Image by Anne-Marie Ros

This is the place where I get my hair done. As I always decide it spontaneously, Hairish is perfect for me as they welcome you without an appointment:)

You’ll find them at the Meent 37A. One of the busy shopping streets down town.

Just walk in and they’ll tell how long you have to wait until they can help you. It can be busy so be prepared for waiting times up to 90 minutes. There are more cool places around Hairish that offers haircuts without an appointment but for Hairish is the best. Not for their loud music, but for their true advise, good cuts and they are really great with coloring, styling and they use excellent product such as Swedish REF and Australian NAK. That is what makes it worth while waiting.

I kill my time watching people coming in or passing by. They are located close to the Market (Tuesdays and Saturdays) at the Binnenrotte and popular places such as Little Italy (check the article), Cafe Pol … .

You don’t like watching people, than kill your time with a yummy ciabatta or Tostini what you can order from Guliano, a couple of shops down the street or get a head massage. A find the Biominoil treatment very good, but a little brrr at the end as they wash it out with cold water;).

If you in town for longer, Hairish trims your fringe or contour for free in between your haircuts so you can enjoy your hairdo longer.

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Hairish unisex hairsaloon | Relaxing
Meent 37A | Center | +31102141467
Tue – Thu 10:00 – 19:00, Fri 10:00 – 18:00, Sat 10:00 – 18:00, Sun 12:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Carel Van Hees

The Netherlands Architecture Institute just reopened after a year of renovations. The museum has great new exhibitions: ‘Dutchville’ where you can experience every side of the city, ‘New Haloheim’ shows the ideas of the participants of the Ymere NAI price.

In ’The Netherlands- off the shelf’ you can see the work of photographer Hans van der Meer. He made a series of photos of town centres to show what’s typically Dutch design in these towns. The exhibition ‘Treasury’ shows about 100 masterpieces from the NAI collection.

The NAI expended with a new café, where you can get lunch, good coffee or stay for something stronger. There’s a big sunny terrace which is great to relax. Coming with kids? They can play, build and create at a space above the Café called the ‘Hands-on Deck,’ while you enjoy you’re beer/wine .

Oh and don’t forget to visit the inside bookshop!

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NAI | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Shopping | Adults € 8.00
Museumpark 25 | Center | +31104401200
Museum Tue – Sat 10:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Anne-Marie Ros

Sculpture International Rotterdam takes care of the art in the public space. Look around if you come from Central Station and walk towards the centre, cross West Kruiskade towards the Westersingel. Along this canal (find the art piece in the canal too!) which is partly a promenade, you will find sculptures from famous artists such as Moore, Rodin and Sapiro amongst many others.

Look for Paul McCarthy’s ‘Santa Claus’ at Eendrachtsplein. For several years it was located at a museum’s courtyard. I guess you can imagine why it offended people in the beginning. Locals call this sculpture Gnome Buttplug.

I don’t like David Bade’s sculpture ‘Anita’ which stands in the middle of West Blaak but I like the amazingly designed skate park. Why not check it out and have a look at the skaters, boarders, bikers look for the shoetree at the Blaak infront of the shop LEFT:).

If you decide to continue your way on the Westersingel towards West Zeedijk. At the corner of Museum park you’ll see a large Picasso sculpture. My favourite sculpture is Guiseppe Penone´s Elevazione, a bronze tree that slowly elevates by nature. Or Cascade by Joep van Lieshout, at the Coolsingel/Blaak infront of the Maritime museum.

A free map is also available via the tourist office!

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Art in the public space | Art & culture, Relaxing
Leuvehaven 1 | Center
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Rénia Sastrowidjojo

Do as the locals do, catch some fresh air and feel the wind through your hair!

Follow the river Nieuwe Maas that separates Rotterdam in North and South. Connected by two bridges, the red Willems bridge and the white Erasmus bridge. I love this river, with it’s high and low tides, big cargo and cruise ships passing by. It gives the city it’s space and energy, like a pulsing artery. Living at the Kop van Zuid makes me like to walk the bridges whilst enjoying a breeze from the river and the ever changing skyline.

Follow my footsteps from North to South and back…

Cross the river via the Willems bridge. Next to this bridge used to be an Iron train bridge. A tunnel for the train replaced this bridge in the mid ’80′s and the only remaining part is the Hef bridge which was saved from demolition to become a monument. Turn right after the Verlengde Koninginne bridge, onto the Stieltjesstraat. Keep following the river, pass Villa Zebra and trendy Suite hotel Pincoff where they serve good coffee.

Pass under the Poortgebouw (Gatebuilding). You reach Laan op Zuid, with the tallest office building of NL, the Maas Tower. For a good view climb the stairs of the white platform. Cross the river via the Erasmus bridge.

Turn right, look out for the miniature train bridge on a pillar with the Willems bridge ahead. If you are in the right position you can imagine how the iron train bridge would have looked like besides it.

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Maas Bridges | Art & culture, Relaxing
Boompjes 750 | Center
Daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Rénia Sastrowidjojo

Where I live I’m surrounded by bridges, water and the bustle of ships passing by. It’s called the Noordereiland (Northern island) in the Nieuwe Maasriver and connected by the Willemsbridge and Koninginnebridge.

The name derives from Noorderhaven (harbour) which is now called Koningshaven. When they dug this harbour, the island got separated from former island Feijenoord. This name should ring a bell with football lovers whereas the name is written as Feyenoord.

The island has become an Art project called MS Noordereiland, initiated by artist Joe Cillen who also lives here. The concept is that the island is in fact a motorship ready to take off one day and sail away with all its inhabitants. If you walk around on the island you will see many objects which refers to parts of a ship. We even have our own flag.

When you cross the Willemsbridge to the island, the left part looks new. The right part is more authentic and was spared by the bombing (in this case so called “friendly fire”)during WWII. Have a walk and see the houses on Maaskade 85, 113 and the Hulstkamp building. Try and find all the paintings in ornamented frames on several buildings and other art during an event like Expeditie Noordereiland or at gallery Ben Wind.

Eventhough most of the shops have gone, there are plenty of cafés to rest and wonder where the journey will lead to when the MS Noordereiland really starts moving. Or swim your way around it during Rondje Noordereiland in summer.

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The Noordereiland | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing
Maaskade | Zuid
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Rénia Sastrowidjojo

The old North, squeezed between 3 waters – the Noordsingel, the river Rotte and the Noorderkanaal. Here you’ll find 2 small areas in the northern part close to the center. Locals tend to gather them both as Het Oude Noorden (the Old North). Despite a certain reputation as so-called ‘hotspot’ (not a good thing here), I’ve lived many happy years in this buzzing multicultural area which is definitely worth a visit (and for shopping).

A little introduction and historical facts: The Old North used to belong to a ‘manor’ till the 19th century. The ‘manor’ has a special Dutch name, ‘ambachtsheerlijkheid’. This means that either some nobility or a city has ownership of a certain territory. They don’t ‘own’ the land, but have certain rights – a leftover of the feudal system.

Historic streets like Zwaanshals, now great for shopping, already got mentioned in the 16th century and was known as both a small area and the name of a house (Swaenshals). Two typical houses are turned into a museum where you can have a glimpse of the past.

The Liskwartier (quarter) is named after Lischwater. What’s left is a small pond nearby. This area has grand houses, lanes and broad streets with the monumental Bergsingel church. The stately Rodenrijselaan, Bergselaan and Bergsingel are just a few streets to wander around for the architecture and the atmosphere.

There was a substantial Jewish community here, most didn’t survive the concentration camps during WWII. You can still find a shelter at Schiebroekselaan.

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Oude Noorden/Liskwartier | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
From Noordplein on | Noord
Museum Wed 12:30 – 17:00 and by appointment

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by Rénia Sastrowidjojo

When people visit Rotterdam, they will automatically visit an area known as the Oude Haven (Old harbour) due to the Cube houses. It’s between Haringvliet and the Wijnhaven.

In a way it’s a shame that a lot of the old Rotterdam was wiped away during WWII and on the other hand we wouldn’t have these contrast-rich areas like these harbours.

The Old harbour is a peek into the past as it’s the oldest harbour in Rotterdam with historic boats. I like the houseboats and the small wharf Koningspoort where people repair their historic boats. Definitely worth a visit.

While the Oude Haven is lined with lots of cafés and terraces, the Haringvliet which dates from 1590 is a more tranquil area.

The Wijnhaven is divided into the past and present. Het Witte Huis (White House), once the highest building in Europe, still stands firmly accompanied with a row of nice old houses. A lot of slim tall buildings with the new Red Apple building dominates this small piece of land on the other side of the Verlengde Willemsbrug. The Red Apple looks crooked and with a reason. The red lines are thinner towards the top as the view gets wider for the happy few. The name has a connection with the past; apples were transported by boat here. There’s still an apple tree near the building. Try and find it for yourself.

There are plans for another tall building with the emphasis on slim and high. Construction work is never ending with an everchanging skyline.

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Cityharbours Oude Haven | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Relaxing
Spaansekade | Center
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by L.V.M. van Daalen

I have been going to the Norsk Sjomannskirkec church for many years. I often passed the church in the middle of the park near the Euromast during walks or bikerides. I have always known the park as parkheuvel (park hill), but it seems like many people have different names for it.

There is a Divine Service on Sunday morning, but I never took part, since it is in Norwegian and I do not speak that language. But I just sat there for a couple of minutes in silence before I continued. I went there once with some one who left a nasty taste in my mouth. So maybe that’s the reason it has been a long time since I have been there. Every time I pass, I say to myself I should go again. Till that time, I really would like to share this spot with you.

Rotterdam is very proud being multicultural, with many types of buildings and churches. It kind of gives me the feeling I’m living in a big museum of buildings. I’m saddened by the fact a lot of beautiful old buildings are torn down or neglected, but fortunately this church has been an official monument since 1999.

The Norsk Sjomannskirke was a copy of a Norwegian village church made in 1914. In 1937 it was moved to make place for the new Maastunnel. It used to be located 170 metres to the west, where the entrance to the car tunnel now begins.

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Norsk Sjomannskirke | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Westzeedijk 300 | Center | +31104365123
Tue – Sun 12:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by L.V.M. van Daalen

If it was up to me, I would write an article about every bookstore in Rotterdam I can find. Since I work in a bookstore. I spend most of my salary on books. And I almost have my own private library. (That’s subjective, I think it isn’t nearly enough, but a lot of friends think I have a library…).

Nothing is more perfect for browsing and relaxed reading than the Central Library. To borrow books, you need to have a membership card. But just sitting inside reading your books on a sofa or couch, that’s absolutely free. And besides books they have magazines, newspapers, a children’s book-playground, a youth corner, computers with Internet access, copy machines,… and a lot more.

I go here sometimes with my son on a Wednesday afternoon. There is someone reading to the children at 14.00. Although he is becoming a little bit too old for that. I also come here now and then, when I have to wait for an appointment. And of course to study the library is a perfect place.

It’s a big building that looks like a giant factory. It also contains a theater, a discotheque (for cd-rental), an information desk about Rotterdam and a cafe. Their escalators take you upstairs all the way to the sixth floor giving you a nice view over the centre of Rotterdam. They have a monthly theme and there’s always some kind of exhibition going on.

Picture: In the main hall of the Library there’s a major chess game.

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Centrale Bibliotheek | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Hoogstraat 110 | Center | +3110281611
Mon 13:00 – 20:00, Tue – Fri 10:00 – 20:00, Sat 10:00 – 17:00
Wintertime (till May 30th) Sun 13:00 – 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam

Image by L.V.M. van Daalen

Delfshaven, a very famous and authentic harbor in the Netherlands, had its annual ‘open house days’. And so me and my son ended up at the Pilgrimfather’s Church. This church was originally catholic, but now houses a Christian community, ancestors of the American pilgrims. Their arrival is still celebrated on Thanksgiving Day.

Because of this Catholic origin, the church is more decorated then most Christian churches. Well, they told me so, since I have not been in many churches. Especially their leaded lights are very pretty, showing scenes from the big book and some about the Pilgrimfather’s History. Especially two high leaded lights in the back which show the six days of creation are beautiful.

I haven’t been raised religiously and never went to any divine service. Still… I am a believer. I always wanted to go to a service on Christmas Eve and when I asked about it, I was invited to come on a Sunday too. My son and I were both interested, so now I do come on Sunday sometimes. The atmosphere is very warm and open. Besides the relaxed atmosphere which remind me of meditation, I very much enjoy the singing.

Because of it’s roots as being the ancestors of the American pilgrims, it’s kind of international. Although the services are in Dutch, they often organize an open house. They also have a big organ, which is played a lot during service and also special performances during the week.

Check the calendar for activities and open church.

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Pelgrim Vaderskerk | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Aelbrechtskolk 20 | Delfshaven | +31104774156
Sun 10:00 & 17:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Rotterdam