The harbour of Maassluis

B&B HV40 › Maassluis

About Maassluis and surroundings

The first town
on the Waterweg

A small harbour town with almost seven centuries of history, between Rotterdam and the North Sea. Here is what to see, do and eat during your stay.

The area

A village by the water

Maassluis has been on the map since 1340 and has plenty to see.

Discover its rich history on a town walk or a boat tour. The old centre, with the market square, the Vlieten canals, the locks and the harbour, is dear to every true local. With its charming streets and historic buildings, this picturesque part of town has a real village feel.

Maassluis lies on the Nieuwe Waterweg; the stretch of water bordering the town is called the Scheur. The town has featured in several films, including Spetters (1980) and Kruimeltje (1999).

Street in the old centre of Maassluis
The old town centre, a few minutes’ walk from the B&B.

History of Maassluis

  1. c. 1340

    A village grows up around the sluices in the sea dyke between the North Sea and Rotterdam: Maeslandsluys. The sluices were built to prevent flooding.

  2. Eighty Years’ War

    The Act of Maeslandsluys is signed in Maassluis and Maasland by Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, Grand Pensionary of Holland.

  3. 16th century

    Marnix van St. Aldegonde fortifies the church island as a redoubt. The Spanish capture it.

  4. 16 May 1614

    Maassluis becomes an independent town.

  5. 1624

    The redoubt is demolished to make way for the Grote Kerk (Great Church).

  6. c. 1732

    Organ builder Rudolf Garrels builds the organ of the Grote Kerk.

  7. 1866–1872

    The Nieuwe Waterweg is dug, designed by engineer Pieter Caland. It gives Rotterdam a direct route to the sea, starting at the Scheur just west of Maassluis.

  8. 1868

    On the harbour, the house that is now B&B HV40 is built.

  9. 19th century

    Maassluis becomes known as home to the pilotage service and the towing industry.

  10. 1916

    The steam tug Furie is built. It later becomes famous through the Dutch TV series Hollands Glorie.

Maassluis in the past

A town of fishermen and tugboats

The harbour of Maassluis from the air, with the Nieuwe Waterweg in the background.
The harbour of Maassluis from the air, with the Nieuwe Waterweg in the background.
Loggers in the harbour: the fishing boats that took Maassluis to sea for weeks.
Loggers in the harbour: the fishing boats that took Maassluis to sea for weeks.
Logger MA 58 on the quay, with barrels and fisherfolk.
Logger MA 58 on the quay, with barrels and fisherfolk.
The MA 2, dressed with flags, on the Haven.
The MA 2, dressed with flags, on the Haven.
1921: the steamship Uranus from Bremen loads some 5,000 tonnes of herring in the Binnenhaven, bound for Danzig and Stettin.
1921: the steamship Uranus from Bremen loads some 5,000 tonnes of herring in the Binnenhaven, bound for Danzig and Stettin.
High water: in heavy storms the quays and streets along the harbour flooded.
High water: in heavy storms the quays and streets along the harbour flooded.

Historic photos: including the collection of the Historische Vereniging Maassluis. Also read the story of our house on the harbour.

Things to do

See and explore

Museum

National Towage Museum

The story of Dutch towage, from steam tugs to salvage operations at sea. The museum is on the Hoogstraat, in the old town centre.

On the map
In the harbour

Steam tug Furie

The steam tug from 1916, famous from the TV series Hollands Glorie, is moored in the harbour of Maassluis. One of the best-known historic ships in the Netherlands.

Monument

The Grote Kerk and its Garrels organ

The church on the former church island, with the celebrated organ by Rudolf Garrels from around 1732. Organ concerts are held regularly.

Walking

The old town

The market square, the Vlieten canals, the locks and the harbour: old Maassluis feels like a village, with narrow streets and historic facades.

Boat tour

With the Slakkenvaart

Discover the town from the water, on a boat tour through the canals and the harbour.

Slakkenvaart
Views

The Nieuwe Waterweg

From the dyke you can watch the big seagoing ships sail to and from the port of Rotterdam. There are lovely walks along the water.

Food and drink

You will find a variety of restaurants and cafés close to our B&B.

We are happy to recommend a place and book a table for you.

Ask us

Getting here

How to find us

By car

Parking is free. Bicycles and motorbikes can be parked on our own grounds.

By public transport

The B&B is easy to reach by public transport. Maassluis is on the metro line between Rotterdam and Hook of Holland, where the ferry from Harwich arrives.

Address

Haven 40
3143 BD Maassluis
The Netherlands
Plan your route

Plan your stay

Your room on the harbour
is ready

Stay in the heart of old Maassluis, in a shipowner’s house from 1868. Breakfast included, €137.50 per room per night.

Book now
Book · €137.50 per night