Kunsthal

The Kunsthal is an exhibition hall in Rotterdam's Museumpark, and it has an unusual way of working: it has no permanent collection at all. Instead, it hosts a constantly changing programme of temporary exhibitions that can range from art and photography to design, fashion, science and history. This means that each visit can be quite different, and the best way to decide whether to go is to check what is currently on. It opened in 1992 and has become one of the most popular cultural venues in the Netherlands.

The building is itself a major attraction. It was designed by the architect Rem Koolhaas and his firm OMA, and it is regarded as one of the key works of Dutch architecture of the 1990s. Rather than a single block, it is made of several parts that interlock and flow into each other, with ramps and levels that connect the different exhibition spaces. Materials are mixed in unexpected ways, with concrete, steel, glass and rough surfaces side by side, and the effect is deliberately unconventional. The structure is raised above the ground at one corner, so that a road passes beneath it, and the entrance hall, auditorium and exhibition halls are set at different angles.

The exhibitions are the reason to come. They tend to be large and wide-ranging, with something for a general audience as well as more specialised visitors, and the programme often includes themes that connect to global cultural issues and wider debates. The Kunsthal also has a restaurant and a shop, and a garden. Opening hours are usually from Tuesday to Sunday, with closures on certain public holidays, and admission rates vary for adults, young people and students, with some passes giving free entry. Booking a time slot online is required for all visitors, and payment is by card or contactless only, so check before you set out.

The Kunsthal sits in the same museum park as the Boijmans Van Beuningen Depot, which makes it easy to combine two very different visits in a single trip. Other sights in the area include the Markthal, the Cube Houses, the Erasmus Bridge, the Euromast, Delfshaven and the Witte de Withstraat, so a day in Rotterdam can include a good deal of modern architecture and culture. Rotterdam itself was rebuilt after the destruction of 1940, and it is known for its adventurous modern buildings.

The Kunsthal suits art and design lovers, architecture fans and anyone looking for a changing programme. Allow one to two hours, and book your ticket online beforehand.