Since moving to Rotterdam curious people have asked me what I like most about the city and what some of my favorite places to visit are. The inquisition is never short of questions like, what brought me here, what places I find interesting, to even asking what my impression of the Dutch is.

Naturally people are curious about this kind of thing because its the opinion of someone who’s not from around here. Therein lies the presumption that my feedback is either genuine or better informed than that of someone who skips Rotterdam altogether when telling them I live here. But even as a tourist I’ve never been the type for going to Madame Tussaud’s or the torture museum. Even with as much fun as I had in my younger days, I’m also not one for coffee shops either.

Perhaps this is why Rotterdam feels special to me, in that it’s a true city not a giant tourist attraction. It is a city with authenticity and mystique. Rotterdam is urbanization done right.

Qualifying me to make such a claim, is how easy it is to get around, which is an accomplishment in comparison to other cities in the Netherlands. Like every city, there are main arteries and roads that lead to shopping quarters, cafés and bridges, but my favorite is the one that immediately greets you as you walk out of Rotterdam’s Centraal Station – the Westersingel.

Walking down the Westersingel towards Schouwburgplein, is Rotterdam’s de Doelen. It’s via this path that one accesses the city’s “theater district” with the nearby Schouwburg theatre and Pathé cinema complex. Also not too far, nestled in the shopping alleys behind de Doelen, is Rotterdam’s Oude Luxor theatre, remarkably restored and still intact for all to see. The sounds of commerce and chatty passerby’s electrify the evenings on any given night, and still the city has more to offer.

Opposite, on the right side of the Westersingel, is Westkruiskade, a street known for showcasing Rotterdam’s international flair. Here, you’ll find a variety of Asian, Surinamese and Turkish flavors by way of its many specialty grocery stores, boutiques and bodega style shops. The aromas and colors overwhelm the senses guiding you to whatever you’re leaning towards.

Taking things just a bit further, on the Mauritsweg side are bars de Regenboog, Café Strano, and Nostra, three LGBTQI institutions that bring a lot of excitement to the area. Not too far away, where the Westersingel meets Westblaak, is also Ferry. All together these places not only make the Westersingel a little more lively, but more colorful and fun. Bar hopping is anything but impossible.

In that spirit, the same can be said about the Nieuwe Binnenweg and Witte de Withstraat further down the singel. It is on these streets that Rotterdam meets its visitors, dances with them, invites them for a drink and welcomes them to the table.

But if I’m allowed to be partial about why the Westersingel is the way to go, it’s probably more because of the crown jewels at the end of the singel – the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen and Rotterdam Kunsthal.

As if guiding people in the right direction, the sculpture works of Auguste Rodin, Henri Laurens and others can be found on the Westersingel, before being finally greeted by a monumental work of Pablo Picasso at the corner of Westersingel and Museumpark. Here, you will find your way to both institutions, who aside from boasting rich collections in classical and modern art, give way to a beautiful museum park located behind them. There is simply no better place to take a stroll and sip your coffee, if the weather calls for it. Nor is there a better place to read and hang out with friends on summer’s day.

Currently, the Boijman’s museum is being renovated with many of its permanent collection pieces touring other museums. However, there’s no need to fret, for there are plenty of other museums one can see the touring works at, just let the museum’s website tell you page and you’ll find out. 

So what spots and places should you visit? I say let the Westersingel be your guide and you’re bound to find something fun maybe even wondrous.

Frank is a Texan living in the Netherlands (38) since 2016. He’s regular contributor to GayRotterdam.nl.