Rotterdam is the second largest city in Holland, offering many excellent museums and modern shopping facilities. This major port city is home to influential modern style architecture and some of the tallest buildings in the Netherlands. Rotterdam is an important city of culture with famous Philharmonic Orchestra and many theatres. Many summer festivals are also held in the city and there is a lively nightlife to be enjoyed. Rotterdam Zoo is one of the major tourist attractions in the Netherlands.
City attractions. Rotterdam is a very multicultural city and the city is characterized by many ethnic groups from North Africa, Turkey and the former Dutch colonies. See the romantic Oude Haven (Old Harbour) of Rotterdam with its small cafes, boats and restaurants. Here you will find also Het Witte Huis, the oldest skyscraper in Europe. Be sure to visit also the popular Rotterdam Zoo that is one of the major tourist attractions in Holland.
Culture & shopping. Rotterdam has a lively cultural life with numerous festivals and concerts in Rotterdam. The nightlife in Rotterdam is lively throughout the year. There are also good opportunities for fashionable shopping in Rotterdam. An artificial beach at Boompjeskade offers possibilities for sunbathing in Rotterdam during the summer months.
Rotterdam, the modern city of culture, excellent museums and good facilities for visitors
Although Rotterdam does not have many historical sights left due to bombings during the World War II, the city hosts many attractions for visitors, such as museums and cultural entertainment. Most remarkable museums in Rotterdam include the Boijimans-van Beuningen Museum, the Netherlands Architecture Institute Museum, the History Museum and the Folk Art Museum. Rotterdam was almost completely destroyed in the World War II. After the war the city has been rebuilt and has now many architecturally interesting buildings to explore. Many of them are located near the railway station Blaak.City attractions. Rotterdam is a very multicultural city and the city is characterized by many ethnic groups from North Africa, Turkey and the former Dutch colonies. See the romantic Oude Haven (Old Harbour) of Rotterdam with its small cafes, boats and restaurants. Here you will find also Het Witte Huis, the oldest skyscraper in Europe. Be sure to visit also the popular Rotterdam Zoo that is one of the major tourist attractions in Holland.
Culture & shopping. Rotterdam has a lively cultural life with numerous festivals and concerts in Rotterdam. The nightlife in Rotterdam is lively throughout the year. There are also good opportunities for fashionable shopping in Rotterdam. An artificial beach at Boompjeskade offers possibilities for sunbathing in Rotterdam during the summer months.
Practical information for your stay in Rotterdam
The second largest city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam has the largest port in Europe. The city is located on the banks of the beautiful river Nieuwe Maas. Rotterdam has a temperate marine climate with cool summers and mild winters. Summer is the peak season for tourism in Rotterdam, as the weather is warm and many events take place in summer, but if you bring warm clothing, you can visit Rotterdam any time of the year.
Photo: gpalacios, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Visitor services. Mainly known as a port and business center, Rotterdam is not well known as an international tourism destination, but still hosts good selection of modern services for visitors. Restaurants in Rotterdam are numerous and they offer a fascinating mixture of Dutch and foreign cuisines. There is an excellent selection of hotels in Rotterdam from budget hotels to luxurious ones.
Flights to Rotterdam arrive at the Rotterdam Airport located north of the city centre. It is the third largest in the country and serves both domestic and international flights. There are also extensive train and bus connections to Rotterdam from major Dutch cities and even some international connections exist.
Local transport. There is an excellent public transportation system in Rotterdam consisting of buses, trams, subways and ferries. However, the fastest way to getting around in Rotterdam is often by bike, as the city has an excellent network of biking lanes. Car rental in Rotterdam is a good option if you want to visit other destinations in the Netherlands.
Safety. Rotterdam is a relatively safe city, although it is advisable to keep an eye on your belongings and watch out for pickpockets especially in crowded places. Some areas of Rotterdam such as Spangen and Vreewijk should be avoided at night.
hint See also these nearby destinations: The Hague, Leiden, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels, Hoge Veluwe National Park, Bruges, Texel
