City center Rotterdam

Rotterdam Central Station District/ Shopping District

For many people, Rotterdam Central Station is the first thing they see in Rotterdam. Rotterdam Central District distinguishes itself with a very mixed highly urban and lively character, dynamism and a sense of strong identity. Rotterdam Central Station itself is characterized by its high-quality architecture.

When you go outside you are on Weena. Here you will find yourself among all the headquarters of the major companies of the Netherlands, including Shell and Unilever. You will also see hotels and residential areas.

The shopping area runs from Rotterdam Central Station to Station Blaak. In this area you will find the well-known shopping streets Koopgoot and Lijnbaan with the big chain stores. In the center you will also find less famous shopping areas such as Meent and Pannekoekstraat with nice boutiques, fashion shops and shoe shops and the exclusive Van Oldebarneveldstraat and Karel Doormanstraat.

Stadhuisplein

Stadhuisplein is a famous nightlife area in Rotterdam. A striking image on Stadhuisplein is the “Monument to the Fallen”. The image consists of two men, a woman and child which represents the past, present and future. It’s a tribute to the Rotterdammers who gave their lives for liberation. Walking straight we approach Coolsingel with the Stadhuis (City Hall) on the other side of the street. Coolsingel is Rotterdam’s breath of life.

This is also the place where the big events take place. For example, the celebration of the Feyenoord football club championships and the start and fi nish of the Rotterdam marathon take place here. The town hall dates back to 1914 and is one of the buildings that survived the Second World War.

Laurens Quarter

Meent is the starting point of the Laurens Quarter. The Timmerhuis was built in a historic location in the city center and consists of an old part and a new part. The new part, designed by OMA/ Rem Koolhaas, has a futuristic look thanks to the ‘glass pixels’. In this passage between Laurens Quarter and Coolsingel, living, working and doing business come together.

The Laurenskwartier is the part of the city center around Laurenskerk (Laurens Church) and in fact the oldest part of the city. The only reminder of the medieval city center is the late Gothic Laurenskerk.
On Tuesdays and Saturdays, a market is held on Binnenrotte. When the market stalls have disappeared, Binnenrotte fi lls with café terraces, allowing the good times to continue until late into the night.

In the Laurens Quarter you will also find Meent and Pannekoekstraat, the previously mentioned shopping streets. Here you will fi nd upscale clothing shops, hip cocktail bars, lovely restaurants and nice cafes. Furthermore, in the Laurens Quarter you will fi nd the well-known Markthal and the Kubuswoningen (Cube houses).