28 Jun One day in unique, modern and creative Rotterdam

Not another typical Dutch city

It is already well known that Rotterdam was completely damaged during WWII, and that the most of the citizens left the town. After the war most of the European cities have decided to rebuilt the old town, but Rotterdam is not one of them. Today Rotterdam doesn’t look like other „typical Dutch“ cities, as modern, unique and above all functional buildings are all around the town what makes it one of the most creative cities I’ve visited in Europe if we talk about architecture.

Why to stay in Rotterdam

The main purpose of our trip to Holland in May was business as we attended TNWC in Amsterdam. As our plan was to extend our stay for two days, we have decided for those days to move from Amsterdam as we already been there twice, and to experience a bit more of the country. Another reason was that for the same amount of money we would spend in Amsterdam for two overnights in that period, in this way we were able to buy return ticket to Rotterdam and Haarlem, book decent, cozy and very convenient accommodation and, what is quite important for us, use bicycles during our stay in both cities.

Here is the overview of prices per day if you plan to travel on a budget:

• Train – 12,30 € pp – one way ticket from Amsterdam Schiphol
• Hostel – 22,20 € pp/night – Stayokay accommodation with breakfast in a private room for 4 with own bathroom and toilet
• Bicycles – 9,50 € pp for one day
• Meal @ Markthal – 5,50 € per person
• Fresh fruit juice at Blaak market– 2,5€ per person
• Dinner @Stadsdriehoek – 25 € per person

TOTAL: 75 € per person for one day

How to reach Rotterdam from Schipol Airport

We landed at Schiphol Airport we immediately headed to the train ticket machines where we have bought the ticket to Rotterdam Blaak as our hostel was directly at the station. There are two different types of trains from Schiphol Airport to Rotterdam, and depending on the type of train you will travel between half and hour and an hour.

• NS Intercity – travel time around one hour – goes to Rotterdam Central and Blaak station; train stops at cities on the way, no train change if you go to Rotterdam Blaak
• NS Intercity direct – travel time cca 30 min – goes direct to Rotterdam Central; if you are heading to Blaak station you will change the train at Rotterdam Central

One day in Rotterdam

As soon as we came out of the train and exit at Blaak, multicultural side of Rotterdam was immediately in front of us, and of course expressive and colorful icon of the city – Cube Houses, the location of Stayokay hostel where we have spent a night. Hostel is cozy, clean, at a great location, and for those looking for a budget stay will be a perfect choice. Hostel offers different type of rooms so you can choose to stay in a private room with your own bathroom and a toilet. Breakfast is decent and offers most of it you can find in some 3 star hotels. This was definitely one of the best hostel experiences so far. Hostel offers bike rental, and you will have an opportunity to ride Dutch Gazzele city bicycle.

We were aware that one day for exploring Rotterdam is only enough for getting an overall impression of the city, and the bike ride was the perfect way to see most of it. It is very easy to orientate around the city, and the route of around 30 km we took by bike included:

Maarkthal & Blaak Markt

Museum Park

Het Park

Maastunel for bikes only

Maashaven & Food Factory

Erasmus Bridge

Dinner at Stadsdriehoek overlooking the Old Harbour – Oude Haven

According to us Rotterdam is a destination completely underestimated and overlooked by the capital of Amsterdam as there are plenty of things to do and to organize your quality time. All in all it was worth visiting Rotterdam, and would gladly come back to experience a bit more of creativity the city has to offer, and maybe to enjoy in one of the music summer festivals and open air events. Till than, the memories and pictures are those who will keep remembering us on a sense of an amazement of fun-loving commercial center.

Here you can also check our post about our stay in Haarlem, and read how it was at The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam.

Photo Credits: magic4.club