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Rotterdam - A walk trough the city

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Discover The Netherlands' second largest city on a personal level, guided by me!

This page provides you with a walking tour in the city of Rotterdam. The tour is described and I will tell you all about the places and sights it brings you to. Lots of extra trivial information is provided, so you will definitely learn some new stuff here to both get you inspired and able to show off to your friends. 

Most non-EU foreigners who visit The Netherlands only get to see Amsterdam, and maybe if they're lucky and have the time, the tulips in the Keukenhof. But did you know, Rotterdam is only a 40 minute train trip away from Amsterdam Airport?

I made my walking tour on Google Maps, so there will be a link to Google Maps somewhere here where you can view my map in full scale and see all the details. 

A quick overview of contents

  1. Rotterdam is something else
  2. Here is the Route on Google Maps
  3. Start of the tour
  4. On to the Schouwburgplein
  5. Time for some shopping
  6. Rotterdam Walking Tour Equipment
  7. The Hoogstraat
  8. Grotemarkt (Grand Market) and Rotterdam Library
  9. Graffiti
  10. The Glass Waterfall - Can you see why?
  11. On to the waterfront
  12. The Erasmus Bridge
  13. Holland - America line and Hotel New York
  14. Did you know?
  15. Top 5 Highest Buildings in Rotterdam
  16. Wilhelminaplein Subway Station
  17. Museumpark and Witte de With
  18. Witte de With restaurants
  19. Pick your guide
  20. Enjoy the view in the Euromast
  21. Some smashing Trivia about the Euromast
  22. Traveling on a Budget?
  23. Dinner and a cruise
  24. Historical Delfshaven
  25. Delfshaven in photos
  26. Back to the Central Station
  27. Hotels in Rotterdam
  28. Rotterdam Hotels on Google Maps
  29. Were you inspired?
  30. Hey There! Say Hi!

Rotterdam is something else

If you have seen Amsterdam and are ready for something else, and I mean really something else, Rotterdam is absolutely the place to be.

Rotterdam is a modern industrial city and home to the largest sea port in Europe (and second largest sea port in the world!). This feature has formed the city's looks and ambience in a lot of ways. Especially when walking along the docks, you can see all the maritime characteristics. Visit the Maritime Museum, which reflects the local maritime history as well as a more broadened view on this subject.

As Rotterdam has been destroyed for the most part during WW II, it has been rebuilt since the 1940s and 1950s which makes it no effort to spot the most amazing architecture all around the city. Rotterdam is also known for it's multicultural inhabitants and cultural expressions. The Boijmans van Beuningen museum, as an example, has an outstanding modern art collection. Rotterdam has been the Cultural Capital of Europe in 2001.

Here is the Route on Google Maps

Click the link below for a larger version in Google Maps

Larger version

Start of the tour

Rotterdam Central Station

Arriving by train from Amsterdam, the first steps you will set outside the station in Rotterdam will probably give you a shock. This is totally not what you expected to see in Holland! The Rotterdam Central Station is currently being totally renovated and will become looking very futuristic. From where you're standing - in the middle of a huge construction site with loud noises and big tower cranes swinging around you - you get a first glimpse of what this city has got to offer you. You are standing right in front of the Millennium Tower, the third highest building in Rotterdam. Watching it's glass walls reflecting the sunlight, now you know why Rotterdam is sometimes called "Manhattan by the Maas".

But there are much more surprises this city is waiting to give you. So let's start walking.

Image: Wikipedia.

On to the Schouwburgplein

A theatre for street artists.

Crossing the Weena street, we are going to sneek around the amazingly large insurance company building called De Delftse Poort. Most of the time it's quite windy and gusty out here in the shadow of this skyscraper, so I hope you are dressed for this kind of weather.
We arrive at the Schouwburgplein. As the name says it (schouwburg means theatre, plein means square), the city theatre is located here. There is also a large cinema, opposite to the theatre.

In 1996, the square has been totally redecorated Adriaan Geuze, a famous Dutch architect. He used extraordinary materials in the square such as epoxy, rubber and metal. Giant red moving light masts now decorate the square and you can rest your feet on one of the big wooden benches stretching the length of the square. In summer, street artists give away their shows on the square and there are some water ornaments. The architect wanted it to be a stage, therefore the Schouwburgplein is heightened from street level.

Image: Wikipedia.

Time for some shopping

Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse

Now, let's dive into the real shopping heart of Rotterdam. The Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse - often referred to as the "Koopgoot", which means as much as "buying gutter" by locals as it lies below street level - are both great for shopping as all the well known stores are here, and cars are not allowed in these streets.

Though the shops are quite mainstream, shopping can be quite expensive here because of the Euro. Better keep an eye on your saldo. And your wallet, as pickpocketing is a common thing here.

Walking through the Beurstraverse, we end up in the Hoogstraat.

Image: Wikipedia.

Rotterdam Walking Tour Equipment

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The Hoogstraat

Walk along Rotterdams oldest street and eat a stroopwafel.

The Hoogstraat is something special. It is probably the oldest street in Rotterdam. Before the bombings in WW II, it ran through the city up to the Dam by the Rotte, the river the city is named after.

You can find the Schielandshuis here, which is one of the oldest buildings in the city and is part of the Historical Museum. It dates from 1665 and is the only seventeenth century building left in the city center.

Also in the Hoogstraat, you can eat the best Stroopwafels in town. Be sure to buy one, as they cost only around EUR 1,00 and taste extremely well, especially when doing a city walk. Stroopwafels are so good, I made a lens about them!

With a tasteful warm stroopwafel in our hands, let's walk along towards the end of the Hoogstraat. There are some nice antique and spiritual shops here too.

Image: Wikipedia.

Grotemarkt (Grand Market) and Rotterdam Library

Feel the ambience at the market in the presence of a million books.

Now we've arrived at the Grotemarkt (Grand Market), which holds, as the name says it, a town market. This market always has a good ambience to it. It feels good to just walk around when it's there.

Located next to the Grotemarkt is the city's library. Though the library really deserves his own special lens, I will keep it short for now. They keep over a million books in this library, but that's not what it makes it so special.

The architecture is. Hard to describe, it is best to just look at the image below, or better, visit the building in real life. It is sometimes referred to as "the glass waterfall". A neon sign on one of the walls says: "the whole world is my homeland".

Image: Wikipedia.

Graffiti

In the Netherlands, Rotterdam is among other things known for it's crime and graffiti.

The Glass Waterfall - Can you see why? 

On to the waterfront

We are surely getting our muscles warmed up now!

As we proceed are walk, we pass the Yellow Cube houses on the Blaak, on which I will not spend too much words because they speak for themselves - people do live in them, though.

Walking towards the Willems Bridge, there is the Rotterdam Art Academy to our right hand.

We walk all the way to the Boompjes, over the Willems Bridge and down to the waterfront. We have a nice view there of the Erasmus Bridge. Also, we are now standing next to Waterfront, a tiny pop stage/dance hall I used to frequent myself when I was younger!

Some facts about the Boompjes Kade:

Image: Wikipedia.

The Erasmus Bridge

Let's take a closer look at "The Swan" and ride it's back, too!

The Erasmus Bridge is, after the Willems Bridge, the second bridge to cross the New Maas river. It is built to link the "Kop van Zuid" quarter to the north part of the city center. Daily traffic is very busy on the bridge. There are two driving lanes, tram rails as well as two bike lanes and side walks.

The bridge was designed by Ben van Berkel and finished in 1996.

It's beautiful and we are lucky today as we are going to cross it twice!

Image: Wikipedia.

Holland - America line and Hotel New York

After we walked over the bridge and took some nice pictures of it, let's see what the other side of the river has got to offer us.

On the Wilhelminakade, some very interesting buildings are located that deserve a visit. The first is Hotel New York. This elegant building with it's Jugendstil features and little towers is the former office building of the Holland Amerika Lijn. Since 1993 it is a hotel. It is also a very charming place for drinks or coffee.

Also located on the very end of the Wilhelminakade stands the tall building of the World Port Center, next to the tallest building in Rotterdam: Montevideo. Read more about these two buildings in the Top 5 Highest buildings section on this lens.

Image: Wikipedia.

Did you know?

Rotterdam is sometimes lovingly referred to as "Manhattan by the Maas". The top 5 highest buildings in Rotterdam.

  • #5 World Port Center - This building, counting 124,00 meters high, takes in a prominent position in the scenery of Rotterdam, as it is located directly next to the Erasmus bridge. The top of the building provides room for a calamities coordination center, focused on the harbour of Rotterdam.

  • #4 The Red Apple - The name of this bright red, odd shaped building was, of course with a hint to New York, inspired by the apples that used to be shipped into the Wijnhaven, where this building is located. It reaches 127,10 meters.

  • #3 Millenniumtoren - The Dutch Milennium Tower is 131,05 meters high and it's residents are a hotel and many offices. It is located next to the central train station in Rotterdam.

  • #2 De Delftse Poort- reaching 151,35 meters high, this buidling is the home of Rotterdams first insurance company, Nationale Nederlanden.

  • #1 Montevideo - 15 meters higher - 151,50 meters including the big M on the top - than De Delftse Poort, Montevideo was finished in 2005 and is since then the highest building in Holland. There has been a big fuss about this building as it dramatically changed the skyline of Rotterdam and the view of the city from the water. The skyscraper is built on the Kop van Zuid and has a luxurious pent house in it's top floors, with what is said to be the best view in Holland.


    • Credits to top010.nl for information and photos.

    Top 5 Highest Buildings in Rotterdam

    #1 Montevideo, standing right next to the old Hotel New York.

    #1 Montevideo, standing right next to the old Hotel New York.

    #1 Montevideo, standing right next to the old Hotel New York.
    #2 De Delftse Poort.
    #3 The Dutch Millennium Tower.
    #4 The odd shaped building called "The Red Apple".
    #5 The World Port Center buidling on the Wilhelminakade.

    Wilhelminaplein Subway Station

    When sun isn't out and it's windy on the Erasmus bridge, we can also take the subway back to the city center. The Wilhelminaplein subway station is well worth a visit, because of it's spectacular design.

    The tube will take us to the other side of the Erasmus bridge.

    Image: Rotterdams.punt.nl.

    Museumpark and Witte de With

    We're back on the north side of the river New Maas. In the introduction to my lens, I already mentioned the Boijmans van Beuningen museum. It is an excellent museum well worth a visit. And: No entry fees on Wednesday!

    The museum holds an amazing collection of modern art, as well as ever changing expositions. Visit the Boijmans website for current expositions.

    Next to the museum is Witte de Withstraat, which is full of nice and charming multicultural restaurants. Well known not only by locals is Bazar, a very reasonably priced "world food" restaurant, located in a monumental building, which is also a very special hotel.

    If you like art galleries, Witte de With is also the place to be.

    Witte de With restaurants

    Olivia
    A modern, stylish Italian restaurant.
    Bazar
    Mostly African, but all kinds of "world food" in a unique setting.
    Het Gelagh De Boer Buyten
    Enjoy your typical Dutch meals - with a small hint to the Dutch Antilles - in a comfy and cosy livingroom-like setting.
    Opa
    Opa means Grandfather. Opas are all around you in this place: on the walls and behind the bar. Opa serves typical Dutch meals.
    Toko 94
    Tropical food, according to their "Tokology".
    Mister Noodle
    A Vietnamese restaurant.
    Koosie
    Popular among the locals, Koosie has a relaxed ambience and serves Dutch meals.
    Met de Franse slag
    French food in a Dutch setting.
    Nazar
    Turkish restaurant. Serves good food for a reasonable price.
    Olympia
    Stylish Greek restaurant.
    Gusto
    Modern Italian food, not open at lunch time.
    Panda
    All you can eat - in style.
    Eendracht
    A nice and quiet, intimate ambience in this up scale restaurant.
    Shabu Shabu
    Japanese specialties for a fixed price.

    Pick your guide

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    Enjoy the view in the Euromast

    After a walk through the Museum Park, a place where college students from Erasmus and Hogeschool Rotterdam like to hang out, let's climb the Euromast! By elevator, that is.

    It has a restaurant in the top and of course it gives us the most beautiful view of the city.

    The Euromast is the highest tower in The Netherlands, open to the public. It was built in 1960. The tower is funded by a big block of concrete that weighs over a million kilograms.

    Image: Wikipedia.

    Some smashing Trivia about the Euromast

    • The Euromast is 186 meters high.
    • It was built in 1960.
    • A Space Tower was built on top of it in 1970, to make the Euromast the highest building in The Netherlands again.
    • There is a miniature version of the tower displayed in Madurodam in The Hague.

    Traveling on a Budget?

    Find your guide on Ebay

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    Dinner and a cruise

    The Pannenkoekenboot is one of my favorite things to do in Rotterdam.

    Let me tell you why.

    First of all, Dutch pancakes are extremely tastful! Unlike American pancakes, they're thin so you can eat lots of them. And that's exactly why the Pannenkoekenboot (pancake boat) is so cool: You can eat as many pancakes as you like!

    While cruising the Maas river:

    • pancakes are baked full time

    • Dutch folk music is played

    • children can play in the ball pool belowdecks

    • you can choose whatever kind of toppings you like on your pancakes

    • drinks are being served

    • you can sit back, rest your feet, eat some more pancakes and enjoy the view!


    Well, I think this gives you enough reasons to hop on the Pannenkoekenboot and go! It sails off several times every day and takes you on a 1,5 our trip.

    Image: Bibliotheek Gytsjerk.

    Historical Delfshaven

    The end of our tour through the city of Rotterdam.

    After our pancake cruise, our bellies bloated, let's stretch our legs again and take it easy for the last part of the tour.

    It takes us to historical Delfshaven.

    Delfshaven is an old part of Rotterdam. There used to be a small harbour there in the fourteenth century (haven means harbour), where the import of products for the city of Delft could take place. Some historical sights are still here to see, such as a windmill, called "De Distilleerketel", though it's rebuilt after being destroyed in 1940, and an old church called Pelgrimvaderskerk, of which the base was built as early as 1417.

    The Bed & Breakfast Delfshaven is known to be a very nice an friendly place to stay. Let Jasper and Eveline take care of you while you are resting your feet from this amazing city tour.

    Delfshaven in photos

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    Back to the Central Station

    If you are traveling back to the Central Station, our starting point, just head out to the nearest subway station in Delfshaven and the tube will take you there in less than five minutes.

    Hotels in Rotterdam

    I selected some of the nicest and not too expensive hotels for you in Rotterdam. Have a look!

    Bed & Breakfast Delfshaven
    Nice relaxed stay in historic Delfshaven. Room prices starting at EUR 80.
    A Small Hotel
    Located in the Witte de Withstraat, A Small Hotel is for 'Highly Individual Persons' who like to stay close to the art and cultural scene of Rotterdam.
    Hotel Baan
    Located right in the heart of Rotterdam, has got really good reviews and isn't expensive.
    Hotel Van Walsum
    This friendly hotel on the Mathenesserlaan recieved really good reviews by their guests. Room rates start at EUR 80.

    Rotterdam Hotels on Google Maps

    Google Maps found all the Hotels in Rotterdam for you

    Here is a link to the map so you can find your perfect spot in the city as a home base for all your shopping and sightseeing adventures.

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