Ten things to do in Rotterdam

<p> Get a different perspective of one of the world's largest ports by exploring the city from the water. On a <a href="http://spido.nl/en" target="_blank">Spido</a> boat tour (from &euro;10.50 per person) you can see the impressive skyline of Rotterdam as its imposing buildings glide by. The journey offers a unique view of the harbour's shipyards and docks, sailing under the Erasmus Bridge, past the world-famous Hotel New York and close to enormous ocean liners and riverboats. For a high-speed boat ride, take a <a href="http://www.watertaxirotterdam.nl/home/uk_index.php?page=uk_home" target="_blank">Watertaxi,</a> which runs between Hotel New York, the Veerhaven and the Leuvehaven. No need for a reservation as you can just hop on the shuttle boat, which runs every 15 minutes.</p>

<p> Love shopping? Then you'll be impressed by Rotterdam's offering, which includes unique items in the city's boutiques and markets and fabulous design finds. Plus the shops are open on Sundays so you don't have to plan your shopping break around its opening times! Witte de Withstraat is a street lined with avant-garde fashion boutiques and art cafes. Be sure to stop at <a href="http://www.marliesdekkers.com/" target="_blank">Marlies Dekkers</a>, where you can buy trendsetting lingerie by the world-famous designer to the stars. Lijnbaan and Beursplein is the place to find best-known shops, such as H&amp;M, Steve Madden and The Body Shop, while Wesy Kruiskade offers exotic goods from Chinese, Arabic and Mediterranean sellers. Book lovers shouldn't miss Selexyz Donner in the centre of Rotterdam, the largest bookshop in the Netherlands, and nearby, De Bijenkorf is the Selfridge's of the Netherlands, with high-end Dutch and international brands for you to browse.</p>

<p> Holland is cycle heaven and the best way to discover Rotterdam is by bike. With an extensive network of cycle paths, bicycle stairways and plenty to see, cycling is a must. Cycle along the Erasmus Bridge, through the city parks and take in the harbour views by bike. To explore Rotterdam in a fun and active way, go on a guided tour with <a href="http://www.rotterdambycycle.nl/" target="_blank">Rotterdam ByCycle</a>, which offers different themes, such as the City Architecture Tour, the Big City Tour and the Inner City Tour.</p>

<p> Rotterdam has a diverse range of museums, from Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen with its art dating back to the Early Middle Ages to the Nederlands Fotomuseum providing an insight into all aspects of photography. To discover the city's retro style, visit the <a href="http://en.nai.nl/museum/house_museum" target="_blank">Sonneveld House Museum</a>, one of the best-preserved examples of pre-war Dutch functionalism. The house, with its interesting design and interiors, allows you to get a sense of what it was like to live in a hypermodern home in 1933.</p>

<p> An attraction in itself, the impressive <a href="http://www.hotelnewyork.nl/en/home" target="_blank">Hotel New York</a> is much more than a luxury hotel. The building was once the headquarters of the Holland America Line, built in 1901 by architects J. Muller, Droogleever Fortuin and C.B. van der Tak in an Art Nouveau style. Today, with its tall towers and spinning weather clock, it is one of Rotterdam's most famous landmarks and a hangout for the city's residents. Feast on delectable seafood in the Cafe-Restaurant, relax on the terrace, sleep in the stunning hotel and shop for unique souvenirs at the Kiosk.</p>

<p> With colourful tables, beautiful lamps, a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and fantastic Middle Eastern and North African food, we can see why the locals and tourists flock to this exotic restaurant and cafe. <a href="http://bazarrotterdam.com/" target="_blank">Bazar</a> is where you can eat reasonably-priced food, such as hearty couscous, mixed grill and lamb stew. In the bar on the ground floor, you can sip fresh mint tea or a beer, and located above the restaurant is Hotel Bazar, an unusual and affordable hotel with just 27 rooms decorated in oriental, African and South American style.</p>

<p> Explore Rotterdam's Bohemian side at Pannekoekstraat (Pancake Street). The area attracts arty types to its vintage fashion, antique and design boutiques. <a href="http://www.verycherry.nl/" target="_blank">Very Cherry</a> is a cheerful, retro apparel shop with fabulous prints from the 1960s and 1970s. Stop at <a href="http://www.depotrotterdam.nl/" target="_blank">Depot Rotterdam</a> if you love contemporary furniture and interiors and relax with a beer at Maagd van Holland or a coffee at the trendy Urban Espresso Bar. For a bite to eat, stop at Pierre, a great little French brasserie with an extensive menu.</p>

<p> If you're looking for somewhere unique to sleep, you should check in to the legendary <a href="http://www.ssrotterdam.nl/uk/" target="_blank">SS Rotterdam</a>. The ship-come-hotel was once home to the international jet-set of the 1950s and still retains its old-world glamour and charm. Each of the 576 original cabins has been restyled into 254 rooms and is designed in the style of the 1950s. The restaurants are elegant and authentic, and the Ocean Bar is the ultimate spot to relax with a drink. Don't miss a Seabreeze Deluxe Tour to take a peek behind the boat deck. You'll visit the bow and the high bridge of the ship and take a tour of the captain's cabin, the radio room and behind the scenes of the grand cruise ship. Standard double rooms from <span class="st">&euro;</span>150 per night.</p>

<p> Stylish cocktail bar <a href="http://www.blenderrotterdam.nl/" target="_blank">Blender</a> resembles a New York City night spot and could be straight out of Sex and the City with its industrial-style interiors, sleek bar and cool lighting. The restaurant, bar and nightclub has an extensive cocktail menu. Try the Pornstar Martini, a wonderful mix of fresh passion fruit, vanilla vodka and Prosecco - it's one of the most popular cocktails in Rotterdam. If you're travelling with friends, Blender also offers cocktail mixing workshops, so you can leave Rotterdam with a few cocktail recipes of your own!</p>

<p> One of Rotterdam's biggest attractions is its unique and magnificent architecture. Take a stroll and you'll be impressed by the classic buildings, which include the unusual cube houses designed by Piet Blom, who modelled the complex on a forest. At 45 metres high, Het Witte Huis was the first Dutch 'skyscraper' and is an important symbol of Rotterdam's drive for innovation. Laurenskerk is a church that was built between 1449 and 1525 and is the only surviving late-Gothic building from medieval Rotterdam. Be sure to look out for the De Hef, Holland's most spectacular lifting bridge, which represents the country's engineering skills. Modern structures around the city include the 100-metre observation tower Euromast and the Erasmus Bridge, which spans the Maas River linking northern and southern Rotterdam.</p>