Spending a night in a cube house, then off you go on a tandem bicycle criss-crossing Rotterdam, taking in charity shops and other green hotspots. We set off in Rotterdam once again and mapped out a completely new route. Because after our first green travel guide, it turned out there was still loads more fun stuff to discover. Will you cycle along with us?
Sustainable places in Rotterdam
Rotterdam is of course a massive city where there is always something going on. And amidst all the high-rise buildings, coffee shops, shops and other urban hustle and bustle, there are a surprisingly large number of nice, sustainable spots tucked away. We previously made this green route through Rotterdam, but we were far from finished with it. So, time for round two, featuring new charity shops, lovely places to eat and sleep, and other spots that make our green hearts beat faster!
Sleeping in an iconic cube house in Rotterdam
We are turning it into a full 24 hours in Rotterdam right away and starting with an overnight stay that is actually a trip in itself. We are sleeping at Stayokay Rotterdam, right in the middle of architect Piet Blom's famous cube houses. Yes, those bright yellow, wonky little houses that you normally walk underneath with your camera pointed up. Part of them belongs to Stayokay, meaning you can actually stay the night there. An added bonus: you are right next to Rotterdam Blaak station, with the Markthal and the Oude Haven just a few minutes' walk away. Right in the middle of the city, making it a great starting point for our route.
Stayokay also fits perfectly into this travel guide when it comes to sustainability. All the chain’s hostels hold the EU Ecolabel, and in Rotterdam they run on 100% green energy and green gas, amongst other things. Waste is sorted, the buffet is plastic-free and there are water-saving taps. They’ve also thought of what’s on your plate, with vegetarian and vegan options, organic bread and organic drinks. In short: not only are you staying in a rather iconic spot, but behind those crooked walls, they’re also making a serious effort to make your stay more sustainable.
Staying in a cube house? You can at Stayokay. As a hostel, they have shared rooms, but also private rooms and even family rooms. Watch the video of our visit.
Highlight of the day: cycling through Rotterdam on a tandem
From the cube houses, it is about a fifteen-minute walk to SeeRotterdam, where you can hire a bike for the rest of the route. A standard bike is of course also possible, but trust us: riding a tandem for two through Rotterdam is a real ex-pe-ri-ence. You'll have to figure out who sits at the front. At the first traffic light you'll probably wobble a bit and you can count on attracting plenty of attention along the way. That is precisely why it's so much fun. SeeRotterdam has one tandem and it isn't listed on the website, so give them a call in advance to check if it's available. After that: hop on and go!
Hidden among the concrete: lunch tip Westerkaatje
Trek? On your way to the bike rental you'll come across a hidden gem that you might just walk right past. Between the tall concrete buildings on the 2e Blekerhof, suddenly sits Westerkaatjea colourful delicatessen with a lovely green terrace. Truly a little oasis in the middle of the bustle of the city. You can go there for fresh dishes and there are plenty of vegetarian options on the menu. Our tip: the pina (a cross between a pita and a pizza) with hummus and aubergine. And take a look inside too, because alongside all the delicious food you'll find a small selection of vintage items. Afterwards, with a well-filled belly, you can hop on that tandem.
Having lunch at Westerkaatje and cycling to the charity shop on a tandem!
Opnieuw & Co second-hand superstore and shopping by the kilo
Then it's time to put that tandem to work. Cycle towards Alexandrium in about twenty minutes, where one of Rotterdam's largest second-hand shops awaits you: Again & Co. Feel free to take your time over this, because this is the kind of charity department store where you can easily spend an hour browsing through clothes, furniture, crockery and other second-hand treasures. And even then you won't be done. Next to Opnieuw & Co is Kilo & Zo, the charity shop outlet where you pay for second-hand clothing by the kilo. And so there you really can bag bargains for just a few pennies. We found Teva flip-flops there for two euros, which cost around seventy euros new, and Nike sports shorts for – wait for it – sixty cents. Now, those are what you call proper bargains.
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Do you still have time, energy and room in your pannier after that? Then you can continue to Rotterdam Charity Shop on the Gordelweg, which we also recommended in our previous Rotterdam route. Or make another stopover in the Swan's Neck Quarter in the Oude Noorden. This lively shopping street is home to several second-hand shops, vintage boutiques and other great spots. But we also completely understand if your thrift-shopping battery is empty by then. In that case: return the tandem and settle down on the Witte de Withstraat for a well-deserved drink.
The evening programme: Rotonde or Bar Picar
Time for the evening programme! From Stayokay you can go two ways and for either you only have to walk about ten minutes. Walk towards the Goudsesingel for restaurant Rotonde, or the other way, towards the Witte de Withstraat, for Bar Picar.
If you really want to turn dinner into a night out, book a table at Roundabout. Here, it is all about vegetables, fire and surprising flavours. You choose a menu of four, five or six courses, optionally with matching wines. Many dishes are prepared over an open fire and vegetables play the starring role, without you feeling like you are ‘eating vegetarian’. And just for the sourdough flatbread with their famous onion oil, you'll want to grab a table here sometime. Be sure to book in advance, because Rotonde is popular.
At Rotonde restaurant, enjoy vegetable cuisine with a fire. Very atmospheric! Watch the video of our visit!
The other way is situated Bar Picar, a wonderful spot if you fancy a long, leisurely meal and drinks. When the weather is nice, you can drop down onto the lovely terrace and order all sorts of small dishes to share. The menu is full of vegetables and combinations that immediately made us hungry. Roasted pointed cabbage with Parmesan foam, for instance, or grilled watermelon with feta. Order a few dishes, have another drink and, above all, linger and take your time.
That's how we like a day out in Rotterdam to end!
You might also find this interesting
- Also see: charity shop route Eindhoven with favourite second-hand addresses.
- Also see: second-hand route through the Rivierenbuurt in Amsterdam.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl, Photo: Ruth Nije Bijvank (Rotonde restaurant).
