Kop van Zuid Walk (Self Guided), Rotterdam

Lovers of great architecture are in for a genuine treat when they visit the neighborhood of Kop van Zuid. The locale presents an exhilarating blend of modern, cutting edge architecture with restored historical buildings that are full of their original character.

Arguably, the most famous sight is the ‘Erasmusbrug’ (Erasmus Bridge), an icon of Rotterdam. The cable-stayed and bascule bridge is 2,631 feet (802 meters) in length, spans the New Meuse River and features an asymmetrical white pylon. The construction has been used by bigtime Hollywood movie directors and was the starting point for the 2010 Tour de France.

After surveying the neighborhood's architectural highlights, visit its museums. Pick up insights into past and contemporary cultures at the Wereldmuseum (World Art Museum). It offers a collection of approximately 100,000 objects from all over the world. There are also thousands of photos, with some going back to 1860. There are more photos on display at the 'Fotomuseum', where some temporary exhibitions focus on historical Rotterdam.

Other highlights of the area include a collection of great restaurants and cafés, quirky markets and Lantaren Venster. This cultural center hosts indie cinema, jazz and other musical performances.