Rotterdam is roughly 50 miles south of the the famous city of Amsterdam. The easiest way to travel to Rotterdam is by air, to Amsterdam Schipol Airport which hosts a vast number of transport links including the Euro line train which is the fastest way to travel south to Rotterdam. Perfect for a solo traveler.

Rotterdam is the polar opposite of Amsterdam, with modern architecture drawing the skyline due to the blitz and destruction of the city during WW2. Rotterdam is a working class city and the locals are proud of their history. It hosts Europe’s largest shipping port. Transport around the city is pretty similar to others in the Netherlands with vast amounts of bicycle and tram networks. When you arrive in Rotterdam you are greeted with the stunning new Centraal Station which has been designed to fit in with the modern era of the city. During my trip I found that hiring a bicycle was the easiest way to explore and the most enjoyable as there was always something different to be seen. Inside central station and in close proximity, there are information stalls which provide a great insight into the city, provide maps and also provide a ‘welcome card’. The welcome card consists of maps, information on landmarks and for a few extra euros, a transport ticket can be added to provide travel on the metro, trams and buses for 1, 2 or 3 days.

Looking for a place to stay was made easy with a well know hotel searching site and provided quick and simple accommodation. The city is dotted with various hostels and hotels to fit any budget. Prices starting from around €40 for a mid class room per night.

Whether you are looking for a quick snack or a 3 course meal, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I found myself grabbing quick snacks a lot as the city grabs hold of you and your to explore grows. Dutch specialities like frikandel and bitterballen can be found in various pubs throughout the city which have a welcome atmosphere and provide perfect refreshments. Through speaking to the locals, I found myself in a restaurant called ‘Happy Italy’ which serves, as you guessed, Pizza and Pasta. The wonderful service and the extravagant tasting food made it a place to remember.

Situated in the centre of the city is the shopping district of Lijnbaan, running parallel to the famous Coolsingel on which Stadhuis (townhouse) resides. No matter where you travel, you always find yourself returning to the centre like it’s home.

Heading south east, you find yourself at the old port which has a variety of small pubs and restaurants, following further on, you can find the another architectural display called the ‘cube houses’. Another great icon of the city is the euro mast, which stands at tall.

Heading along the the great river Maas, you will find a range of stunning bridges, the biggest, Erasmusbrug stands tall in the skyline and provides a picture perfect setting for the city.

The only bad thing I could say about this trip was the tight schedule I adhered to as the city has so much more to show. This includes Rotterdam zoo to the north, the dining experience on top the Euromast, the Splash boats and water taxis, Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk Church(The last standing medieval structure). The list goes on and two days are just not enough. The vibrant smells of food stalls alone is enough to grant a return. This city really has it all and I cannot wait to return.

Before travelling, I found a great deal of information online by just searching Rotterdam Tourism. I found that this made my trip a lot more enjoyable and a lot easier as the Netherlands is a completely different place to the UK and that the transport is far superior. After this trip I feel that I would comfortably be able to travel and explore to greater lengths by taking advantage of the transport systems in place all across the Netherlands.

Hopefully I will be able to return to this beautiful city in early 2021 which will let me provide a more comprehensive insight into what Rotterdam has to offer but for now this is my guide on what I know from my past experiences, thank you for reading and stay tuned for more travel posts!

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