Visit the old harbor of Vlaardingen just west of Rotterdam (2024)

Let me start this post by managing expectations: if you’re looking for a vibrant shopping area or want to watch art, then this is not the place to go. Vlaardingen city center only comes to life on the market days: Wednesday and Saturday. Everything is closed on Sundays unless it is the first Sunday of the month, then some shops are open.

Because of the lack of customers and high rent shops don’t last long in the city center and many stores are empty. It’s a vicious circle: without interesting shops, people won’t come and without people, there won’t be interesting shops. I’m not saying there are no interesting shops, just that their sudden presence and disappearance sometimes surprises me.

Having said that, why should you visit Vlaardingen? Because the area around the old harbor is really beautiful. Here you can see the city’s long history of fishery and imagine what it must have been like to live centuries ago. The historical buildings are well preserved and now used as residences or offices. Some old warehouses are boarded up (hopefully to get a new purpose in the future) but still show the sheer size of the former fishing industry. I’ll tell you more about the places you can’t miss below.

The other reason to visit Vlaardingen is because of the access it gives you to nature. West of Vlaardingen you have the ‘Krabbeplas’ recreation area, which is ideal for a short walk or cycling. Northwest of Vlaardingen you have the ‘Broekpolder’, a vast nature and recreation area where you can spend hours walking or cycling.

Hiking in the Netherlands is very unlike hiking in other countries because everything is flat. What you can see on your hikes that you can’t see in mountainous areas are the extensive wetlands and polders with dikes keeping the water in check. It’s a different type of nature.

The ‘Westhavenkade’ (‘West Harbor Quay’) and Oosthavenkade (‘East Harbor Quay’) surround the old harbor of Vlaardingen. At the quays, many small ships are docked giving the area a colorful and bright look. The monumental buildings in these streets are well preserved. From the Pr. Julianabrug you can take the best pictures.

A special mention for the following monuments.

On the eastern quay, you can see the former office of the dairy concern Hollandia. The Hollandiagebouw was designed by architect Pleun van der Berg in a neo-renaissance style and built in two phases in 1897 and 1912. On the front, you can see the two Latin phrases: Labor improbus omnia vincit (Hard work defeats everything) and Nil sine magno labore (Nothing without great effort).

Location: Oosthavenkade 42, 3134 NW Vlaardingen

The Visbank (literally ‘Fish bank’) on the western quay was built in 1778 and functioned as a fish market. The weather vane on top of the building is shaped like a herring; the symbol for Vlaardingen. At the fish market, all fresh fish was auctioned until 1949. It now houses an ice cream parlor that sells very good ice cream.

Around the Visbank you can find many cafes/pubs.

Location: Westhavenplaats 37, 3131 BT Vlaardingen

A museum showing Vlaardingen’s history, most of which is related to fishery and the battle of Vlaardingen. Most of the museum is in Dutch only but there is plenty to see that doesn’t need a description. Plus the architecture of the building is rather interesting.

Location: Westhavenkade 54, 3131 AG Vlaardingen

Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00; Sunday and some holidays: 12:00 – 17:00.

Tickets are 7.50 EUR for adults. Admission is free for kids and visitors with a Museumkaart, Rotterdampas, Rembrandtpas or ICOM.

At the Wilhelminahaven you can find the old warehouse of the shipping company A. Hoogendijk. This building was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 2019 and is now boarded up. The view of the harbor still looks good though.

Location: W83X+9M Vlaardingen

A former grain warehouse turned into residences.

Location: W82W+QX Vlaardingen

This villa was built in 1883 for the shipowner A.H.C.M.J. IJzermans from which it takes its name. IJzermans used the tower on top of the building to watch ships come in.

Location: Schiedamseweg 53A, 3134 BB Vlaardingen

I don’t know about you but I can’t shake the feeling something went wrong with the design of this theatre building. It looked much better before!

Location: Schiedamseweg 51, 3134 BB Vlaardingen

At the historical city center of Vlaardingen, you can see the beautiful historical buildings that surround the church.

Location: Markt 63, 3131 CR Vlaardingen

Opposite the entrance to the church, you can take a picture of the old city hall. This building is a popular photo spot for newlywed couples.

Location: Markt 11, 3131 CR Vlaardingen

A still-active mill designated as a monumental building. Inside you can buy pre-made mixes for many types of bread, cake and cookies.

Location: Kortedijk 16, 3134 HB Vlaardingen

The houses around the Buizengat were built recently and resemble a modern variant of the historical patrician houses and warehouses around the old harbor of Vlaardingen.

Location: W88W+4Q Vlaardingen

The church on the picture above represents the ‘Sky’ element.

The cemetery, water tower, old fire-brigade barracks and church symbolize earth, water, fire and sky. The words (in Dutch: Aarde, Water, Vuur, Hemel) are written on the buildings and because of that, you can spot them from a distance.

You have seen the Big Church before and assuming you don’t want to visit the cemetery that leaves the barracks and the water tower. I’m hoping they’ll refurbish the barracks one day to give them a new purpose just like they did with the water tower.

Location ‘Aarde’ (Earth): Emaus 6, 3135 JC Vlaardingen

Location ‘Hemel’ (Sky):Hoogstraat 26, 3131 BN Vlaardingen

Location ‘Vuur’ (Fire): Hoflaan 13, 3134 AA Vlaardingen

Location ‘Water’: Van Linden van Den Heuvellweg 2B, 3134 AE Vlaardingen

The water tower was built in 1955 and originally served as a water reservoir. Nowadays you can find a restaurant and bed & breakfast inside.

Location: Van Linden van Den Heuvellweg 2B, 3134 AE Vlaardingen

The Broekpolder is a vast nature and recreation area where you can spend hours walking or cycling. This area is also home to a herd of highland cattle and many types of birds. The pictures above show only a few of its many sights, as you can also walk in a forest or explore the grasslands.

This is my go-to place when I want to go for a walk. From the city center of Vlaardingen, you can reach the Broekpolder within thirty minutes on foot!

Location: W8GF+HM Vlaardingen

The Krabbeplas recreation area is ideal for a short walk or cycling. You will find yourself between the cities Vlaardingen and Maassluis and can also venture beyond the recreation area to see the old farmhouses and visit a golf course.

After your walk, you can have a drink and / or meal at the Jofel aan de Plas cafe.

Location: Surfpad 50, 3132 TW Vlaardingen

A park within a residential neighborhood (at a walking distance from the city center) with sculptures, a skating rink and a small petting zoo.

Location: W86X+WP Vlaardingen

A hotel with a view of the water and the big ships heading for the harbor of Rotterdam; Europe’s largest port. The Delta Hotel has the best view in the area.

Book your stay at the Delta Hotel

Location: Maasboulevard 15, 3133 AK Vlaardingen

This bed & breakfast is located in a very interesting building. When staying here you can enjoy this very unique building and the good food served at the restaurant at ground level.

Location: Van Linden van Den Heuvellweg 2B, 3134 AE Vlaardingen