Rotterdam

Rotterdam Hotels

As you would expect from such a modern city, Rotterdam isn't short on accomodation options. 

Opt for cheap-as-chips hostels, such as the Stayokay Rotterdam (Overblaak 85- 87) which is housed in one of the city's famous cube houses, or enjoy the spacious rooms at Hotel Van Walsum, in the peaceful area of Mathenesserlaan (Mathenesserlaan 199-20).

For a luxury option, the Manhatten Hotel (Weena 686) offers all the amenities, and features a cocktail bar and brasserie.

Rotterdam Shopping

Rotterdam's food market (Nieuwstraat) is worth a visit, if just for its impressive architecture. You'll find a mouthwatering array of food and drinks here, and the shops continue on the downstairs level.

Elsewhere, this truly modern city offers a range of retail therapy options, from vintage-inspired Very Cherry (Botersloot 52a), to the hipter haven of Clone (Raampoortstraat 12), which sells rare merchandise. For everything else, you'll surely find it at the Lijnbaan, which is lined with popular shops in the heart of the centre. It might seem conventional today, but the Lijnbaan was a first in the 1950's, as the first car-free, pedentrianised shopping arcade in the world.

Rotterdam Food & Drinks

In recent years, Rotterdam's dining scene has flourished, and you're sure to find something you love here with such a variety of restaurants, markets, cafes and bars. 

The trendy Pannekoekstraat is home to Tante Nel, which offers hungry patrons hand cut fries and a menu of 13 different gins, while Bazar (Witte de Withstraat 16) serves mouthwatering Middle Eastern dishes.

You won't be short of fine-dining options, either - Rotterdam has no fewer than nine Michelin stars - with local chef François Geurds possessing three of them. His restaurant, FG, offers delicacies including Quail jelly, Anjou pigeon with cherry sorbet and truffle macaroni with gold leaf.

Rotterdam Events

July

North Sea Jazz Festival

Jazz fans will be delighted by Rotterdam's highly-respected North Sea Jazz Festival, where around a thousand musicians perform over three days - and many acts play at unofficial jams outside of the festival as well. 

August

Dance Parade

Rotterdam city centre transforms into one giant open-air club with areas for every type of dance music, while floats drive through the town for the entertainment of around 350,000 revellers. 

September

Wereldhavendagen

In celebration of September's World Port Days, visitors and locals alike are invited to take part in tours of normally off-limit areas, and visit nautical displays. Meanwhile, for one night only, the Night of the Cape invites revellers to dress up in sailor and pirate costumes for a crazy night of partying in Katendrecht.