Discover Pernis

Pernis combines a history as a farming and fishing village with a harbour-dominated setting. During your stay, you can choose different areas of interest: historic buildings and insights into how people lived in the past, activities in the nature garden, or routes on foot and by bicycle. You can also take the connection to Rotterdam city centre into account when planning.

Village History and Harbour Landscape

Pernis lies between harbours and has retained the character of a former farming and fishing village. Since the construction of the Eemhaven in 1946, the village has been completely surrounded by harbours. The former fishing harbour is also part of the village’s history: it was once Pernis’s pride, was later filled in, and is now a car park.

The Oud and Nieuw Pernis polders formed the core of Pernis. Buildings began to appear along Pastoriedijk in the 15th century; together with the Ring, it encloses a circular area. Historic buildings offer tangible points of reference for these different periods. The tower of the Hervormde Kerk is a brick structure from the second half of the 15th century. The bell was cast by P. Oostens in 1672.

Another historic building is the “Van Geslacht op Geslacht” farmhouse, dating from the 18th century. It comprises a residence and an adjoining barn beneath a hipped roof covered with tiles. Together with the church tower, the farmhouse provides two distinct examples of historic architecture in Pernis: a medieval tower and a later farmhouse with residential and agricultural buildings.

Museum and Everyday Life in the Past

The Oudheidkamer Pernis collects and displays material about Pernis and its surroundings, keeping the village’s past alive. The Museumwoning offers a more specific focus: it features a living room and a small kitchen from the 1930s. Most of the furnishings were donated by Pernis residents.

The kitchen also conveys a particular picture of domestic life. It is furnished to show what a small kitchen in a dyke house looked like between 1930 and 1950. The Museumwoning therefore focuses on both a furnished living space and a kitchen with a clearly defined historical context. While the Oudheidkamer collects material about the village and its surroundings, the Museumwoning illustrates life in a household of the past.

Nature Garden, Swimming and Routes

At the Het Groene Woud Pernis nature garden, visitors can pick flowers in the flower-picking garden. They are also allowed to harvest vegetables in the vegetable garden, with staff on hand to guide and assist them. The garden also has a barefoot path where you can walk without shoes over different surfaces. As operating details may change, it is advisable to check the latest information about access before your visit.

Zwembad Pernis has a 25-metre pool with five lanes for lap swimming. There is also a shallower leisure area and a paddling pool for toddlers. This provides specific guidance on the pool areas described; operating details may change, so check the latest information before visiting.

Longer routes are also linked to Pernis. The Rotterdams Ommelandpad is a walking route of about 150 kilometres that ends in Pernis and can be walked. A group cycling tour of around 50 kilometres through the Port of Rotterdam can run along the Waalhaven, through the Benelux Tunnel and through Pernis. The routes therefore differ in both their course and how they are travelled: the walking route ends in Pernis, while the cycling tour includes the village as part of a harbour route.

Getting There and Choosing Your Destination

Pernis P+R is located by Pernis metro station on the edge of the village. From Pernis, metro line C towards De Terp takes about 18 minutes to reach Rotterdam city centre. The journey time is a guide; check the latest timetable before travelling.

When looking for a hotel for your stay, you can first consider whether you want to focus on Pernis itself or also on Rotterdam city centre. The metro connection is a practical factor to take into account when planning. The historic sites, nature garden, swimming pool and different routes offer further ideas for tailoring your stay to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Rotterdam, Hoek van Holland, Hoogvliet Rotterdam.

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