Cordula’s guidebook for Rotterdam
The best of Rotterdam
This is food, museums, neighborhoods, all the good stuff
This is my favourite breakfast spot even though it is about a 15min cycle ride from the apartment.
It opened in the beginning of 2022 and is run by a beautiful couple, she is a great yoga teacher and he runs the restaurant part.
The restaurant part looks out onto the water of Coolhaven (you can observe the bridges around you) and has a very generous outside area for summer mornings, afternoons or dinners. The place is open all day and also serves delicious coffee to go (or alternatives like matcha).
My favourite food there are the pancakes (ver fluffy).
Upstairs is the very nicely designed Yoga Studio, where they focus on Yin and Nidra. I highly recommend the evening classes with candle light.
Kula
54 Abraham TuschinskistraatThis is my favourite breakfast spot even though it is about a 15min cycle ride from the apartment.
It opened in the beginning of 2022 and is run by a beautiful couple, she is a great yoga teacher and he runs the restaurant part.
The restaurant part looks out onto the water of Coolhaven (you can observe the bridges around you) and has a very generous outside area for summer mornings, afternoons or dinners. The place is open all day and also serves delicious coffee to go (or alternatives like matcha).
My favourite food there are the pancakes (ver fluffy).
Upstairs is the very nicely designed Yoga Studio, where they focus on Yin and Nidra. I highly recommend the evening classes with candle light.
It is my favourite market in Rotterdam and such a vibe in summer.
It is the market where all the locals go. It happens only Saturday from 10:00 to 5:00pm.
It has ready-to-eat food but also lots of treats to take home. In summer they often have live music and there are lots of tables with chairs situated outside as well as a big lawn where all the family usually sit. The area is very interesting and you can walk around there for hours.
9 personas locales recomiendan
Oogstmarkt
151 NoordpleinIt is my favourite market in Rotterdam and such a vibe in summer.
It is the market where all the locals go. It happens only Saturday from 10:00 to 5:00pm.
It has ready-to-eat food but also lots of treats to take home. In summer they often have live music and there are lots of tables with chairs situated outside as well as a big lawn where all the family usually sit. The area is very interesting and you can walk around there for hours.
Super close to our apartment is this lovely and vibey breakfast and lunch spot.
The coffee is delicious and you can sit outside in the sun.
19 personas locales recomiendan
Arzu
209a BergwegSuper close to our apartment is this lovely and vibey breakfast and lunch spot.
The coffee is delicious and you can sit outside in the sun.
A vegan's dream come true.
Read the review of this amazing place. It is a unique concept of all you can eat dishes but down very well and vegan.
You can order as many things you want and taste yourself through the menu which is super fun.
You need to make a reservation 1-2 weeks in advance usually.
Rozey Rotterdam
85 WijnhavenA vegan's dream come true.
Read the review of this amazing place. It is a unique concept of all you can eat dishes but down very well and vegan.
You can order as many things you want and taste yourself through the menu which is super fun.
You need to make a reservation 1-2 weeks in advance usually.
Has the best ravioli in town and is not far from the apartment. They also have all kinds of Italien treats to take away.
Holy Ravioli 010 Rotterdam
430 ZwaanshalsHas the best ravioli in town and is not far from the apartment. They also have all kinds of Italien treats to take away.
The coffee is superb and the breakfast options are absolutely fantastic. An insider tip is their before 10am special for 6.66€ :) but everything is good really
58 personas locales recomiendan
Man met bril koffie
70 VijverhofstraatThe coffee is superb and the breakfast options are absolutely fantastic. An insider tip is their before 10am special for 6.66€ :) but everything is good really
Sightseeing
Beautiful views of the Rotterdam skyline. If you are into running or taking walks this is your place. It connects to the local park and you feel very 'outside the city'.
It has areas where you can bbq, ping pong tables, playground and lots of nice jetties going onto the lake.
You can also hire boats there and take them out.
139 personas locales recomiendan
Kralingen Lake
Beautiful views of the Rotterdam skyline. If you are into running or taking walks this is your place. It connects to the local park and you feel very 'outside the city'.
It has areas where you can bbq, ping pong tables, playground and lots of nice jetties going onto the lake.
You can also hire boats there and take them out.
One of my favourite museums in Rotterdam. Count in 2-3h hours minimum. It is very kids friendly and has lots of parts that are interactive.
92 personas locales recomiendan
Maritime Museum Rotterdam
1 LeuvehavenOne of my favourite museums in Rotterdam. Count in 2-3h hours minimum. It is very kids friendly and has lots of parts that are interactive.
This is not only a beautiful building from the outside, it also houses one of Rotterdam's most extensive collections of art. I would recommend a guided tour (that does not cost extra). The ticket is 20€ and allows you to visit the unique shaped architectural landmark (MVRDV) from the inside. The rooftop is also a great place to see Rotterdam from above.
308 personas locales recomiendan
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen
18 MuseumparkThis is not only a beautiful building from the outside, it also houses one of Rotterdam's most extensive collections of art. I would recommend a guided tour (that does not cost extra). The ticket is 20€ and allows you to visit the unique shaped architectural landmark (MVRDV) from the inside. The rooftop is also a great place to see Rotterdam from above.
I recommend the Euromast to everyone who wants to really understand the layout of Rotterdam. The platform at the top gives you a great bird's eye perspective and it great for taking pictures If you research you can find entry tickets from 12€ onwards.
352 personas locales recomiendan
Euromast
20 ParkhavenI recommend the Euromast to everyone who wants to really understand the layout of Rotterdam. The platform at the top gives you a great bird's eye perspective and it great for taking pictures If you research you can find entry tickets from 12€ onwards.
Neighborhoods
This is old traditional dutch. You will find a windmill, old bridges and cute canals. The houses are over 120 years old. You can walk around there and have little pit stops in some of the nice bars.
68 personas locales recomiendan
Delfshaven
This is old traditional dutch. You will find a windmill, old bridges and cute canals. The houses are over 120 years old. You can walk around there and have little pit stops in some of the nice bars.
This neighbourhood is the expensive almost suburb of Rotterdam. Since it has its own lake and a lot of the nice houses have direct access to the Rotter (Rotterdam's river arm) it makes for a great area to live. In the last years it has seen a lot of great development with new yoga places, shops and cute little bars. It is beautiful for taking a walk and going for a swim. You can also rent boats and take them for a trip.
Hillegersberg
This neighbourhood is the expensive almost suburb of Rotterdam. Since it has its own lake and a lot of the nice houses have direct access to the Rotter (Rotterdam's river arm) it makes for a great area to live. In the last years it has seen a lot of great development with new yoga places, shops and cute little bars. It is beautiful for taking a walk and going for a swim. You can also rent boats and take them for a trip.
The best chai in Rotterdam
Go to Mecca for the chai (Kashmir) and the babka. It is the best!
And when it is sunny you can nicely sit outside
Mecca Oasis
Consejos para la ciudad
Cómo moverse
The best way of getting around in Rotterdam is by bike
If you do have an OV (public transport card) you can rent them at every bigger metro station. If that is not an option you can find multiple other companies renting out bikes or rent an e-bike (lime) with your uber App. Those are a lot more expensive though.
Another option is to download the Felyx App and ride-share an electric scooter. There are always multiple in the neighbourhood and all you need is a driving license to register.
Qué empacar
When you visit Rotterdam in autumn/winter pack for rain
The rain showers are usually brief but always good to be equipped.
Costumbres y cultura
Tipping in the Netherlands
Unlike other European countries tipping is not expected here. I always still add a tip if I thought the service was good but usually under or around 10%. But the hospitality industry here is paid a fair hourly rate so the tipping is an extra bonus.