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Township in South Holland, Netherlands
Photo: Jchmrt, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kralingen-Crooswijk is a district of Rotterdam on the northern bank of the New Meuse (Nieuwe Maas) river. Also covered is the Noord district.
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Botanical Garden Kralingen
This small botanical garden is known for its medicinal plants. As it is being brought back to its old glory the visit is recommended if you were to walk by, or for garden buffs.
These two windmills (Star and Lily) date from 1777 and 1829. They are very handsomely situated on the side of the Kralingse Plas lake. The mills do still do their original job which is grinding ingredients for spices and snuff tobacco. Adjacent is a small shop where these products are sold.
Overlooks the vast Kralingse Plas with a view over the two monumental windmills on the opposite side of the lake.
Arboretum Trompenburg
Arboretum Trompenburg, dating back to 1820, is a lovely park filled with well-designed walking paths. The seven hectare park houses a rich collection of trees, shrubs, perennials and bulbs.
Old steam locomotives and trains can be admired at the 'Steam Depot Museum'. Besides a small museum it's very much a workshop too where you can see the actual work of restoration in progress. Check the website for rides, that actually use the normal railway lines.
De Esch Water Tower
The oldest still-standing water tower of the Netherlands. The tower, completed in 1873, counts seven water reservoirs with a total capacity of 1000 m3. At the foot of the water tower remain the offices and houses of the staff that once manned this tower. It lost its function as a water tower in 1978, being modified in 1986 to house office space. It also contains a space for cafés and restaurants.
Second oldest still operating zoo of the Netherlands, being opened in 1855 as a garden for pheasants and waterfowl, leaving first place for Artis in Amsterdam. This garden came into financial trouble in the 1920s as zoos evolved to display animals in more natural-looking habitats rather than simple cages. This new zoo was opened to the public in 1938, but Rotterdam's bombing two years later meant that this new zoo had to be rebuilt already. In the past few decades, Blijdorp has been expanded to feature wolves, Asiatic elephants, Indian rhinoceros, Malayan tapirs. A gorilla-exhibit followed in 1999 and the "Oceanium" followed the year after. Ever since, Blijdorp has slowly renewed and added onto existing exhibits, but is drastically limited in how much it can expand by its central location within Rotterdam.
Rotterdam Zoo
Diergaarde Blijdorp, established in 1857, is one of the most popular day trips in the Netherlands. Walk through different parts of the world, seeing interesting animals that feel right at home in an approximation of their natural habitats. An interesting feature of Rotterdam Zoo is the Oceanium. Feast your eyes on your journey through this enchanting world of water, filled with ocean and coastal dwellers, including exotic fish and puffins.
Van Donge & De Roo Stadion
Home of Rotterdam's third football club, Excelsior, which since the seventies has been playing in either the Eerste Divisie (first division) or Eredivisie.
Kralingen Golf Course
Italian kitchen and ice cream parlour. Whether you come for a dinner or a takeaway pizza, you always have to wait. But everything here is definitely worth the wait! And what is so bad about having to wait a while when you can sit in the sun with a glass of great Italian wine in front of the restaurant? The good ingredients and the classy Italian waiters make the picture complete. In one word: fantastic!
The first floor is much like a Turkish market square. It is fully decorated and cozy, the fake balcony and window pane complete the market square. Through a small staircase you reach the 'living room'. Tip: Enjoy the fresh baked bread before you start your dinner. They have a wood stove that gives the food that extra authentic taste; some great wood-heated meals are stuffed zucchini and stuffed kofte. This place is comparable to the Wereld Eethuis Bazar in the Witte de Withstraat 16. However, if you are looking for more intimacy, good and honest food and superb service, this place is where you want to go!
Northwest of the centre. For camping near the city it's the only option. There are a lot of trees to give shelter from sun or wind. Basic facilities. Little chalets (2/4 persons) can be rented too.
This hotel is a little bit out of the city center on the (very) busy Schiekade street.
By public transit
Metro lines A, B and C run through the middle of Kralingen. The majority of Kralingen can be reached by either switching onto lines 21 or 24 at {{Station|Oostplein|city=Rotterdam|A|B|C|21|24}}.
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Rotterdam · International · RTM
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