Rotterdam
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Rotterdam is a city in the Netherlands.
Rotterdam like other cities in Netherland, offer a unique experience for travelers, locals and temporary residents alike. It may not be as popular as the other illustrious Dutch city Amsterdam to the rest of the world, but ask some Rotterdamérs and they would fight till their last money over which is better. The city has some splendid things to offer; modern architecture, bustling arts and music scene, night life, parks and leisure, universities, corporate and a very international crowd. The patient and curious traveler would no doubt be rewarded.
Rotterdam is set along the river Maas, and is still the largest and among the most important harbor and port in the world. Most of the city has been rebuilt after the destruction of the World war II. Modern architects have used this as a playground for all the wacky and trendy ideas, a haven for modern architecture.
Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus is one of the most famous historical figures associated with the city, a classic scholar of the 15th Century. His scholarly works and his thoughts and ideas are well respected. A testimony to his greatness is the Erasmus Bridge standing on the river, making for a great walk or ride by the river, and wonderful night view.
Contents |
Meetings & Events
- CouchSurfing meetings are (becoming) a fairly regular occurence in Rotterdam. Check out the gathering section on couchsurfing
- In 2007 all kinds of coolthings are being organised since Rotterdam is focusing on it's architecture. Read more over on Rotterdam 2007
Surfing through Rotterdam City
- A little bit of history
- Highlights of Rotterdam
ARCHITECTURE: (Kop van Zuid, Erasmusbridge, Cubical Houses...)
ART: (Museum District: Boymans, NAI, Kunsthal. The Ruined City- Ossip Zadkine. Witte de With: showroom MAMA…)
HARBOUR: (watertaxi/ waterbus, seamen pubs (Café Vlag en Wimpel, de Ballentent), Hotel New York...)
NIGHTLIFE: (I think it might be funny to show here cut-outs of the heads of the main and famous Rotterdam nightlife ambassadors, where you can click on for more information: Jules Deelder (for a tour along jazz & live music venues), Ted & Petra MTC (for Rotterdam’s hip & fabulous places) and DJ Paul Elstak (representing Rotterdam underground) Maybe you don’t think it’s funny at all. I’m open to constructive criticism)
- Interesting areas (with some specially recommended places)
Witte de With: De Witte Aap, Tiki bar, Jaffa Shoarma, Bazar Oude Haven: terraces, restaurants Delfshaven: for that Old Dutch cuteness Nieuwe Binnenweg: Boudewijn, Rotown Laurens kwartier: market, church, Urban Espresso Bar
- Off the beaten track (to be announced…)
A couple of tips for the urban forager.
Getting Around
By bike
Do it the Dutch way (but beware of the tram rails :-) and rent a bike. (link to FAQ).
Public transport
Rotterdam has a wide network of public transportation. Trams, buses and the metro do perfectly connect with each other. For actual information about how to get from A to B by any means of public transport you can visit the website www.9292ov.nl
Sick of Rotterdam and want to go to another city in the Netherlands? You can reach most cities by train (link to www.ns.nl) in one or two hours. Even during the night a train goes once every hour to Delft, The Hague, Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam and Utrecht.
Parking
In case you plan to come by car: the whole center of Rotterdam is paid parking and the tricky thing is: you can only pay with money in the parking garages. On the street you have to use a special chip card, available at the RET office at Central Station, the VVV and de offices of the local parking company, PBR.
Taxi
There are several taxi companies in Rotterdam. We mention two here: RTC (010-4626060) and St. Job (010-4257000). The taxi starts with a flag price on top of what you pay per kilometer.
To travel in Rotterdam by public transport you’ll have to use a 'strippenkaart'.
Tips
- Rotterdam has a use-it, a special tourist information office for young budget traveller's. Check out their website, it has all kinds of good info about Rotterdam in it!
- There is free internet acccess at the Rotterdam Tourist info (VVV), on Coolsingel.
- If you'd like to visit the Boymans-van Beuningen Museum you can do so for free on Wednesday.
- Paying on the Rotterdam metro's is optional (well, not really, the chances of getiing caught are really slim :) ). Just stick any random piece of cardboard (like your CS business card) in the blue slot to make the gates fly wide open. In case you do get checked (chance <5%), pretend to be a dumb tourist who doesn't cary any cash around. If you can pretend to hardly speak any English, most likely the controlers will let you off with just buying a ticket. Worst case you'll get a EUR 35 fine, which most likely won't be chased through your home country. Please do keep in mind that you can not pull the "I don't have my ID on me right now" since in the Netherlands everybody is obliged by law to carry their ID at all times.
- Thursday night is student night. Many bars and disco's offer reduced prices.
- On Wednesday and Sunday evenings the Poortgebouw operates a vegetarian cafetaria at 19h00. Usually you can get a meal really cheaply!
CouchSurfers
<<New hosts page>>
When To Visit
- Queens Day Celebration
- North Sea Jazz Festival
- Sinterklaas
- Zomercarnaval
- Motel Mozaique
Useful Info
Emergency In case of an emergency call 112, no coins or phone card needed. You'll be asked what is needed: police, fire department or ambulance.
Police headquarters Doelwater 5 (left side of City Hall) General police phone number: 0900 – 8844
Hospitals Erasmus Medisch Centrum (also for testing STD anonymous & free!) Dr. Molenwaterplein 40 (010-4633922) Metro exit Dijkzigt
Havenziekenhuis Haringvliet 2 (010-4043300) Metro exit Oostplein
Tourist Information The main and official tourist information point: VVV Tourist Information Center Coolsingel 67 0900-4034065 (€ 0.35 a minute) www.vvv.rotterdam.nl
Backpackers Information Use-It De Schaatsbaan 41-45 010-2409158 www.use-it.nl
Hostels & Campings If you can’t find a host, here you can find a list of cheap places to spend the night. (Link to http://www.jip.org/usecms/simply.php?pid=49&sid=1)
Internetcafe’s You can use the Internet for free (up to half an hour) in the Public Library at the Hoogstraat (metro Blaak) or in Café Boudewijn, Nieuwe Binnenweg 53b (metro Eendrachtsplein). For a list of other internetcafe’s in Rotterdam, click here (link to http://www.world66.com/europe/netherlands/rotterdam/cybercafes)
Restaurants
Check out IENS Index, the democratic and independent restaurant site IENS.nl. With good and original restaurant reviews for Rotterdam and the rest of the Netherlands.
Poffertjessalon Seth, for a real Dutch pancake at Hoogstraat 177. Tel. 010-4334210.
Bazar, has offers a great choice of cheap dishes out of the Oriental and Mediterranean kitchen. The service is multicultural that fits with the ambience. Also great location for breakfast. Witte de Withstraat 16. Tel: 010-2065151
De Tuin, is an unique place at the lake for bar food, Sunday brunch, eat outdoors at the waterside or just have a drink and look at the sunset over the Rotterdam skyline. Also accessible by boat! Plaszoom 354. Tel: 010-4527743
Toaster, at Pannekoekstraat 38a is a hip and trendy place for good and simple food (sandwich, pasta, soup, tosti, fresh mint tea ..) and drinks. Tel. 010- 413 70 81
<<Let's add a section with cheap 'daghap' restaurants, like Cambrinus!>>
