11 reasons TO put ROTTERDAM ON YOUR EURO itinerary
Rotterdam may not be top of the expense on the typical European itinerary, which is why it’s the perfect destination! inspect out our other 11 reasons to go to Rotterdam as well as see why this unique city needs to be added to your travel plans.
It was a quick, comfortable 20-minute train trip from Amsterdam’s Schiphol worldwide flight terminal to Rotterdam Centraal Station. I must be honest, we didn’t understand what to expect as our train pertained to a stop.
We believed perhaps just a smaller version of Amsterdam awaited us.
But from the moment we stepped off the platform, we knew we were wrong.
It turns out Rotterdam is one of the most contemporary cities we’ve been to. as well as it’s a side to the Netherlands as well as in truth Europe as a whole we hadn’t expected.
The moment we walked out onto the street amidst the rumble of trams, the futuristic buildings as well as the abundance of food ripe discovery, we understood we’d discovered one more city to autumn for.
11 reasons to go to Rotterdam
1. contemporary architecture
In WWII, Rotterdam’s city centre was utterly destroyed. since then, instead of trying to rebuild or reinstate what was there before, the city has turned the tragedy into an opportunity.
The design of Rotterdam – particularly within the ring of fire – is like nowhere else on earth. odd shapes sprout from the concrete, big towers make a unique skyline as well as incredible structures are as functional as they are striking.
Travel tip: Rotterdam’s contemporary design to see
The Cube houses on Blaak street are set at a 54.7° angle as well as are domestic dwellings. There’s likewise a hostel right here as well as a Cube home that’s open for public viewing.
Rotterdam Centraal Station, Markthal as well as the Erasmus Bridge are likewise particularly worth a picture opp.
2. Old design as well as history
To state that Rotterdam was utterly destroyed isn’t rather true. There are five or six buildings that were left undamaged in the Nazi bombardment on 14th may 1940.
They make a interesting contrast to the super contemporary majority of Rotterdam as well as represent important messages about war, development as well as the value of our heritage.
As you walk around the city, you’ll come across a line of red lights sunk into the street. This is the ring of fire we pointed out before. It’s the border of the bombings as well as the fires that destroyed this city in the ‘40s.
Travel tip: Rotterdam’s old architecture
Find the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk near the spectacular contemporary Markthal. It’s a 15th Century gothic church that you can visit. exactly how it survived the bombings when nothing around it did is a mystery.
The Delft entrance memorial, a steel reconstruction of the old entrance to Rotterdam, appears like a metal skeleton as well as is extremely striking. likewise the Witte Huls – Europe’s very first high-rise building – is amazing.
3. Cycling
Of program there’s cycling here. It’s Holland! however the whole experience is much calmer as well as more pleasurable than trying to battle the traffic-hardened gangs on Amsterdam’s streets.
Cycle lanes are wide as well as well kept, bike hire is inexpensive as well as automobiles never have right of way. In truth there’s a limit on the size of engine allowed into the city. If you’re caught driving a roaring gas-guzzler in Rotterdam, you might get stopped as well as fined.
Travel tip: Cycling in Rotterdam
Make sure you stay on the right as well as don’t be surprised if you’re overtaken by a moped or two; they’re allowed in the cycle lanes too!
Go regional as well as utilize your public carry OV Chipkaart to rent OV-Fiets bikes that are run by the train service.
These bikes are much cheaper than other rentals… however just so you know, they are all back-pedal brake bikes.
4. Parks
Rotterdam city itself is rather leafy – more so than Amsterdam. however likewise dotted throughout its limits, Rotterdam has parks, lakes as well as of program the Rotte River to explore.
Travel tip: Rotterdam’s parks
We truly loved cycling out to Kralingse Bos Park in the north of the city. There’s a woodland there in addition to the obligatory windmill as well as for some reason a paddock full of deer.
At its heart the park has a big lake that’s connected to the Rotte. There’s a marina as well as even a huge sandy beach.
Around the lake there are some fantastic eating spots like The Boathouse or a little lower key The beach home Kralingen.
5. Food
Finding something great to eat in Rotterdam is so easy. Cafés, restaurants, bars as well as bakeries are everywhere. as well as everywhere they’re not, you’ll discover a market or food truck.
The only thing that’s largely missing is great coffee.
See below for our much-loved spots:
Travel tip: Rotterdam’s food scene
For the very best burger go to Ter Marsch & Co in the awesome District.
For the very best coffee, go to guy with Glasses.
For incredible market food, go to Markthal.
And for the most incredible lunch choices you’ll see in the Netherlands, go to the Fenix Food Factory.
Waiting for lunch – Fenix Food Factory
Cheese at Fenix Food Factory
Brewery at Fenix Food Factory
6. The water
Rotterdam gets its name from the River Rotte, which joins the Nieuwe Maas River to run with the city out into the North Sea. The city doesn’t have rather the canal network that Amsterdam has since of the river as well as its tributaries.
Exploring the river system is lovely, as well as the port itself has a great deal of private activation going on too; it’s not just dockworkers as well as wharf rats (see the Fenix Food factory above).
Travel tip: Rotterdam’s waterways
Walk over the iconic Erasmus Bridge (locally understood as ‘The Swan’) that spans the Nieuwe Maas River as well as connects the north as well as south parts of the city.
Explore the Leuvehaven to see the gorgeous Witte Huls, the Maritime museum as well as some fantastic little spots to stop for a drink or a snack.
On your method to the Fenix Food Factory, you’ll come to the new York Hotel, which utilized to be the headquarters of the Holland America shipping company. This area is rather a spectacle as it’s the begin of the estuary that opens as much as the sea.
7. Markets
There are some incredible markets around Rotterdam that offer whatever from flowers to food. I don’t understand what Mrs romance was happier about; the variety of cheese we found or the €3 peonies she got.
Travel tip: Rotterdam’s markets
Markthal – right in the middle of the city – is incredible. It’s a 7-365 market as well as it sells all the food. It’s amazing.
At weekends, the square outside Markthal becomes one of the biggest outside markets in Europe as well as is rather a spectacle.
Markthal – by the method – is a mind-blowing piece of style in itself. The biggest glass archway in Europe opens to 2 levels of grocery buying like you’ve never seen.
The graphics on the wall are the biggest printed decal in the world as well as the windows you see on the side as well as on the ceiling cause actual apartments. Yup, people online in the roof!
Food stalls at Markhal
Cheese at Markhal
Markthal
8. Nightlife
Rotterdam by its extremely nature is a young city. You’ll discover bars as well as clubs everywhere, as well as the when you go out at the weekend (and nights throughout the week) you’ll discover streets packed with revellers.
There’s likewise a fantastic craft beer as well as spirits scene here, so make sure you get your hands on some regional drinks. Gin originated from this city (see our next point) so expect fantastic things!
Travel tip: Rotterdam’s nightlife
If you don’t understand where to go out in Rotterdam, make for the awesome district – yes, that’s its genuine name. Bars line the streets – it’s likewise house to the city’s finest burger.
For a truly unique cocktail experience, make an visit with the physician at Dr Rotterdam. This amazing speakeasy has a medical style with a mind to cure your ailments with their magical elixirs.
You do requirement to book though – as well as be prepared for an experience like no other.
9. Schiedam
West of Rotterdam city is the historic town of Schiedam (pronounced ‘Skee-dam’). This part of the Rotterdam metropolitan area wasn’t damaged by the bombs of WWII, so the buildings right here are much older as well as more traditional.
There’s more of a canal system in Schiedam too, so there’s much more of that Amsterdam feel to the place. however it’s much friendlier as well as relaxed.
The most important thing about Schiedam though is it’s right here that gin originated. exactly how incredible is that?
Travel tip: Schiedam, its gin, windmills, festivals as well as museums
Stroll around the old streets as well as explore. This town is perfect for it.
Check to see what’s happening. Schiedam loves an excuse for a celebration or party. most weekends have something happening.
Make time to go to the Jenever museum on the canal. Gin’s precursor jenever – or ‘genever’ – came from Schiedam as well as this museum tells the story. It’s interesting as well as for a little additional money you can try a flight of jenever.
Schiedam had the largest number of windmills in the world at one point – most of them serviced the jenever distilleries.
10. The genuine Netherlands
Going off the beaten track means it’s easier to see the workings of a contemporary city in addition to experience its tourist offerings. This is simple to do in Rotterdam.
Amsterdam is so hectic as well as over-touristy (and the locals are over tourists too) however Rotterdam – even in peak season – has a peacefulness to it. A tranquility.
Travel tip: discovering the genuine Netherlands
A great deal of the time you have to prevent the tourist spots or go a couple of streets back to get away from the crowds.
In Rotterdam, if you see a crowd, go as well as have a look at what’s happening. It’ll most likely be some crazy market or some street art the locals are enjoying.
In as much as Europe is all about the history as well as the past, Rotterdam is likewise about the future as well as the community.
This sculpture was supposed to be Santa. I see gnome with a butt plug.
This bronze installation is available in two parts
11. Rotterdam is connected
Like so many European cities, Rotterdam is close to whatever – particularly by Australian standards! We were so pleased with exactly how connected this city is. inspect out these travel times:
From Rotterdam Centraal train station to:
– Schiphol worldwide Airport, Amsterdam – 20 mins
– The Hague, Holland – 24min
– Antwerp, Belgium – 32min
– Brussels, Belgium – 1h 25min
– Paris, France – 2h 35min
– Cologne, Germany – 3h 20min
Travel tip: getting to Rotterdam
It’s much better to fly into Schiphol worldwide in Amsterdam as well as get the train to Rotterdam than trying to fly direct to Rotterdam.
There are more flights, it’s cheaper, as well as it’s obviously easier as well as quicker to get to Rotterdam city from Schiphol, which is weird.
Bonus point – the Rotterdam outlook
Rotterdam loves a bit of weirdness. however within reason. These people are still Dutch after all, as well as they stick to the expression “doe maar normal, dan doe je al gek genoeg” – act normal; that’s crazy enough.
Still, the people of Rotterdam like a bit of strange street art, unusual activations as well as weird-looking architecture.
They like repurposing old stuff to produce a message as well as making new buildings art in themselves.
This mindset adds to the flavour of this unique city that blends old with new, odd with elegant as well as traditional with oblique.
There’s no city rather like Rotterdam… however I desire there were.
That’s exactly how to repurpose
Have you ever visited Rotterdam? Do you have any type of other ideas you’d like to add? What’s the most unique city you’ve visited? tell us in the comments below!
Thanks to Sara-May as well as Pat for showing us around Rotterdam! x