I arrived in Rotterdam on a lazy, sun-drenched morning. Stepping out of the station, I wasn’t greeted by the traditional Dutch windmills or quaint red-brick houses I had imagined. Instead, sharp lines of glass buildings, angular bridges, and boldly painted murals greeted me. I realized immediately—this city was nothing like the Holland I had pictured.
Rotterdam isn’t a city you can fully grasp by walking around for a day or two. Its charm doesn’t lie in immediate beauty, but in the surprises that emerge as you explore deeper. On this stroll through the city, I began at the famous Cube Houses and made my way to the banks of the Maas River, experiencing a journey through modernity and history, architecture and art, markets and everyday life. This was how I came to understand Rotterdam’s unique spirit.
1. Cube Houses: Imagining Home Through Geometry
Stepping out of the Blaak metro station in central Rotterdam, I looked up to find myself face to face with a cluster of cube-shaped buildings—like they had fallen from a sci-fi world. These yellow, 45-degree-rotated cubes with pointed roofs looked bizarre at first, but the longer I stared, the more charming they became. These are the Kubuswoningen, designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom. Each cube is a full residence, while the base houses shops and pedestrian walkways.
I bought a ticket to the “Show Cube,” curious to explore how people live in such an oddly shaped home. The first floor holds the living room and kitchen, the second has the bedroom and bathroom, and the topmost floor is a glass-enclosed sunroom offering city views. With all the slanted walls and ceilings, every piece of furniture has to be custom made. It might not be ideal for someone like me, who struggles with direction, but as a design concept, it’s a fairytale brought to life.
Next to the Cube Houses, there’s a library and a small church. In the shade of the geometric structures, children read on the grass while coffee aromas and street music blend into the air. I sat down at a nearby café, latte in hand, gazing at a landscape suspended between reality and imagination.
2. Markthal: Where Art Meets Taste
Just a five-minute walk from the iconic Cube Houses lies one of Rotterdam’s most fascinating and celebrated attractions: the Markthal. This architectural marvel, often hailed as a modern cathedral of commerce, stands out with its dramatic, arch-shaped structure resembling an upside-down horseshoe. The building’s exterior houses residential apartments and office spaces, while the interior unfolds into a spacious, vibrant indoor market. What truly sets it apart, however, is its arched ceiling—a massive digital mural titled Horn of Plenty, created by artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam. This kaleidoscopic artwork features enormous floating fruits, glistening seafood, blooming plants, and surreal insects. Bathed in natural light from glass-paneled facades, the scene feels more like an art museum than a market hall.
In one corner of the Markthal, tucked beneath the bustling stalls, is an “underground supermarket”—a flagship branch of Albert Heijn, the Netherlands’ largest grocery chain. With sleek aisles, a wide selection of fresh produce, and affordable prices, it draws both tourists and locals alike. Shoppers wheeled carts piled with stroopwafels, tulip bulbs, and craft beers. I browsed the aisles leisurely and picked up a wedge of smoky Gouda cheese and a couple of jars of artisanal fruit jam—one with fig and balsamic, the other a tangy raspberry blend. Perfect late-night snacks for my return to the hotel, and small edible memories of Rotterdam to take with me.
3. City Architecture Walk: Among Concrete and Glass
After leaving the market, I decided to explore Rotterdam’s most modern side on foot, drawn by its reputation as a “paradise for architecture lovers.” This city, largely rebuilt after the devastation of World War II, embraced not just recovery but reinvention—modernist principles mixed boldly with experimentation.
As I walked through the wide, meticulously planned streets, I saw buildings that defied conventional forms—structures that bent, twisted, and soared like sculptures. Some resembled sails catching the wind; others shimmered like shards of ice. The Central Library stood out with its peculiar pencil-like shape and bright yellow escalators threading through its core like veins of neon energy.
Further west, I stopped to admire the Netherlands Photo Museum and the Netherlands Architecture Institute, two institutions where culture and design merge seamlessly. Even ordinary urban elements—bike racks, street lamps, benches—seemed to be crafted with aesthetic intention.
What amazed me most was The Red Apple, a towering residential building wrapped in crimson glass panels that reflected sunlight like a living jewel. Its gleaming façade seemed to pulse with life, especially against the pale sky. Around it, art installations punctuated the sidewalks, while cafes and galleries opened onto clean, expansive walkways. Even the bus stops here looked like pavilions from a design biennale.
In Rotterdam, you don’t just view architecture—you live in it. Everyday life feels like stepping through the glossy pages of a design magazine, where every corner reveals another surprise.
4. The Maas River: Where the City Dances with Water
As the sun began to lower, casting golden rays across rooftops, I made my way toward the Nieuwe Maas River—Rotterdam’s beating heart and the lifeblood of its maritime legacy. A distributary of the mighty Rhine, the Maas has shaped the city’s geography, history, and future.
From the eastern bank, the view was cinematic. The Erasmus Bridge, nicknamed “The Swan,” stretched gracefully across the water, its single, tilted white pylon slicing the sky like a sculpture in motion. At sunset, the bridge glowed blue, casting shimmering reflections on the rippling surface—a vision that blended romance with modernity.
I boarded a water taxi, which rocketed across the river at thrilling speed. Despite the wind on my face and the cold seeping into my coat, I couldn’t take my eyes off the landscape unfolding around me. Sleek towers rose at Wilhelmina Pier, while the Fenix warehouse loomed nearby, now home to hip food halls and artist studios. We passed the grand SS Rotterdam, once a luxury cruise ship, now a stationary hotel—its decks still echoing the glamour of mid-century travel.
After disembarking, I wandered into Delfshaven, a charming time capsule untouched by the bombings of WWII. The cobblestone alleys, narrow brick houses with pointed roofs, docked sailing ships, and even a traditional windmill felt like pages from a centuries-old storybook. Here, the past whispered softly, just a few blocks away from the steel and glass of the future. It was a surreal and moving contrast that deepened my appreciation for the city’s resilience.
5. Nightfall: Where Culture Meets Daily Life
As twilight settled over Rotterdam, I made my way back to the city center in search of a memorable dinner. I chose a modern Dutch restaurant known for its “new-style cuisine”—a fresh interpretation of local ingredients presented with contemporary finesse. The atmosphere was intimate but vibrant, with soft lighting, exposed beams, and an open kitchen where chefs worked like artists.
My meal began with a plate of tender white asparagus, lightly poached and paired with a citrusy lemon foam that danced on the tongue. The main course was a perfectly roasted trout, its crispy skin resting on a bed of earthy beet purée and accented by foraged herbs. Dessert brought a delightful surprise: a reinvented crème caramel, reimagined with hints of rosemary and sea salt. Each dish was paired with a glass of locally produced white wine—dry, floral, and refreshing.
As I stepped back onto the street, the city had shifted into a different rhythm. The buzz of day had given way to a calmer, warmer energy. Yellow light spilled from tall windows, jazz music meandered out of cozy bars, and laughter echoed faintly through alleyways. I passed a group of students dancing near a canal, their joy uncontained, their movements reflected in the water.
In that moment, something profound settled in me. Rotterdam no longer felt like a destination I was visiting—it felt like a place I belonged to, if only for a while. The boundaries between visitor and city, between observer and participant, blurred until I too became part of the living canvas that is Rotterdam.
6. In Rotterdam: A Gentle Story of a Modern City
Rotterdam isn’t a love-at-first-sight kind of city. It lacks Amsterdam’s classical beauty and Bruges’ poetic charm. But it is a city that knows how to rebuild and innovate. Beneath the glass and steel lies a tender human spirit and the warmth of everyday life.
From the Cube Houses to the banks of the Maas, my day in Rotterdam felt like flipping through an architectural album while wandering through lived-in neighborhoods. As I left, I realized: this city redefines “futuristic”—and proves that even the future can be soft, bright, and full of life.
