatloaf, Shrek, and Elvis Costello. Shifted to a new location in 2010, the Avenue was left with only 60 prints at the time.
Sadly, the dismantling of these remaining plates took place in 2022. As a result, some prints were auctioned for charity or ended up in museums. At the same time, others went back to the stars or their relatives.
Water Taxi
Taking a taxi in most international cities is a common occurrence. But when it comes to fun facts about Rotterdam, you’ll be surprised to know that it’s possible to take a water taxi here.
Water taxis are a faster mode of transport in an otherwise busy city. Moreover, they cover 50 destinations around Rotterdam and Schiedam, most of which are tourist sights.
Traveling on the Nieuwe Mass River, the black and yellow boats are available for point-to-point transfers, return trips, as well as short terms and full-day tours.
There are 20 boats in operation at present, and you typically have to book them a little in advance. A ticket for a water taxi in Rotterdam differs based on the zone you want to travel in. They range from €4.50 to €10 when covering all three zones.
Wikkelboat
While canal boats are somewhat standard across The Netherlands, one of the fun facts about Rotterdam is that you can stay in a tiny floating home here. A Wikkelboat is an upgraded version of a houseboat that lets you bask in contemporary luxuries while placing you alongside the water.
Shaped like a house, these residences do not sail. However, they make for a distinctive accommodation you can use for an office meeting, a get-together, or a stay-in. The “boats” come with double beds, baths, a kitchenette, an outside shower, and in some cases, a hidden jacuzzi.
The construction of the houses is equally unique. It consists of a roof made with 24 corrugated cardboard layers topped with rain protection and wood. This helps with both soundproofing and insulation. The bottom part of the boat is aluminum and holds the air conditioning unit and water drainage.
At present, there are only three locations in the country where you can find a Wikkelboat. Two are in Rotterdam, close to water taxi stops. The third is in Den Bosch.
Markthal
Located in the Laurenskwartier neighborhood, Markthal is a grand arched building with residences, offices, commercial spaces, and a marketplace. Inaugurated in 2014, it is the “first covered marked in the Netherlands.”
Interestingly, several ancient artifacts were discovered on-site during the early stages of the building’s construction. These included vases, tools, cannon balls, and other remnants of a 10th-century farm. One can view some of these findings displayed in the car park and near the elevators of the Markthal.
Boasting 228 apartments and a market with 460 stalls, the building is a fantastic place to buy fresh produce and taste some of the best culinary offerings in Rotterdam. Furthermore, it is also home to the “world’s biggest work of art.”
Made by Arno Coenen, the ceiling of the Markthal covers an area of 11000 sq m. It features vibrant and colorful art on 4000 aluminum panels. So awe-inspiring is this spectacle that the Markthal is often known as the “Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam.”