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WE KNOW ROTTERDAM A guide for you to feel at home
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ROTTERDAM! The city everyone knows as a port city and the second largest city of the Netherlands. Rotterdam is a city you have to discover. Bit by bit, it will reveal its best sides and this guide will help you to reveal them! So you can start enjoying the city right away.
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Most Rotterdam travel guides will tell you that a lot of the city was bombed during World War II. If you walk through the city in the evening and look carefully, you should see the edges of the bombed areas, marked by red lights in the pavement. Thanks to those bombings, the city now is a leader in terms of innovative architecture, cultural events and experimental legislation. It made Rotterdam what it is today; the only true metropolis in the Netherlands. The city has more than 600,000 inhabitants, with over 170 nationalities. You can find the multicultural character of Rotterdam in the lively street life, the wide range of international food and drink establishments and the huge number of cultural highlights. Of course you can take a travel guide to get to know Rotterdam, but we are keen to show you the city ‘by insiders tips’ of less well known spots. So, we will leave the Euromast and a boat trip through the ports aside for now. You don’t need us for it! Nevertheless, we will provide you with a few general facts and figures. You can discover the rest of Rotterdam based on our tips further along in this guide!
INDEX
THINGS TO DO What should you do in order to feel like a local?
LANTARENVENSTER page 14
PLASWIJCKPARK A park with animals and a very fun play area. page 12
DEPOT ROTTERDAM For the real Interior Junkies. page 21
MANGIARE
The owner will treat you with divine antipasti and Pasta Parmigiano. page 18
11 12 14 15 18 21 23
General information Family Culture Food/Shops Food/Restaurants Hotspots Nature
NATURE
2TWINTIG
In and around the city, there are also wonderful places to enjoy green space and nature.
Public Relations page 09
page 23
KOEKELA
PRACTICAL
Heaven for those with a sweet tooth. page 15
All kinds of practical information in one place!
10 Rotterdam Map 24 Practical info 26 Last page
COMPANY PROFILES 08 09 25
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2twintig PR is a full service PR agency with roots in marketing PR. Their Rotterdam mentality distinguishes them from other PR agencies in the Netherlands. “Niet lullen maar poetsen” is a Dutch saying describing the mentality of Rotterdam. This means that you don’t talk, but work your way to the top. This is very characteristic for 2twintig. Their clients (e.g. Unilever, Nestlé, United Biscuits, Weight Watchers, Nationale Nederlanden, Omega Pharma) appreciate these qualities in particular. Strong strategically, but also always concrete, with practical conversion into activities and creative in ideas & solutions. 2twintig believes PR can be used to build and maintain a brand’s reputation. The agency works to build credibility and confidence, the essential conditions for a strong brand. Disciplines of 2twintig PR are:
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ROTTERDAM MAP DELFT
N3
F1
ROTTERDAM
N2 F9
F3
N1
F13
H4 H2 F4 H3 F5 H6 H7 H1 F17 H5 F8 H8 F10 F11 F2
F2
SCHIEDAM
VLAARDINGEN
F6
C2
F1 C1
F7
F4 F15
F3 C3
N4
F14
LEGEND
F12 F16
BARENDRECHT
F1
Family
C1
Culture
F1
Food
H1
Hotspots
N1
Nature RIDDERKERK
THINGS TO DO IN ROTTERDAM
REGULAR OPENING HOURS OF SHOPS IN ROTTERDAM
Everyone knows the Euromast, the Erasmus Bridge and the ports. But what to do off the beaten track? What should you do in order to feel like a local? Do the standard activities when you have visitors from abroad (good excuse!), but spend your own leisure time doing less obvious things.
MONDAY
12 noon - 6pm
TUESDAY
10am - 6pm
WEDNESDAY
10am - 6pm
THURSDAY
10am - 6pm
FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
TOP 10 WITH FOREIGN VISITORS:
10am - 9pm* 10am - 6pm 12 noon - 6pm
1. Euromast for a spectacular view 2. Boat tour through the port with Spido 3. Boijmans van Beuningen Museum 4. Hotel New York by water-taxi 5. An architectural walk including a visit to the ‘Kubuswoningen’ 6. A visit to Diergaarde Blijdorp, the largest Zoo in Europe 7. Coffee or lunch on the SS Rotterdam 8. Shopping in the Koopgoot 9. Eat apple pie at Dudok 10. Have a drink in the Oude Haven [Old Port]
The best insiders tips on the next pages are divided into the following categories; Family, Culture, Food (shops & restaurants), Hotspots (bars, clubs, shopping) and Nature.
FAMILY
CULTURE
FOOD
*Every friday shops in Rotterdam are open for evening shopping.
HOTSPOTS
NATURE 11
FAMILY
TIENGEMETEN: NATURE PLAY AREA Where you can build rafts and get lost in the maze.
There are lots of fun things to do in Rotterdam as a family, both indoors and outdoors. Our favourite spots are listed below. Enjoy!
PLASWIJCKPARK
F1
A park with animals and a very fun play area.
RAILZ MINIWORLD
F2
The biggest indoor miniature world of the BeNeLux. www.natuurmonumenten.nl/natuurgebieden/tiengemeten/speelnatuur
PROFESSOR PLONS AT THE MARITIEMMUSEUM The kids exhibition about the port.
www.plaswijckpark.nl
THE DISCOVERY CORNER
www.miniworldrotterdam.nl F3
With lots of experiments for kids.
www.ontdekhoek.nl
12
www.maritiemmuseum.nl
F4
CUBE HOUSES Designed by the Dutch architect Piet Blom.
EUROMAST The landmark of Rotterdam.
KAPSALON Literally it means ‘hairdresser’, but it is an aluminium box with kebab, chips, cheese, salad and sauce.
FEYENOORD Rotterdam football club.
MODERN ARCHITECTURE Discover the countless beautiful buildings of famous international architects
OLD WAREHOUSES You will find these listed buildings everywhere in the city, often refurnished and with a new function.
ERASMUS BRIDGE Connects the ‘old’ city centre with the modern Kop van Zuid.
THE KOOPGOOT Literally it means ‘buying trench’, it is a shopping area in the centre of Rotterdam.
THE MANY LIVELY PORTS Rotterdam is the biggest port city of Europe, which means there are a lot of nice spots on the waterside.
TIP! If you want to discover Rotterdam for a few days consecutively, you can use the Rotterdam Welcome Card. This allows you to travel by public transport and entitles you to a 50 percent discount on attractions, restaurants and museums.
CULTURE
SCAPINO BALLET ROTTERDAM
Rotterdam is culturally very interesting. Beautiful museums, the International Filmfestival, the North Sea Jazz festival and many other highlights, give the city national pull.You have to visit the following places at least once!
MUSEUM KUNSTHAL
C1
The Kunsthal in the beautiful Museum park allows you to breath culture in the widest sense of the word: old and new art, design and photography. The Kunsthal was the first real exhibition hall in the Netherlands. It is not only beautiful on the inside; the building itself was designed by the world-famous Rem Koolhaas and is architecturally certainly worth a visit.
Scapino is a controversial ballet company within modern dance and popular with a wide audience. Their shows are adventurous and innovative and attract a young audience. For many years now, artistic director Ed Wubbe has been giving Scapino a very idiosyncratic character. www.scapinoballet.nl C3
LANTARENVENSTER
www.kunsthal.nl
SCULPTURE TRAIL WESTERSINGEL
C2
On the stately Westersingel, you can go on a nice walk which takes you along 17 works of art by great sculptors including Rodin, Carel Visser, Joel Shapiro and Umberto Mastroianni. This sculpture trail is part of the Cultural Axis in Rotterdam and the International Sculpture Collection of Rotterdam.
14
After years in a small building in the centre, cinema LantarenVenster opened its doors at the foot of the Erasmus bridge in 2010, on the impressive Wilhelmina Pier. LantarenVenster will keep surprising you with its program such as art house films, but also funky undiscovered bands and big names in music.
www.lantarenvenster.nl
F1
FOOD/SHOPS The most delicious places for groceries, delicacies, cake and ice-cream can be found throughout the city. Here are our eight favourite spots for the most delicious things Rotterdam has to offer.
KOEKELA
Follow the smell of freshly baked cookies on the Nieuwe Binnenweg and you will find yourself at Koekela. Heaven for those with a sweet tooth. The lemon meringue pie is unforgettable.
SCHMIDT ZEEVIS
F3
Known throughout the Netherlands! The lunch is an experience by itself, when the shop is packed to the rafters with people enjoying shrimp sandwiches, kibbeling and award-winning Dutch Herring.
Nieuwe Binnenweg 79A F2
DE IJSSALON
You have to be patient, because there is usually a long queue. But it is worth the wait. For example ice cream flavours like Grandma’s Apple Pie, or Oreo cookies.Yum!
Vasteland 60
LITTLE ITALY
F4
From the outside you can barely see it, but once you are inside, it is like you are in Italy. A mini supermarket with divine specialities. According to the experts, they sell the best pizza in town. Meent 69A & Westkruiskade 60
Lombardkade 51A
15
FOOD/SHOPS SMAAKATELIER ZOET & ZOUT
F7
F5
‘Zoet & Zout’ in the cosy Pannenkoekstraat area is a shop where home-made food, delicacies and interior design meet. Here you can find pure and fresh Italian food, but also unique designs and unusual gifts.
LA VITA È BELLA
‘La Vita è Bella’ is run by a passionate Italian couple. This small, welcoming, typically Italian lunch room will serve you the most delicious paninis you have ever tasted! They can also do catering jobs. Oostzeedijk Beneden 229
MARQT ORGANIC SUPERMARKET
‘Marqt’ is a high-end organic supermarket. It is in fact more than a supermarket; Marqt is the place where everything is about what we eat, with respect for nature. Real food that stays close to its origin. The products are made with passion and responsibility and sold at a fair price.
Pannenkoekstraat 93A
BUITEN
F6
At ‘Buiten’ on the Nieuwe Binnenweg, you will find yourself seduced on all sides by the most wonderful Italian delicacies. The cook only works with organic products by local producers. You can eat your purchases in the beautiful shop, or just take them home of course.
16
Nieuwe Binnenweg 100
www.marqt.com
Binnenroute 77 & Bergse Dorpstraat 103
FOOD/RESTAURANTS If you wanted to, you could eat at a different restaurant every day of the year in Rotterdam. No other city in the Netherlands has as many options.This made it difficult to choose the most special places for a list. Once again we have tried to share the less well-known places with you. F8
PICKNICK
Popular place for breakfast or lunch among Rotterdam creatives and students. A perfect start of the day - descending on the kitchen table, enjoying a cup of coffee made from beans roasted on the premises.
MANGIARE
F10
For many years, insiders have known their way to one of the nicest restaurants in the city; Mangiare. The owner will treat you with divine antipasti and Pasta Parmigiano.
Mariniersweg 259 (front) & Pannenkoekstraat 120 (rear)
WITTE DE WITHSTRAAT: WIJNBAR ‘T EIGENDOM & NRC For after-work drinks, you should head to the Witte de Withstraat. You will find a fun get-together of students, business people and tourists. The wines and bites at bar Het Eigendom are finger-licking good!
18
Witte de Withstraat 45
DESTINO
Destino has a delicious Spanish kitchen. They love everything that has to do with Spain and it shows in every dish. Try the hamburguesas in combination with the beautiful wines.
F9
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 150
URBAN ESPRESSOBAR
F11
Australian Jo runs the Urban Espressobar, a modest spot where everything is about the perfect coffee, and fresh sandwiches. Zaagmolenkade 37/38
Botersloot 44A & Nieuwe Binnenweg 263
FOOD/RESTAURANTS THAI: DELIBIRD & BLUE MEKONG
F12 F13
Delibird and Blue Mekong both are very authentic restaurants where Thai people cook your food and you eat it from plastic plates. Order fish cookies, curry and sticky rice for dessert and you will be converted for life. Delibird: Delistraat 46C & Blue Mekong: Proveniersstraat 29A
FRED
Ono is a Japanese restaurant with an attractive minimalistic interior. It has a beautiful view of the Oude Binnenhaven. Ono offers its guests typically Japanese dishes of very high quality, but the menu also offers various delicious fish and meat dishes.
F15
Antoine Platekade 1005
F16
The Chef Fred Mustert has been in Dutch gastronomy’s Champions League for many years. He earned his Michelin stars with cooking at other restaurants and he sees his restaurant on the Honingerdijk as a fantastic challenge to reach the top with a completely idiosyncratic signature. His French dishes are prepared and served with passion every day.
F17
L’OUEST
DE MATROOS EN HET MEISJE
Cross the bridge at Hotel New York to the Deliplein and you get to the ‘real’ Rotterdam. De Matroos en het Meisje is a table d’hôte; you eat the dishes of the day. Preferably in combination with their specially chosen wines. A celebration! Honingerdijk 263-265
F14
ONO
Delistraat 52
l’Ouest is an intimate wine bar in downtown Rotterdam. They serve wonderful wines and small bites. The place is surrounded by beautiful shopping streets such as the Witte de Withstraat and the Van Oldenbarneveltstraat. When the sun is out, l’Ouest has a wonderful outdoor terrace. Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 139
19
DEPOT ROTTERDAM
HOTSPOTS
H1
Interior Junkies are often found with their noses pressed against the window at Depot Rotterdam. The shop is very inspiring and is packed with beautiful furniture made by brands such as Hay and Vitra.
The city has various ‘places to be’, in terms of shopping and going out. In the area around Pannenkoekstraat, Meent and Oude Haven you will not only find the Urban Espresso Bar for good coffee and Picknick for delicious breakfasts.You will also find cocktailbar Level here, for the best cocktails in town, award-winning burgers at Burgertrut and Winebar Janssen en Van Dijk. In addition to this, you will find the following great shops. H3
BOHEMIAN BY JIBODH
Hip boutique for stylish men, run by two brothers. Head here for suits, jackets, sweaters and jeans. Great fun, certainly not a standard shop! Pannekoekstraat 66A H2
AMERICAN VINTAGE
Do not skip this shop for comfortable basics in all the colors of the rainbow. It is a bit pricey, but the quality is unbelievably good. (Pssst, keep an eye out for the sales!)
Pannekoekstraat 48A
SCOTCH & SODA/MAISON SCOTCH
H4
The Dutch brand Scotch & Soda is extraordinarily popular. This brand has two shops on the Meent, both for kids and adults. The brand offers basic clothing with original details. Friendly staff and good advice! Meent 54-56
Meent 95
21
HOTSPOTS Close to the chic Museumkwartier (Museum Quarter) lies the Van Oldenbarneveltstraat. Upon first impression perhaps not very special, but nevertheless one of the most exceptional shopping streets of the Netherlands. You will find the best florist, the most original speciality shops in cosmetics and in particular: The most beautiful fashion boutiques of Rotterdam. H5
WENDELA VAN DIJK
H7
(LADIES, HIGH-END FASHION)
The darling of Rotterdam fashionistas and Dutch celebrities is Wendela van Dijk. You pass the shop easily, so keep an eye out for number 105. Once you get inside, you will come face to face with the beautiful collections of Paul Smith, Isabel Marant and Martin Margiela.
‘S ZOMERS BLOEMEN
’s Zomers Bloemen is a familiar name far beyond the city. The two extravagant owners make every visit into an occasion and offer an incredible collection of flowers and interior accessories. Once you have had a bouquet from ‘s Zomers, you will keep coming back.
www.wendelavandijk.nl
H8
www.zomersbloemen.nl Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 144
MOSTERT EN VAN LEEUWEN
SKINS COSMETICS
Skins Cosmetics takes exclusive cosmetic houses from Paris and New York to the Netherlands. This means this story is stocked with indulgences in skin care beauty; products from Diptyque, Laura Mercier and Creed basically sell themselves.
H6
(FASHION LADIES & GENTS)
With years of experience in shops such as Chanel and Armani, Hugo Mostert and Sander van Leeuwen know how to dress you, like no other! In their boutique, they sell brands such as Jill Sander, Chloé and Sonia Rykiel.
22
www.mostertvanleeuwen.nl
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 129
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 105
www.skins.nl
Van Oldenbarneveltstraat 137
NATURE N1
Kralingse Bos
N2
Kralingse Plas
N3
Bergse Bos
N4
The Park
In and around the city, there are also wonderful places to enjoy nature. For example the Kralingse Bos (Forest) with the Kralingse Plas (Lake). The place to go for 5 km running (exactly one lap around the lake), to picknick by the waterside or walk through the woods. Near the city, there is also the Bergse Bos (part of the Rottemeren area, where you can also swim at the Nesselander beach) and Het Park (under the Euromast). If you go slightly further afield, you can go to the beach (many Rotterdammers go to Hoek van Holland and Renesse) or to Tiengemeenten, a nature reserve where you can sail, play, cycle or go on an adventure with a covered wagon.
23
PRACTICAL INFORMATION Here, you will find all kinds of useful addresses. Do not forget to visit a Rotterdam market every now and then. Great places to breathe in the Rotterdam mentality.
ROTTERDAM TOURIST INFORMATION Coolsingel 195 – 197 (Entrance Binnenwegplein) 3012 AG Rotterdam
ORGANIC MARKET
AFRIKAANDERMARKT FOOD MARKET
Tue 8.30am - 5.30pm
Wed 8.00am - 5.30pm Sat 8.00am - 5.00pm
T: +31(0) 10 - 790 01 85 E: info@rotterdam.info www.rotterdam.info
Location: Eendrachtsplein
WIJDE KERKSTRAAT BOOK MARKET
VISSERIJPLEIN MARKET
Location: Wijde Kerkstraat
Location:Visserijplein
Tue 8.00am - 5.30pm Sat 8.00 - 5.00pm
ALEXANDERPOLDER FOOD MARKET Fri 8.00am - 5.30pm
Location: Alexanderpolder
24
Thu 8.00am - 5.30pm Sat 8.00am - 5.00pm
Location: Afrikaanderplein
Parking outside the indoor parking can only be paid with a chipknip (with your bank card, or a pay-asyou-go card). At the indoor parking facilities, you can also pay with cash.
CITY CENTRE MARKET Tue 8.00am - 5.30pm Fri 12.00noon - 6.00pm Sat 08.00am - 5.00pm Sun 12.00noon - 5.00pm Location: Binnenrotte
Public transport is provided by the RET. You pay with an OV chip card (for sale at the station or at super markets and kiosks). You can add credit onto this card at any train station.
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LINKS QR CODES PAGE 03 ROTTERDAM EVENTS en.rotterdam.info/visitors/events/ PRACTICAL INFORMATION en.rotterdam.info/visitors/practical/ MEET OTHER EXPATS www.internations.org/rotterdam-expats/ CITY COUNSEL’S EXPAT DESK www.rotterdam.nl/expatdesk
COLOPHON Guide design: Art of Branding Copy editors: 2twintig © 2013 by Art of Branding & 2twintig All rights reserved. No part of this guide may be reproduced in any manner without permission. All images used are for informative purposes only and belong to their respective owners. 26
Photo credits: cover Ender Ozcati; p. 08 Martijn Dirksen; p. 09 2twintig.
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