Photo: F.Eveleens · CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Rotterdam
Daring modern architecture, a huge port and a food hall under a painted arch.
Europe's biggest port, rebuilt after the Second World War as a playground of bold architecture: the Markthal's painted arch, tilted Cube Houses and a white bridge over the Maas, with a quieter old harbour at Delfshaven. Kinderdijk's windmills are a day trip by water bus (check).
Places to see
MarkthalMarket · A giant horseshoe of apartments arching over a food hall, its ceiling covered in a vast,…Free
Cube HousesSight · A cluster of yellow cubes tipped on their corners and perched on concrete posts, forming…Free- Erasmus BridgeWalk · A sleek white cable-stayed bridge over the wide river Maas, with one tall bent pylon, and…Free
Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
When to go
- Jan6° / 1°Some rainQuiet
- Feb7° / 1°Some rainQuiet
- Mar10° / 3°Some rainQuiet
- Apr14° / 5°Some rainBusy
- May18° / 8°Some rainBusy
- Jun20° / 11°Some rainBusy
- Jul22° / 13°Some rainVery busy
- Aug22° / 13°Some rainBusy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The centre. The Markthal, the Cube Houses and the old harbour around Blaak: lively, central and handy for the station, with hostels.
Museumpark and Het Park. Museums around a park, the Euromast and the bars of the Witte de Withstraat nearby; a good base with hostels.
Delfshaven. The old port west of the centre: canals, a windmill and gabled warehouses, quieter and a bit cheaper to stay.
Flying in
Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS): Train to Rotterdam Centraal, about 30 min, ≈ A$28. The fast Intercity Direct is quickest and adds a small supplement; slower trains are cheaper (check).
Rotterdam The Hague (RTM): Bus to Rotterdam Centraal, about 25 min, ≈ A$7. A small airport with mostly holiday flights; tap a card on the bus (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Rotterdam; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
Mostly on foot. A single ticket is ≈ A$7. The centre is walkable, and the Erasmus Bridge takes you to the south bank on foot. Trams and the metro reach Delfshaven; water taxis cross the river for a few euros (check).
(≈ A$18, 24 hours): Unlimited metro, trams and buses in the city; worth it from about three rides (check).
