Rotterdam is undergoing a cultural reinvention, and 2025 is the time to experience it. Lauren Matison of The New York Times praises the city’s new art institutions, including the Fenix Museum of Migration and the relocated National Museum of Photography. A fusion of modern architecture and historical significance, Rotterdam offers panoramic skyline views, vibrant neighborhoods, and an edgy creative scene that’s reshaping its identity as a cultural powerhouse.

Rotterdam, just 45 minutes by train from Amsterdam, is emerging as a creative hub with a burgeoning cultural scene. The city is undergoing a transformation, with plans to develop into a world-class cultural center over the next decade. The Katendrecht neighborhood is at the heart of this renaissance, with the National Museum of Photography moving there later this year, alongside the opening of the Fenix Museum, dedicated to migration stories through art. The museum, housed in a historic warehouse, offers panoramic views from its plant-filled rooftop, accessible via the stunning Tornado staircase.