There are many different ways to discover Hoogvliet Rotterdam: tidal landscapes along the Oude Maas, farm animals, urban sports and public art. The changing water levels at Visserijgriend are particularly striking. These places and themes offer different ways to shape your stay around nature, exercise or culture.

Nature along the Oude Maas and in the Groene Gordel

On the edge of Hoogvliet lies Visserijgriend, a two-hectare nature reserve on the Oude Maas. Influenced by the tides, the water level there rises and falls by an average of 1.5 metres each day. This gives the area a distinct character shaped by the changing water.

Near Hoogvliet, right next to the Botlekbrug, lies Ruigeplaat, a five-hectare area. Willow and reed beds shape the tidal landscape there, influenced by the Oude Maas. Visitors can safely experience this freshwater tidal nature from a walkway, keeping their feet dry. Ruigeplaat is designated as a Natura 2000 site and is therefore one of the European Union’s top nature areas.

The Groene Gordel is a nature reserve around Hoogvliet. It can be reached on foot or by bicycle from Tussenwater metro station. Since access information may change, it is best to check it before setting out. If travelling by car, there is a visitor car park in Park de Heerlijkheid that serves as a starting point for your visit. Parking regulations may also change, so check the information on site.

Farm animals and events at De Oedenstee

The De Oedenstee urban farm gives visitors the chance to get to know farm animals in a fun way. You can walk among the goats and sheep or take a look inside the barns. Here, meeting the animals is the main focus, while Visserijgriend and Ruigeplaat are shaped primarily by their waterscapes and natural surroundings.

Free activities are regularly held at De Oedenstee. These include a spring festival, a pancake day and a sheep-shearing festival. The dates vary, so take this into account when planning and check the dates for your intended visit.

Urban sports and public art

The Urban Sports Park in Hoogvliet is part of the Groene Gordel and complements its focus on nature with a sporting dimension. The park includes a large indoor facility dedicated entirely to urban sports. Access to the indoor area may depend on current operations, so check before visiting.

Public art also offers a distinct way to explore Hoogvliet’s history. There are more than thirty works of art throughout the city. They recall the post-war reconstruction of the 1950s, urban beautification in the 1960s, functionalist thinking in the 1970s and later periods. This offers more than a look at individual artworks: the different eras show how ideas about urban design have changed over time.

When planning, you can focus on what interests you most: tides and nature, animals and events, urban sports or art history. Different practical considerations apply to individual activities, such as changing event dates, the current availability of the indoor area or access information for the Groene Gordel.

Discover more destinations: Hoek van Holland, Pernis, Rotterdam

Go to the main travel overview: Rotterdam.