The Kunsthal is a building you visit twice: once for the architecture and once for whatever is on show. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and the OMA studio and opened in 1992, it sits in the Museumpark on the edge of the Westzeedijk, and its ramps, glass walls and unexpected materials made it one of the most talked-about buildings in the Netherlands. Inside there is no permanent collection. Instead the halls are used for a rotating programme of exhibitions, with major shows on art, design, photography, fashion and cultural history, often travelling from museums elsewhere in the world, alongside smaller presentations of contemporary work. That variety is the point: you never see the same thing twice, and a visit can be as different as a retrospective of a famous painter one season and a show about streetwear or ancient civilisations the next. The location in the Museumpark puts it next to the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, the Natural History Museum and the Het Nieuwe Instituut, so a day of culture is easy to plan.
How to visit
The Kunsthal is at Westzeedijk 341, a short walk from the Museumpark metro station and about fifteen minutes on foot from the Markthal or the Erasmus Bridge. Tickets are sold online with a start time, and it is wise to reserve one in advance in busy periods rather than relying on walk-up availability. The hall is generally open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays, so check the day.
What to expect
Because the programme changes, look at what is on before you book, and choose the exhibition that suits you. Allow about one and a half to two hours for a big exhibition. The building itself is part of the experience, with split levels, a long ramp and an unusual mix of materials, so give yourself time to wander. There is a café and a shop, and the museum is accessible, but check the details if you use a wheelchair, because the split-level layout means some routes use lifts.
Making the most of it
Use the Museumpark as your base. A common plan is a timed morning slot at the Depot, lunch in the park or at the Depot restaurant, and a Kunsthal visit in the afternoon. In summer, the garden and the park are pleasant for a break between visits. If you are in Rotterdam for the architecture, the Kunsthal is one of the key buildings to see alongside the Markthal, the Cube Houses, the Erasmus Bridge and De Rotterdam.
Who it suits
Adults and older children who enjoy exhibitions, design and photography, and anyone who wants a rainy-day option. Very young children may find the quieter halls less engaging, so choose the exhibition with care.
Practical extras
The shop and café are good for a break, and the café is a pleasant place to sit and talk over what you have seen. Because exhibitions change several times a year, it can be worth looking at the programme when you plan the trip, so that your visit matches an exhibition you really want to see.
Photography rules vary from show to show, so check the signs at the entrance of each hall. If you are building a museum day, start early, because the Museumpark attractions are busiest between late morning and mid afternoon.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit to one or more temporary exhibitions in a Rem Koolhaas building, with a café and shop. There is no permanent collection.
Best time
A weekday afternoon after a morning at the Depot, or any wet day when you want to stay inside.
How long
One and a half to two hours for a large exhibition.
Tips
Check what is on before you book, reserve a start time online, and remember the hall is normally closed on Mondays.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Architecture fans and exhibition lovers who like a changing programme and a building worth seeing in its own right.
- Families
- Best with older children; choose the exhibition carefully because the content changes and not every show suits younger visitors.
- Couples
- Pair an exhibition with a stroll through the Museumpark and dinner back in the centre.
- Pair with
- Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen next door and a walk through the Museumpark.
- Time needed
- Around two hours.
Good questions
Does the Kunsthal have a permanent collection?+
No. It shows temporary exhibitions, so the content is different on every visit. Check the current programme before you buy a ticket.
Who designed the Kunsthal?+
The building was designed by Rem Koolhaas and the OMA studio and opened in 1992. It is one of the best-known works of modern Dutch architecture.
Do I need to book in advance?+
Tickets are sold online with a start time, and booking ahead is the safest approach, especially at weekends and during school holidays.
Is the Kunsthal open on Mondays?+
It is normally closed on Mondays and open the rest of the week, but opening days can change, so check before you go.
What else is nearby?+
The Museumpark is home to Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, the Natural History Museum and Het Nieuwe Instituut, so you can easily fill a day with several visits.
