This is going to be an ongoing post dedicated to the best shopping districts and markets in Rotterdam. For more on the Netherlands, head this way!

So far I’ve discovered and explored these markets in Rotterdam:

• Blaak Markt
• Markthal

Blaak Markt

A giant open air market pops up in the Rotterdam city center, near Blaak metro station, every Tuesday and Saturday. With over 400 large stalls, you can find everything: unique foods, grocery staples, souvenirs, antiques, clothes, flowers, you name it. I love going here for fresh produce, which is usually great quality and so much cheaper than the supermarkets. And if you walk through the market near the end of the day, you may get lucky and find some great deals as vendors try to unload the last of their stalls.

Do yourself a favor and buy ALL the stroopwafels. All of them.

Markthal

Right next to the Blaak Markt lies Rotterdam’s futuristic new pride and joy, the Markthal. This is an indoor market that’s open everyday and is home to an array of stands, shops, and restaurants. It looks almost like an enormous airplane hanger, but with surreal, giant illustrations of plants and foods plastering the ceiling. You’ll find all sorts of fresh produce and foods in the stalls on the ground floor, and a number of great restaurants lining the exterior (check out Elliniko for great Greek food!)