Beyond Amsterdam: Weekend Trip to Rotterdam

As I’ve mentioned before in other posts about Groningen and Gouda, there’s so much to see in The Netherlands beyond Amsterdam. Now we move onto my husband’s hometown, Rotterdam. I recall my first time in Rotterdam ten years ago. There on a business trip, I was immediately impressed by the creative and modern architecture of the city. The experience peaked my interest and I continued visiting the city as it was a short drive from Brussels. As fate would have it, my Dutchman is a Rotterdamer and I have several friends who either live or work in this city. Between my personal experiences and their references, I’ve come up with this weekend trip to Rotterdam guide. Here’s a tour:

Getting There

A weekend trip to Rotterdam is logistically easy. You can get there fast by Thalys (high speed train) from Brussels or Paris. You can also take the Belgian or Dutch rail from Brussels. It’s a bit more economical than the Thalys, but you will encounter a bit more stops. It’s an hour train ride from Amsterdam Schiphol and Amsterdam Centraal, respectively. More on how to get around in Holland here.

What to Do

There’s plenty to do during a weekend trip to Rotterdam. Here are some of my favorite stops:

• Water Taxi: Rotterdam being the largest port in Europe, is surrounded by water. My Dutchman recommends to take the water taxi, it’s part of the public transportation system. At 4,50 EUR per person for the city center area, it’s a steal to take in the city by water.
• Boat Tour: During my last trip to Rotterdam this winter, my in-laws, the piccola, and my hubby took a boat tour via Spido, a boat tour along the river Maas.  We sat around the table with delicious Dutch apple pie and coffees and took in the view. Bonus: the space is very baby friendly with ample space for a stroller. Price: 13,25 EUR per person. 
• Museums: There are several museums in Rotterdam, however, if you are spending a weekend in Rotterdam, there’s one museum I recommend. Although there are I’ve been to the Kunsthal Rotterdam several times, I never get bored with the collections. Tip: take the time to discover the garden that surrounds the museum grounds.
• Witte de With: This street is one of my favorites in Rotterdam. Lined with cute coffee shops, restaurants, and art galleries, it’s a cool slice of Rotterdamer culture.

Architecture

From the moment you step out the Rotterdam Centraal station, you get to admire the creative architecture of the city. I recommend wandering across the city and taking in the architectural wonders. Some of my favorite buildings include: Markthal, the Cube Houses, Hotel New York, the Maritime Museum, and the “Pencil” Building. More info on architecture on the Rotterdam Tourism website.  If you are short on time during your weekend trip to Rotterdam, consider an architectural tour. Bonus: you can stay at one of the cube houses via AirBNB!

Where to Eat

The Netherlands has a bad reputation when it comes to its cuisine. However, when you dive deeper, you see that there are two components that make Dutch cuisine special: fresh ingredients and creativity. Rotterdam is a shining example of this. Being a very international city, the city has a global flair when it comes to its cuisine.

My Picks: Restaurants in Rotterdam

Markthal: For the lovers of food: the weekend trip to Rotterdam is worth it in just the Markthal experience! This architectural gem is one of the most creative food markets I have ever experienced. Indulge in chocolate covered stroopwafels, traditional Dutch herring, Spanish tapas, among other delicacies at the Markthal. Here’s my detailed guide to the Markthal.

Ceviche y Maas: My Peruvian friend Jimmy took me to this place when I visited last year. From all the Peruvian restaurants in Holland, Jimmy says it’s his favorite. From the perfectly cured ceviche to their passion fruit cheesecake, I highly recommend adding Ceviche y Maas to your weekend in Rotterdam itinerary.

Fenix Food Factory: This smaller market is the antithesis of the massive Markthal. It has small, local stalls with cheese, charcuterie, mediterranean tapas, among other vendors.  Make sure to bring cash as many of the vendors only take Dutch debit cards.

Ayla: If you want to get your Mediterranean fix in a modern setting, this is the place. We loved the inventive cocktail list, the sizzling skirt steak, and the stuffed aubergine. Like the Dutch would say: Lekker!

Dewi Sri: No trip to The Netherlands would be complete without a visit to an Indonesian restaurant. At the recommendation of my Dutchman’s best friend who is married to an Indonesian woman, it’s a culinary experience. I am a fan of the rice table as it has small plates of all the classic Indonesian dishes such as beef rendang, satay, and gado gado.

Hotel New York: The restaurant at Hotel New York is loved by visitors and locals alike. On the weekends it gets quite busy, so I recommend that you make a reservation. Indulge in Dutch seafood such as oysters freshly caught from the North Sea. Here’s my detailed review of Hotel New York.

Where to Stay

There are plenty of hotels to choose from for your weekend trip to Rotterdam. These are my picks based on experience. If you’re looking for a unique lodging experience, I recommend SS Rotterdam. A former Holland America cruise liner, it is now a hotel. Hotel New York is also a great place to stay, in a great location as you have access to both Water Taxi and the City Center. We recently had drinks at the nhow Hotel, the views from the hotel bar are amazing. One of my friends recently stayed there and was impressed with the modern rooms and service. Another great choice is Citizen M.  This boutique hotel focuses on comfort and design with limited space.

Weekend Trip to Rotterdam: The Verdict

You may think I am biased because of my family ties to Rotterdam, but I must say, I love this city. When we move back to Europe, we’ve discussed either moving to the Dutchman’s hometown or to Den Haag.  I believe that Rotterdam provides a glimpse to modern Dutch life with a diverse angle. There are not many tourists compared to Amsterdam which gives you the freedom to move about quite easily in the city. Whether you’re in the surrounding cities or coming from abroad, I recommend you take a weekend trip to Rotterdam.