ROTTERDAM WEEKEND GETAWAY GUIDE

Everybody loves a vacation but we all know that limited holiday days makes going away difficult. Americans usually opt for weekend getaways to nearby destinations or even staycations, but Europe never comes to mind. I am here to show you that having a weekend getaway to Europe is not also feasible and accessible, but also affordable!We can all agree that Paris and London are safe bets when it comes to European holidays, but have you ever considered Rotterdam? For those who haven’t heard of this city, Rotterdam is the second largest city in Netherlands, known for its innovative and distinctive architecture and rich history. It is only a quick 25 minute train ride from Amsterdam and has a wide range of exciting activities including fine dining and nightlife, shopping, art museums, architecture, outdoor adventure and many more!

HOW TO GET TO ROTTERDAM

The best and affordable way to get to Rotterdam from New York is through Norwegian Air. Voted Europe’s Best Low-Cost Airline and The World’s Best Low-Cost, Long Haul Airline by passengers in the Skytrax Awards from 2013 to 2018, it’s no wonder why Norwegian Air should be your go to airline when booking a European weekend getaway trip. The low cost airline offers amazing deals and fares on many nonstop routes to Europe’s most popular cities.

Norwegian Air is dedicating its focus on Diversity and Inclusion, pushing forward its philosophy that travel should be accessible for all.

A flight from New York to Amsterdam costs roughly $150 one way, which is pretty amazing especially when you compare this cost to other airlines. It it also one of the youngest and greenest fleets in the world as the average age of their planes is only 3.6 years old. Since it’s a newer aircraft, the airline use less fuel, which means less emissions for the environment. Amenities vary depending on which fare ticket you choose, but here are some of the offerings:

• Free Wifi on board
• Free Entertainment
• Comfortable seats with plenty of room for your legs
• Fresh air and optimal cabin pressure, resulting in less jet lag
• 65% larger windows than in comparable planes and smart mood lighting

For those who would like to experience a glimpse of business class, you can book premium class as the cost of a round trip ticket is comparable to economy class in other airlines. *You can also see the perks of booking premium class here.

WHERE TO STAY AT ROTTERDAM

There are many options when it comes to accommodations in Rotterdam, but the best place to stay is Mainport, a luxurious and modern 5-star hotel, which opened in 2013.

It is not just a hotel, it’s a lifestyle. Mainport’s unique location, on the banks of the river Maas, offers sweeping views over the water and the skyline of Rotterdam. Get inspired by Mainport’s world class atmosphere and exceptional design.

The hotel has 215 rooms and is right next to the Erasmus Bridge, which is an iconic backdrop in Rotterdam. Many rooms also offer impressive views of the city skyline from the banks of the river Maas. Some of the amenities that guests can enjoy include:

• Spa Haven
• Swimming Pool
• Life Fitness Gym
• Down Under Restaurant

Leuvehaven metro station is also conveniently located outside of the hotel and is just a 5 minute train ride to Rotterdam Central Station. Other attractions and highlights are all within walking distance from Mainport Hotel, making this a great and central place for tourists and visitors. The best way to start a morning at Rotterdam would be sitting outside of Down Under Restaurant and having a breakfast and coffee (weather permitting) while enjoying the beautiful views of the city and river.

Address: Leuvehaven 77  3011 EA Rotterdam

WHAT TO DO AT ROTTERDAM

Rotterdam Tourism Information has a whole list of attractions and things that you can do in this unique city, but the top five attractions to visit are:

• Market Hall: One of the most popular attractions in Rotterdam is Markt, the biggest indoor market hall in Netherlands, which opened in 2014. Designed by renowned architecture firm MVRDV, visitors are greeted by an impressive arch and can admire the colorful interior tiles. Markthal is open 7 days per week until 8 p.m. and has 100 fresh produce units, 15 food shops, 8 restaurants and 228 apartments. Come with a huge appetite because you’ll surely be wanting to sample something from each vendor. It’s a great place to dine with friends, spend a weekend and shop your favorite foods!
• Cube Houses: The Cube Houses is a prime example of Rotterdam’s modern architecture. Designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom, this block of houses is easily distinguished by its unique yellow cube-shaped upper stories, which are tilted over by 45 degrees. Curious bystanders can also learn more by exploring the Show Cube Museum (Kijk-Kubus). Visitors can tour around a fully furnished Cube House and see what it’s like to live in it for a night or two as you can book to stay at  Stayokay Hostel Rotterdam. It also goes without saying that this attraction is great for photos, but be sure to look up for a cool view!
  

  Address: Overblaak 70 3011MH Rotterdam

• Kunsthal Rotterdam: For those that love art museums, Kunsthal is a must visit in Rotterdam. This museum opened in 1992 and hosts a variety of constantly changing exhibits of visual arts, design, architecture, and culture from across the globe. Currently, visitors can enjoy Thierry Mugler: Couturissime (opened now until March 2020), which is the first exhibition ever to showcase the work of the French fashion designer Thierry Mugler (1948). Visitors will be treated to over 130 of his haute couture creations, documents and photographs. Be prepared to be mesmerized by his unique costumes and expressive style and designs, which have been inspired by different elements from fashion history and the punk movement. Other exhibitions displayed at Kunsthal include…
  

  Address: Westzeedijk 341

• The Sonneveld House: Sonneveld House is one of the best-preserved houses in the Dutch Functionalist style. Designed by architecture firm Brinkman & Van der Vlugt, visitors can can see what it was like to live in a hypermodern home in 1933. Almost all of the items in the houses including furniture and lamps were custom made by the firm of Gispen. Audio guides are offered so visitors can get to know more information about each room and truly be transported back to the 1930s.
  

  Address: Jongkindstraat 12

• Rooftop Tours: For a destination like Rotterdam with amazing architecture and views, visitors should prioritize booking a rooftop tour to see the the beautiful city from above. Inside Rotterdam offers many tours all year round, one of which are the rooftop tours. Guided by an informed and engaged guide, visitors can expect useful information about Rotterdam’s history and information regarding the different rooftops. Interestingly enough, Rotterdam has more flat rooftops than any other city in the Netherlands so why not find out more!

WHERE TO EAT AT ROTTERDAM

Rotterdam has tons of options when it comes to dining and it’s difficult to narrow down the restaurants, but the top five places that I would suggest visiting are:

• Ballroom: If you love gin and meatballs, then this is the place for you! Ballroom bar & restaurant (on Witte de Withstraat) is a chic dining option with a causal and minimalistic ambiance. There are two patios which offer visitors a street or garden dining experience. The drink menu consists of 160 different gins from 14 countries and the food menu has many options with meatballs being one of the more popular choices. This is a great place to dine with friends as the vibe is sleek and fun!
  

  Address: Witte de Withstraat 88b

• Héroine: Restaurant Héroine is a new restaurant opened at Het Industriegebouw. Designed with red and gold tones, visitors can expect upscale dining, but in a relaxed manner. This is the perfect place if you want something fancy, but not over the top. At Héroine, guests can enjoy delicious dishes, tasty wines and a high-level service and choose between a 4, 5 or 7-courses dinner. The atmosphere of the restaurant is already a reason to visit, but if you also add in the delicious meals and carefully combined ingredients from the chef, then you are in for a treat and you will surely leave wanting to return!
  

  Address: Kipstraat 12

• Ayla: Whether you are looking to grab a bite to eat before evening plans, wanting to have a nice dinner with friends or going on a date, Ayla is a perfect tapas place since it is open seven days a week, from early morning till midnight, for breakfast, brunch, lunch, bites or dinner. The interior is an eclectic mix of cultures and styles from Casablanca, Beirut, New York and Barcelona and the food is inspired by the Mediterranean, from Casablanca to Beirut, via Sevilla and Istanbul. It is recommended to share plates as there are many options on the menu but no matter what you order and how you order, you will not be disappointed!
  

  Address Kruisplein 153

  
  

• Op het Dak: Translated to “on the roof”, Op het Dak is truly a hidden gem in Rotterdam. Overlooking the Rooftop farm (the largest urban farm rooftop of Rotterdam and Europe), guests can dine at an intimate place with beautiful views of the city. The cafe offers drinks and food that is healthy, clean, simple and local. Focusing on seasonal produce, Op het Dak’s dishes and ingredients come from local farmers and producers in the region. Not only is everything on the menu delicious but it’s also healthy!
  

  Address: Schiekade 189

• De Matroos en het Meisje: If you are looking for a restaurant to complete your visit at Rotterdam, then I would highly recommend dining at De Matroos en het Meisje.  The interior of the restaurant is bold and artistic with Delfts Blue print on the walls and the famous Dutch checkered tea towel used as napkins. The menu changes regularly and is inspired by the market and the season, so you don’t really know what you’ll be getting, but I promise there are no bad surprises. The staff at the restaurant are also pleasant, so I can guarantee you’ll have a great dining experience!
  

  Address: Delistraat 52

With so much to do and see in Rotterdam, why would you not add this charming city to your weekend getaway plans? Instead of choosing to stay nearby where it’s convenient, go explore an uncharted destination where you can go back home and rave about the amazing attractions you visited and the delicious foods you enjoyed. The best part is that visiting Rotterdam is easily accessible and affordable thanks to low fares on cost efficient airline Norwegian Air! Make sure you check out the different routes offered by Norwegian Air and have a look at their low fare calendar so you can snag a flight to a destination you didn’t think you could visit and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by not only the low fare but also the high quality service on board!