It’s raining in Rotterdam. Serious precipitation. None of the spitting drizzle we get in London; this is downpour-grade falling water. But I don’t mind, because even though I only have one day in Rotterdam, I’ve found the best part…and it’s indoors.
Markthal Rotterdam
The shiny Markthal Rotterdam is a foodie heaven.
A covered indoor market, its high horseshoe ceiling shines with celestial fruits and vegetables, giving all food lovers a remarkably accurate picture of what the afterlife will look like (or my version of it, anyway).
Underneath the strawberry-and-peach sky is an endless sea of stalls. They sell everything from colorful wheels of Dutch cheese to sweet stroopwafels, thin golden wafers bonded together with a syrupy kiss.
There are restaurants, supermarkets, and bars here, too, and given the weather outside I start to think I could set up camp and spend the entire day grazing. Which I almost do.
One Day in Rotterdam
But I don’t want spend my one day in Rotterdam having only seen a small part of the city.
I’ve traveled here from The Hague on a three-city trip to the Netherlands to discover my favorite places in Rotterdam. Even if this is the best of the best, I won’t know that unless I see some of the other sights.
Cube Houses in Rotterdam
Conveniently, one of them is just across the plaza from the Markthal.
The cube houses, which were designed in 1984 by Dutch architect Piet Blom, are another of Rotterdam’s famous attractions. Their bizarre diagonal architecture bends my mind like an M.C. Escher drawing come to life.
Much of Rotterdam was bombed during World War II, and the city is now known for its impressive—and sometimes eclectic—contemporary architecture.
Hotel New York in Rotterdam
A few metro stops away is another of Rotterdam’s iconic buildings, the stately Hotel New York.
Formerly the head office of Holland America Line, the company that operated ships that brought thousands of people from Europe to the U.S. around the turn of the 20th century, the building is now a trendy hotel with a lively restaurant and bar.
I continue my one day in Rotterdam by stopping for a comforting bowl of steamed mussels and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, watching the rain fall on the boats outside as the old world ambiance of the hotel buzzes around me.
Rotterdam is one of the world’s busiest ports, and the waterborne activity on the Maas channel today proves it.
Still seeking shelter, I leave Hotel New York and make my way to the Nederlands Fotomuseum, the national photography museum down the street.
There’s an exhibition about Rotterdam with 175 years of photos depicting the urban landscape, people, and culture of the city.
It’s a great way to learn about the city in my one day in Rotterdam, and a convenient method of seeing it without getting drenched by the rain.
Rotterdam in a Day
I end my day where I started, with one last trip to the Markthal to meet up with someone that has attended my social media classes.
We have tea on the roof of one of the market stalls, and as I take in the colorful atmosphere, I quietly confirm that this is indeed the best place I’ve been to in the city.
After tea, we dash back out into the square to catch our respective trains. Mine is heading to Utrecht, the third and final stop on my Netherlands itinerary.
As it pulls out of Rotterdam Blaak station, I look out the rain-streaked windows at the contemporary skyline. There’s a lot more to see than I’ve done in one day in Rotterdam, but I’m glad I saw the best of it.
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26 Comments on Lady’s Guide to One Day in Rotterdam
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This looks lovely! I haven’t been to Rotterdam in years, well not properly anyway. It’s definitely on my list.
Nice! It’s worth a trip!
I had never thought of Rotterdam and a destination for a weekend break, but it looks lovely!
Yeah, it’s great. Definitely worth a visit!
The market looks amazing – especially the ‘stroopwafels’. So hungry now 😉
Yeah, they were so good!
Thanks Julie, Two things:1) Dutch cheese, aged Gouda (is it pronounced How-dah?) One of the best aged cheeses on the Continent, in my opinion 2) The Dutch and their food connection to the famous “Dutch East Indies” – the combination of flavours from Indonesia/Java and the Continent is practically the definition of exotic food…,
Yeah, the food is great there!
Hi I’m also on a short break to the Netherlands can recommend Leiden where we were today, very quaint. Read your post also on the a Hague – a lovely city. Especially like the Escher museum there!
Nice! I’ve heard good things about Leiden. I will have to try to visit next time I’m in the Netherlands.
lovely and beautiful photos, thx for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome!
Wow! Lots to see here, too. I’ve never been to the Netherlands but we are bringing the 3 kids in there 2017. Rotterdam is definitely one of the cities we want to see. Thanks for sharing it with us.
You’re welcome! I hope you have a great visit!
ahh I’ve heard about the indoor market, it looks incredible! I’m hoping to get to Rotterdam after falling in love with Amsterdam. We never let rain destroy our trips away, just gotta plow through it! Lessons learned by moving to England haha.
That’s great! The market is worth a trip!
Never been to The Netherlands but would love to someday. Rotterdam looks like a cool city. And Markthal definitely seems interesting 🙂 Lovely photos, Julie!
Thanks Nita!
I’ve found myself caught in the pouring rain during my travels too. Haven’t we all? It’s nice to know there are wonderful gems like the Markthal Rotterdam out there to explore on rainy days. Here’s to great travel adventures, rain or shine!
Thanks Jennifer! It’s always an adventure when it rains during a trip!
I would definitely spend a full day at that food market! That’s my idea of heaven too.
Nice! Glad you agree!
I always thought Rotterdam was a bit meh, but my mom took me last summer and it totally opened my eyes. It just always gets a bit of a bad rep in comparison to Amsterdam, but it’s fab.
Yeah, I was really pleasantly surprised by it! Glad you enjoyed it, too!
I really like the photos 🙂
Did you go to Kinderdijk as well?
Thanks! I didn’t make it to Kinderdijk on this trip, but it sounds like it’s worth a visit!