a travel blog by renata green
If I can, you can do it, too
In my post Why ROTTERDAM Is Worth Visiting: A Complete Guide to the Urban Heart of the Netherlands, I raved about the trendy, dynamic, and multicultural vibe of Holland’s second-largest city. Although I fell in love with Rotterdam instantly, there were moments when I missed the cutesy, traditional side of the Netherlands. Luckily, I found exactly that just about half an hour east of the city. In Kinderdijk, nineteen historic windmills rise along the waterways and make a day trip from Rotterdam a truly authentic experience.
For centuries, they have shaped a landscape that is not only picturesque but, above all, functional. Here, it becomes clear how closely the country’s history is intertwined with the constant struggle against the elements. However, it’s the authenticity that makes Kinderdijk so very special. Those mills are not merely an attraction for visitors, but part of a historic water management system that has been used for centuries and remains largely intact to this day. In 1997, UNESCO honored Kinderdijk as an exceptional testament to Dutch engineering by recognizing it as a World Heritage Site.
This Way to the Whole Story ->The number of amazing murals in Rotterdam is so overwhelming that it was simply impossible to squeeze it all into one single post. Therefore, after having guided you through the best street art that you’ll find in the northern part of the city in my post Best Street Art in ROTTERDAM, Part 1: North of the Nieuwe Maas, here comes what Rotterdam has to offer in the calmer, more residential neighborhoods south of the Nieuwe Maas River.
I’m a street art truffle hound. My trained nose lured me to Rotterdam to see its amazing murals. To be honest, before my visit, I had no idea what an impressive city awaited me. And although Rotterdam repeatedly tried to distract me from my street art mission with breathtaking buildings, incredible sculptures, and its multicultural vibe, I stayed true to my task.
Therefore, in this post, I can introduce you to the best street art in Rotterdam. Due to the headspinning abundance of outstanding murals, I’ll focus on the works north of the Nieuwe Maas River. Then, in a second part, I’ll introduce you to the murals that beautify the residential neighborhoods in the southern part of the city.
Of course, I’ve also put into writing what else there is to discover in this all-too-often overlooked city. My post Why ROTTERDAM Is Worth Visiting: A Complete Guide to the Urban Heart of the Netherlands is a complete guide to this fantastic city.
But now, with no further ado, let’s get to the murals in the so-called Chinatown, the Witte de Withkwartier, and beyond.
This Way to the Whole Story ->Gabled houses, wooden shoes, tulips – the list of cutesy clichés that everyone immediately associates with the Netherlands could go on and on. And then you get to Rotterdam, and the image is shattered.
Rotterdam isn’t a city that wins you over with Dutch stereotypes and postcard charm. It draws you in with its palpable energy and cosmopolitan vibe. Rotterdam is different from any other city in the Netherlands, and that’s exactly why it is absolutely worth visiting.
Hals, Hofjes, and Heritage — all this and so much more makes Haarlem a highly interesting and pretty exciting destination. Continuously in the shadow of Amsterdam, this city, located around 30 kilometers from the Dutch capital, is far too often overlooked. So, if you’re not keen on the hustle and bustle of a big’n’busy metropolis but still want to enjoy an inspiring, authentically Dutch city packed with mysteries and miracles, Haarlem is the perfect place for you!
In this post, I’m taking you to the best spots you absolutely should not miss when visiting Haarlem.
From artisanal cheese and craft beer to centuries-old cocoa traditions, the area northwest of Amsterdam is a place where every local flavor tells a story.
On a culinary journey through North Holland, I discovered some of the region’s signature specialties as well as a couple of incredible gourmet restaurants.
This Way to the Whole Story ->Zurich was one of the very first cities for which I compiled an itinerary in my 24 Hours in… series. This is because the series was born out of necessity, due to the long hours I had to waste unproductively at layover airports on flights. So why not transform them into a short mini-vacation?
Zurich, along with cities like Amsterdam, Paris, and Lisbon, is one of the airports where I most frequently change planes. Consequently, it immediately made the list.
This Way to the Whole Story ->I always try to book the cheapest flights. This often involves at least one layover, frequently lasting several hours. Hence, my many long layovers in major hub cities like Paris, London, Lisbon, and others have inspired my series 24 Hours in…. There, I offer fellow travellers suggestions on how to transform those unproductive hours into a mini-vacation.
Now, Basel’s airport isn’t one of the most frequented hubs. Nevertheless, due to the city’s location at the tripoint of Germany, France, and Switzerland in the heart of Europe, it often lies on the globetrotter’s route, especially if you travel by train or long-distance bus across the continent. And also my road trip through Europe brought me back to Basel – and enabled me to put together this 24-hour itinerary for this often underrated and overlooked art hub.
This Way to the Whole Story ->Every summer, the grounds of the historic Carlshütte iron foundry in the village of Büdelsdorf in northern Germany host one of the largest exhibitions of contemporary art in Europe. Around 200 artists from all over the world present their works in an impressive industrial setting. As in previous years, I’ll tell you everything you need to know for your visit to NordArt in 2026.
