City Break Idea: Rotterdam City Guide

Rotterdam travel information, including attractions, accommodation, nightlife and getting there.

Rotterdam, the Netherlands’s second largest city, is undoubtedly the place to go for a true refelction of modern Holland. Explore it now with our great online travel guide and tourist information.

The centre of Rotterdam was bombed by the Germans at the beginning of World War Two and completely destroyed.

In rebuilding, Dutch town planners taught their contemporaries in Britain a thing or two. As you would expect from a large city – population 600,000 – the centre has a fantastic shopping district, packed with all the usual chain stores that are so ubiquitous in the UK. But there are also plenty of smaller independent stores to be found, too, offering unique fashions at an affordable price.

Rotterdam is also home to one of the largest markets in Europe, too. On Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Tuesdays, a large market is held at Binnenrotte, the largest market square in the Netherlands. Visitors can buy fresh meat, fish and vegetables as well as plenty of clothes and other common market staples.

Rotterdam is a living, breathing Dutch city, not, as like much of Amsterdam, given over to catering to the whims of tourists from the US and Europe. The bars are one hundred percent authentic, catering to locals needs and tastes, but thankfully, due to the Dutch mastery of the English language, you can get by easily without running in to difficulty. Note: despite a mastery of English better than most Brits, the locals truly appreciate it if you attempt even a smattering of Dutch in conversation.

The food in Rotterdam is fantastic, too. Perhaps due to the fact that the Dutch are, on average, the tallest people in the world, food portions are often generous: ideal after a day pounding the streets sightseeing.

While out and out tourist restaurants are rare, there are plenty of fast-food outlets and kebab shops to sample, if you are that way inclined. If not, try fashionable eateries such as Stroom, in the heart of the The Creative Factory - the newest creative hub in Rotterdam, where startup company’s and well established companies innovate and grow. For lunch try the restaurant at the top of Euromast tower. The food is surprisingly good considering its prime location, and modestly priced to boot.

Rotterdam Attractions: Architecture

While you will not find the leafy canals that are synonymous with Amsterdam in the centre of Rotterdam, what you will find is a nicely laid out centre, plenty of wide avenues complete with cycle lanes, and some of the best modern architecture in Europe.

Thanks to the building of some fantastic skyscrapers over the last decade or so, the city centre has a distinctive skyline. Away from the centre, too though, in the old port districts Kop van Zuid and the Lloydkwartier, both up and coming areas packed with stylish re-developments of old port buildings and towering residential and commercial skyscrapers.

The Erasmus Bridge, opened in 1996, is a good symbol of the city’s architectural dynamism, but it also serves as an improved connection between the southerly old port area and the northerly city centre.

Nearby you’ll also find the The Kubus or cube homes, famed throughout the Netherlands. Designed by Piet Blom, whose idea was to design a kind of village within a big city, a safe oasis where various functions could come to fruition. The cube shaped homes are architecturally unique and can only be really appreciated after viewing one from the inside. The KijkKubus is the fully furnished museum home in the Blaakse Bos. The interior was specially designed to give visitors an impression of how you can live in a cube home. Models, photo panels and screens offer additional information.

To best appreciate the city’s skyline, however and to help you get your bearings and appreciate the sheer size of the port, a visit up the Euromast tower at the edge of Het Park is highly recommended.

Constructed between 1958 and 1960 and designed by H.A. Maaskant, it is a concrete tower that was originally 101 metres (331 ft) in height. In 1970 the ‘Space Tower’ was added giving an additional 85 metres (279 ft). If you have a head for heights you can take a seated glass lift to the top of the Space Tower. The seats slowly rotate so you get a full 360 degree view of the city and port below.

If you are uncomfortable with heights, or get a little claustrophobic at the thought of being trapped in a revolving green house 200ft above the ground, then I would probably recommend you pass on this experience – the lift travels up and down the tower quite slowly and you can only look out at the world below! Euromast prices: €8.30 Adults, €5.40 children.

Museums in Rotterdam

Lovers of art will not be disappointed by Rotterdam. The city boasts a plethora of museums and galleries and at any one time there are countless exhibitions taking place throughout the city. Some of the best museums include:

The Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, specialises in art and has a regular list of exhibitions. Until 13th January, 2008, the museum plays host to Surreal Things: Surrealism and Design, featuring works by the likes of Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte and Max Ernst. From 16th February to 25th May, 2008 the museum plays host to Dutch Primitives: Paintings from the late Middle Ages, which features many early Dutch masterpieces. Visit: for latest listings

The Kunsthall, designed by controversial designer Rem Koolhaus, displays culture in the broadest sense of the word: traditional art, new art, design and photography, from elitist to popular. The exhibition hall houses some 25 exhibitions annually, and the subjects -ranging from Oriental flying carpets to mammoths – are certainly eclectic, but well worth exploring.

The Netherlands Photo Museum is also a must-do for those visiting the southern area of the city. The museum holds changing photo exhibitions from around the world, including some iconic images from the 20th century.

At the tip of Leuvehaven, in the old port district is the Maritime Museum Rotterdam. Detailing the history of the port, check out cranes, steamships and more for free and from April 2008 the 19th century ‘man o war’ De Buffel reopens after extensive renovation.

Rotterdam Nightlife

There is a saying in the Netherlands that money is made in Rotterdam, distributed in The Hague and spent in Amsterdam. Fuelled no doubt by its massive port – the largest in Europe and second only to Shanghai in terms of world port rankings - Rotterdam has a reputation as a working city.

But in recent years the city has spent time cultivating its fun side. Rotterdam has the youngest population in the Netherlands and if you like clubbing, particularly of the techno/electro variety then there are few better places to go. The city’s clubs and bars have a young, edgy, unique vibe about them and experimentation with different styles and sounds seems to be foremost in organiser’s minds; you won’t find the soulless chain pubs and clubs of your typical UK high street here, thankfully.

If nightlife with a difference appeals, then Worm, located in the historic East India Company building at Delfshaven – the historic port area - will appeal. Check out www.wormweb.nl to find out more.

Back in the city centre, other popular club nights include Catwalk (Weena Zuid 33). The club, located down an old tunnel underneath the city centre specialises in the best new electro from some of Rotterdam’s hottest DJs. The place doesn’t really get going until around 2am and doesn’t stop until day-break. www.catwalkrotterdam.com

Also worth checking out is the Bootleg DJ Café (Mauritsweg 33), something of a Rotterdam institution, acting as a meeting place for producers and DJs and a magnet for new talent. www.bootlegdjcafe.com

Off_Corso, located in an old cinema building in the centre of town, is also worth checking out. Young artists show their productions whilst trendy urbanites dance until the sun comes up. Visit: www.vvv.rotterdam.nl

And don’t forget, if you love clubbing, then the FFWD Rotterdam Dance Parade held each August is an absolute must. www.ffwdfitforfreedanceparade.nl

Rotterdam Travel Information: Essentials

Cheap Flights to Rotterdam

Direct flights to Rotterdam are available via Transavia.com departing from Standsted daily. Prices from £40 one-way including taxes. www.transavia.com.

Rotterdam is easily reachable from Amsterdam however, with a journey time from Schiphol Airport of less than 50 minutes. Flights to Amsterdam are available from: easyJet.com, Ba.com and KLM.

Transfer from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport: From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol you can take the train to Rotterdam Central Station, direct trains depart every 30 minutes with a journey time of 47 minutes. Cost of one way ticket is 10,20

Rotterdam by Boat

From the UK you can reach Rotterdam easily by boat. In Hook of Holland, the Stena Line from Harwich docks; travellers can be at Rotterdam Central Station within half an hour. P&O Northsea Ferries from Hull arrives on the Maasvlakte, where a direct bus to Rotterdam is ready and waiting for foot passengers. Once in Rotterdam, the Fast Ferry brings you to the surrounding 'Drecht' cities. A water taxi offers you the opportunity to travel easily within the cityscape seen from the water.

Rotterdam Tourist Information: website: www.rotterdam.info

Visit Holland:http://www.holland.com/uk
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Rotterdam

Bilderberg Parkhotel, a delightful hotel situated in the centre of the city, close to all amenities. Features a fantastic buffet breakfast. www.parkhotelrotterdam.nl

Hilton Rotterdam: Located off Hofplein square, the Hilton Rotterdam hotel is at the heart of the city's business and shopping areas. www.rotterdam.hilton.com

One for romantics and eccentrics alike in the middle of this city is this quirky hotel with themed rooms. Choose from Middle Eastern, South American and African. Check out the website to choose which room you like best – keep and eye out for the monster wooden bath! www.hotelbazar.nl.