Architectural Wonders of Rotterdam

This post is part of our Europe travel series. If you missed it, you could read the first part here and the previous post here.

Rotterdam is another city in the Netherlands. Its name, like Amsterdam, has an interesting origin. When a dam was built on the Rotte River, the area was called “Rotte Dam,” which eventually evolved into Rotterdam.

In the 17th century, Rotterdam flourished as a major trading hub. But during World War II, heavy bombing destroyed much of its historic center. Rather than rebuilding the past, the city embraced the future choosing modern architecture over restoration. That decision is what gives Rotterdam its unique and striking skyline today.

On the fourth day of our trip, on May 16th, we checked out of our hotel in Amsterdam in the morning. We took a train and reached Rotterdam in about an hour and a half.  We stored our luggage in lockers at the train station and set out to explore the city. Even the railway station’s architecture stood out as very different from anything we had seen before.

Our first stop was Lijnbaan, a pedestrian shopping street. It was built on the site of a rope factory that was destroyed during World War II. It is known as Europe’s first car-free shopping street — a forward-thinking idea long before pedestrian zones became common.

From there, we walked to Beurstraverse, also known as the “Koopgoot.” This shopping street is built below road level, allowing cars to pass above without disturbing pedestrians. It felt like the city had been carefully designed in layers traffic above and leisure below.

Next, we visited Markthal, one of Rotterdam’s most impressive landmarks. The building is shaped like a giant arch. Inside, the ceiling bursts with enormous, colorful images of fruits, vegetables, and flowers a dazzling artwork that instantly lifts your mood.

The upper floors contain apartments and offices, the middle level houses a lively food court, and the lower level includes shops. Walking through the market felt like stepping into a vibrant global kitchen, with cuisines from many countries filling the air with delicious aromas.

From there, we headed to the iconic Cube Houses. These tilted cube-shaped homes stand like a modern urban forest. Each cube represents a tree, and together they form a forest of yellow geometric “trees” in the middle of the city.

We bought a ticket to explore one of the houses. Inside, the home spans three floors connected by narrow staircases. The walls tilt at unexpected angles, and the large windows create fascinating patterns of light. The rooms are oddly shaped but surprisingly livable. It felt quirky, playful, and imaginative — architecture that challenges your sense of balance and space.

We took an Uber from the Cube Houses to Delfshaven. It was originally built in the 14th century as the port of Delft. Historically, it was known for shipbuilding, fishing, and gin production. It was one of the few areas that survived the bombing during World War II.

Walking through Delfshaven felt like stepping back into an older Netherlands, with its quiet canals, historic buildings, and a slower rhythm of life. The area carried a peaceful, preserved charm and stood in stark contrast to Rotterdam’s bold modernity.

We had hoped to see the port and the famous Erasmus Bridge, but our train to the next city was scheduled for 3 p.m., so time was limited. At 2 p.m., we returned to the station by bus. 

Travel always comes with small surprises, sometimes inconvenient and sometimes memorable. We experienced one such moment in Rotterdam. We had stored our luggage in two lockers at the station. When we went back to collect it, only one locker opened. The other refused to budge. While we were struggling with it, our train to Ghent departed without us. For a moment, it felt very frustrating.

About thirty minutes later, a staff member arrived, opened the locker, and gave us a note explaining the delay for the ticket collector. An hour later, we boarded the next train without any issue. In the end, it became one of those small travel stories we will always remember. This one became part of our story.

The two-hour train ride to Ghent was quiet we were seated in the first-class silent zone, so conversation had to wait. Instead, we watched the passing countryside through the window. And just like that, our Netherlands journey came to an end.

Amsterdam’s canals, Giethoorn’s charm, Zaanse Schans windmills, and Rotterdam’s bold architecture each offered something different. We carried with us not just photographs, but lasting memories of our journey.

Our journey continued to Belgium. I’ll share those memories in my next post.