If you’ve spent a lot of time in other parts of the Netherlands, you may have forgotten what a skyscraper looks like. xRotterdam 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.