Rotterdam doesn’t play by the rules. Forget quaint little canals and centuries-old gabled houses like its neighbour Amsterdam. That all went up in smoke when the Nazis bombed the city in 1940, flattening most of the historic centre in a brutal show of force. A shame, really, when you think about all the incredible Golden Age architecture from the 1600s and 1700s that could’ve rivalled Amsterdam’s. Rotterdam was made the example and yet, out of the rubble came something entirely new.
What you get today is a city that leans forward. Glass, steel, bold shapes, and sharp lines. Rotterdam reinvented itself into a playground for modern architecture. The Erasmus Bridge cuts across the Maas like a giant swan in mid-flight. The cube houses tilt at impossible angles, as if someone gave a toddler too many Lego bricks and said “go for it.”
And while you’re here, do yourself a favour and hop on a WaterTaxi.. Way more fun than an Uber, and with views that make the skyline feel alive. You’ll skim past cargo ships, modern towers, and bridges that look straight out of a sci-fi flick.
But here’s the thing — amid all that shiny newness, there are still a few gems that whisper history. Hotel New York is one of them. Once the headquarters of the Holland America Line, this was the launchpad for thousands of Europeans chasing new lives across the Atlantic. These days, it’s been reborn as a buzzing hotel, bar, and restaurant. And trust me, the vibe is spot on. The brasserie-style menu leans into fresh seafood, the service hums along like clockwork, and the cocktails aren’t shy. Pair that with views across the Maas and you’ve got yourself one of the best places in the city to slow down and take it all in.
So yes, Rotterdam lost its old-world postcards, but it grew into something else entirely: a city that thrives on reinvention. It’s not Amsterdam, and that’s exactly the point.
