If you're planning a trip to Netherlands, you should really consider making your way to Rotterdam as it is one of Netherlands's top travel destinations. Rotterdam offers some world-class shopping, museums, and monuments, and some must-see attractions including the De Kuip, Cubic Houses, and Euromast. Take some time to explore this Rotterdam travel guide and check out all the interesting stuff to see and do there.
Here's a long list of what to do in Rotterdam which was my hometown for 8 years. -Motel Mozaïque: is a nice multi-discipline festival to go to in april. -Worm: is a great location to see experimental music concerts and the building is special for it's totally recycled interior. -the Urban Espresso Bar: has the best coffee and downstairs a very nice gallery also in the surrounding streets, you can find original shops and on thursdays the market -Go see de Jeff Wall sculpture at the: Kop van Zuid, if you want to cross the river in an alternative way (then simply by bike over the Erasmus bridge) you van take a watertaxi. -Visit the International Filmfestival Rotterdam in the beginning of februari! -Go with the pancakeboat across the river Maas while eating pancakes -Go with archiguides to learn and see about the architecture in Rotterdam -Off-Corso, if you want to dance -visit the parks (especially the not so famous parks, but the surprising bit of green): -Slotvijver -Berg en Broekpark -Park Rozenburg and the Famous parks: -Kralingse Bos -Museumpark -Euromast park and the specialty search by bike (in Rotterdam Zuid) the: Brienenoord Island, it's diffficult to find but special and there's a great skyline view of the city. -Well the musea and gallerys speak for themselves but also visit the: van Nelle factory and the Sonneveld house or Chabot museum if you are interested in architecture> Then go for a coffee at cafe Dudok (also architecture by dudok) -in September the Rotterdamse Kunsten festival (R-festival) and the World of Witte de With -And every 2 years the DEAF festival (ElectronicArt) and more festivals: Poetry international / Metropolis (for free, pop music) / Dunya (for free, world music) / the day of Romantic music. -For energetic people: bike through harbour sites such as Schiehaven+Parhaven (then take the Maastunnel which a happening on it's own) to Maashaven+Rijnhaven/ Nassauhaven+Persoonshaven/Entrepotdok/Heijplaat+Pernis...but you have to like old industry views and buildings for that because it's beauty in a different way. - In summer beside the Erasmus bridge they always have the Beach at the Maas (they create a beach there)
This city has it all! Whether you go shopping in the city or go clubbing, success is guaranteed!
Shopping In the city center you can find everything you need: perfume, household supplies, groceries, clothing, shoes and lots more. The different parts of Rotterdam have their own style like 'de Koopgoot' and 'de Lijnbaan'.
Restaurants Everywhere you look, you see places you can crash for food. The multi-cultural cuisine is in Rotterdam not an unfamiliar concept and you get to choose whether you want to dine casual or in a fancy restaurant. MacDonalds, KFC and BK are at almost every corner, for the fancy restaurants you need to look a bit further. Italian food is also available: Pizza, Pasta, Lasagna? Sure, at the 'Coolsingel' you can find 50% of these cathegory restaurants. Next to those, you have shoarma places for a delicious döner kebab and Surinam restaurants for spicy food. Not to forget the Chinese Restaurants. In Rotterdam's China town you find multi-sided Asian food while in the center you can find 'Wok2Go' for take-out or a small dinner.
Cinema After having spent an enormous time in the center, you can enjoy a nice piece of work of the actors in Hollywood. At Pathe Schouwburgplein you have a big range of films to watch.
Night Life Off Corso, Maassilo, The Thalia Lounge, Club Vie. Just a small grab of the tremendously much places you can go to, to shake the stress away or to meet with friends. Cocktailbars are in the overflow to lounge with a Mai Tai in your possession and friends on your side. Bars and pubs are also integrated in Rotterdam: Stadhuisplein, Schouwburgplein and in the side ways of Beursplein. You are supplied with more than enough spots to have a get2gether.
Casino Money in overflow? Or in need? Or wanna have the Las Vegas feeling? Holland Casino Rotterdam, among others, is the place to hang out.
one of the nicest place to be in the Netherlands if you are planning to spend one day here ! Major tourist attractions being Euromast Tower, don't miss the coming down part by ropes if you like adventure, look for cloud-free day to go there. From above Euromast, one can see the nicest view of Erasmus bridge, and whole rotterdam. If you are lucky enough, you will see the bridge in opening-closinc operation too :). Take tram 21 or 8 from Central station to reach there, comes after 4 stops.
second spot to be is Erasmus bridge itself, great example of modern engineering and infact a piece of art in itself. Go over there, enjoy the view ! Other things in Rotterdam include Museums (lots of these, one at every corner i guess) of different genres. All at walkable distances.
One thing that is not to be missed in rotterdam is the cannal ride in "spido" boats. They take you around almost the full Rotterdam Port, second largest port in the world, and the most beutiful one!, from which you can enjoy the view, the great view of the port.
Going to Rotterdam is quite easy. Trains coming from both directions makes it very easy. And if you are planning to visit other countries by Eurolines Bus Service, you can also catch the bus from Rotterdam bus stand, which is quite near the Central Station.
And one thing that makes Rotterdam a nice place to visit is that Dutch people are very intractive, friendly and helpful. You will probably get lots of "hello"s even if you are new in the place :)
