Rotterdam Shopping Tips by Airpunk Top 5 Page for this destination

Funkie House: Casual wear

If you are into shopping, Funkie House may be a good adress. A large range of clothing brands can be found in this huge shop. What makes it more interesting is their own collection, giving the shop an unique choice you won’t find at any of the big chains. All in all, Funkie House’s sortiment is trendy with a slightly alternative touch. The selection is huge, so you can easily spend some time in there. Prices are a little more than average: Not the cheapest, but still affordable.

What to buy: A large variety of men and women clothes

Address: Korte Hoogstraat 15 A

Directions: Close to Beurstraverse, behind the C&A building. Korte Hoogstraat is the first street to the right from Hoogstraat, going from Beurstraverse eastwards.

Theme: Men's Clothes

Website: http://www.funkiehouse.nl

DUMP (or D.U.M.P.): Outdoor stuff

Dump is one of my favourite stores in the Netherlands. They offer outdoor/military/punk items at reasonable prices. The stuff is mostly new, but also a couple of second hand items are for sale, giving it an interesting choice. No-name clothing, used military jackets and famous brands – you’ll find all under one roof. The only thing I do not recommend is buying anything from Lonsdale, if you want to travel onwards to Germany. This brand has just the reputation of being a tough brand elsewhere, while in Germany it is associated with right-wing-extremists….

Address: Korte Hoogstraat 9

Directions: Close to Beurstraverse, behind the C&A building. Korte Hoogstraat is the first street to the right from Hoogstraat, going from Beurstraverse eastwards.

Theme: Men's Clothes

Website: http://www.de-dump.nl

De Plaatboef: CDs and more CDs

If you like to look for CDs and LPs, this can become one of your favourite places in Rotterdam. De Plaatboef is one of four shops of a small chain, but that doesn’t mean that it lacks the atmosphere of such shops. There’s always a big choice of new and second hand CDs (over 13 000), LPs and DVDs there. Although there are some more shops like this in the Nieuwe Binnenweg, De Plaatboef is one of the best known and would be my first choice. But if you can’t find the CD you are looking for, go to the next shop which is only a few meter away.

Address: Nieuwe Binnenweg 81A

Theme: Music

Website: http://www.plaatboef.com/

Donner (Selexyz Donner): The largest bookstore in the Netherlands Books Review

After Foyles in London, this is the largest bookstore I have ever seen. It belongs to a chain called Selexyz and was renamed Selexyz Donner in late 2006. However, it is usually known as Donner only. On 8 floors and over 6000 square meters you will see the largest choice of books in the Netherlands. Beside that, also CDs, magazines, calendars and similar items are sold - just like in most larger bookshops. If you get tired of looking through all the shelves or get lost in the shop, take a break at the café.

What to buy: Books, of course. OK, most of what they sell is in Dutch, but the choice of books in foreign languages (mainly English) is also large.

Address: Lijnbaan 150, 3012 ER Rotterdam

Directions: In the hear of the city center

Theme: Books

Website: http://www.donner.nl

Aldi: Looking for a discounter supermarket?

The dominating supermarket chain in the Netherlands is Albert Heijn and this is also the most easy to find in the city center: One shop is at the Lijnbaan while a ministore is found in the central train station. Albert Heijn has a big choice, but is not the cheapest supermarket. Cheapskates like me prefer discounter markets like Aldi. Surely, not the most beauiful supermarkets. But they serve their purpose: Getting cheap food and drinks.

What to buy: Aldi is a well-known chain in Germany and other european countries. They sell almost everywhere the same stuff. Although quality may be better at AH, Aldi's groceries are also fine.

Directions: There are two Aldis close to the city center: One at the 1e Middellandstraat 54, another is on the other side of the Willemsbrug at the Maaskade 8.

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.aldi.com

Cheap Fashion: Cheap Fashion - second hand clothes

Yes, you are right. The name of the tip is also the name of the shop: "Cheap Fashion". It's a second hand shop for men and women with cheap prices. Style is mostly sporty and alternative.

What to buy: There are all kind of second hand clothes and even some shoes (chucks). Anyway, the choice of men's trousers was not really high. Most of them were Levi's pants for 15 EUR with horrible sizes like 36/28.

Address: Meent 42

Directions: Near the old pedestrian zone

Theme: Men's Clothes