General information
Rotterdam is located in the Dutch province South-Holland. The first records of civilization date back to 900 AD but Rotterdam officially became a city in 1340. It is the second biggest city in the Netherlands and always in healthy competition with the biggest city, Amsterdam. There are almost 600.000 people living in Rotterdam, with over 160 different nationalities.
The world-famous port of Rotterdam was the biggest port in world for many years, but is now outsized by the port of Shanghai. It is however still the biggest and busiest port of Europe.
Rotterdam is divided into 11 sub municipalities, of which Prins Alexander is the most popular one. Rotterdam was under heavy attack during WW II. The Bombing of Rotterdam took place on May 14th 1940 and only lasted for 15 minutes, leaving 80.000 people homeless. It was the reason for the Dutch to capitulate.
Because a large part of the city was destroyed the architecture in Rotterdam is much more modern then other cities in the Netherlands. It has a more international allure with a lot of skyscrapers.
Looking for ideas of what to do in Rotterdam? Check out City Discovery's Rotterdam Guide.
Accessibility
Rotterdam has its own airport, Rotterdam-The Hague Airport, but can also be reached from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport with a direct train service.
The city is very accessible by car, the highways A13, A15, A16, A20 and A29 will all take you to Rotterdam. There are direct trains to the train station Rotterdam Centraal from all the big cities in the Netherlands, but also from Antwerp, Brussels and Paris. In the summer the Thalys from Avignon and Marseille will also take you directly to Rotterdam. You can anywhere in and around Rotterdam by public transport. There are plenty of trams, busses, subways, trains and even a ferry.
Rotterdam is located in the Dutch province South-Holland. The first records of civilization date back to 900 AD but Rotterdam officially became a city in 1340. It is one of the tree major cities in the Netherlands and always in healthy competition with Amsterdam. There are almost 600.000 people living in Rotterdam, with over 160 different nationalities.
The world-famous port of Rotterdam was the biggest port in world for many years, but is now outsized by the port of Shanghai. It is however still the biggest and busiest port in Europe.
Rotterdam is divided into 11 sub municipalities, of which Delfshaven and Centrum are the most popular ones. Rotterdam was under heavy attack during WW II. The Bombing of Rotterdam took place on May 14th 1940 and only lasted for 15 minutes, leaving 80.000 people homeless. It was the main reason for the Dutch to capitulate.
Because a large part of the city was destroyed the architecture in Rotterdam is much more modern then other cities in the Netherlands. It has a more international allure with a lot of skyscrapers. And is actually the only city in the Netherlands with a decent skyline
Rotterdam attracts a great deal of international interest as a city of architecture. A few square kilometers of the city centre offers a complete overview of what the twentieth century has produced in terms of modern architecture. Appealing examples of pre-war architecture include the Van Nelle Factory and the Huis Sonneveld. The innovative and adventurous period after the war is expressed in such structures as the Groothandelsgebouw, the Cube houses, the Kunsthal,”de kop van zuid” and the Erasmus Bridge. Both specialists and interested visitors find what they are looking for in Rotterdam.
Cultural live in Rotterdam is always in motion. There is a broad selection of museums in Rotterdam. From modern art to historical treasures, from architecture to photography, from historical ships to exotic animals - just about anything you can imagine is displayed in a museum in the city. Prominent museums include the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, the Netherlands Architecture Institute, the Kunsthal, the Wereldmuseum (World Arts Museum), the Maritime Museum, the Dutch Photo museum and the Historical Museum of Rotterdam. In addition, there are many interesting galleries and expositions at locations such as the Las Palmas warehouse.
Rotterdam is a city of many flavors. For the Dutch, French to the Chinese, Moroccan, Turkish, you name it, you can find it in Rotterdam. There are many reasonably prized restaurants.
If your looking for a luxurious restaurant for a business lunch or a fancy dinner. Rotterdam has some of the best restaurants in the Netherlands like, “het Zalmhuis”, Parkheuvel and The Westin
If you would like to dine in a different setting you should definitely go to restaurant “Wijn of Water”
(eating and drinking from a sea container in a beautiful harbor environment.)
Rotterdam is a perfect city for shopping, aside from the common shops you’ll find in any other city in The Netherlands. Rotterdam offers you a lot of special stores where you are able to find all kinds of designer goods. In all kinds of products like fashion, home decoration and gadgets.
The local tourist info office offers you shopping routes which will guide you though out the city.
Every route leads you tough a great number of shops matching your interests.
Rotterdam has no lack in entertainment. Various Mega cinemas en cinema theatres cover the wide perspective of (cultural) cinema. Every year in January Rotterdam is home to the renowned International Film Festival Rotterdam. Young film producers from all over the world are in the spotlights in almost all cinemas. When you’re into gambling, the Holland Casino is the place to be.
