# Travel inspiration
Rooftop Roetsj
Slide through to Rotterdam Centre
On May 16, 2025, the Fenix Museum opened in Rotterdam, the world's first art museum dedicated entirely to migration. The museum in Katendrecht is unmissable, located near the historic Holland-America quay—the place where millions of migrants left the port for America and Canada.
Fenix is located in the original San Francisco warehouse from 1923, designed by architect C.N. van Goor and was the largest warehouse in the world at the time. This historic warehouse is located on the departure and arrival quays in the city of Rotterdam. Millions of people started a new life here, on their way to the United States or Canada. Or arriving from countries such as China, Cape Verde, Greece and many other destinations.
In the monumental warehouse from 1923, Fenix gives space to more than a hundred artists, from all continents, who show that migration is timeless and universal. In addition to the international art collection, Het Kofferdoolhof (The Suitcase Maze) and the documentary photo exhibition The Family of Migrants will soon be on display.
The exhibition Alle richtingen - Kunst die je beweegt (All directions - Art that moves you) is also on display on the first floor. Artists from all over the world are represented, including Rineke Dijkstra, Do Hu Suh, Francis Alÿs, Steve McQueen, Adrian Paci and Shilpa Gupta. The work on display ranges from large installations to video projections and from paintings to sculptures. Artists Beya Gille Gacha, Efrat Zehavi, Chae Eun Rhee, Raquel van Haver and Hugo McCloud are working on exclusive new work for Fenix, each with their own perspective on migration.
Side by side with the art, All Directions shows a number of striking historical objects. Think of an alien passport and original passenger lists of the Holland-America Line. The exhibition brings together all works of art and historical objects under themes such as identity, home, boundaries and happiness.
The warehouse is carefully restored and transformed into a spectacular museum building. The Tornado forms the heart of Fenix: the futuristic, double-twisted staircase construction connects the different floors with the 24-meter-high platform. The theme of migration is also reflected here: on the way to the viewpoint, visitors can change stairs halfway and thus determine their way up, just as people are faced with choices during a journey. An experience where visitors are treated to new perspectives and a breathtaking panorama of the river and the city.
"Plein" can be found on the ground floor: a covered city square of 2,000 square metres where Rotterdam residents create a programme together with Fenix. Because programme makers from the neighbourhood and the world organize constantly changing activities, Plein is different every day. From a location for events to a stage and kitchen for the city and the neighbourhood. Plein moves with the continuously changing city, nourished by its many cultures and people.
As you can easily spend a long time in such a beautiful location, it's understandable that you'll get hungry! That's why there are several food and drink options in the museum, which are definitely worth a visit.
Renowned Istanbul Michelin-starred chef Maksut Aşkar runs the museum café and bakery here. The menu features delicious street food and family recipes passed down through generations in Anatolia. Think sandwiches, meze, and hot dishes—from a hearty breakfast with fresh cheeses, olives, honey, herbs, and homemade jam to comfort foods like lentil soup and smoky eggplant.
The bakery offers artisanal bread, also available to take away. Turkish street food classics like simit, börek, and ayran are also on the shelves.
A different menu every six weeks? At Mooncake Pop-Up, Rotterdam chefs share their most delicious dishes from their food culture. Curious which culinary talent is currently in the kitchen? Find out on this Mooncake pop-up page.
For dessert, you must try these traditional Italian ice creams. This ice cream parlor is run by the Granucci family, who emigrated from Italy to the Netherlands in 1929 seeking a better life. They still use their original recipes today.
