Rotterdam Overview

If you've spent a lot of time in other parts of the Netherlands, you may have forgotten what a skyscraper looks like. x Rotterdam is here to remind you. It's strategic importance as a port city drew Nazi attention during WWII, and in May 1940, a massive bombing campaign razed virtually the entire city center. The reconstruction effort that followed in the postwar period focused on building a modern, revitalized city, and those efforts have left an indelible mark, creating a legacy of fascinating architecture and cutting-edge art that continues to this day. Rebuilding also imbued Rotterdammers with a fierce sense of city pride, most evident when you hear them talk about Amsterdam, their bitter rival in soccer and just about everything else. There's certainly a lot for the port city's residents to be proud of: Rotterdam, in addition to being a center for architecture and culture, boasts terrific festivals, live music, and some of the hippest nightlife you can imagine—all with an extremely laid-back attitude. The city is also home to both the largest port in Europe and the largest immigrant population in the Netherlands—and a host of delicious ethnic eateries. While other Dutch cities may have a certain fairy tale quality that comes from their quaint houses and leafy canals, Rotterdam feels more real. Maybe this helps explain why most people who live here, whether homegrown locals or expats, can't imagine living anywhere else.

• Orientation

Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands, but pretty much all points of interest lie within a fairly small perimeter. The two main arteries are Coolsingel/Schiedamsedijk, which passes the ...more

• Accommodations

The accommodations in Rotterdam pretty accurately reflect its split between business-focused industrial city and youthful cultural hotspot. Some really excellent hostels can be found here in addition to ...more

• Sights

Rotterdam's architecture is one of its most famous attractions, and the post-war explosion of modernity has given the city not just an impressive skyline but also a vibrant contemporary art scene. More ...more

• Coffeeshops And Smartshops

Of the few coffeeshops in Rotterdam, virtually all are merely takeout spots—none of the comfy, pillow-strewn interiors familiar to smokers in Amsterdam here. On the plus side, the weed and hash do tend ...more

• Food

Eating is a pleasure in Rotterdam, whose international character brings in a plethora of affordable ethnic options. For cheap Chinese and shawarma, check out Witte de Withstraat, where the stores are conveniently ...more

• Nightlife

Nightlife in Rotterdam is painted as the only Dutch scene to rival Amsterdam's. Its main difference (and drawback) is that nightspots tend to be clustered in neighborhoods separated from each other by ...more

• Arts And Culture

Rotterdam is full of exciting cultural events, especially when its various festivals erupt. To find out what's on, look for posters around the city or ask at the VVV, which publishes R'Uit, a guidebook ...more

• Essentials

Tourist Offices:   Use-It is a great one-stop shop for everything you could need in Rotterdam. It publishes Simply the Best, a free pamphlet to the city that includes information on everything ...more