Lonely Planet Rotterdam - PocketGuide 2018

After decades of inspired growth and innovative post-war construction, Rotterdam has emerged as a topnotch travel destination. The city boasts cutting-edge architecture, a diverse and multicultural food scene, faithful nods to its maritime heritage and an adventurous artistic spirit.

Explore

ROTTERDAM

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the romantic canals on an open Fluisterboot (whisper boat). The local guide will tell you captivating stories about the city.

DISTILLERS DISTRICT In Schiedam, you can smell, taste and see gin and jenever everywhere. Many buildings in the historic city centre are reminders of the time Schiedam was the international heart of the gin industry. Major players in the global market have been established here for centuries.

Produced by Lonely Planet for Rotterdam Tourist Information. All editorial views are those of Lonely Planet alone and reflect our policy of editorial independence and impartiality.

Such as the family owned distillery Herman Jansen. Well known for their craftmanship, quality and innovation since 1777, and producers of the authentic Schiedam jenever Notaris and award winning Bobby’s dry gin.

Special city tours are organized for a true gin experience.

MUSEUM QUARTER Be sure to visit the museums in the Museum Quarter. If you want to know everything about the history and production of jenever, you should not miss the National Jenevermuseum Schiedam.

Are you an art lover? Visit the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam with it’s large permanent collection of modern and contemporary Dutch art, as well as many international exhibitions. The spectacular entrance is a (free to visit) must-see, designed by the world renowned architects of MVRDV, also known for the Rotterdam Market Hall.

For more info on Schiedam, visit www.sdam.nl/uk

Content supplied by Schiedam Tourist Information

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INTRODUCING ROTTERDAM

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WHY VISIT ROTTERDAM

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WALKING TOUR

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ARCHITECTURE

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ARTS & CULTURE

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OUT-OF-THE-WAY ROTTERDAM PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION ©

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EATING

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NEED TO KNOW

INTRODUCING

ROTTERDAM Rotterdam is making a splash as a uniquely modern destination, offering a constantly evolving selection of arts, architecture and culture. As the city continues to put its own spin on 21st-century living, take a peek at some of its most enticing attractions.

THE LUCHTSINGEL PHOTO BY IRIS VAN DEN BROEK / ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION ©. ARCHITECT: ZUS

THE ERASMUS BRIDGE PHOTO BY IRIS VAN DEN BROEK / ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION © ARCHITECT: BEN VAN BERKEL

Rotterdam Now This metropolitan jewel of the Netherlands is riding a wave of urban development, redevelopment and regeneration.

Futuristic architecture, inspired initiatives such as an inner-city floating farm, a proliferation of art, and a surge of drinking, dining and nightlife venues keep Rotterdam – previously a Lonely Planet Best in Travel city for 2016 – one of Europe’s most exhilarating places to visit now.

It’s a remarkable feat for a city largely razed to the ground by WWII bombers, though few buildings did remain such as the medieval Laurenskerk and the Stadhuis (city hall).

Rebuilding has continued unabated ever since with ingenuity and vision. Rotterdam easily has some of Europe’s most-striking modern architecture.

The Netherlands’ secondbiggest metropolis, on the vast Nieuwe Maas river, is a veritable open-air gallery of modern, post-modern and contemporary construction.

Eye-popping must-sees include the Markthal, a soaring and stunning indoor food market.

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Its extraordinary invertedU-shaped design incorporates glass-walled apartments arcing over the foodhall’s fantastical 40m-high fruit-and vegetablemuraled ceiling and scores of artisan stalls and eateries.

Schieblock, topped by the pioneering DakAkker harvestable roof, producing fruit, vegetables and honey.

And starting this year, Rotterdam, Europe’s busiest port – already on the Paris– Amsterdam high-speed rail line – is now a stop on the Eurostar services linking London with Amsterdam stop at the suitably stunning skylit, stainless steelencased Rotterdam Centraal train station.

Other striking skyline features include the glitzy 44-story De Rotterdam, the Netherlands’ largest building, designed by Pritzker-winning Rotterdam architect Rem Koolhaas.

Dramatic views from its hotel, cocktail-bar terrace and restaurant take in the Erasmusbrug – the swooping white cable-stayed bridge dubbed ‘De Zwaan’ (The Swan).

Population: 1.3 million

Among Rotterdam’s innovative redevelopments is Station Hofplein – the former station of the disused Hofpleinlijn railway, whose viaduct arches have been transformed into cultural and creative spaces. Cutting-edge restaurants, boutiques, a jazz club and much more vie for attention. Station Hofplein is connected to the city centre by the wooden Luchtsingel (‘air canal’) footbridge over the train tracks. One section of the bridge skewers the office-buildingturned-design-studio-hub

Foreign visitors per year: 550,000

Language:

Dutch, English widespread

Unit of currency: euro (€)

Cost index:

cup of coffee €2.50 (US$3), glass of beer €3 (US$3.60), short taxi ride €8 (US$9.50) 5

Life-changing experiences

inlets filigree the city. Catch a water taxi, go for an adventure on the water bus or simply settle back for a beer at any of dozens of waterside cafes — new or classic — across Rotterdam. The Rijnhaven, a small harbour area behind De Rotterdam, is home to many floating projects, such as the Bobbing Forest and the Recycled Park, which is a park made from retrieved plastic taken from the river.

Explore Rotterdam’s seafaring heritage at maritime museums or on a harbour cruise past its shipyards’ colossal cranes and containers.

Delve into historical neighbourhoods that escaped wartime destruction, such as charming gabled-andwindmilled Delfshaven (the America-bound Pilgrims prayed at the church next door to Delfshaven’s wonderful canal-side brewery, Stadsbrouwerij De Pelgrim).

Trending topic

Staying dry. Efforts to make the city – 80% of which lies below sea level – fully climate-proof by 2035 include water plazas that double as playgrounds, car park water storage tanks and environmentally sustainable floating houses.

Encounter exceptional art at the masterpiece-filled Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen; the Kunsthal Rotterdam’s diverse exhibitions; and attention-grabbing sculptures throughout the city’s streets and squares.

Most bizarre sight

Mind-bending 20th-century icons include the Cube Houses’ surreal ‘forest’ of 45-degree-tilted, hexagonalpylon-mounted cube-shaped apartments (one’s now a museum, another a hostel and still more available through airbnb).

Hit pumpin’ clubs such as the 6000-capacity Maassilo, inside century-old grain silos.

Current craze

Live on the river! The Nieuwe Maas is never far away and myriad more waterways and

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DELFSHAVEN PHOTO BY ALEKSANDAR VRZALSKI / GETTY IMAGES ©

Best shopping

Classic place to stay

Brand-name shops line the bustling, outdoor, semisubterranean Beurstraverse (nicknamed De Koopgoot, ‘buying trench’); alternative options congregate on and around Meent. For madein-Rotterdam fashion, homewares, books and more, browse concept shop Groos (revived local slang for ‘pride’).

Yes, you can get pancakes on Pannekoekstraat, but you can also find some cutting edge designer shops.

It’s a photo finish between Art Nouveau showpiece Hotel New York (the Holland-America passenger ship line’s former HQ, with timber-panelled suites in its old boardrooms) and artist-designed King Kong Hostel (a vintage- and industrial-furniture-filled haven on Witte de Withstraat, the city’s coolest street).

Both, in their own way, reflect Rotterdam’s irrepressible spirit.

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You can start at Rotterdam’s skylit, stainless steel-encased 1 Centraal Station, an architectural stunner.

From here, head south along the Westersingel canal to where-it’s-at Witte de Withstraat. On your right you’ll see 2 Sylvette, Picasso’s 1970 sculpture, designed with Norwegian artist Carl Nesjar. Turn left onto Witte de Withstraat and follow it to the 3 Witte de With Centre for Contemporary Art, with its international collections. Continue east past Witte de Withstraat’s hip bars and eateries to the harbour.

The beautiful old boats moored here are part of the 4 Maritiem Museum Rotterdam, Turn south, just east of the museum, and walk along the Wijnhaven.

Here is one of the city’s oldest canals. You’ll see old boats mixed with newer ones moored along the sides. At the end is the extraordinary soaring 5 Markthal, an indoor food market, which makes a great place to refuel. Across the vast Binnenrotte square, where the 6 Blaak Markt unfurls on Tuesdays and Saturdays, you can’t miss Rotterdam’s iconic 7 Overblaak Development’s pencil-shaped tower, De Kolk, and ‘forest’ of

which has fantastic interactive exhibits about Rotterdam’s maritime history.

Follow Geldersekade southeast to the 11-storey, 45m-high 8 Witte Huis (White House), Europe’s first ‘skyscraper’, constructed in 1897–98 using loadbearing brick walls.

Take the 1981-opened, crimson-coloured bridge 9 Willemsbrug over the Maas shipping channel and cross the harbour-set island Noordereiland and the Koninginnebrug. Turn right onto Stieltjesstraat and follow it southwest past the swooping white bridge 10 Erasmusbrug (dubbed ‘the Swan’).

45-degree-tilted, cubeshaped apartments on hexagonal pylons (one, the Kijk-Kubus Museum House, is open to the public.

Wilhelminakade is dominated by the Netherlands’ largest building 11 De Rotterdam, a 2013 residential/ commercial ‘vertical city’. Further southwest along Wilhelminakade is the engrossing 12 Nederlands Fotomuseum. Southwest again is the HollandAmerica passenger-ship line’s former HQ 13 Hotel New York, an Art Nouveau showpiece with superb drinking and dining options, and water taxis to ferry you back to the city centre.

Or keep going and walk south over the new pedestrian bridge to 14 Katendrecht and highlights such as Fenix Food Factory and ss Rotterdam.

Architecture

MARKTHAL ROTTERDAM PHOTO BY OSSIP VAN DUIVENBODE / ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION ©. ARCHITECT: MVRDV

Amazing Architecture Rotterdam is a vast open-air museum of modern and contemporary design with architectural wonders such as the Timmerhuis, the famous Overblaak Development, and the eye-popping (and mouth-watering) Markthal.

The city is awash with must-see structures – here are a few more to get you started:

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION ©

Maastoren

Het Nieuwe Instituut

The 2009-built Maastoren is the tallest building in the Netherlands at 165m. Its heating and cooling system uses water from the Maas and energy storage in the soil to reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

With one side surrounded by a green moat and new garden, and the other comprising a sweeping flow of brick along Rochussenstraat, the Het Nieuwe Instituut is striking.

It houses the Museum of Architecture, Design and Digital Culture.

Erasmusbrug

One of Rotterdam’s icons,the Erasums Bridge is 802m-long and was completed in 1996.

It has a soaring asymmetrical tower, which has earned it the nickname “The Swan”.

Included in the admission price is a ticket to Huis Sonneveld, a 1933 villa lovingly restored with furniture, wallpaper and fixtures authentic to when it was completed. Even today it still looks ahead of its time.

Willemswerf

Alongside the water is the striking 1988 Willemswerf office building, with a sloping glass trapezium making a diagonal cut-away across the facade.

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MAINPORT. PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION © ARCHITECT: MAS

DESIGNER DIGS nhow:

Designed by Rem Koolhaas and located in the stunning new riverfront De Rotterdam building, this 278-room luxury hotel has a terrific views. Unwind in the sky bar on the 7th �loor.

Mainport : Locations don't come better than the Mainport, spectacularly set on the harbour a heartbeat from the city's action.

Ultraplush rooms are subtly themed to re�lect far-�lung locations and Rotterdam's role as a port. Many rooms have amenities such as saunas or hot tubs; the heavenly 8th-�loor spa has a hammam, Turkish steam bath and gym.

PHOTO BY BAS CZERWINSKI / ROTTERDAM FESTIVALS ©

Arts & Culture

Arts & culture Rotterdam has actively pursued its status as an open-minded space for arts and as a place where diverse cultures can thrive. As a result, its cultural landscape has developed into a diverse and vibrant home to one-of-akind experiences. From world-class museums like Boijmans Van Beuningen to adventurous festivals like the Rotterdam Unlimited summer carnival, there’s a wide world of arts and culture to explore here.

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Station Hofplein A train stop transformed

Station Hofplein exists in the former station of the disused Hofpleinlijn railway, whose viaduct arches boast cultural and creative spaces, including cutting-edge restaurants, cafes, design and music shops, and a jazz club. Look for open-air fun above the arches all summer long.

studio-hub Schieblock (www. schieblock.com), topped by the pioneering DakAkker harvestable roof. There are some great shops, cafes, bars and other initiatives such as tour company Urban Guides around its base. Up top, there’s a great cafe, Op het Dak. Nearby is Biergarten, a go-to spot during the summer.

The station’s wooden Luchtsingel (‘air canal’) footbridge over the train tracks was crowd-funded by the sale of inscribed planks.

One section skewers the office-building-turned-design-

Don’t miss the Dutch experimental/underground electronic-dance-music record label and vinyl shop, Clone.

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PHOTO BY IRIS VAN DEN BROEK / ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION © ARTIST: SPETO

Highlights Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

Among Europe’s finest museums, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has a permanent collection spanning all eras of Dutch and European art, including superb old masters. Paintings and sculpture since the mid-19th century are another strength.

There are many Monets and other French Impressionists; Van Gogh and Gauguin are given space; and there are statues by Degas. The surrealist wing is absorbing, with famous works by Dali, Duchamp, Man Ray and more.

The museum is currently developing the world’s first fully accessible art depot: Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, designed by celeb architect Winy Maas from MVRDV. The art depot will feature exhibition halls, a sculpture roof garden, and a restaurant.

Big renovations are happening in 2019 causing the entire museum to close, but they will showcase exhibitions and their collection at other locations throughout the city during the renovations.

Meanwhile you can find a heap of jazz along with soul, hip hop, funk and electronica at Bird, a jazz club named for American jazz saxophonist Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker. Its excellent restaurant serves wood-fired pizzas and small plates.

For made-in-Rotterdam fashion, jewellery, homewares, artworks, books, stationery, music and edibles such as chocolates, coffee and more, browse Groos (revived local slang for ‘pride’), located in the redeveloped Industriegebouw, about a ten minute walk from Station Hofplein.

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PHOTO BY BAS CZERWINSKI/ ROTTERDAM FESTIVALS ©

Festivals & Events Stay in unique locations such as art installations and take artist-guided expeditions during April’s Motel Mozaïque music, art and performance festival. Around a thousand musicians perform at mid-July’s renowned North Sea Jazz Festival.

and colourful street parade are highlights of the Rotterdam Unlimited summer carnival, a lively Caribbean celebration in late July.

Tours of normally off-limits industrial areas, as well as nautical displays and sea shanties, are part of early September’s fascinating Wereldhavendagen (World Port Days). Festival-goers don retro get-ups such as sailor outfits for the de Nacht

Rotterdam’s multicultural makeup is a vital part of its lifeblood, with some 170 nationalities calling it home. A cacophonous ‘battle of drums’ 18

Highlights www.boijmans.nl

Maritiem Museum Rotterdam

This comprehensive museum looks at the Netherlands’ rich maritime traditions and is more fun than a trip to the poop deck.

There’s an array of models that any youngster would love to take into the tub, plus interesting and explanatory displays. See dozens of historic boats in the canals and inlets behind the museum. wwww.maritiemmuseum.nl

Nederlands Fotomuseum

van de Kaap (Night of the Cape), held on one crazy Wereldhavendagen night in Katendrecht, Rotterdam’s former red-light quarter.

On the waterfront across the Maas, the Nederlands Fotomuseum mounts large temporary exhibitions. Works on show can range from historic to contemporary and span the gamut from artistically abstract to photojournalism.

No matter when you visit, you can expect to see the efforts of some of the world’s finest photographers.

Enjoy two more festivals celebrating quintessential to Rotterdam’s personality: Art Rotterdam Week and Rotterdam Architecture Month.

The former is in February, the latter is in June. Both feature displays, events and celebrations across the city.

www.nederlandsfotomuseum.nl

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STREET ART Not only is Rotterdam a citywide architectural wonderland, its streets are also ďŹ lled with art. Well over 60 sculptures are scattered all over town (with more appearing every year), including many by major artists, such as Paul McCarthy's outsized and outlandish 2001 Santa Claus, and Picasso's sandblasted 1970 concrete sculpture Sylvette, which he designed with Norwegian artist Carl Nesjar. Unbroken Resistance, the statue at the start of the Westersingel, recalls the German bombing in WWII which wiped out the central city. It shows an enigmatic man, unbowed and calmly searching the skies.

Learn more about the many sculptures at www.sculptureinternationalrotterdam.nl

Highlights

Kunsthal Rotterdam

At the southern end of Museumpark, the Kunsthal hosts around 20 diverse temporary exhibitions each year, including art and design.

Everything ‘from elitist to popular’ gets an airing. www.kunsthal.nl

Witte de With Centre for Contemporary Art

Founded in 1990, the Witte de With, Centre for Contemporary Art offers experimental exhibitions, installations and events have a laser-sharp social and political focus, and it has a reputation as a launch pad for up-and-coming talent. www.wdw.nl PHOTO BY IRIS VAN DEN BROEK / ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION © ARTIST: SPETO

Museum Rotterdam

Right next to city hall, this newly revitalised museum has new digs inside the ‘cloud-like’ Rem Koolhaas-designed Timmerhuis.

It showcases Rotterdam’s past, present and future. www.museumrotterdam.nl

Out-of-the-way-Rotterdam

KINDERDIJK PHOTO BY PIDJOE / GETTY IMAGES ©

Off the Beaten Path Venturing a bit beyond the well-travelled streets of the city centre, travellers can find a variety of surprising experiences.

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ss Rotterdam

The striking ocean liner ss Rotterdam was built in the city and launched in 1958. Its 576 original cabins have been converted to 254 ‘50s-style hotel rooms in three cool themes: Original, Manhattan and Bahamas. Parking’s not a problem, bus 77 drops you at the door or take a water taxi. Even if you’re not staying here, ship tours are available. If you’re looking for great views of the river, go to the ship’s deck where you’ll find a terrace with a restaurant and small swimming pool.

district but now the forefront of the foodie scene. That’s thanks in large part to market collective of Fenix Food Factory.

Everything in this vast former warehouse is made locally and sold by separate vendors making their mark on the food scene – local cheese, cider, baked goods, coffee roasters, craft beer, BBQ, produce and more. There’s also a bar here that stays open until 11pm and the market is a hot spot for food trucks. Opposite the Factory, Deliplein has a string of cafes and bars, and is also where you’ll find Rotterdam legend Tattoo Bob, tattooing here on the cape since 1968

www.ssrotterdam.com

Van Nelle Fabriek

Unesco World Heritage status is a rarity for an industrial building, but this ‘glass palace’, a former coffee, tea and tobacco factory built between 1925 and 1931, is a 20th-century icon. It’s now filled with design studios. www.vannellemuseum.com

Fenix Food Factory

Explore the district known as de Kaap (the Cape) and you’ll find industrial Katendrecht, once Rotterdam’s red-light

www.fenixfoodfactory.nl 24

HET INDUSTRIEGEBOUW PHOTO BY BART HOOGVELD / ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION ©

Zwaanshals

cool restaurants serving specialities such as all-day American breakfasts.

This district in the Old North, has narrow streets lined with brick-faced vintage buildings. Browse through artful boutiques which has beautifully crafted and creative goods plus exquisite prints.

You’re never far from a cafe.

At some, you’ll enjoy houseroasted coffee, at others like Lof der Zoetheid, you can enjoy pastries and tea.

www.hetindustriegebouw.nl

Kinderdijk

In 1740 a series of windmills were built to drain a polder about 12km southeast of Rotterdam. Today 19 of the Dutch icons survive at Kinderdijk, a Unesco-listed monument. You can wander the dikes for more than 3km amid the spinning sails and take a tour inside two of the windmills. The best way here is by the Waterbus.

Het Industriegebouw

The wholesale building called Het Industriegebouw (five minutes northeast of the Markthal) houses the design store Groos and many, many

www.kinderdijk.nl

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION Š

Eating Eating in Rotterdam

Tante Nel Tante Nel is as tiny as a traditional frites (fries) stand but decked out with a stunning Dutch-design painted brick interior and marquee-style canopied terrace for savouring its organic, hand-cut fries (topped with any of a dozen different sauces), along with house-speciality milkshakes, beer, wine and a variety of gins. They also serve luxe versions of typical Dutch fried snacks that are much better than the varieties found in vending machines.

Rotterdam’s lively multicultural population and youthful, experimental vibe keeps the food scene interesting.

www.tante-nel.com 26

Op het Dak

HMB

Dine amidst aromatic herb and vegetable plants at DakAkker, the lush urban farm on the sixth floor of a building near the train station. The food is fresh and inventive. Find a seat at a table under an umbrella and gaze upon Rotterdam amidst a background buzz that’s just that — as bumblebees flit about the flowers.

On the ground floor of De Rotterdam, with dazzling riverfront views of the Erasmusbrug, stylish HMB serves artistically presented contemporary cuisine at reasonable prices. Afterwards, head to the terrace of the building’s 7th-floor cocktail bar.

www.ophetdak.com

A Delfshaven jewel, ‘t Ouwe Bruggetje has a timberpanelled interior with hefty wooden beams, seating by the iron-framed drawbridge out front, and a floating terrace on the canal for dining on traditional dishes with creative twists. It imports more than 100 barrels of wine every year from across Europe. Before or after, have a waterside beer at any of many nearby outdoor cafes.

www.hmb-restaurant.nl

‘t Ouwe Bruggetje

De Ballentent Rotterdam’s best waterfront pub-cafe is also a great spot for a meal. Dine on one of two terraces or inside. Mussels, schnitzels and more line the menu but the real speciality here are bals, huge homemade meatloafy meatballs. The plain ones are tremendous, but go for the house style with a piquant sauce of fresh peppers, mushrooms and more. Waiters and customers alike enjoy a good laugh.

www.historisch-delfshaven.nl

www.deballentent.nl

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Need to know When to go Rotterdam’s museums, shopping, restaurants, bars and

nightlife – as well as its excellent public transport network – mean you can ignore the weather while indoors, and comfortably visit year-round.

Money The Netherlands uses the euro (€). To check latest exchange rates, visit visit www.xe.com.

Welcome Card The Rotterdam Welcome Card (1/2/3 days per adult €12/17/21) offers savings on museum admission and free public transport.

Tourist information Rotterdam Tourist Information (www.rotterdam. info) has two handy offices: one in Central Station and another in the center at Coolsingel 114. Pick up biking maps and much more.

Getting to Rotterdam Air The Netherlands’ huge international airport, Schiphol (AMS; www.

schiphol.nl), is roughly equidistant by high-speed train to both Rotterdam and Amsterdam (around 20 to 30 minutes each). Rotterdam The Hague Airport (RTM; www.rotterdamthehagueairport.nl) serves over 40 European destinations and is less than 6km northwest of Rotterdam.

Train There are frequent high-speed Thalys trains running out of Rotterdam Centraal Station to/from Brussels (1 1⁄4 hours) and Paris (2 1⁄2 hours). Direct Eurostar trains now link Amsterdam with London, stopping here. The London-Rotterdam journey time is a little over three hours.

Getting around Rotterdam Trams Trams go virtually everywhere and you get to sightsee along the way. The metro (subway) is better for quickly covering longer distances.

Bicycles Bicycles are a great way to get around the city and are

available for rent around the clock at OV-bike kiosks located in train stations across Rotterdam.

Boat Water taxis make more than 50 stops around Rotterdam along the Nieuwe Maas. Rates are reasonable and on certain fixed routes such as those linking to the Hotel New York the fares are cheap.

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Explore Rotterdam Published May 2018 Produced by Lonely Planet for the Rotterdam Partners. All editorial views are those of Lonely Planet alone and reflect our policy of editorial independence and impartiality. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/partner Published by: Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd ABN 36 005 607 983 Lonely Planet offices: Australia The Maltstore Level 3, 551 Swanston Street, Carlton, VIC 3053 tel +61 3 8379 8000, fax +61 3 8379 8111 USA 230 Franklin Rd, Building 2B, Franklin TN 37064 tel +1 615 241 6737, toll free 800 275 8555 150 Linden St, Oakland, CA 94607 tel +1 510 250 6400, toll free 800 275 8555, fax +1 510 893 8572 UK 240 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8NW tel +44 20 3771 5100, fax +44 20 3771 5101 India 302 DLF City Court, Sikanderpur | Gurgaon 122002 tel +91 124 423 1645 Rotterdam Partners www.rotterdam.info This book was commissioned in Lonely Planet’s Franklin office and produced by the following: Sales Manager James Riall Project Manager Rebekah Markowitz Account Manager Grace Robson Commissioning Editors Matt Parish, Lauren Vastine Designer Kali Hudson Contributing Writers Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Catherine Le Neves Proofer Bella Li With special thanks to Peter Grunert, Wayne Murphy, Nicole Williams, Jennifer Pentes, Flora Macqueen.

Text © Lonely Planet Publications 2018; text on pages 30-33 supplied by the Rotterdam Partners.

Cover images: Overblaak Development (Cube Houses). Steven Swinnen / EyeEm / Getty Images © Printed in the UK by Ancient House Printing Group.

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Hoek van Holland is known for its beautiful beach, the North Pier and the Nieuwe Waterweg with the Maeslantkering Storm Surge Barrier.

Besides its 3,5 km wide beach, this sustainable and environmentally friendly seaside resort has lots of trendy beach clubs, bars and

PHOTO BY ROB VAN DER TEEN / ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION ©

ROTTERDAM BEACH AT HOEK VAN HOLLAND

restaurants. Enjoy the atmosphere, sunbeds, relaxed lounge music and a cocktail. If you’re looking for a more active way to spend your day, the northern part is perfect for water sports enthusiasts.

Take lessons or hire outfits and equipment for windsurfing, kitesurfing and kayaking.

Rotterdam Beach is perfect for the kids too. It’s safe, has clean swimming water and a lot of play areas for children.

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There’s lots more to see and do in this bustling seaside resort: events are organised in town and on the beach, the museums and art and culture on offer are surprisingly highquality and the nightlife is great.

Hoek van Holland and its surroundings are also lovely for cycling and walking. Enjoy beautiful views, the dunes and the sound of the waves and the wind. Stroll through the forests and dunes or combine your visit to the beach with a walk on the boulevard or the North Pier. The romantic types will appreciate the sunset, and the beach in the moonlight.

There is a wide choice of hotels, bed and breakfasts and campsites and you can even sleep on the beach if you rent a Beach Villa.

See www.hoekvanholland.nl for all accommodation, restaurants and inspiration for Hoek van Holland and its surroundings.

Rotterdam Beach, Hoek van Holland is only 30 minutes from Rotterdam and easily accessible by public transport. A new metro line is expected in the autumn of 2018.

Until this is running, bus lines 711 and 713 run on the same route.

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Countless gin distilleries and roasters. The tallest windmills in the world and historic warehouses.

Inspiring art, crafts and festivals.

With its old-Dutch city centre, Schiedam is a surprising jewel in the Netherlands and known as Rotterdam’s Distillers District, at only 10 minutes travel time from Rotterdam.

PHOTO BY FLEUR KOOIMAN - MUZIEK OP HET WATER / SCHIEDAM TOURIST INFORMATION ©

ARTSY DISTILLERS DISTRICT SCHIEDAM

EXPLORE THE CITY, BY FOOT OR WATER The canals, classic ships, old canal houses and distilleries immediately put you in a holiday mood. The characteristic drawbridges are still raised by hand by bridgekeepers. Rising over the houses are the tallest windmills in the world. Unique in the Netherlands, the 7 windmills are within walking distance of each other.

Head to museum mill De Walvisch to start your personal windmill tour.

Or take a one hour trip down

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the romantic canals on an open Fluisterboot (whisper boat). The local guide will tell you captivating stories about the city.

DISTILLERS DISTRICT In Schiedam, you can smell, taste and see gin and jenever everywhere. Many buildings in the historic city centre are reminders of the time Schiedam was the international heart of the gin industry. Major players in the global market have been established here for centuries.

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Such as the family owned distillery Herman Jansen. Well known for their craftmanship, quality and innovation since 1777, and producers of the authentic Schiedam jenever Notaris and award winning Bobby’s dry gin.

Special city tours are organized for a true gin experience.

MUSEUM QUARTER Be sure to visit the museums in the Museum Quarter. If you want to know everything about the history and production of jenever, you should not miss the National Jenevermuseum Schiedam.

Are you an art lover? Visit the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam with it’s large permanent collection of modern and contemporary Dutch art, as well as many international exhibitions. The spectacular entrance is a (free to visit) must-see, designed by the world renowned architects of MVRDV, also known for the Rotterdam Market Hall.

For more info on Schiedam, visit www.sdam.nl/uk

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After decades of inspired growth and innovative post-war construction, Rotterdam has emerged as a topnotch travel destination. The city boasts cutting-edge architecture, a diverse and multicultural food scene, faithful nods to its maritime heritage and an adventurous artistic spirit.

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