The Netherlands is not just Amsterdam. One of the cities frequently visited by tourists and newcomers is Rotterdam. Unlike other cities that feel more historic, this southern Dutch city is filled with skyscrapers, modern, and futuristic architecture.
The reason I visited Rotterdam was actually quite simple. I wanted to shop for souvenirs for family and friends in the last few days of my visit to the Netherlands. However, stores and malls in Amsterdam close at 6 p.m. According to a friend who lives in the Netherlands, shops in Rotterdam close at 9 p.m. So, I decided to take a train from Brussels, Belgium, to Rotterdam, which took about 2.5 hours.
As soon as I stepped out of Rotterdam Centraal, I was indeed greeted by tall, modern buildings rarely found elsewhere in the Netherlands. Though I also encountered some medieval-style buildings like the City Hall of Rotterdam. From there, I walked to the Markthal, a modern indoor market that has become an architectural icon of Rotterdam. Like Amsterdam, Rotterdam is very walkable.
MARKTHAL
Markthal, or the Market Hall, is the largest indoor market in the Netherlands. Inside this gray building are 100 vendors selling fresh produce like organic vegetables, meat, cheese, and dairy products, along with 15 food stores including bakeries and 8 restaurants.
You can also find flower and plant vendors here. What makes the Markthal special is its architectural style. This spacious market boasts a colorful fresco ceiling with tulip motifs.
On the lower floor of the Markthal, there is a popular supermarket called Albert Heijn. I immediately headed downstairs to shop for chocolates and stroopwafels. Markthal is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
CUBE HOUSE
The Cube House, or “Kubuswoningen” in Dutch, is another Rotterdam landmark. These unique cube-shaped houses attract the attention of everyone who visits Rotterdam. The yellow cubes are a housing complex designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom in the late 1970s. The unique aspect of these houses is their triangular roofs and tilted walls.
Located in the Oude Haven area, the Cube Houses are intentionally tilted at over 45 degrees to maximize available space. Interestingly, the row of cube houses even forms a pedestrian bridge over one of the busiest roads. The Cube Houses showcase Rotterdam’s most innovative and creative architecture in the Netherlands. Visitors looking for a unique experience can stay overnight in one of the cubes converted into a hostel or visit the Show Cube Museum to see the interior of a Cube House.
ERASMUSBRUG
From the Cube House, I moved on to another Rotterdam landmark, the Erasmusbrug, or Erasmus Bridge. This bridge connects the northern and southern parts of the city. The riverside was calm in the evening but chilly due to the strong winds. Erasmus Bridge is named after Desiderius Erasmus, a Dutch Renaissance figure, and his name is also used by the famous Erasmus University in Rotterdam.
SHOPPING IN ROTTERDAM
As evening approached, I decided to walk to Binnenwegplein, where I found a decent-sized shopping area with international brands like Zara, Mango, and H&M as well as local brands. Not wanting to waste time, I quickly started shopping since the stores here close at 9 p.m. Rotterdam also has other shopping areas and malls like Alexandrium Shopping Centre and Koopgoot, but I didn’t have time to visit them.
On my way back to the station, I stopped briefly at the small port of Leuvehaven. Known as Europe’s largest port, Rotterdam has a famous harbor that I didn’t want to miss seeing. In this area, I also saw the largest mosque in the Netherlands, the Essalam Mosque.
Although my visit to Rotterdam was short, I was quite satisfied, especially as I could shop without feeling rushed. Next time, I’d like to stay in the Cube House and explore more museums and landmarks in Rotterdam.