Rotterdam: Why the Netherlands’ Second City is Worth Making a Detour For
By Jessica Montevago
While much has been written about Amsterdam, the Netherlands second city, Rotterdam, is worth making a detour for. Located in the province of South Holland, Rotterdam boasts a busy seaport, flourishing nightlife and food scene, and striking architecture. Here are a few reasons why the city should be added to you or your clients’ Dutch itinerary.
1. Tulip Fields in Bloom
Come spring, more than a million travelers flock to see the famed tulip fields in bloom, as the Netherlands bursts into the colors of the rainbow. Lisse, the town that’s home to the world-famous Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, is under an hour’s drive from Rotterdam. Less known, the island of Goeree-Overflakkee offers a quieter experience. The hidden tulip fields are about 40 minutes by car from Rotterdam. Visit for free and enjoy the picture-perfect scenery by renting a bicycle and making your way around the island. These fields are run by local farmers, so take care not to damage any tulips along the way.
Cube Houses | Nikolay N. Antonov - stock.adobe.com
2. Awe-Inspiring Architecture
Visitors will find architecture styles spanning post-WWII to the present day, setting it apart from many European cities. To learn more about Dutch architecture and design, head to Het Nieuwe Instituut, which hosts regularly changing exhibitions and events.
The Cube Houses (Kubuswoningen) are one of the city’s most eye-catching architectural attractions. Designed in the late– ‘70s by Dutch architect Piet Blom, the yellow and gray homes are literally cubes, tilted by 45 degrees on their side. Each house in the development was built to resemble an abstract forest, with each triangular roof representing a treetop. Visitors can step inside a fully furnished cube house, thanks to one of the apartment owners that turned his into a museum for public viewing.
De Rotterdam, skyscraper designed by Rem Koolhaas, is described as a ‘vertical city’ and resembles off-set stacked boxes. One of the largest buildings in the Netherlands, it houses offices, residences, shops, and restaurants.
Another must-see, the Van Nelle Factory is considered an 'icon of Dutch modernism.' The site, which was built in 1925 as a coffee, tea, and tobacco factory, was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 2014.
3. Flourishing Food Scene
Rotterdam has a dynamic food scene. The former sailors’ settlement of Katendrecht has re-emerged as one of the city’s most vibrant dining districts; and the West-Kruiskade where Asian, Moroccan, Surinamese and Caribbean eateries reflect Rotterdam’s multicultural population. For a taste of fine dining, Parkheuvel was the first Dutch restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars. The restaurant is located on the park harbor, offering a spectacular view of the river Maas.
The Markthal is the first indoor market in the Netherlands, with over 100 stalls selling fresh fish, meat, and produce. Another impressive example of Rotterdam’s modern architecture, the roof of the market hall is an arch accommodating 228 apartments. The interior façade, meanwhile, displays a massive mural over 100,000 square feet of brightly colored market produce and flowers.
Markthal | nikitamaykov - stock.adobe.com
Where to stay
The Social Hub Rotterdam aims to connect guests to the local community. The Social Hub combines a broad range of facilities – think rental bikes, gyms, bars, restaurants– with flexible accommodation options in a great central location. It’s 12 minutes by tram or metro from Central Station, and a quick walk to local landmarks like Markthal and the Cube Houses.
nhow Rotterdam is housed inside the aforementioned 'De Rotterdam skyscraper. The waterfront location provides stunning views of the river Maas from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the guestrooms to the rooftop terrace. The hotel also has, throughout its 23 floors, 274 guestrooms, 11 meeting rooms, a skyline bar, and a restaurant.
The Slaak Rotterdam, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, brings the charms of the 1950s to an upscale boutique hotel experience. Located inside a former newspaper pressroom on the edge of the city center, the design-led property offers spacious rooms with retro-style furniture and Restaurant & Bar Didot34 serves food all day.
The contemporary Hilton Rotterdam is a short walk to the Rotterdam Central Station, providing easy transportation to and from the airport. On property, there are a few choices for a bite to eat. Restaurant At JAQ offers all-day dining; there are cocktails and Indonesian fare at TIWYA. The Michelin-starred restaurant, Joelia, by Mario Ridder, offers French-inspired cuisine with a modern twist.
Book these hotels, and more, using the TSA rate code in the GDS. Non-GDS users can book these hotels using tripXpress.
