Street art in Rotterdam - murals, art routes & guided tours

Street art in Rotterdam - murals, art routes & guided tours

Bryan van Putten Activities
Like many great cities, Rotterdam also has its lucky walls, gates and houses covered in paintings. The artworks can be admired as long as they last, and often carry a statement. Here, in the Netherlands' port city, street art is in full bloom. 
 
This art phenomenon has existed since the 70's where it was mainly used to make political statements. It disappeared for a while, only to become popular in the 90's and it has remained so ever since. Rotterdam is one of the many cities showing off its artistic depth with an active street art scene. The difference between street art and graffiti, should you wonder just like me, is that graffiti is mainly a creative way of spraying an artist’s name. Thus, it is just about the artist himself. Street art is more about the meaning or statement of the artworks that are sprayed, painted, fashioned, and sometimes even commissioned. For tourists and locals alike, looking at street art has become a popular pastime. It's an (COVID-proof) art form that can be admired day and night.
 

Where to find street art in Rotterdam

You can see as little or as much of it as you want to in one go. You could just walk down the Nieuwe Binnenweg, pass through some side streets to the West-Kruiskade, walk balk toward central station and just look at anything you can find. This is also an ok advice for the area around the Keilerhaven. You will see things just by being there. You will have a sense of discovery, but you will not find all great artworks hidden in plain sight.
 
Street art by artist unknown (let us know if you do) 📷 Anna SoetensStreet art by artist unknown (let us know if you do) 📷 Anna Soetens
Street art by Collin van der Sluijs 📷 Anna SoetensStreet art by Collin van der Sluijs 📷 Anna Soetens
 

Street art routes in Rotterdam

For a better prepared art tour, there are many options. We recommend the rewriters010 app or alternatively the Rdam routes app. The latter is downloadable for free. The former costs you a Euro, but with the purchase, you are actively supporting the street art scene. Rewriters010 are part of the foundation for the stimulation of (Inter)national hip hop culture in all its forms and one of the more important players in the Dutch hip hop scene. 
 

Free Rotterdam street art map 

You are a starving artist yourself? Then you can download a free street art map of the Rotterdam city centre, courtesy of Rewriters Rotterdam to see inner city murals and wall paintings. However, do note that murals disappear just as quickly as new ones appear. To walk the most recent version of the route, it is best to use the app.
 

Guided street art tours in Rotterdam  

If you want in-depth knowledge, the stories and the facts about a different district in Rotterdam, then you really must book a tour with Rewriters Rotterdam (rewriters010.nl) or get their app ‎on Google Play or on the App Store.  
 
KINO Rotterdam - Cinema, restaurant and creative workspace

KINO Rotterdam - Cinema, restaurant and creative workspace

Bryan van Putten Activities
KINO is one of the main cinemas in the centre of Rotterdam. With its fully stocked bar and restaurant as well as a wide range of films, from blockbusters to art house, KINO is a great place for working, learning, relaxing or simply hanging out.

The film multiplex has four screens and a total capacity of 457 seats. There's also a bar and a restaurant. At KINO, you can work, drink, eat, drink and watch films from the early afternoon until the late evening. The theatre is open seven days a week. KINO focuses on a varying range of films, from art house and documentaries to blockbusters, from shorts to classics. If you're an expat living in Rotterdam, KINO is one of the few cinemas where you're likely to find 'foreign' films (from back home) with English subtitles.

KINO is much more than a multiplex, it also aims to be a meeting place for creatives, independent thinkers and film-makers. KINO has a multifunctional layout so that lectures, exhibitions, music performances and festivals can take place. Moreover, the facilities in the building (rooms, presentation hall and the foyer) can all be rented for special events.  Upstairs, there's also a creative workplace (office space) for the audiovisual industry (BURO).

The vibe at KINO Rotterdam

The interior decorating is also quite nice. Its architecture, complimented by retro shades of yellow and green really take you back in time.

There's a spacious waiting area, which doubles as a restaurant.

KINO Rotterdam foyerKINO Rotterdam foyer KINO Rotterdam foyerKINO Rotterdam foyer KINO Rotterdam hallway to rooms 1 & 2KINO Rotterdam hallway to rooms 1 & 2
In the main film room, the seats are high quality and have tall backs. You don't get the feeling that people are looking over your shoulder nor ever feel like sardines in a can.

KINO Rotterdam seats in room 1KINO Rotterdam seats in room 1
KINO Rotterdam room 1KINO Rotterdam room 1

What!? No popcorn?

The bar is fully stocked with different beers, whiskeys, rums, wines, gins, brandies etc. If you're environmentally conscious, you'll be pleased to know they hand out bamboo straws instead of plastic.

I loved the place but honesty is the best policy, right? The major downside at KINO is that they do not serve popcorn. I had a hard time believing it. If there are two things that should always go together in this world, those are film and popcorn. So there I was, watching Ad Astra, with a bottle of water. Oh well, they do sell some snacks, but the "film experience" just isn't the same IMHO.
 
KINO Rotterdam concession standKINO Rotterdam concession stand

I'm not sure, but I think it might have to do with maintenance. Popcorn makes a mess and KINO doesn't have that much personnel on hand. I guess, if you're gonna do it, do it right or not at all? So, if that is the reasoning, KINO, I forgive you! 
 

KINO Rotterdam history

KINO is located on the sacred ground of the Gouvernestraat, a place that has been a meeting place for music, theatre and film for more than a hundred years. The building was originally opened in 1909 as a community centre. In 1949, after the Nazi occupation, a section of the building was converted into a film theatre. In the years to come, the building would go on to be known as LantarenVenster, one of Rotterdam's top art, music and film theatres up until 2010. LantarenVenster eventually moved to a larger, grander location in Kop van Zuid. However, plans were soon made to restore the location to its former glory. With the arrival of KINO, the historic building on the Gouvernestraat once again became part of Rotterdam's rich film history.

KINO RotterdamKINO Rotterdam

Location: KINO Rotterdam

You'll find KINO at Gouvernestraat 129-133, 3014 PM Rotterdam.


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