What to do in Rotterdam for two adults – that’s one of the most frequently asked questions on Google. I know because I searched for the same thing. And what did I find? A Spido harbour cruise, a panoramic view from 182 meters above sea level atop the Euromast, and lunch at the Markthal, among other popular activities. We did all of that. Sadly – or perhaps fortunately – no museums this time, and no public transport adventures to areas beyond reach of K2.
To make up for the lack of museums, I had two wonderful encounters with two remarkable gentlemen. Let me explain.
First, while sitting in a British-style pub with a pint of Guinness and waiting for my Bangers & Mash, I noticed a gentleman at the next table writing postcards with a beautiful fountain pen. I pointed this out to my wife, who said, “You should compliment him on that lovely writing instrument.”
So, after finishing my Bangers & Mash, I politely interrupted the gentleman and told him he had a very beautiful Montblanc fountain pen. He thanked me and said he had been writing with it for the past twenty years. He added that he truly enjoys writing with fountain pens. I replied that I do as well. He asked if I also owned a Montblanc. “I don’t,” I said, “but I do have a Graf von Faber-Castell.” The gentleman nodded appreciatively – he clearly knew the brand.
A simple exchange, yet one I cherish deeply. You don’t often see men writing with such elegant instruments in pubs late at night. Should I get a Montblanc myself? Oh, and yes – he was writing postcards. Imagine receiving one, handwritten with a fountain pen… Can you? I certainly can.
That’s the first story. For the second, you’ll have to keep reading.
Since I already mentioned Bangers & Mash, my first gallery from Rotterdam will, naturally, feature food – Bitterballen (remember my trip to Amsterdam?), fish and chips, toast with bacon and two poached eggs, and of course, syrup waffles. Surprisingly, I didn’t photograph everything I ate. Maybe I’m getting too old to take photos of food?
I hope you’re not afraid of heights. Fortunately, my wife isn’t – which was a good thing, because one of our first main attractions in Rotterdam was a ride up the Euromast.
For more details, you can always ask ChatGPT, but in short, the Euromast is a viewing platform offering a breathtaking panorama of Rotterdam from above. And for a small extra fee, you can take a seat in an additional rotating platform that rises all the way to 182 meters above sea level. The floor beneath your feet turns transparent, and you feel as if you’re floating in the sky.
My wife absolutely loved the experience. I did too – though perhaps in a slightly more… relaxed manner. Still, it’s well worth the few extra euros.
How’s the view? Wait until you see the one from our hotel room. Okay, it wasn’t quite as high as the top of the Euromast, but still – high enough compared to our usual hotel stays.
But I won’t invite you into our hotel room just yet (buy me dinner first). Instead, let me show you something else: the beautiful street paintings of Rotterdam.
At first, we didn’t notice much street art around the city. Sure, we saw sculptures – and there are plenty of them in this wonderful Dutch city – but murals? None. Then, during my French class (yes, I attended a French class while in Rotterdam – I’m still waiting for my medal for that effort), my professor mentioned a cluster of streets covered in colorful artwork across multiple façades.
Since we skipped the photography museum, we thought – why not explore a few painted walls instead?
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see that black dwarf? What is he holding – a toy? A Christmas tree? Some kind of candy? Really? Is that what you thought? Don’t lie! Let’s keep this article PG-13.
After visiting the Euromast, we made our way to the Erasmus Bridge. Not to walk across it and make a wish, but to catch the Spido harbour cruise. After all, Rotterdam has the largest seaport in Europe – and if it’s the largest, we simply had to see what it had to show for it.
We saw ships and boats of all kinds. In one of the Euromast photos above, you might have noticed a grey cruise ship. It turns out that decades ago, it used to sail between Rotterdam and New York. Today, it no longer travels; instead, it serves as a hotel and spa complex. Impressive, isn’t it?
I’ve always liked harbours. There’s something about big ships, heavy machinery, and massive infrastructure that just gets my juices flowing.
After a two-hour boat cruise, would you care to come up to my hotel room for a cup of hot tea? My wonderful wife had booked us a room on the ninth floor. We didn’t have a view of the entire city of Rotterdam, but it was more than enough to make our eyes water with joy – or perhaps that was just the wind we endured during the cruise.
When evening came and the city lights began to glow, the view became even more stunning.
I did promise a second story, didn’t I?
Did you notice the bikes in the first gallery – the one with the food? That’s where we found a place called the Cycling Café. Yes, that’s its actual name. On our way toward the train station, we decided to stop in, ordered two cappuccinos, and found a free spot to sit.
After a short wait, a gentleman – who seemed to be the owner – brought our cappuccinos. As he set the tray on the table, his left sleeve slipped back, revealing a stunning platinum Rolex Daytona with diamond hour markers. It took me only a fraction of a second to realise what I was looking at. I quietly told my wife, who once again encouraged me to compliment the gentleman.
When we finished our cappuccinos and brought the tray back, I mentioned that I had noticed his watch and that it was an absolutely wonderful piece. He thanked me, then went on to explain that it was his grail watch. He had saved for it for a long time, and when he finally managed to secure the funds – and find the right one – he bought it as a symbol of accomplishment.
Fortunately, I was wearing my Tudor Black Bay 54, and we shared a mutual appreciation for objects that carry meaning – those that mark a milestone or a personal achievement. Not many people do that anymore: save for something special, something lasting. And even fewer understand it. Sadly, the world today seems full of people who’d rather scratch your car or steal your watch than admire it. Still, what a wonderful gentleman.
Speaking of cars – would you like to see a beautiful green Audi RS6? Of course you would. You don’t really have a choice, but I wanted to be polite and ask. I would have loved to photograph it more, but passers-by started looking back, wondering what I was so focused on. I also spotted a sleek black Audi – and a BMW too.
For those few loyal readers – have you noticed that I admire architecture? I hope so, because I truly do. During our trip to Rotterdam, I kept telling my wife that this city is an architect’s dream and an engineer’s nightmare. The modern beauty here is simply breathtaking.
Now I understand why some people on Reddit call it the little New York of Europe. Skyscraper after skyscraper – one being finished while another is already rising. One overlooking the harbour, another the Erasmus Bridge, each unique yet harmoniously part of the same skyline. The colours, the shapes, the heights, the complexity – both above and below ground – left me genuinely amazed.
It made me want to live in one of them. Should I? My own little Rockefeller Center in Brussels. I think I should. What do you think?
I took around 500 photos during this trip. I used my Fujifilm camera, my iPhone 13 mini, and my wife’s Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. I photographed buildings, cars, food, boats, and sculptures – all the usual suspects.
What I didn’t expect to capture, however, was a group of people sitting in a hot tub, sipping champagne, and cruising through the canals of downtown Rotterdam. Only in the Netherlands, right? Fortunately for them – and for us – it didn’t rain on either of the days we spent there.
All in all, life on Rotterdam’s waters was vibrant, colourful, and full of surprises. See for yourself.
We stood atop the Euromast – 182 meters above sea level.
We cruised the harbour at sea level, admiring ships, boats, and waves.
We tasted syrup waffles and meatballs, drank Guinness, and whispered a few naughty words to a stunning green Audi RS6.
We gazed at buildings that must have cost many brilliant civil engineers more than a few sleepless nights.
Before we call it a day (or a night), I want to show you two last things: the Cube Houses of Rotterdam and the Markthal.
Remarkably, both are inhabited. Yes – you can actually live inside those iconic Cube Houses, and even within the Markthal itself. Inside the Markthal, you can eat, shop for groceries, or simply relax, while the spaces not occupied by merchants are taken up by residents.
Simply stunning.
I hope you enjoyed this little journey through part of Rotterdam. I say part because we never crossed the Erasmus Bridge – we stayed on just one side of the river. And we didn’t visit any of the city’s museums, including the famous Photography Museum.
All the more reason to come back for a follow-up visit, wouldn’t you agree?
Kind regards,
Olaaf
P.S. I bought two decks of cards during this trip! For those who were wondering – no, I haven’t stopped my card collection just yet.
Stay passionate!
