There’s a continual battle inside me, between returning to places that I loved, and creating new adventures. And so it was with my Dutch trip in May. After frolicking in the Keukenhof tulips with my friends, I could have returned with them to Amsterdam for more gorgeous canals, bikes and sunsets. Instead, I hopped on the train to Rotterdam to see as much of the city as I could manage in 24 hours. So, how do you think I did?
A Quick Look at Leiden
My first stop wasn’t even quite Rotterdam – the coach from Keukenhof took me to gorgeous Leiden where I could then take the fast train to Rotterdam. I couldn’t resist a quick wander around this charming university city – to be honest, a windmill painted in the Dutch colours, glowing in the afternoon sun, was all it took to convince me that I needed to return with more time.
Best Burger in the Netherlands
It was getting late by the time I checked into the ultra-hip King Kong hostel, appropriately enough located in the district of Cool. Thus it was extra handy that the best burger in the Netherlands (2015) was served at Ter Marsch, right next to the hostel. While I can’t compare it with all burgers in the country, this was deliciously juicy, overflowing with sauce and served in a feather-light brioche bun – outstanding!
Breakfast in the Sunshine
I know it’s not for everyone, but I love tuna mayo sandwiches and I’m not afraid to say it! However if you don’t you could still head to Brood & Sappies (also located in the Cool district) and be very happy with over 40 sandwich choices on the menu. You can also customise – hence my egg. The crunchy crust and the delicious coffee made my morning and set me up to explore.
Touching history in Delfshaven
Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port and has a maritime history dating back hundreds of years. I decided to start in the west of the city in Delfshaven, an area which grew in the 16th century to become a rich harbour town and subsequently became part of Rotterdam. I loved the beautiful facades, charming old bridges and the colourful boats moored along the Voorhaven.
Walking the Waterfront
As it was such a beautiful day I opted to walk all the way from Delsfhaven into the city centre, a stroll that took me just under an hour. From the promenade along Parkkade in Nieuwe Werk I had a brilliant view of the Erasmus Bridge – it’s easy to see above why it is nicknamed ‘The Swan’.
I continued my theme of the city’s watery history as I walked through the Maritime Museum – it is open air and free to enter to inspect the old boats, which vary from sleek to rust-tub. I wasn’t sure about the wisdom of painting an octopus like that above on the side – what if you encouraged its friends?!
Modern Rotterdam
The Rotterdam city centre was flattened by German bombing in World War II, so very few historic buildings survive. This means that instead, there are many interesting architectural designs taking pride of place. One of the most well-known is the complex of Cube Houses in Helmond, built in 1977. These were designed to leave maximum space on the ground while utilising high-density housing, and they are visually stunning.
Marvelling at the Markt Hal
The Markt Hal is one of the newest buildings in Rotterdam and sits next to the fifteenth-century St Lawrence’s Church, one of the few buildings to remain after the WWII destruction. The Hall opened in 2014 and contains a huge indoor market space, while residential apartments are located in the exterior curve. It must be an incredible building to live in!
Like many, I spent much of my time in the Markt Hal with my head tilted up, trying to take in all the colourful details of the huge “Horn of Plenty” artwork which covers the inside of the building. It reflected the many food stalls selling everything from fresh fruit, vegetables and bread to delicate pieces of sweets and sushi.
It was time for me to head back to the hostel and catch the bus to the airport (easy-as-pie, by the way) but I couldn’t resist taking in a few last details of Rotterdam. This stacked office building looked like an interesting place to work!
Lastly, I was chilled by the memorial “The Destroyed City”, which commemorates the destruction of Rotterdam in WWII. It is testament to the spirit of the city that it now feels like an energetic, positive place to visit.
Have you visited Rotterdam? What did you see?
Linking up for #WanderfulWednesday with Marcella, Lauren, Van and Isabel – check out their new travel link-up and their fantastic blogs using the links!
