Rotterdam at a Glance - 9 Places to See!

Rotterdam at a Glance - 9 Places to See!

Rotterdam has so much to offer! Here are 9 stops I recommend. Walk through the city to find each of these sites, or shorten the distance by biking or using public transit. If you enjoy this free guide, please save it, share it, leave a tip, or write a review! Follow me and be the first to know when I create new guides. Thanks!
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Fascinating Architecture

Rotterdam Station
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Recent renovations to the central station of Rotterdam include modern elements like solar panels while retaining pieces of its predecessor, built in 1957, like the clock and sign lettering, which is now illuminated by LED. On average, 110,000 travelers pass through Centraal Rotterdam daily catching busses, trains, trams, and the metro.
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Blaaktoren (Het Potlood)
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Architect Piet Blom designed Blaaktoren as well as the adjacent Cube Houses. One distinct feature of this 15-story residential building is the windows, which all appear to be upside down. Locals refer to it as Potlood, or The Pencil. Markthal is the accompanying Pencil Sharpener.
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Kijk-Kubus Museum
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Visit one of Rotterdam's most iconic architectural fixtures: The Cube Houses. Designed by architect Piet Blom, the houses were envisioned to represent trees or a forest. These are functional, occupied residences. The museum is a model home, showing how a person might functionally live in these unique dwellings.
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Eating & Shopping

Markthal
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Market Hall is a food court like no other! Enjoy walking through this bustling market of more than 100 restaurants and vendors as your eyes are drawn to the "Horn of Plenty" mural by artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam canvasing the ceiling space. It has become known as the Sistine Chapel of Rotterdam. The arched exterior of the building houses luxury apartments. The stairwell and parking garage include "De Tijdtrap," a collection of archeological finds discovered during the construction of the Markthal building.
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Donner Bookstore
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I could've spent hours in this place. In addition to a broad collection of books in Dutch, you'll also find books in various languages including English, antique books, art supplies, puzzles, souvenirs, postcards, and even public lectures on the top floor. If books make you happy, give Donner a visit.
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Swan Market Store
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If handmade, locally produced items are your vibe, Swan Market Store is the place for you. Treat yourself to some quirky jewelry, clothes, and art. Pick up one-of-a-kind souvenirs for friends and family back home.
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Public Art

Westersingel Sculpture Route
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Walk the canal and see a selection of Rotterdam's vast sculptural collection, including "L'homme qui Marche" by Auguste Rodin, best known for his famous work "The Thinker."
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Monument à Érasme
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Unveiled in 2016 the Erasmus Monument was restored in 2018 following moisture damage that caused some tiles to fall off. You can now see the monument in all ins glory, in the shadows of Saint Lawrence Church. Erasmus was a famous scholar, philosopher, writer, and priest of the 15th century. He is commonly considered the most iconic personality of Rotterdam.
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Vlaggenparade Rotterdam
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Walk through the Flag Parade, showcasing flags from every member of the United Nations, flying proudly in the winds off nearby waterways. This display is permanent. Look nearby for another collection of 35 masts with flags that are changed out for special events and holidays.
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More Rotterdam!

Find places to eat, stay, shop, and explore in this detailed guide to Rotterdam, with a focus on the diverse, historic, and ever-innovative architecture of the city. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
US native. Former resident of Romania. Current solo female globe trotter. I've ventured to more than a dozen countries across four continents as part of group tours, volunteer work, solo travel, studying abroad, and teaching internationally. I lived for over a year in Romania, many years in Tennessee, and several months in England. My travel style is slow, spontaneous, and - shall we say - richly flavorful. I prefer to stay longer lengths in places instead of having a whirlwind sightseeing venture. I'll skip the chain restaurants for a hole-in-the-wall café any day of the week. I prefer a loose itinerary and remain open to what each day brings. My favorite things to do and see as I travel are... - EAT - Try whatever is local. Order the special of the day. Talk with the restaurant staff. - WALK - It encourages me to slow down, notice, and get a feel for community. - HIKE - I'm a lazy hiker. By "hike," I mean a few hours at a slow pace. - MUSEUMS - Spend an afternoon. Read the descriptions on exhibits. Talk with the docents. Buy something in the giftshop. - CHURCHES - I'm fascinated by the various ways people have worshipped the God of the Bible over centuries and across borders. Many older churches are also museums or tourist-friendly spaces. Some additionally hold regular liturgical services. - CASTLES - Castles, fortresses, palaces, big ol' houses: these places transport me back in time. I imagine the people who built, lived in, and defended them. What would they think of how we now live? If this kind of travel sounds ideal to you, hit the Contact Me button! I'd love to help you experience slower, more meaningful travel. We'll discuss tips for how to make the most of your trip, with low stress, reasonable safety, affordability, and lots of fun. Book one of my custom services, and we'll work together to get you wheels up on your next adventure! Follow me to easily access all the resources I create.
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