Take A Boat Tour Of The Europoort
Rotterdam’s massive port occupies half the city’s total area of 247 square kilometers, much of it in turn occupied by Europoort, a huge complex known as the “Gateway to Europe.” In addition to countless large freight vessels, you’ll see mile after mile of quays and storage facilities built to service the world’s busiest port.
One of the most popular sightseeing tours of the port area begins at Maeslantkering near Hoek van Holland and includes a close-up look at the city’s massive surge barrier. Evening tours are also fun, especially with Rotterdam’s most famous landmarks, including the superb Erasmus Bridge, being spectacularly illuminated.
Where To Stay In Rotterdam: Hotels Hostels And Airbnbs
Are you looking for locations and where to stay in Rotterdam? Whether its for a short visit or much longer, work related or for leisure? Read these top choices by international travellers have been in your shoes and found some great places to sleep. Whether your preferred choice is a hostel, hotel or even AirBnB theres plenty of locations to choose from.
Things To See And Do In Rotterdam Noord
Challenge the family to a round of mini-golf at Het Park.
Have a picnic or a family BBQ at Vroesenpark the kids will love the playgrounds.
Indulge in beer on tap at Cafe Anders.
Take the kids to Blijdorp Rotterdam Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands.
Browse the shops along Zwaanshals and Zaagmolenkade streets.
Go for coffee or bunch at Man Met Bril, located beneath the railway arches.
Hire bikes and cycle through this pretty neighborhood and across Erasmus Bridge.
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Kop Van Zuid: The Hip Neighbourhood
Looking to live in a place where youll find most of Rotterdams epic high-rise buildings? Kop van Zuid it is. An old abandoned shipping area turned into a hip and trendy neighbourhood, Kop van Zuid houses Rotterdams famous skyscrapers, such as De Rotterdam and Montevideo. Located right on the other side of the Erasmus Bridge, this place is ideal for younger residents.
It offers a rich cultural life, with places like the Luxor theatre, the arthouse film theatre Lantarenvenster, and the Nederlands Fotomuseum. The neighbourhood also had a role to play in Dutch history, as it used to be the departure point of the Holland-America line. Hotel New York the lines former headquarters is Rotterdams most famous hotel.
Considering all this, it probably wont surprise you that the rental prices here are quite high but the incredible views you can get may be worth the bucks.
Think this may be the neighbourhood for you to find your future home? Contact the experts at Expat Mortgage Platform to discuss your potential mortgage and the sort of prices you can expect theyre the citys experts after all!
Rotterdam Is A Futuristic City With Harbour
Rotterdam is a futuristic city with harbour. Getting along in the city needs planning. If you plan to travel by public transport, kindly note that a card named OV Chip Kaart is useful. It costs 8 and in order to use the card, additional top-up may be required. Every time, you go by public transport check-in and check-out of the card is necessary. Supermarkets like Albert Heijn and Jumbo are everywhere. Splash tours and Zoo are the points of interest for sightseeing.
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Hostel Room: The Best Place To Stay In Rotterdam For A Weekend Break
When I was first looking for where to stay in Rotterdam, I ended up Couchsurfing. Then I found Hostel ROOM. After nearly four years on the road traveling the world, I have very few reservations about staying in a hostel. Others arent always as open to the idea of these shared accommodations. For those, Hostel ROOM is the perfect place to change their opinion.
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Noordereiland: The Neighbourhood On The River
Situated in the middle of the river Maas, the neighbourhood of Noordereiland is often overlooked. This is despite its unique location Noordereiland is connected both to the city centre via Willemsbrug and to Rotterdam Zuid via De Hef. Both of these bridges are rather impressive architectural works.
Largely unaffected by the bombing of 1940, the area also features some older architecture. No matter which direction you look, youre in for some amazing views. However, be aware that the public transport options to and from the island are still a bit limited and not ideal for a daily commute . Housing prices are also more on the expensive side.
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Take The Kids To Rotterdam Zoo
Established in 1857 and one of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands, Rotterdam Zoo is well known for its successful breeding programs. Highlights of this include a number of young elephants, as well as the rare red panda, fascinating creatures to watch as they explore the large enclosures designed to resemble their natural habitats.
Natural habitats are, in fact, a priority here: the Asian section includes a swamp forest with two large aviaries for exotic birds, a Mongolian steppe, a bat cave, a Chinese garden, and numerous creatures indigenous to the region.
Also worth exploring is the zoo’s Oceanium, an excellent aquarium featuring a large collection of marine life from the Americas. And, if after your visit the kids still have energy to burn, pay a visit to Plaswijckpark. This fun family park features boat and train rides, an adventures playground, plus a petting zoo.
Address: Blijdorplaan 8, 3041 JE Rotterdam
De Stadsdriehoek Where To Stay In Rotterdam On A Budget
Youve likely seen photos of de Stadsdriehoek without even realizing it. de Stadsdriehoek means City Triangle and is comprises the area just northeast of the city centre. It was heavily bombed during WWII and as a result, is now home to modern architecture, including the often photographed Cube House Complex.
Although the Cube House is largely private residences, there is a hostel and an architecture museum in two of the units. Foodies will love the Markthal food hall, with gourmet wine and food vendors. Other attractions in this area include the Maritime Museum, Mariniers Museum and vintage barges at Oude Haven.
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Discover The Heemtuin In The Kralingse Bos
The beautiful Heemtuin is hidden in the middle of the Kralingse Bos. Here you will find all kinds of plants, trees and shrubs.
Walk across the narrow jetty through all the greenery and eventually you will arrive at the Kralingse Plas and you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the skyline of Rotterdam.
Looking for more off the beaten track places? Then read Marions article with 24 non-touristy spots in Rotterdam.
Discover Cool Vintage Shops
From the center in Rotterdam and Kralingen, to Rotterdam Noord, there are really a lot of shops that sell all kinds of beautiful vintage items.
For example, you have Dearhunter, located in a gorgeous building on the Eendrachtsweg in the Witte de Withkwartier. The store is nicely decorated with beautiful fitting rooms, cool mannequins and interesting props.
At Dearhunter they always select the most beautiful clothing, shoes, bags, sunglasses, hats and jewelry. Discover even more great vintage shops in Rotterdam!
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Courtyard City Hall Rotterdam
Photo by our blogger .
The city hall is one of the few buildings in the center of Rotterdam that is still standing after the bombing in the Second World War. Its also a building that most people have only admired from the outside.
Walk in and you will see that the city hall is a large square building with an intimate inner garden in the middle. The historic architecture and appearance of the courtyard almost make you forget that you are in Rotterdam. The fountain, statues and beautiful flowers such as roses and hydrangeas make the inner garden of Rotterdam City Hall an oasis of peace in the middle of the city.
Things To Consider When Choosing A Hotel In Rotterdam
When choosing a hotel in Rotterdam you should pay attention to only two things: the district and the time of booking.
All districts worth mentioning from a tourists perspective have been discussed in this article. You are the one person who can decide which district will be the best for you. If you want to experience the historical atmosphere of Europe, then your choice is Delfshaven if you want to live on the banks of the river canals, or a haven, choose the riverside area, and if you want to have amazing views but away from all the chaos of the city, then Kop van Zuid is perfect for you. Finally, if you want to be in the heart of the events and you are fine with crowds, certain amount of chaos, and futuristic views out of your hotel room, then book a hotel in the central district.
You should also keep in mind that there are not many hotels in Rotterdam, but the tourist flow to the city is constant, thats why it is recommended to book a hotel well in advance, or you will have to exclude Rotterdam from your itinerary, and that trust me would be a huge mistake.
See also:
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Best Airbnb In Delfshaven: Designed Room In The Heart Of Rotterdam
This comfortable private room built in an architectural award winning complex comes with a bathroom and a toilet, and also has access to a roof patio. Located in an urban area in the heart of Rotterdam, its ideal for those who want to visit the best of the city. You will definitely feel cosy and home, and will have access to tea, coffee and a TV including Netflix.
Tour To Laurenskerk Tower
You must visit the St. Laurence Church and, if youre traveling to Rotterdam between April and October, you must take your experience to a higher level. One of the coolest things to do in Rotterdam is to climb the St. Laurence Church tower and have an impressive view of the city. The tour happens every Wednesday and Saturday, but you cant book it in advance. Our recommendation is to stop by the church reception and ask about the tour timetable and buy your ticket. While climbing the 300 steps, you can admire the churchs gothic architecture, see the biggest organ in the Netherland with 7600 pipes, and have a 360 view on the city center.
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Explore The Art Collections Of Museum Boijmans
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, one of the Netherlands’ most important art centers, is known for its superb collections of paintings, sculptures, and applied and decorative arts from across the continent.
Painters of the 14th to 16th centuries are particularly well represented, with works by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, Hieronymus Bosch, and Pieter Bruegel the Elder. The 17th century is represented by Rembrandt and Rubens , while later centuries are represented by Monet, Gauguin, and Van Gogh. Modern painters represented include Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall.
For a truly memorable experience, check into tickets for the museum’s occasional opening of the “depot.” This unique event allows public access to the museum’s storage areas, allowing a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a gallery’s workings and rarely seen artworks.
Address: Museumpark 18, 3015 CX Rotterdam
Get Your Art Fix At Kunsthal Rotterdam
Another example of the city’s modern-yet-functional architecture is the Rotterdam Kunsthal, or Art Hall. This trendy gallery opened in 1992 and hosts a variety of constantly changing exhibits of visual arts, design, architecture, and culture from across the globe.
Another gallery of note is the Chabot Museum, which features the works of Dutch painter and sculptor Henk Chabot. It’s housed in a superb white villa built in 1938.
Those with an interest in photography should plan on visiting the Netherlands Photo Museum . Highlights include a broad collection of historical images by a number of Dutch photographers.
Address: Museumpark, Westzeedijk 341, 3015 AA Rotterdam
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Rotterdam Is An Interesting City Since It Has A Very
Rotterdam is an interesting city, since it has a very different vibe in comparison with other Dutch cities. The restaurants possibilities and the range of shops are plenty. There are several musea and it is so much fun to take a watertaxi to travel from spot to spot.Don’t forget to visit The Park to have a green getaway from the urban city center .Go for a nice breakfast at ‘Altijd in de buurt’ or for a good lunch at ‘Baker and Moore’.Have a shared diner at ‘Dodo’ and finish with drinks at the waterside at Appartt at the Old Port . Rotterdam is a city that is very walkable.
- From $96 per night8.5Very Good1,321 reviews
We really enjoyed our stay in this hotel, the room was clean and large, with facilities like a fridge, a Nespresso machine and a kettle. The hotel services were very useful , luggage lockers, etc., and the staff kind and helpful.Location and surroundings are great, as the hotel is near Blaak station, from were we leave for our little trips . Rotterdam is in my heart because I used to live there, so the hotel gave me the opportunity to be in the city center and make me feel at home.
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Thon Hotel Rotterdam City Centre
I had to spend 4 days in Rotterdam during a work visit with some colleagues. We had chosen the Thon Hotel close to the water based on the location. We all had fantastic spacious rooms with desk areas, and a view of the Rotterdam Erasmusbrug. Shower and bathroom area very modern too! Was great to see it at night from the bedroom, with plenty of privacy from any other buildings.
Since we were out the whole day for work, the buffet breakfast was a delicious start to the day. Plenty of choice and all seemed very fresh. There seemed to be high standards of cleaning too as we didnt see a piece of food out of place!
On our last day with free time we explored the city, easy by foot from this hotel. But we did see a tram right outside. Id love to bring my wife one day to Rotterdam, but for now and with work colleagues it was a great choice!
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Hofplein Train Station Rooftop
After youve had your lovely hummus quinoa bean falafel potato herb burger, walk over to the old Hofplein train station to enjoy the view with a beer. This station is built on top of the old train tracks, where you will find a little garden growing herbs, fruits, veggies, and other plants. In summer you might even stumble upon an event.
Rotterdam is planning to convert all the old Hofplein train tracks into a 1.2 km long park, just like they did in New York. If you always had the desire to walk over train tracks without being hit, this is your chance! This station is connected to the famous yellow pedestrian bridge de Luchtsingel, which also connects to the Biergarten.
Shop Till You Drop At Cool District
Yep, Rotterdam has a district called Cool, and at this cool place, you can some cool things to do in Rotterdam, like finding shopping malls, international and local brands. If you are looking for different gifts to take home stop by Rotterdam Tourist Information Office at Coolsingle Street and youll find a plethora of unique and artistic products all made in Rotterdam.
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A Few Tips To Choose The Right Neighbourhood For You
Even though Rotterdam is not a huge city, it has a lot to offer to every traveler. If some quick tips for choosing the best neighbourhood to stay in is what you need, follow along to get help to make a choice.
If you are a solo traveler, better opt for Centrum. Here youll always find things to do, be close to all the action and will be surrounded by many other travelers like you. When traveling with your soulmate, Rotterdam Noord, Kralingen-Crooswijk and Delfshaven will give you the most romantic surroundings.
For those traveling as a family, Rotterdam Noord, Kralingen-Crooswijk and Delfshaven will be the best neighbourhoods to choose from.
If your visit is short, stay in Centrum or Rotterdam Noord, while for a longer stay Rotterdam Noord and Delfshaven will be a better fit.
When traveling on a budget, look for rentals in Centrum, Delfshaven and Rotterdam Noord. For an upscale experience, dont hesitate to choose between Kralingen-Crooswijk and Kop van Zuid & Katendrecht.
The most of Rotterdams nightlife is clustered in Centrum, so if partying is your game, stay here to be close to all the action. For a quiet stay, choose Rotterdam Noord, Delfshaven or Kralingen-Crooswijk. To experience the most authentic Rotterdam, stay in Delfshaven or Rotterdam Noord.
Foodies will be gladdened by any of the recommended neighbourhoods, but even the most picky ones will be surprised by the choices in Kop van Zuid & Katendrecht and Rotterdam Noord.
Things To See And Do In The Cool District
Stroll the streets and admire the funk street art, from a top-hatted man to a topless woman.
Take part in a classic Rotterdam pub crawl.
Have a drink at Ferry Store.
Suss out at the vibe at Café KeerWeer, a trendy gay bar.
Enjoy Shisha and tapas at Tapas Club.
Savor a gin and tonic at Ballroom, a trendy gin bar.
Watch a show at de Rotterdamse Schouwburg theatre.
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Admire The Street Art All Across Rotterdam
Street art door Telmo Miel & Smug in Afrikaanderwijk.
In Rotterdam, theres actually no need to spend money to enjoy art, because there is plenty of art to explore on the streets. If youre a street art lover, youll definitely love our city.
Next to well-known spots, such as the street art around the Hofbogen by Opperclaes that changes four times a year, there are also lesser known spots in our city where you can find street art. This makes it so fun to roam around our city and find pieces of art in unexpected places.
Want to discover more cool murals in Rotterdam? Then check out our article about cool street art in Rotterdam!