Unique architectural charm and market layout

The exterior of Markthal presents an elegant horseshoe-shaped arcade, like a lively rainbow across the city. This building, which took 10 years to build, is designed with glass curtain walls on the front and back, making it transparent and bright. The most eye-catching part is the giant mural "Harvest Corner" on the dome, which covers an area of ​​11,000 square meters. The elements such as fruits, vegetables and flowers in the painting are vivid and colorful, as if the prosperous scene of the market is permanently frozen in the form of art. Walking inside Markthal, you will find that the layout here is well-organized. There are about 90 stalls on the first floor, nearly 15 food stores are scattered among them, and various restaurants are scattered around. Cheese, flowers, spices, seafood and other commodities are dazzling, exuding an attractive atmosphere, allowing you to instantly immerse yourself in the rich atmosphere of life and shopping enthusiasm. The arched structure above houses 228 apartments, and residents can enjoy a wide view of the Maas River or Lawrence Church. Through the windows or glass floors, they can see the bustling market scene.

Featured shopping areas and product recommendations

Food Paradise

Markthal is a paradise for food lovers. Here, you can taste the traditional Dutch raw herring. The freshly caught herring is simply processed and served with onions and other seasonings. It is tender and smooth, delicious and unique. The price is about 5-8 euros per serving. There are also Dutch-style stroopwafels. The sweet and crispy waffles are sandwiched with rich caramel syrup. Every bite is full of sweetness. The price is about 2-3 euros. If you want to taste authentic Dutch cheese, don't miss the cheese stalls here. There are a wide variety of cheeses, from the rich and mellow Gouda cheese to the unique flavor of Leiden cheese. A piece of ordinary cheese costs about 10-20 euros. After purchasing, you can ask the stall owner to help cut it into small pieces for easy carrying and eating. In addition, the fresh oysters in the seafood area are ready to eat after being opened on the spot. They are tender and juicy. A dozen oysters cost about 15-20 euros, which brings the ultimate enjoyment to your taste buds. ​

Flower World​

The Netherlands is famous for tulips. In the flower area of ​​Markthal, you can see all kinds of beautiful tulips, as well as hyacinths, daffodils and other flowers. The price of a bunch of ordinary tulips is about 5-10 euros, bringing back the romance and beauty of the Netherlands and adding a touch of bright color to life. The stall owners in the flower area can also provide professional flower maintenance advice, so that your flowers can stay bright for a long time even on long journeys. ​

Special handicrafts and souvenirs​

In addition to food and flowers, Markthal also has some stalls selling special handicrafts and souvenirs. For example, the exquisite Dutch wooden shoe ornaments, with unique shapes and exquisite craftsmanship, are very representative Dutch souvenirs, and the price ranges from 10-30 euros. There are also ceramic products made with traditional Dutch craftsmanship, painted with Dutch windmills, pastoral scenery and other patterns. Each one is unique, and the price ranges from 20 to 50 euros depending on the size and complexity of the craftsmanship. These handicrafts are not only exquisite decorations, but also a vivid embodiment of Dutch culture. They are very suitable for buying home or giving to relatives and friends.

Shopping Tips

Opening hours​

Markthal is usually open from 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and from 12pm to 8pm on Sunday. However, some stalls may have different opening hours, especially some restaurants and food stores, which may close in the early afternoon. So if you want to try a specific food or buy something, it is best to find out the specific opening hours of the stalls in advance to avoid disappointment. ​

Payment methods​

Most of the merchants here accept credit cards, and all common credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard can be used. Some stalls also support mobile payments, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. But just in case, it is recommended to carry some cash, especially when buying lower-priced items, cash payment may be more convenient. There are ATM machines in the market for tourists to withdraw cash at any time. ​

Peak shopping time​

Weekends and holidays are the peak shopping time in Markthal. At this time, the flow of people is large, and you may have to wait in line to select products and check out at the stalls. If you want to enjoy a more relaxed and comfortable shopping experience, it is recommended to go on weekdays. When the market opens at 10am or closes at night, there are fewer people, so you can choose your favorite products more leisurely, communicate with the stall owners, and learn more about the characteristics and stories behind the products.

Every shopping trip at Markthal in Rotterdam is a wonderful journey to explore Dutch culture and life. Whether it is tasting food, buying flowers, or picking special souvenirs, you can gain a lot and leave the best memories of this city. Remember to enjoy the unique architectural atmosphere and lively market environment of Markthal during shopping, so that this shopping trip will become an unforgettable highlight of your trip to the Netherlands.