Rotterdam is a city that really stands out with its bold and modern architecture. I started the day exploring the Cube Houses, one of the most unique residential designs I’ve ever seen. Standing underneath the tilted yellow cubes feels almost surreal.
Just across, the Markthal was another highlight – a massive indoor market under a colorful dome ceiling that looks like a giant piece of art. It’s not just a place to grab food, but also a spot that makes you look up in awe.
Walking around the city, I also spotted some interesting landmarks – from the Port Pavilion and the bright red lighthouse at the harbor, to open-air sculptures scattered along the streets, including one by Picasso. Even the McDonald’s here looks different, with its modern glass building shining like a golden landmark.
And the most unexpected moment? Watching people actually surfing in the city canals – something I never thought I’d see in Rotterdam!
Rotterdam gave me the feeling of a city that’s constantly reinventing itself – futuristic, vibrant, and full of surprises. It’s a perfect day trip if you want to see another side of the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam.
#hellochristmas
Here’s the accurate English translation of your text:
The Rotterdam Cube Houses are one of the most unusual and boldest architectural solutions in Europe – a place that looks as if it fell from another dimension.
In the 1970s, architect Piet Blom was tasked with designing something that would completely break away from classic residential buildings. His idea was for each house to represent a single tree, and together they would form an “urban forest”. This is how the famous cube houses came to be – tilted at a 45-degree angle, resting on tall pillars, and arranged to create a small, intimate neighbourhood right in the heart of the city.
Although they look like sculptures, the houses are fully functional. Each has three floors, sloping walls that bring a strange dynamism to every corner, and large windows offering a completely different perspective of the city. Visitors most often enter the so-called “Show Cube”, the only one open to the public, to discover what everyday life is like in a space where almost no straight lines exist.
Lesser-known facts:
• The Cube Houses complex is actually a bridge over one of Rotterdam’s busiest roads – designed to connect two city districts.
• One of the cubes has been turned into a hostel, so it’s possible to spend the night in this “urban forest”.
• On the ground level there is a small pedestrian passage locals call the “Labyrinth Tunnel” because it feels like walking through a geometric puzzle.
The Cube Houses are located next to the Markthal and the Oude Haven (Old Harbour), making them a perfect part of a walk through modern Rotterdam. And an excellent spot for a Christmas trip.
ロッテルダム旅行の人気観光スポットと口コミ情報