As summer approaches there is one area in Rotterdam that I enjoy most during this time of the year. Have you been to Kop Van Zuid and the popular Wilhelminapier? Or Katendrecht? If you go – the following are a must!
1. Hotel New York’s Terrace
Hotel New York is a trendy hotel located in the previous administration building of the Holland America Line (Cruise Line), which was opened in 1993. This Hotel and landmark has, hands down, my favourite terrace in Rotterdam with a great atmosphere and fantastic view over the channel and its surroundings.
You can either sit behind the glass if its windy…
…Or on the grass if its warm!
What a beautiful day!
If you are ever in the area on a cold winters day, they have an area near the restaurant where you can sit and read magazines while enjoying drinks and snacks. It is an ideal solution to escape the cold breeze!
2. Water taxi
In front of Hotel New York you will find a Water Taxi stand with two different boat sizes ready to take you to several destinations. Instead of heading back to the city center which is only a few minutes away take a water taxi and enjoy the view and being on the water!
Water Taxi
On our way
View from the water Taxi
Another boat passing by…
It is the little pleasures that make a day wonderful, and simply getting to take a boat to cross the channel and see the sights from the water, simply makes my day!
3. SS Rotterdam
The SS Rotterdam cruise ship or ‘The Grand Dame’ can be found stationed in Katendrecht where it now plays the role of a museum and hotel. The ship was launched in 1958 and voyaged for several years before it returned to Rotterdam in 2008 and opened as a hotel in 2010. It’s hard to imagine that at its time it was considered a large ship and sailed between Holland and America. Now I enjoy biking to it and having a drink on deck!
The SS Rotterdam
The ship is now a multifunctional space
4. Cruise Terminal
It is extremely exciting that on Wilhelminapier at the cruise terminal, cruise ships with all shapes and sizes arrive.
I was lucky enough to see ships arrive and ships depart from the terminal and it is truly a sight! I thought it was only in the movies that you see people waving at the ships as loved ones waved back, but no, it really happens!
Cruise Terminal
A cruise ship getting ready to depart
And away it goes!
What is intriguing is that the cruise terminal is not only used for ships but holds many events, the one I want to go to is the Frank010 which is a party the last Friday of every month and is legendary (from what I have heard).
5. Rijnhavenbrug
The Rijnhavenbrug (or bridge) connects the Wilhelminapier and Katendrecht and is accessible by bike and foot. The bridge is not long and majestic but there is something about it that makes it special. At the end of a long day there is not a site more beautiful than the one below. Over the years people have been adding locks and every time I return to Rotterdam I notice there are more and more.
Intrigued by the idea of Rotterdam? Book Now!
