Rotterdam is a remarkable city of contrasts: a metropolis where past, present and future converge. Full of energy and an urge for innovation, the city reinvented itself after the bombing in the Second World War. Rotterdam made a clean break with the past and preferred modern architecture. It led to Rotterdam becoming the young dynamic city it is today, with daring architecture and the busiest and smartest port in the world.
Many new icons now grace the city’s skyline, including the Markthal, the Central Station and the new Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen.
Most of Rotterdam was bombed during the Second World War but the picturesque yacht marina, Historic Delfshaven, is one of the few parts of the old city that survived. It has had a remarkable history as the departure point from which the Pilgrim Fathers sailed for America. Other historic sights that influence the city’s character are the famous Hotel New York and the ss Rotterdam, the cruise ship that sailed between Rotterdam and Manhattan in the 60s.
Rotterdam is a veritable treasure trove for travellers.
The most modern city in the Netherlands, also known as the ‘gateway to Europe’, embraces experiments of all kinds: from a rooftop city garden to a music festival at the docks and from a floating farm, to an old swimming pool magically transformed into a laboratory of the future. Exciting places that also show how Rotterdam is developing into a resilient city and society by constantly anticipating the future. That passion for innovation has always been characteristic of the Rotterdam locals. From philosopher Desiderius Erasmus, born in Rotterdam and renowned as one of the most important humanists of the Renaissance, to contemporary innovators like architect Rem Koolhaas, artist Joep van Lieshout, and designer Daan Roosegaarde.
After a full day of impressions in Rotterdam, a good bed is essential. Rotterdam has a wide and varied range of hotels, and the price/quality ratio is generally good. If you are looking for a comfortable hotel in the middle of the city so that you are close to everything, then you can choose from numerous three, four- and five-star hotels. Such as the Bilderberg Park Hotel, a stone’s throw from Museumpark. The Inntel and the Mainport Hotel at dynamic Leuvehaven. Or the Hilton, right in the city centre.
You can also go a little further from the centre to sleep in a special location. Aboard the ss Rotterdam, for example, the cruise ship that sailed between Rotterdam and Manhattan in the 60s. In the famous Hotel New York at the Kop van Zuid. Or in hotel nhow, in ‘De Rotterdam’ built by Rem Koolhaas. Wake up and have breakfast with a view over the Maas river and the skyline, now we’re talking! Just as new is The Slaak Rotterdam, a five-star hotel in a former printing office in Rotterdam-Oost, where the interior has a glamorous touch of the 50s.
The New York Times and Lonely Planet have both proclaimed Rotterdam as a must-see destination for good reason.
Rotterdam is the perfect choice for your Dutch city trip or holiday. Its strategic location and connectivity mean that you can easily reach other Dutch and European cities and attractions. In the direct vicinity of Rotterdam, you’ll find the 19 windmills of Unesco World heritage site Kinderdijk. From Rotterdam, you can also easily reach historic cities like Schiedam, Delft, Gouda and The Hague. Even Amsterdam is only 40 minutes away.
Visit the Rotterdam Branding Toolkit and search through hunderds of beautifull media from Rotterdam.
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