Waterside: Rotterdam’s north and south are separated by the Nieuwe Maas River and at one point the city was known to have the largest port in the world.Rotterdam can indeed seem cold at first glance.
The city’s striking practicality, abundance of high-rises and the hurried pace of locals seem to assert that it is neither bohemian Amsterdam nor dreamy Maastricht. The currently chaotic state of its central station — an arrival point for many visitors — is also hardly much help in making a good first impression.
Yet, as some of its residents would say, give Rotterdam some time and you will discover its treasures. And, some of them are even readily found.
The obvious tourist spots include the landmark Erasmus Bridge linking the north and south parts of Rotterdam, separated by the Nieuwe Maas River.
Built in 1996, the bridge is sleek and imposing with its bright white color and sheer size, yet a walk or a bicycle ride along it in the afternoon can be a relaxing and pleasant experience as one can see passing ships and the city’s assorted activities.
On the southern end of the bridge are several entertainment spots such as the historic Hotel New York, which is worth spending a night or two in, as well as the New Luxor Theater and the Montevideo building.
But, the Erasmus Bridge is not just a functional crossing or pleasant walk. It is also a noteworthy place to party, as demonstrated on New Year’s Eve when hundreds gathered and shouted to the city’s countdown and were treated to a spectacular fireworks show.
Another popular option for tourists is the Euromast — Netherland’s famed lookout tower measuring over 180 meters. On good days from the top one can see as far as Antwerp, Belgium, or The Hague, which is about 25 kilometers from Rotterdam.
The Euromast also offers perks such as a restaurant and adrenaline-pumping activities such as rope sliding and abseiling.
Near the Euromast is Museum Park, which, as the name implies, has several museums. The list includes the Netherlands Architecture Institute, the Natural History Museum, the Chabot Museum and the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum.
Of course, one’s choice varies according to interests and tastes, but the must-visit for art enthusiasts, or even the mere curious, would likely be Boijmans.
Boasting a diverse collection of art as well as functional, everyday objects from various periods, Boijmans is a good place to journey through history. Its art collection, which includes works from the Middle Ages to the 21st century, is a comfortable enough size to keep one from being overwhelmed.
The museum offers works by Rembrandt van Rijn, Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet and Salvador Dali, and the modern art and surrealist sections are especially worth
a visit.
Aside from the museums in Museum Park, one can also visit others located near the city center such as the Rotterdam Museum or the Maritime Museum. One tip: Free admission day for museums is Wednesday.
But museums or parks are only part of the leisure activities available in the city during the day.
On Tuesdays and Saturdays at Blaak Market there is plenty of street food and knickknack stalls to shop at.
A tour of architecture befits a city with an assortment of whimsical designs such as the bizarre cube houses, the city library with its giant yellow pipes and the crooked South Tower held in place partly by a giant steel pole in
the front.
Bombing during World War II devastated most of Rotterdam’s city center, but there are several buildings that remain if one goes by the “oldies but goodies” motto. The Stadhuis (Town Hall) is one. Near Blaak station is St. Laurenskerk Church, completed in the 16th century, and the Witte Huis (White House), which was once the highest skyscraper in Europe.
Historisch Delfshaven, which was once the port of neighboring Delft, offers a glimpse into the old world as it is one part of Rotterdam that was spared by the bombing. There are also a number of antique shops and the Pilgrim Fathers Church.
After a daytime tour of Rotterdam, a good night out is tempting with the many bars, clubs and restaurants available, although aside from weekends there’s really not much nightlife.
Famous spots known to host an array of cafes and clubs include the old harbor near the White House and Nieuwe Binnenweg Street, which houses cozy bars and live music spaces such as Rotown and Le Vagabond.
A rising star in the scene is Witte de Withstraat with its quirky mesh of galleries, restaurants and bars, including De Witte Aap, which is often dubbed “the best pub in the world”.
The city has a wide variety of eateries, often with surprising options. Of course the “Dutch” experience would be to eat stroopwaffels — crispy waffle sandwiches with a gooey syrup filling or digging into a hearty apple pie. However, the rising number of immigrants and the long international history of the Netherlands have brought about some interesting food choices.
Take, for instance, eating at an “Indische-Surinamese” restaurant. Some might be pleasantly surprised with the savory delights quite akin to Indian food on the Surinamese menu, while Indonesians might be slightly amused by their version of Javanese food.
Feeling adventurous and on a small budget? Try Poortgebouw Café, which is only open on Sunday evenings. The former squatters’ building in Stieltjesstraat, on the south side of Rotterdam near the Erasmus Bridge, offers a three-course menu for less than 10 euros (Rp 115,000), you won’t know what’s on the menu until
you arrive there but it is usually vegetarian.
Impressive: Bombing during World War II devastated most of Rotterdam’s city center, but there are several buildings that remain if one goes by the “oldies but goodies” motto.Rotterdam has bicycle lanes on almost every street so bike riding is one of the best ways to explore the city, especially when it’s sunny.
Another option is to go by tram. The trams and underground use chip cards and there are disposable cards available for unlimited travel for a maximum of three days.
One interesting way to get around is to hire a water taxi or hop on a water bus, with several routes that are ideal for day trips.
Rotterdam can be expensive, but aside from being a smart tourist — by going to museums on a Wednesday for example — there is also a “Rotterdam Welcome Card” that includes a three-day chip card and discounts on a variety of attractions.
The old saying goes that money is earned in Rotterdam, divided in The Hague and spent in Amsterdam. But with all the attractions of the first, surely Rotterdam deserves credit as something more than just a “working” city.
— Photos by Dina Indrasafitri
