Best places to shop in Rotterdam

With its modern architecture, tulips, old harbor, cute old houses, and youthful energy, Rotterdam is definitely one of the most unique cities in the Netherlands. It is the second biggest city in the Netherlands and has the largest port in Europe. This city has a special place in my heart since I lived here for seven months, which were the most amazing seven months in my entire life. Rotterdam is not a very big city and the best way to discover it is by bike. It offers beautiful places to visit and a fantastic shopping experience! So, prepare your bike and wallet because here comes the shopping guide! 

When I think about shopping in Rotterdam, the first thing that comes into my mind is the delicious Dutch cheese! As a "cheese-aholic," I would advise you to start shopping at Blaak. Here, you can shop for fresh deli, vegetables, delicious and exotic fruits, incredible pastries, and dutch cheese! And where you can get it? At the Market Hall! Markthal, aka Market Hall in English, is located in Blaak, and it is a market with various restaurants, shops, and residential apartments above them. You will be amazed by the interior while you are doing your shopping or enjoying your delicious food with a view. The Market Hall was opened in October 2014, and now it is a top tourist attraction point. In front of the Market Hall, there is also an open market taking place every Tuesday and Saturday. There you can buy fish, famous Dutch cheese, clothing, fresh fruits & vegetables and many more. Oh, also for a sweet apple pie check the famous cafe Dudok inside the Market Hall! 

The second stop should be the Lijnbaan, which is the best-known Rotterdam shopping street. Here, you will find big retailers, such as Vero Moda, Mango, Zara, Tommy Hilfiger, Bershka, Pull and Bear, and many more. Koopgoot street is similar to Lijnbaan, which means “the buying gutter” in English. These two connected streets are very vibrant at the heart of the city. Here, you can also find many festivals and activities for almost seven days a week. You can also find the biggest H&M in Europe! If you are looking for a more traditional Dutch shop, head to HEMA. HEMA is like the Dutch version of Marks&Spencer. I love HEMA so much that I was visiting it at least once a week -right after I had bought Dutch pancakes from the street. 

If you want to feel like you’re shopping in Paris in the middle of Rotterdam, then you have to check out the Van Oldenbarneveltstraat! The van Oldenbarneveltstraat is the leading shopping street in Rotterdam with exclusive boutiques, luxurious shoe shops, high-end cosmetic stores, and splendid cafés. Here, you will find lots of Danish, Swedish, and French brands, and also Dutch designers like Monique van Heist and Susan Bijl. The Van Oldenbarneveltstraat is very small, but it definitely offers an amazing shopping experience.