Rotterdam just blows my mind. This is my third trip- 1999, 2011, 2025- and I hope it’s not another decade or more until I return again. Rotterdam, like Hamburg, being destroyed in the war, has made it a fertile playground for new ideas but I attribute that to the powerhouses of MVRDV and OMA of which both have their headquarters located there. One can imagine them having a home court advantage and having a good time in their own backyard.
Having rented my bike, I sought out the backroads a bit to check out Luchtsingel but that entrance was closed but came across this outdoor plaza stuffed with gems of street art (and a club to boot). I remembered right away how much edgier Rotterdam is than the other Dutch cities- what a beautiful thing indeed.
Closest Address: Schiestraat 42, 3013 AG Rotterdam, Netherlands (Perron)
Still on the way to my first official destination, I barely was able to ride 2 minutes before having to stop again and again and again for a random view. The above was a mixed use construction where I soaked in the people soaking in the view on the patio to the canal.
Address: Haagseveer 90, 3011 DG Rotterdam, Netherlands (Eet-en Biercafe Haagse Bluf)
In my research I had hunted down CasaNova as a new construction and this entire area along this canal is packed full with interesting exterior texture treatments and patterns and of course the required Dutch cantilever.
I had a lovely coffee (finally) to soak in my own view.
Address: Wijnhaven 65, 3011 WJ Rotterdam, Netherlands (CasaNova)
Erasmusbrug is a defining landmark in Rotterdam and on the approach it doesn’t look like much effort, but this time crossing this bridge literally almost killed me. My least favorite natural force, the wind, was very much having a field day. I was too embarrassed to have to stop and while I kept questioning whether Fenix would be worth it or not, turns out many times there is no gain without pain.
Address: Erasmusbrug, 3011 BN Rotterdam, Netherlands (Erasmusbrug)
Perhaps my favorite random view of Rotterdam this trip. I found a quiet moment here in this space to have the most magnificent view of the Depot and eat my packed sandwich. Leaning against the concrete leg of this almost purposeless space – I gave thanks for the sun and for pushing through the cold I had to get to Rotterdam. If you have any doubt, you doubt the positive- each of these spots is well worth it.
Address: Museumpark 35, 3015 CG Rotterdam, Netherlands (next to Westkop)
ofallthespaces 