Vlaardingen offers different perspectives on urban history and nature: protected areas with the oldest buildings, a museum ship in the town centre and open landscapes in the Broekpolder. When planning your trip, it helps to decide on your main focus first. Would you like to discover historic places and their changing uses, or are trails and nature experiences your priority?

History in the Townscape and at Individual Sites

Together, three protected areas form a nationally significant protected townscape of cultural and historical importance. One of them runs along Kortedijk and Hoogstraat, ending at the Grote Kerk by the market square. Vlaardingen’s oldest buildings are in this area. These streets and the endpoint give the historical theme a specific setting; the protected areas are to be understood as parts of a unified townscape.

The Stadskraan Vlaardingen also tells the story of earlier uses: from the early 17th century, it served the fishing industry and, among other things, merchant ships and trekschuiten. A replica stands at the Museumkade in front of Museum Vlaardingen. The Visbank represents a different period in history: built in 1778, it was used as a fish auction hall for private individuals until 1949. At the Molen Aeolus, in turn, three very different uses can be distinguished: milling, serving as a lookout tower and, during the Second World War, as an anti-aircraft post.

Museum and Museumkade

Museum Vlaardingen tells the story of the city from its past through the present and into the future. Opposite the museum, the museum ship VL.92 Balder is moored at Westhavenkade 54, in the centre of Vlaardingen. Tours of the ship are available; check for an available time before your visit. The replica of the historic Stadskraan stands at the Museumkade in front of the museum. This makes it possible to distinguish between two specific historical themes: the ship at Westhavenkade and the crane replica in front of the museum.

Experience the City’s History on Foot and by Bike

Expeditie Vlaardingen presents the history of the city centre using audio, video and augmented reality. Walking routes also lead through historic streets, past murals and along the water, bringing the city’s history to life. Your choice therefore comes down to different ways of exploring: a presentation using digital media, or routes where streets, murals and water are part of the experience.

The Vlaardinger cycling route offers a different focus. It starts at Infopunt Vlaardingen and leads through the city’s green spaces. Electric bicycles for this route can be rented at the information point on Westhavenkade. Check availability before your trip. The route offers a different perspective from the walking routes that focus on historic streets and the city’s history.

Broekpolder: Open Landscapes and Outdoor Experiences

De Ruigte in the Broekpolder is a nature conservation area with open spaces, water, diverse vegetation and a herd of Scottish Highland cattle. Those who want to focus on nature will find here a different side of Vlaardingen from the historic places in the townscape. Masamuda is an educational archaeological experience site in the Vlaardingse Broekpolder. Klauterwoud offers children adventurous outdoor play in nature. Each of these experiences has its own focus: archaeological activities, open-ended play or the landscape of De Ruigte.

When looking for a holiday rental in Vlaardingen, you can therefore start with the interests you have planned for your trip: city history, museums and historic routes, or nature and outdoor activities.

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