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Once you’ve seen London, Rome, Paris and Amsterdam, Rotterdam is a hot contender as your next destination. The coolness, the nonchalance, both paired with the right pinch of culture – no one can fool this city. Design award-winning buildings line the alleyways, where you can forget the time and think about God and the world. Here, old and new join hands and merge into a whole. Everyone finds their happiness in Rotterdam, from pierced tattoo artists to knitting grandmothers. Nicole Leferink has found her own and shows us her favorite places this month.
Living:
Rotterdam is teeming with cute little guesthouses and hotels. One of the most beautiful is the Hotel New York, located at Koniginnenhoofd 1 and thus in a unique location. What’s more, the view and the homemade breakfast are just great.
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Food
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Two eggs, a little spice, what else? The owners of Brasserie Staal don’t reveal the secret of their delicious omelettes, but it’s still worth a visit, even for lunch. A long queue forms in the afternoon in front of the restaurant with the simple name La pizza. And rightly so! Not even in Italy are the pastries filled with all sins this good. The terrace of Kade 4 is very cozy, located directly on the old harbor and is the hipster meeting place par excellence, especially in the evening. The small selection of dishes for just a few euros is one reason, the apple brownie the other, why a visit is definitely worthwhile.
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Shopping
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Rotterdam may not be Amsterdam, but it has at least as much to offer in terms of fashion. A walk through the streets reveals many a bargain. Dutch brands can be found at London City Club, while high-street fashion at affordable prices can be found at Imagine by Kim. If you get a craving between browsing, choose one of the lovingly decorated cupcakes from the display case at Koekela. The treats are not expensive, which is why one of the sinful cookies is still easily included.
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Party
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What Ibiza is to Spain, Rotterdam is to the Netherlands. Even if it doesn’t look like it during the day, in the evening the place is a hive of activity. House and dance have their roots here, so it’s no wonder there are discos and clubs galore. Around The Stadhuisplein in the center of Rotterdam you will find the most popular ones: Baja Beach Club, Get Back, Coconuts and Apres-Ski Hut. Less crowded, although no less cool, is the Bed (where Bed doesn’t stand for bed, but for bar-eat-drink), which offers daily DJ sounds and shows. If your legs are itching, Maassilo, probably the most spectacular club in the whole country, is the place to be. The Maassilo is like Vegas: what happens here, stays here.
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Quarters
Around the old harbor, visitors will find small cafés, pretty bistros and cool bars. The streets around the Meent are also very popular.
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Street; just ask one of the many students about their favorite club. Nothing sums up the Rotterdam feeling better than a stroll through the Witte de Withstraat, also known as the “Axis of Art”. The path from the Museum Park to the Maritime Museum is lined with galleries, art cafés and small boutiques selling their own avant-garde fashion.
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Must do
Ticking off a plan full of sights would not do Rotterdam justice. It’s all about the feel of the city, its culture and the impressive buildings. The Euromast offers the best view, and exploring the city by water is also great (water cab or speedboat from approx. 11 euros per person).
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Events
The World of Witte de With
13.9. until 15.9.
The three-day arts festival celebrates architecture, theater, dance, film and music in its very own way.
Baroeg Open Air
11.9. until 21.9.
Metal, hard rock and gothic fans party side by side at this festival.
World Food Festival
18.9. until 27.10.
Workshops, markets, food stalls and exhibitions – everything here revolves around food and its most delicious forms.
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Nicole Leferink
is a student. Loves shopping, traveling and nice weather. Hates rain.