Great museums in Rotterdam

Of course, we start in the Museumpark, where various museums, institutes and other cool artistic places are gathered. From there we travel to other cultural corners of the city.

The Kunsthal

Almost every Rotterdammer has been to the Kunsthal at some point. The Kunsthal was founded in 1992 and has since occupied a unique position within the Dutch cultural landscape.

With no fewer than 25 exhibitions per year, it is always surprising here. Contemporary art, photography, fashion and design are all discussed. But where the Kunsthal perhaps excels most are the fantastic collaborations they organize.

Together with the biggest names in the world, the Kunsthal brings the most special exhibitions to our city. For example, at the time of writing you can visit the Ai Weiwei. In Search of Humanity exhibition. This exhibition shows work by one of the leading artists of our time, human rights activist and critic of authoritarian power systems: Ai Weiwei. In Search of Humanity is his most complete retrospective to date. Expect paintings, cultural readymades, LEGO works, sculptures, installations, photography and video art.

Het Nieuwe Instituut

The NAI used to be the Netherlands Architecture Institute. In 2013, however, they changed course and the NAI was transformed into Het Nieuwe Instituut.

The focus on architecture was then supplemented with topics such as design and digital culture. Exhibitions therefore focus on graphic design, games, fashion, product design, (interior) architecture, landscape architecture and urban planning.

At the time of writing you can visit Het Nieuwe Instituut for REBOOT. Groundbreaking digital art. This is an exhibition with key works from the period 1960-2000 and new work by contemporary makers. The exhibition shows the influence of digital technology in art and society.

Natural History Museum

Not really into paintings, but absolutely crazy about everything that has to do with nature? Then the Natural History Museum in Museumpark Rotterdam is your place. The museum is full of all kinds of animal species: birds, fish, mammals, reptiles and so on. Special fossils have also been given a place in their own exhibition.

The collection of the museum is immense and is therefore a museum where you can really learn something. You will be surprised again and again with the changing exhibitions. A nice place to add to your list during your visit to Museumpark in Rotterdam.

Maritime Museum Rotterdam

In the heart of Rotterdam with the Wijnhaven as its backyard, the Maritime Museum takes you on a journey through the age-old relationship between man and the sea. There is plenty to do for both young and old.

Did you know that the museum collection of the Maritime Museum is one of the largest and most prominent maritime collections in the world? The collection illustrates six centuries of Dutch maritime history and that must be cherished. With no fewer than 1 million objects, you can learn everything in the Maritime Museum from the late fifteenth century to the present day. No fewer than six centuries are depicted in the museum for you to learn and enjoy.

Wereldmuseum

In this beautiful museum in the Scheepvaartkwartier, on the corner of Willemskade and Veerhaven, you will become acquainted with an impressive Rotterdam collection. In total, this collection consists of more than 83,000 objects with objects collected by Rotterdam residents since the 19th century.

The exhibition Colonialism and Rotterdam will open in the Wereldmuseum on November 30, 2023. During this exhibition you will discover how the global legacy of Colonialism affects the city and where local, national and international histories come together.

What is your favourite museum in Rotterdam?