Markthal in Rotterdam: the covered market, opening hours and what to see nearby

Updated on October 8, 2026

The Markthal, Verlengde Nieuwstraat 1 in Rotterdam (3011 GM), is a covered market that opened in 2014, designed by the architecture firm MVRDV: a huge arch of housing (228 apartments) sheltering, under its vault, a hall of about a hundred stalls, small restaurants and shops. Entry is free. The market is open Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 10am to 8pm, Friday from 10am to 9pm and Sunday from noon to 6pm. Rotterdam is about 40 minutes by train from Amsterdam: it is the ideal trip for seeing contemporary Dutch architecture, with the Markthal a must-see stop next to the Cube Houses.

Highlights

The arch and the vault

The interior is covered in a giant mural, “Hoorn des Overvloeds” (the Horn of Plenty), by Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam: enlarged fruit, flowers and insects over about 11,000 m². It is what makes the hall spectacular, even if you buy nothing.

The stalls and food counters

Cheeses, fish, cured meats, produce from Asia, North Africa and Turkey, stroopwafels, herring and takeaway dishes: you eat on the spot standing or on the benches, without a reservation. Prices vary by stall.

Around the hall

A few minutes' walk away are Piet Blom's Kubuswoningen (Cube Houses), the open-air Binnenrotte market (Tuesday and Saturday) and Blaak station, right next door.

Practical info

Tips

The hall is calmer early on weekday mornings; on Saturdays and at lunchtime it is packed. Shops sometimes have their own hours: check before coming for a particular stall. No ticket to buy, no booking needed. Information checked in October 2026.

How to get there

Verlengde Nieuwstraat 1, 3011 GM Rotterdam. From Amsterdam Centraal, take a direct train to Rotterdam Centraal (about 40 minutes), then the metro (one or two stops) to Blaak, or allow 15 to 20 minutes on foot. Blaak station is a few steps from the hall.