What are the most important and interesting streets of Rotterdam?
Coolsingel
Everybody in the Netherlands knows the Coolsingel, the main street of Rotterdam. The broad thoroughfare runs from the Hofplein to Blaak. You can find here large chains like the Bijenkorf while under Coolsingel runs the well-known Koopgoot that includes plenty of shops. In 2017 they started with the make-over the Coolsingel to revive old (pre-war) times when it was an atmospheric boulevard.
Weena
Another Rotterdam’s main street is the Weena. This artery runs from the Hofplein (north end Coolsingel) and ends at the Beukelsdijk. At the Weena lie Central Station and several imposing skyscrapers including the iconic skycraper Delftse Poort, one of the most striking buildings in Rotterdam visible from several points in and outside the city.
Blaak
This wide street begins at the Churchill Square (at Coolsingel) and ends at the Walsumweg Mayor nearby Station Blaak, the Market Hall and the cube houses. The street is characterized by high (office) buildings. Blaak includes the Chamber of Commerce and the Willem de Kooning Art Academy
Witte de Withstraat
The Witte de Withstraat has evolved in recent years into the liveliest and most fun nightlife district of Rotterdam. Witte de With Street is dotted with bars, restaurants and art galleries and also has a number of municipal buildings. The street runs from the Schiedamsevest to Eendrachtsweg.
Oude Binnenweg
Oude Binnenweg is the only surviving pre-war shopping street in the center of Rotterdam. You notice that the atmosphere and the traditional pubs in this small, narrow street that runs from Charles Doormanstraat to Mauritsstraat.
Nieuwe Binnenweg
The Oude Binnenweg is followed by the New Binnenweg that goes all the way to the Low Erfbrug in historic Delfshaven. At the beginning of the New Binnenweg many interesting well-known bars and establishments as Rotown and Westerpaviljoen can be found together with several interesting shops and other places.
Westersingel
If you walk from the Central Station, the Westersingel is in front of you. This well-known canal is a pedestrian promenade that leads to the Sculptures Route. Other interesting places of the Westersingel: Chinatown, the Remonstrant Church and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen. The 1.2 kilometer long Westersingel ends at the Westzeedijk not that far from the riverside.
West Kruiskade
West Kruiskade is a vibrant, exotic street full of Asian shops. Rotterdam’s Chinatown is a large part of this street is a must if you want a good Chinese supermarket and Chinese restaurant. West Kruiskade, not too far away from Central Station, begins at the Westersingel.
Noordsingel
Noordsingel was designed in 1852 by architects Zocher Jan David and his son Louis Paul Zocher. Have been a prison (in 1872) and court built (in 1899) this famous Rotterdam canal in the same century. This complex (the court moved already to the Kop van Zuid in 1996) has recently acquired a residential destination. Noordsingel runs from the Noordplein to the Mountain Road where the canal flows into the Bergsingel.
Heemraadssingel
The Heemraadssingel is the most impressive ‘singel’ concerning girth and allure. Heemraadssingel begins at the intersection with Rochussenstraat and ends at the Rotterdam Tunnel, a total of 1.5 kilometers. The Heemraadssingel is also rich in greenery.
Parklaan
Definitely the most stately street of Rotterdam is the Parklaan that can be found around the Maritime Quarter and De Park. The Parklaan is a very classy and stately avenue where in the 19th century harbor barons, bankers and other wealthy Rotterdam landed. The grandest house is number 17 that belonged to the rich candy family Henry Jamin.