'Manhattan on the Meuse' is what Rotterdam is also called. This is because of the beautiful skyline of Rotterdam. Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands. The port of Rotterdam is in the top 5 largest ports in the world and is the largest port in Europe. Rotterdam is the architecture city of the Netherlands. Everything is continuously renewed. There is plenty to do in Rotterdam, enjoy a bite to eat, shop, visit museums, sightseeing, and much more!
Discover with us:
What not to miss?
Market Hall
At the Market Hall, you have all the small markets in a covered building. There are around 100 markets with fresh food, 15 food stores, and several more restaurants. Underneath the building is another supermarket and a parking garage.
The design of the inside of the Market Hall is beautiful. The inside of the building is completely decorated with a work of art. This gives the building a cozy and cozy atmosphere. The artwork is called Horn of plenty by Arno Coenen.
The Market Hall is combined with apartments. The apartments are arranged in a horseshoe shape around the market.
Fenix Food Factory
The Fenix Food Factory is a fresh food market. The market is an indoor market. It is not just any food you can buy here, but authentic and traditional products.
You can think of freshly made bread here, but also, for example, home-brewed cider or other homemade products.
On the waterfront is a terrace where you can enjoy the sunset over the Meuse River. At this terrace is also a delicious range of beers brewed by the Kaapse Brouwers.
Deli Square
Deli Square is a city square in Rotterdam. The square is full of restaurants, cafes, and delicious lunchrooms.
You can also find all kinds of stores in the square. And The Fenix Food Factory and the theater Walhalla are also located there. In short, a square full of fun things to do!
The square also regularly hosts festivals.
The Euromast
An observation tower as high as 185 meters, the Euromast. It is the highest watchtower in the Netherlands.
From the Euromast you get a great view of the city and the port of Rotterdam. You can reach the watchtower by elevator.
At 100 meters height, there is a restaurant, where you can have a snack.
It is also possible to stay overnight on the Euromast. There are several suites available so you can admire the city from the most beautiful view. And when you wake up see a beautiful sunrise.
The New Institute
The New Institute is a museum focused on design, architecture, and digital culture. It deals with developments in society.
You visit "the museum of the future," so to speak. In the museum, you will discover that everything is designed by experimenting and designing new things yourself.
The New Institute has several exhibition spaces, a museum café, a museum store, a library and study room, a garden, an auditorium, and educational spaces.
What else to visit?
The Rotterdam
The Rotterdam is an example of a building based on architecture. From the building, you have a magnificent view of the city of Rotterdam.
The three connected towers form a "vertical city" of apartments, a hotel, offices, restaurants, stores, a gym, and parking. The towers are almost 150 meters high.
The Kunsthal
The Kunsthal organizes various temporary exhibitions based on different cultures and art movements. Thus, it has no fixed offer, but different collections all the time.
The offerings at the Kunsthal range from the 20th century to the art movements of the present. There are exhibitions on photography, fashion, cultures, and design of the different eras.
About 25 exhibitions take place each year.
The Maritime Museum
The Maritime Museum is a museum port. It is one of the oldest and largest museum ports in the Netherlands.
Several historic ships and cranes are displayed in this museum. You will go back in time and learn more about how the port in Rotterdam came into existence.
The Witte de Withstraat
The Witte de Withstraat is the hippest and liveliest cultural street in Rotterdam.
It is a street known for its coziness, nightlife, and art scene.
The street is full of nice restaurants, cafes, art galleries, various stores, and monuments. Because of this, the street has a great atmosphere!
Rotterdamexplore
If you go to Rotterdam, it is also possible to see all these sights by booking a tour with a Tour Operator. With a tour, you also get explanations about the sights, how nice is that!
We recommend Rotterdamexplore! You can find the tour operator on Instagram by clicking this link Rotterdamexplore! Rotterdamexplore offers sightseeing tours, bike tours, and walking tours!
If you want to hear the best stories of Rotterdam, book the tour by Rotterdamexplore now!
For more information about the tours and for booking a tour, we direct you to the website. Here is the link https://rotterdamexplore.nl/.
How to travel there?
By train
Getting to Rotterdam by train is quick and easy. There are Intercity trains all day long from all corners of the Netherlands that stop at Rotterdam Central. From Rotterdam Central, you are almost directly in the center of Rotterdam.
From Belgium and France, the best way to get there is by Thalys, which runs 10 times a day. From Antwerp, it will take about 32 minutes. From Brussels about 1 hour and Paris about 3 hours.
From the United Kingdom, you can go directly to Rotterdam by Eurostar. From London, this will take about 3 hours.
By car
Rotterdam is easily accessible by car via the A4, A13, A15, A16, and A20 freeways. The exits towards Rotterdam are signposted along the roads.
By Boat
Rotterdam is a port city, so it can be reached by boat.
From the United Kingdom, you can travel to Rotterdam by ferry via P&O Ferries and Stena Line. These offer regular ferry services.
De Jong tours provide a shuttle service between Rotterdam Europoort and the city.
By Plane
Rotterdam has its airport, namely Rotterdam The Hague Airport. More and more European cities have flights directly to the airport in Rotterdam.
From the airport, it's about 10 to 15 minutes by car to Rotterdam city. You can also take a bus to Rotterdam city, which will take about 20 to 25 minutes.
When to travel there?
The best time to visit Rotterdam is during the spring and summer seasons. During this season the temperature is the most pleasant and there is the least precipitation.
In the summer from June to September, it is around 20 degrees or warmer. It can also get into the 30 degrees. In July and August, it does begin to rain again and most festivals take place during these months.
In the fall of October and November, it is about 10-12 degrees. It rains a lot during this period.
Winter from December to February is the coldest period in Rotterdam. January is the coldest month. Temperatures can drop well below zero with snowfall. Most days in the winter season it is around 3-5 degrees.
In spring from March to May the temperature slowly starts to rise. It averages 13 to 15 degrees. Spring is when the flowers start blooming again and is the perfect season if you like nature to visit the city.
Average costs
Alone you spend around 121 euros per day.
Alone you spend around 849 euros per week.
With two people you spend around 1,679 euros per week.
With two people, you spend around 3,394 euros per 2 weeks.
Only for accommodation do you spend around 62 euros per night.
With two people, the cost of accommodation is around 123 euros per night.
In one day you spend about 43 euros on meals and 20 euros on local transport.
Where to eat?
Below are the top 3 hotspots in Rotterdam to eat. In the hotspots, you will not spend too much money, but you will eat something special!
Parkcafé Parqiet in Rotterdam
The restaurant has a great atmosphere, especially in summer. The park is located under the Euromast and takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.
The park is full of chairs where you can sit and enjoy. The park is mostly home to local entrepreneurs which makes it even more fun. You can choose what you want to eat!
Little V
Little V is a Vietnamese restaurant, where you can all share small dishes. A great place to go with a group!
Because you can order so many small dishes, you can almost taste the whole menu!
There are typical Vietnamese dishes on the menu but also dishes with other influences.
Don't forget to make a reservation! It is a very popular restaurant, and without a reservation, there is little chance of getting a seat.
Foodhallen
Of course, don't forget the Foodhallen! The Foodhallen is full of restaurants that all serve something different. You can choose whatever you feel like because the choice is huge!
Events
Kingsland Festival Rotterdam
Kingsland Festival Rotterdam is the which takes place in the second largest city in the Netherlands. Every year on April 27 it is time to celebrate the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. On Kings Day you can choose from 4 big Kingsland festivals that take place simultaneously in 4 different cities in the Netherlands.
It is a super big festival that attracts a lot of people. It is a festival where people come dressed in the colors of the flag of the Netherlands and orange. It is a festival that is all about celebrating the Netherlands and having fun.
Rotterdam Rave Festival
The Rotterdam Rave Festival is a techno festival in the middle of Rotterdam. The festival has been taking place in Rotterdam for years. This year is the 10th anniversary of the festival.
Every time other cool artists perform at the festival. It is a very famous festival and there are a lot of people coming to the festival.
TikTak festival
Tiktak festival offers a crossover between urban, hip-hop, house, R&B, pop, and moombahton. The most popular Dutch artists always perform.
With New Years’ Eve Tiktak always goes extra big with multiple editions in different cities in the Netherlands at the same time, including Rotterdam.
It is a very popular festival especially because of the artists that perform there!
This is the end of the Rotterdam guide. We believe that this article will you help by planning your trip. Rotterdam is a beautiful city and we are sure you will be amazed by it. We also have other places for you to explore, see our guides to Aarhus, Copenhagen, and Belgium! Do not forget to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be always updated on the new releases.