What to See & Do in Rotterdam
Sights
Rotterdam is very easy to get around, with wide range of attractions.
Arboretum Trompenburg - This unique botanical garden has been at the heart of Rotterdam since 1820. It is the best place to enjoy a tranquil break, and contains a variety of plants and trees from around the world.
Toy Museum - Situated in Rotterdam Kralingen, this 1927 house (a few escaped the bombs) contains a large collection of antique toys. On display are rare toys from celebrated factories such as Bing, Steiner and Bugatti, dating from 1700 to 1940.
Delfshaven- Delfshaven, a short distance outside the city and so preserved from wartime destruction, is worth a visit for the sake of its magnificent historic quarter. It is full of old warehouses and old public buildings. On the main street are many quaint cafes, bars and restaurants, and don’t miss the Brewery De Pelgrim - where they still brew the oldest beer in Rotterdam.
Blijdorp Zoo - The Blijdorp Zoo is very popular because of its thematic arrangement, with enclosures such as Gorilla Island and the Malayan Forest Rim. In the recently constructed Oceanium visitors can walk beneath the sea surrounded by fish.
Erasmus Bridge - Since it opened in 1996 the Erasmus Bridge - known locally as The Swan - has become the symbol of Rotterdam. It is named after the Renaissance humanist thinker, who lived here in the early 16th century.
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen - This museum has an extensive collection of paintings, and a display of late 19th and early 20th century furniture, together with glasswork and modern art. There is also a photographic collection, and a panoramic view from the pavilion.
Laurens Kerk - The St Laurence church is one of few buildings in the centre of Rotterdam that survived the wartime bombardment, and its post-war restoration was not completed until 1968. It dates back to 1525, and is built in the traditional Dutch fashion.
Maritime Museum - This impressive museum is situated at Leuvehaven, in the heart of the city. There are regular exhibitions focusing on the rich history of the city and its relation with the sea. The De Buffel, a restored 1868 warship with lavish fittings, can be seen there, and in the nearby harbour there are twenty 19th century ships to explore. The museum has a floor dedicated to children, where museum staff demonstrate periscopes and other instruments. The museum has a good restaurant with a large terrace, a bookshop and library.
Eating and Drinking
The city’s multicultural population and a steady stream of corporate clientele means there’s plenty of varied, international cuisine on offer. For faster food, there are buzzing cafes, noodle bars and bagel houses.
Transport
The most popular way to get around Rotterdam is by bike, which you can rent by the day or by the week. Public transport consists of bus, tram and metro. It’s best to use the bus for longer journeys into the suburbs, and to neighbouring towns. The Metro is very regular, arriving every four minutes in the city during the day, and every twenty minutes at night. Tram is the most popular option for getting around Rotterdam, with cheap fares and lots of stops. There are also a number of ferries plying the waterways if you want a more scenic and leisurely trip.
