Herring luggers, historic harbor sites and a large nature and recreation area give Vlaardingen several distinct sides. When planning your trip, consider whether you are most interested in the history of fishing, architecture and art, or trails through Broekpolder. The city’s history on the water is explored at Museum Vlaardingen as well as at several maritime sites.
Fishing and the Harbor in Focus
The sailing lugger VL 92 Balder was built in 1912 at the A. de Jong shipyard in Vlaardingen. It is the oldest herring lugger in the Netherlands that is still in operation. On board, visitors can experience the authentic atmosphere and learn more about life on a real herring lugger. The ship can be rented for a boat trip; availability depends on the operator. Check before booking.
The permanent exhibition “Behouden Vaart!” explores two centuries of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in Vlaardingen’s fishing industry. The exhibition “Brood uit water” complements it by focusing on traditions surrounding Hollandse Nieuwe. This means you can discover the history of fishing both as the development of an industry and through the traditions that have grown up around herring.
Specific places around the harbor also reflect the maritime heritage. The Koningin Wilhelminahaven, the adjoining Grote Visserijplein and the Oosthavenkade are linked to the history of herring and have a distinctive harbor atmosphere. The Visbank on Westhavenkade was built in 1778 and served as a fish market for private customers until 1949. The Stadskraan was built in 1625 on the orders of the municipal administration and was used mainly to fit and remove the masts of fishing vessels. The tenth Stadskraan was officially unveiled in early 2022, replacing an earlier reconstruction.
Architectural History and Cultural Sites
The Grote Kerk is a three-aisled hall church, originally built in the Gothic style. It was destroyed in 1574, then restored and expanded three times; its interior was completely altered in 1865. Vlaardingen also has a protected townscape, 79 Rijksmonumenten, 22 municipal monuments, and 555 buildings and objects that contribute to the character of the townscape.
The Touwbaan offers another perspective on local history. Maritime rope-making was carried out here from its establishment in 1611 until the work ended in 1969. The restored monument has halls that visitors can walk through. The present-day stone Molen Aeolus dates from 1790. Mill guides welcome visitors, offer tours and organize activities in and around the mill.
The Oude Stadhuis is recommended as a place worth seeing, including outside wedding ceremonies, for its old staircase. The recommendation to visit for a look at the staircase is a suggestion, not a statement that access is freely available at all times. The Buitenplaats Van Ruytenburch combines the history of the country estate with contemporary art. The cultural offering thus ranges from fishing and crafts to architectural history and art.
Broekpolder and Routes Through Vlaardingen
If you would like to spend time outdoors in addition to exploring cultural sites, Broekpolder is a 400-hectare recreation and nature area. It is surrounded by the waters of the Vlaardingse Vaart and the Vlieten. Several walking trails run through the area. Masamuda, an educational archaeological open-air site in Vlaardingse Broekpolder, brings the distant past to life with reconstructed buildings from prehistoric times and the Middle Ages.
For cycling, there is the 20-kilometre Fietsroute Vlaardingen, which starts at Infopunt Vlaardingen. Route details may change; check them before setting off. The Infopunt provides free city maps as well as cycling and walking routes through Vlaardingen and Broekpolder. The Vlaardingen Haringstad city walk is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. As route conditions can change, check local information before you start.
The Vlaardingen-Routes app offers a range of routes for exploring Vlaardingen. Audio, video and augmented reality help visitors discover the history of the city centre. Route options and digital features may change with updates. When choosing a hotel in Vlaardingen, you can start by considering what matters most to you: maritime history, architectural heritage, or nature and outdoor activities.
Discover more destinations: Vlaardingen, Vlaardingen, Middelharnis, Bergambacht, Voorschoten, Nieuw-Lekkerland, Kaag En Braassem, Capelle Aan Den Ijssel.
For the broader travel overview: South Holland.
