Ruby Tessa Hotel Rotterdam Local area

Rotterdam’s port story begins almost on Ruby Tessa’s doorstep. Historic ships, cranes and working maritime workshops bring the city’s seafaring past right onto the quay. We love the contrast: shipbuilding craft below, glass towers above. Just around a 7-minute walk from Ruby Tessa.

Its white pylon leans over the Maas while water taxis zip below. The Erasmus Bridge links the city centre with Kop van Zuid and has become part of Rotterdam’s unmistakable skyline. Best of all, the view keeps changing as you cross. The northern end is around a 10-minute walk from Ruby Tessa.

Part food market, part apartment building, part giant artwork: Markthal does several things at once. Arno Coenen’s colourful Horn of Plenty stretches above the stalls, while medieval finds below ground tell another side of Rotterdam’s story. Come curious – and preferably hungry. Around a 12-minute walk from Ruby Tessa.

Why build a house straight when you can tilt it by 45 degrees? Piet Blom did exactly that, creating a forest of bright yellow cubes. One is open to visitors, so you can see what everyday life looks like with sloping walls and unusual corners. Playful, clever and very Rotterdam. Around 15 minutes on foot from Ruby Tessa.

Oude Haven brings several sides of Rotterdam together: historic boats, Piet Blom’s Cube Houses and the white Witte Huis from 1898. We like it best at walking pace, with ropes creaking, reflections moving and the skyline appearing between the masts. Around a 15-minute walk from Ruby Tessa.

A giant mirrored bowl filled with more than 155,000 works of art? Leave it to Rotterdam. Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen opens up collections and conservation work that usually stay behind the scenes. Head to the rooftop for another view of the city. Around a 20-minute walk from Ruby Tessa.

Inside a restored harbour warehouse, Fenix tells stories of departure, arrival and home through art, photography and personal accounts. Above it, the Tornado staircase twists through the roof to a viewpoint over the city. Old dock, new perspective – very Rotterdam. Around 20 minutes from Ruby Tessa by metro and on foot.