The Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam is a world-famous industrial monument and one of the most influential industrial buildings of the 20th century. It was designed by Dutch architects Johannes Brinkman and Leendert van der Vlugt and built between 1925 and 1931. A unique combination of modernism and traditional Dutch architecture, the building was designed using innovative techniques. Therefore, it has had a profound influence on Dutch architecture. The Van Nelle Factory is one of the few remaining buildings that represents the so-called Nieuwe Bouwen style of the 1920s and 1930s. Reason enough to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites! On the way, you can get off at Sonneveld House. This modernist residence from 1933 was also designed by architects Brinkman & Van der Vlugt and is also considered the prototype of the Nieuwe Bouw style of the 1930s. House Sonneveld also has, for its time, many modern techniques. It is the only house from that style that still exists. Therefore, great care has been taken to preserve the original state of the house. Today, the house is a museum and you can take a look at the interior and architecture of the 1930s. Close to Huis Sonneveld is also the Chabot Museum, a museum of contemporary art and named after Dutch painter Jan Hendrik Chabot (1873-1925). The museum is located in the former Dutch Railways office building on the Wilhelminakade in Rotterdam. Over the years, the museum has become a leading museum of contemporary art, including exhibitions of numerous Dutch and international artists. In the museum, a space has been decorated with all kinds of elements from the Van Nelle Factory. The space is open to the public, but is mainly used as an office. At the Chabot Museum, you can also book guided tours of the factory. Pass by the spot where river Binnenrotte flowed into the city. This is where the 'Dam in de Rotte' was established and thus where Rotterdam has its origins. The point is marked by a work of art by sculptor Ben Zegers. From the quay of the Leuvehaven, you look out on the city's skyscrapers. Perhaps there are a number of nostalgic canal boats in the harbour, highlighting the contrast of old and new. This harbour used to be home to the Van Nelle factory. The urban is pleasantly interspersed with a the beautiful cycle path along the waters of the Delfshavense Schie and the Nieuwe Maas. In Schiedam, enjoy the green Beatrixpark. For a bite to eat and a drink, the grounds of the Van Nelle Factory are also the place to be. The barbecue restaurant Black Smoke is located in a former factory building and knows how to surprise you with the tastiest smokey dishes from the grill in a stylish and industrial atmosphere. Tip: You cycle a large part through the centre of Rotterdam, where it can be very busy in some places. Pay close attention to the junction signs along the road here, as the amount of road signs means you are more likely to overlook them. Don't have to worry about missing the signs? Then cycle the route with the free and user-friendly Fietsnetwerk app! Photo: ©Eva van der Craats
Directions | Distance | Total distance | |
![]() |
Start: Westzeedijk 5, 3015 AA Rotterdam | 25.1 KM | |
From
60
to
17
|
313 M | 0.3 KM | |
Head southeast | 39 M | ||
Continue onto Scheepstimmermanslaan | 274 M | ||
You are now at section 17 | 0 M | ||
From
17
to
58
|
1155 M | 1.2 KM | |
Head southwest on Westplein | 124 M | ||
Turn left onto Veerhaven | 221 M | ||
Continue slightly right onto Westerkade | 331 M | ||
Make a slight left onto Parkkade | 472 M | ||
Turn right onto Parkhaven | 7 M | ||
You are now at section 58 | 0 M | ||
From
58
to
14
|
1108 M | 1.1 KM | |
Head north on Parkhaven | 32 M | ||
Make a slight right onto Baden Powelllaan | 501 M | ||
Turn right onto Baden Powelllaan | 29 M | ||
Turn left | 14 M | ||
Turn left onto Droogleever Fortuynplein | 532 M | ||
You are now at section 14 | 0 M | ||
From
14
to
59
|
1133 M | 1.1 KM | |
Head southwest on Westzeedijk | 428 M | ||
Keep left onto Westzeedijk | 549 M | ||
Turn right to stay on Westzeedijk | 37 M | ||
Turn left to stay on Westzeedijk | 119 M | ||
You are now at section 59 | 0 M | ||
From
59
to
10
|
3502 M | 3.5 KM | |
Head west on Westzeedijk | 1.4 KM | ||
Turn left onto Marconiplein | 2 KM | ||
Keep left onto Koemarkt | 69 M | ||
You are now at section 10 | 0 M | ||
From
10
to
11
|
681 M | 0.7 KM | |
Head southwest on Koemarkt | 36 M | ||
Turn right to stay on Koemarkt | 19 M | ||
Turn left to stay on Koemarkt | 33 M | ||
Continue right onto Lange Haven | 593 M | ||
You are now at section 11 | 0 M | ||
From
11
to
79
|
313 M | 0.3 KM | |
Head west on Beursbrug | 23 M | ||
Continue onto Dam | 181 M | ||
Turn left onto Vlaardingerstraat | 109 M | ||
You are now at section 79 | 0 M | ||
From
79
to
50
|
1358 M | 1.4 KM | |
Head southwest on Vlaardingerstraat | 36 M | ||
Turn right | 19 M | ||
Turn right onto Nieuwe Damlaan | 272 M | ||
Turn right | 40 M | ||
Turn right onto Nieuwe Damlaan | 349 M | ||
Turn left onto Nieuwlandplein | 76 M | ||
Turn left onto Nieuwe Damlaan | 352 M | ||
Turn right onto Schiedamseweg | 214 M | ||
You are now at section 50 | 0 M | ||
From
50
to
51
|
1353 M | 1.4 KM | |
Head north on Schiedamseweg | 1.4 KM | ||
You are now at section 51 | 0 M | ||
From
51
to
73
|
323 M | 0.3 KM | |
Head northwest | 105 M | ||
Turn right onto Windas | 137 M | ||
Continue straight | 81 M | ||
You are now at section 73 | 0 M | ||
From
73
to
16
|
2216 M | 2.2 KM | |
Head west on Windas | 54 M | ||
Turn left onto 's-Gravelandseweg | 648 M | ||
Turn left onto Polderdwarsweg | 117 M | ||
Turn right onto Polderweg | 796 M | ||
Turn left onto Schiekade | 363 M | ||
Turn right to stay on Schiekade | 116 M | ||
Turn left to stay on Schiekade | 108 M | ||
Turn left to stay on Schiekade | 14 M | ||
You are now at section 16 | 0 M | ||
From
16
to
1
|
597 M | 0.6 KM | |
Head south on Matlingeweg | 377 M | ||
Turn left onto Industrieweg | 16 M | ||
Turn left onto Schuttevaerweg | 204 M | ||
You are now at section 1 | 0 M | ||
From
1
to
2
|
417 M | 0.4 KM | |
Head east on Overschieseweg | 417 M | ||
You are now at section 2 | 0 M | ||
From
2
to
12
|
2077 M | 2.1 KM | |
Head southeast on Delfshavenseweg | 1.6 KM | ||
Make a slight right onto Jonkersbrug | 484 M | ||
You are now at section 12 | 0 M | ||
From
12
to
87
|
603 M | 0.6 KM | |
Head southeast on Abraham van Stolkweg | 603 M | ||
You are now at section 87 | 0 M | ||
From
87
to
71
|
1249 M | 1.2 KM | |
Head southeast on Aelbrechtskade | 1.2 KM | ||
You are now at section 71 | 0 M | ||
From
71
to
35
|
502 M | 0.5 KM | |
Head southeast on Rochussenstraat | 16 M | ||
Turn left onto Nieuwe Binnenweg | 8 M | ||
Continue onto Nieuwe Binnenweg | 478 M | ||
You are now at section 35 | 0 M | ||
From
35
to
70
|
1420 M | 1.4 KM | |
Head east on Nieuwe Binnenweg | 743 M | ||
Make a slight right | 37 M | ||
Turn right onto Mathenesserlaan | 237 M | ||
Turn right onto Wytemaweg | 38 M | ||
Turn left | 18 M | ||
Turn left | 8 M | ||
Make a slight right onto Museumpark | 339 M | ||
You are now at section 70 | 0 M | ||
From
70
to
75
|
983 M | 1 KM | |
Head northeast on Museumpark | 45 M | ||
Turn left onto Eendrachtsweg | 109 M | ||
Make a slight right | 71 M | ||
Turn left onto Westblaak | 2 M | ||
Make a slight right | 22 M | ||
Make a slight right onto Mauritsweg | 734 M | ||
You are now at section 75 | 0 M | ||
From
75
to
76
|
424 M | 0.4 KM | |
Head east on Weena | 424 M | ||
You are now at section 76 | 0 M | ||
From
76
to
38
|
787 M | 0.8 KM | |
Head southeast on Hofplein | 144 M | ||
Turn right onto Pompenburg | 293 M | ||
Turn left to stay on Pompenburg | 350 M | ||
You are now at section 38 | 0 M | ||
From
38
to
37
|
884 M | 0.9 KM | |
Head southeast | 8 M | ||
Make a slight right onto Jonker Fransstraat | 281 M | ||
Turn left onto Goudsesingel | 157 M | ||
Turn right onto Mariniersweg | 438 M | ||
You are now at section 37 | 0 M | ||
From
37
to
69
|
762 M | 0.8 KM | |
Head southwest on Overblaak | 200 M | ||
Turn right onto Blaak | 290 M | ||
Continue straight | 10 M | ||
Continue onto Blaak | 262 M | ||
You are now at section 69 | 0 M | ||
From
69
to
60
|
627 M | 0.6 KM | |
Head southeast on Churchillplein | 627 M | ||
You are now at section 60 | 0 M | ||
From
60
to
60
|
345 M | 0.3 KM | |
Head southwest on Vasteland | 345 M | ||
You are now at section 60 | 0 M |