Feel like a local in Hillegersberg!
Meet Hillegersberg residents in their natural habitat
The good life of Hillegersberg is lived on and around the Bergse Dorpsstraat. Residents do their shopping in the supermarket on the Argonautenweg on Saturday, drink a beer at one of the surrounding cafes on the weekend or stop for an ice cream. You feel as if you’re far from the big city, the centre of which is only a few tram stops away.
Plaswijckpark
The Plaswijckpark is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and largest children’s attractions in the area. An annual subscription is recommended, because it provides your children with unlimited adventure. The Harbour (water)playground is popular in good weather, with a shallow pool. Visit the owls, monkeys and alpacas (difficult for other petting zoos to live up to!) in the Dierenrijck (Animal kingdom). Enough playing and cuddling? Finish the day with a walk through the parks of Wandelwijck (Walking district).
Bergse Voorplas and Achterplas
Take a walk or a cycle around these lakes, along picturesque roads, over drawbridges and past windmills. Along the water are several nice areas to sit, eat something and enjoy the view over the water. Could it get any more beautiful? It could. Rent a boat from, for example, ‘Geen Boot, Wel Varen’ (No Boat, Will Sail), head out on the water (with or without a picnic basket on board) and feel like royalty for a short while.
‘t Zwarte plasje
When the weather is sweltering and Rotterdammers take refuge in the city parks, Hillegersberg residents take a refreshing dip in ‘t Zwarte Plasje (Black Pond). This natural swimming pool has existed for 100 years and is an oasis of peace surrounded by a large lawn and lots of trees. You can swim laps or rest on the islands in the water, there are slides, a playground and a paddling pool for the little ones. Access is for members only: a family card costs less than 50 euros and gives you unlimited access during the summer.
Village Centre
The Bergse Dorpsstraat is the centre of Hillegersberg and has a succession of small boutiques, brown bars and cosy restaurants. This street is where Hillegersberg locals enjoy everything their neighbourhood has to offer. Italian restaurant La Salute is a household name and a gathering place for footballers and journalists. The walls are full of photos of regular guests from the sports world. Across the street, La Salute also has a deli and lunchroom with lots (and lots) of goodies.
Hockey Club Rotterdam
Sports enthusiasts can indulge themselves at Sport Park Hazelaarweg, where you’ll find various clubs including Hockey Club Rotterdam (HCR). The club is continuously looking to maintain the balance between sporting achievements and a thriving club life. In short, it is never boring on the weekend. The club even has its own sports channel on Matchday.tv! The main field is equipped with a high-tech camera system and members share their matches with others via an app which makes the progressive HCR among the first to do this.
