What has the city center of Rotterdam to offer for expats and tourists?

After World War 2 people often said that Rotterdam had no city center. Nowadays Rotterdam has a vivid city center. The area of Blaak, Meent, Lijnbaan can be called Rotterdam’s city heart. What has Rotterdam’s city center to offer?

The ‘Lijnbaan’ has been one of the high streets since it opened in 1953. It was one of the firsts ever pedestrian-friendly high streets in the Netherlands. Cars, scooters, motorcycles and bikes were not allowed to travel on the Lijnbaan.

In 1991 another popular shopping district was given a makeover. The ‘Beurstraverse’ was being renovated and an underground section was built. At first it was meant to safely let pedestrians pass the busy ‘Coolsingel’. It than became clear that the ‘Koopgoot’ could be another shopping area and since then well known (Dutch) shops like C&A, HEMA and H&M have had stores located at the ‘Koopgoot’. Nowadays it has been labeled one of the busiest shopping districts of Rotterdam and connects the ‘Lijnbaan’ with the Hoogstraat and Grotekerkplein.

Laurenskerk

Situated on ‘Grotekerkplein’ is the ‘Laurenskerk’. The 'Laurenskerk' is a church and has been a landmark since the 15th century. It has seen several wars, but was heavily damaged during the bombing of Rotterdam in World War 2. After the events of World War 2 the Laurenskerk was reconstructed. Nowadays skyscrapers surpass the tower's of 65 Meters. Even though they have taken over, you can still have a maleficent panorama view of the city center on top of the Laurenskerk-tower during a guided tour between April and September, which costs 5 Euros.

Binnenrotte and Blaak

From the ‘Laurenskerk’ it is only a 2-minute walk towards the Binnenrotte. This massive square is known for its weekly market on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Perhaps it might be better known for all its landmarks it houses.

The first landmark is called the ‘Potlood’, which translated means pencil. It is a flat designed by the famous Dutch architect Piet Blom in the shape of a pencil. It is part of the other famed landmark called the ‘Kubuswoningen’. Both of these landmarks are well known Instagrammables and a hotspot for tourists.

When visiting these landmarks, don’t forget to pay a visit to the library. The architects of this building might be inspired by the Centre Pompidou, due to the building having steal pipes on the outside and lots of glass. The inhabitants gave the library the following nickname: ‘the vacuum cleaner’. Inside the library you can find thousands of books, but also exhibits are being held here. You can study on the sixth floor in silence and even play a game of chess on the ground floor.

Markthal

Last but not least is the newest addition to the city center called the ‘Markthal'. In 2014 the Markthal was realised and it became the cherry on top. This remarkable building with its modern architecture is designed by MVRDV Architects and has been the final piece in connecting all of the separate shopping areas with each other. It really became the much needed eye-catcher of Rotterdam’s city center and attracts nearly 8 million visitors a year. 

The concept of having an indoor market made inhabitants skeptical, but they have been proven wrong. The combination of an indoor market, its modern shape and the indoor artwork created a one-of-a-kind masterpiece and has been given lots of praise during its 5-years jubilee.

Meent

Not far from the Binnenrotte lays shopping street called ‘Meent’. This shopping street is known for being one of the upper class shopping streets in Rotterdam. Next to the ‘Meent’ lays the ‘Pannekoekenstraat’ and Botersloot. These two streets have lots of different small shops suchs as a record store, a cigar shop and some vintage stores.

Luckily this area also holds some lovely diners and lunchrooms where you can enjoy food for a fair price. Lunchroom Dudok is the most well known lunchroom of Rotterdam and really a trademark. It has the most famous apple pie of Rotterdam and serves some of the best lunches you can have. Craving for some Italian food. Go to Little Italy or Guliano! For dinner we suggest to visit the ‘Dutch Diner’. This restaurant serves Dutch food like poffertjes, pancakes, waffles and burgers.

Other places to have dinner

Not in the mood for a Dutch dinner? Then you might want to visit another restaurant located at the Pannekoekstraat or Botersloot. We would like to tell you some of our favourites: 

• Noo.me, a restaurant where you can eat lots of different noodles,
• Tante Nel: Snackbar where you can enjoy typical dutch snacks like the kroket and frikandel but you can also drink cocktails and other alcoholic beverages. 
• Deligriek: A Greek restaurant with an extremely high rating
• De Pizzabakkers: A pizza stand with pizzas baked in real Italian wood burners
• Pierre, a little bit of Paris in Rotterdam. Thereby beloved by influencers
• Gamasot. Small Indonesian take-away restaurant

After enjoying dinner you can visit one of the many cafes located in the area called ‘Nieuwemarkt’ like Bokaal, Pol, De Gele Kanarie, Thoms and Sunset Cafe. You might also want to walk back to the ‘Binnenrotte’ and sit down at one of the most popular cafes of Rotterdam: ‘Van Zanten’.

Riva rentals has some wonderful apartments located in the city center of Rotterdam. We have apartments situated at the Botersloot, Meent, the Kubuswoningen and Korte Hoogstraat

Other need to knows:

Donner: This bookstore was once the biggest book store of The Netherlands, nowadays it has been relocated to the former building of the ‘Rotterdamsche bank’. In this building are also a Starbucks and Bagels & Beans, and in 2020 the second largest Primark of The Netherlands will be opened.

De Bijenkorf: One of the oldest warehouses of The Netherlands. Here you can buy upper class clothing, cosmetics, perfume et cetera.

WTC: The World Trade Center households 200 companies and has been around since the 16th century. Nowadays it is located in a 93 Meters high oval building with green elements and has an outstanding restaurant-cafe and coffee corner.

Stadhuis (City hall): The city hall was finished in 1920 and survived the bombing of Rotterdam in WW2. You can have a tour and visit the beautiful gardens of the city hall.

Post: This flat has not been built yet, but has already won our hearts. The old post office will be transformed into a 155 Meter high flat, where old elements meet new modern architecture

Leuvekolk: In 2020 you can enjoy the sun or hire a canoe in the middle of the city center. Perfect for those hot summer days where temperature can rise to 40 degrees Celsius

Schielandshuis: Houses the tourist information office