Kralingen Lake, Recreational lake in Kralingen-Crooswijk, Netherlands
Kralingen Lake is a large recreational area in the Kralingen-Crooswijk neighborhood of Rotterdam, with water covering about 100 hectares surrounded by forests and open green spaces. The park includes walking and cycling paths, areas for water sports, restaurants, and several attractions spread throughout the grounds.
The park was created in the 1930s as a recreation area and expanded over time with more green spaces. Throughout the grounds sit climbing stones that come from the Delftse Poort, a city gate destroyed during World War II bombing raids.
The two working windmills, De Ster and De Lelie, remain part of the local character and still grind spices using traditional Dutch methods. Visitors can watch the millers at work during public demonstrations held several days each week.
The area has paths circling the lake perfect for walking, cycling, and skating, with cafes and restaurants positioned at various points along the way. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours exploring the grounds, and wear comfortable shoes since many people enjoy walking from one spot to another.
A historic pull ferry carries visitors across the water to De Kraal petting zoo located on a small area within the lake. The Fun Forest adventure park, also on the grounds, features multiple climbing routes with rope bridges that challenge visitors of different abilities.
Location: Rotterdam
GPS coordinates: 51.93472,4.51500
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41
Rotterdam showcases a diverse collection of tourist attractions that reflect the city's transformation into a modern European metropolis. The rebuilt city center features contemporary architectural landmarks such as the Cube Houses, the Erasmus Bridge spanning the Nieuwe Maas river, and the Euromast observation tower rising 185 meters above the urban landscape. The Markthal, a covered market hall opened in 2014, combines commercial activity with residential space under a large horseshoe arch decorated with digital artwork. Museum Park houses several cultural institutions, including the Kunsthal exhibition building and the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, which displays Dutch and European paintings from medieval times to the present day. The city's attractions extend beyond architecture and museums to include green spaces and specialized venues. Het Park, designed in 1852, provides 19 hectares of landscaped gardens along the riverbank, while Kralingse Plas offers a 100-hectare artificial lake surrounded by forest for outdoor recreation. Rotterdam Zoo, the largest animal park in the Netherlands, presents more than 180 species across themed habitats, including an oceanarium. The Maritime Museum documents the city's development as Europe's largest port through collections of ships, navigation instruments and port equipment. These attractions together present Rotterdam as a destination where historical maritime heritage meets contemporary urban development.
De Ster
551 m
Park Rozenburg
724 m
De Lelie
527 m
Strand Kralingse Plas
733 m
Holland Pop Monument
521 m
Jerusalem Church
827 m
Julianabrug
828 m
2e Julianabrug
810 m
Menhir
732 m
Kralingse Plaslaanflat
671 m
Meisjes HBS
777 m
Woningbouwcomplex jaffa
748 m
Jaffacomplex
790 m
Schoolgebouw
754 m
Het Oosten
611 m
Van der Leeuw House
517 m
2e Heemtuinvlonderbrug
752 m
Woningbouwcomplex jaffa: Nazarethstraat 1 t/m 14
722 m
Meisjes HBS
764 m
Meisjes HBS
811 m
Libanon Lyceum
754 m
Hortus
670 m
Libanon Lyceum
701 m
Libanon Lyceum
691 m
Woningbouwcomplex jaffa: Ramlehstraat 2 t/m 26
730 m
Clubgebouw Rotterdamsche Zeilvereeniging
594 m
3e Heemtuinvlonderbrug
740 m
Rechthoekig verdiepingloos pand, zgn. karottenfabriekje, met aanbouwen onder pannen zadeldaken; korte gevels en bovenste gedeelte der lange gevels voorzien van delen (rabat); 9-ruitsvensters.
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