Rotterdam or Amsterdam: that was the question. It brought more angst than trying to figure out which country we were in: The Netherlands or Holland. Most everyone who travels to this area visits Amsterdam. It’s a must-see destination. But I had no interest in Amsterdam beyond the feeling I should follow the crowded lines of travel opinion. I like to read well thought out travel advice. It’s a good idea to know what savvy travelers say. But I usually do what I want anyway. When I found out that our cruise ship would park center-stage Rotterdam, it was decided. No two-hour train trip to Amsterdam, I would be stepping off the ship into a city and then walking to my heart’s content. My kind of day.
Downtown Rotterdam, except for a few small interwoven areas, is a modern glass and steel kind of city, and very beautiful for it. Clean, sleek, design-conscious. I left the ship early and saw city workers riding their bikes to jobs in tall mirrored buildings, stopping in for coffee at cafes, emerging from underground transit. As I walked, my tourist pace seemed out of place for this brisk city. I had hours to spend, and no particular place to go (hello Anita and Richard https://noparticularplacetogo.net/) Unlike the workers, I could dally.
The sights entertained: old style bicycles in this modern city, a flower market serving the going-to-work population. Even a sudden hail storm – which is, after all, much much better than a soaking rain – didn’t take me off the streets. I stepped under the overhang of a nearby building and enjoyed the brisk smack of the ice pellets on the tops of the parked cars.
A few buildings had survived the bombing of WWII, giving a flavor for the architecture of that time. Bridges crossed canals and narrow boats served as restaurants and still the city sky-scrapers intermingled pleasantly. I kept my eye on the Erasmus Bridge, the landmark for my return to the ship. It was never far out of sight, at least not far out of my mind’s eye. Walkers find it easy to keep a sense of direction in Rotterdam.
I walked the older section, saw draw bridges rise, watched storm clouds invade and dissipate, detoured through small streets along the canals and craned my neck to include the skyscrapers. Walking a city like Rotterdam is such a pleasure, everything at a pace that keeps you invigorated and able to really see the city. If I am lucky, I may see Amsterdam another time. But I was fortunate to be able to visit Rotterdam, and that is lucky enough.
Stop by Restless Jo’s Monday Walks for more…
One Small Walk... 
Next time you are there I recommend taking a train to Delft, better than both Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the advice, Andrew. Several others mentioned Delft. This time, Rotterdam worked well for us, but if we are ever in that area again, I’d look for different places to visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely photos of a lovely city!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cindy. I’m glad you joined our small walk 🙂
LikeLike
I quite fancy Delft but I find it hard to believe that it’s better than Amsterdam. I haven’t done either so I’ll have to test Andrew’s theory some day. Meantime I was quite happy to accompany you on a jaunt through Rotterdam. 🙂 I already knew it was a good-looking city because Indah has featured it on her blog. It did seem to make a lot more sense than a trip to Amsterdam for a shorter time. 🙂 Wishing you a happy weekend, and thanks for the link.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank YOU, RJo, for the wonderful Monday Walks! Delft is coming up the big winner here, but I was quite happy with Rotterdam. It was like a city that expected no visitors and so carried on with its own life, and I got to observe (snoop?) Fun times!
LikeLike
Can’t beat a good snoop. Girl after my own heart 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
yup. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susan, very cool. I love the Erasmus Bridge. It is breathtaking. Thanks for the sights. Keith
LikeLike
Keith – you are so very welcome! The bridge is lovely, and the city has a great many other beautiful (and modern) buildings. A really pleasant surprise 🙂
LikeLike
We met another traveler from Rotterdam and she loved her city! We’ve always been curious about which is better: Amsterdam or Rotterdam. Guess I now know from Andrew’s comment – it’s Delft. Good choice, we think, to not waste time on the train. It’s so much better to plunge in and do what is near.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beth – Alison’s comment also mentioned Delft. This travel decision was made for us by the cruise itinerary, and I wasn’t disappointed. We were facing a couple hours on the train/bus to Berlin a day or so later, so this was perfect for me. I was surprised at how pleasant the city was. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Although I enjoyed this walk around Rotterdam, Amsterdam rules. And Delft is lovely too. I think I like both better than Rotterdam because they still have their history. It was not obliterated in the war so there’s a feeling of character in both cities.
Alison
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alison – I like your comparisons, and since I haven’t been to Amsterdam or Delft, I will take your word for it. I usually like the smaller, less modern places, but I have to say that I really enjoyed this visit to Rotterdam. It was a nice break from the more tourist-infested stops on this trip. If I’m ever back to this area, I’ll follow ‘Alison’s travel advice’!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that I would feel more at home on the barge in the canal, then the ship in the harbor.
Cuz-O
LikeLiked by 1 person
Since I live in something like the barge, I will admit that the ship wasn’t all that bad for a change 😉
LikeLike
Now THAT’S the way to see a new city!
LikeLike
Hugh – it was one of those visits where I didn’t have any expectations for a memorable visit, and it was terrific 🙂
LikeLike
Isn’t it great to have a lively discussion and comparison between the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam or Delft? I can’t wait until we have a chance to find out for ourselves but I loved getting a preview of Rotterdam and finding out that there’s a bridge like the Erasmus to keep me oriented! And thanks for the shout out … It really can be fun to take a walk with no particular place to go! Anita
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anita – that little phrase was fun. It came to mind, then had a second connection! And, yes, I love shared opinions to help me make travel decisions. I think I’ll take in Delft if I am ever in the area. And to think I thought it was a simple Rotterdam-Amsterdam choice 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Had a wonderful time in Amsterdam a few years ago but definitely want to explore Delft and also now Rotterdam after your fabulous walk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, BeckyB. There’s so much to explore, it’s really nice to hear everyone’s comments and recommendations. 🙂 Susan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovelt photos!! If you have the time I would be really happy if you checked out and commented on my blog:))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Hints. I surely will 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for the nice walking tour while it’s raining outside 🙂 What a nice city, and I am happy you did what you wanted instead of sitting on a train, and saw this city at your own pace. It’s funny how we always feel the briskness of a city going to work when we are masters of our time and curiosity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tiny – it was a pleasant part of the walk – being able to see the morning rush and not be a part of it! Hope you are getting through with the rain (I see you haven;t quite managed to send any our way – sigh)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I visited Rotterdam once when we were staying in Delft. John was at a conference so I went alone and really enjoyed it – a great art gallery I seem to remember. However, it’s definitely not better than Amsterdam which is one of my favourite cities and has so much more to offer. In my opinion of course! We’ve since been back to Delft and also Leiden which is a similar small city with canals, all easily accessible by train from Amsterdam. It’s a wonderful area.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anabel – I truly enjoyed Rotterdam, but missed all those other highly-recommended places. Everyone comments on the wonderfulness of Delft. If I ever visit again… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the post, it’s very interesting and the photos are amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much for visiting onesmallwalk. Hope you’ll come back 🙂
LikeLike