Rotterdam

🎭 Activities

• Rotterdam Harbor Tours – Year-Round: Discover Europe’s largest port with a boat tour along gigantic container ships and docks. It offers an impressive view of Rotterdam’s industrial power. 

• International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) – January/February: One of Europe’s largest film festivals, IFFR provides a platform for independent films. It attracts tens of thousands of visitors and film professionals annually. 

• The Market Hall – Year-Round: Visit the covered market hall featuring dozens of food stalls and restaurants beneath a colorful ceiling artwork. It’s a hotspot for food and architecture enthusiasts. 

• NN Marathon Rotterdam – April: This marathon is known for its enthusiastic audience and fast course. Thousands of runners from around the world race through Rotterdam’s iconic streets. 

• Rotterdam Art Week – February: An artistic week featuring highlights like Art Rotterdam and other creative events. It’s a celebration for art lovers and collectors. 

• North Sea Jazz Festival – July: This three-day festival in Ahoy offers a mix of jazz, pop, soul, and world music. Renowned artists from the music industry perform here every year. 

• Rotterdam Rooftop Days – June: During these days, you can visit unique rooftops in Rotterdam for stunning views. Activities include tours, performances, and events like yoga or movie screenings at high altitudes. 

• Feyenoord and De Kuip – Year-Round (Football Season): For football fans, attending a Feyenoord match at De Kuip is a unique experience. The passion and atmosphere of the stadium are unparalleled. 

• World Port Days – September: This maritime spectacle offers a behind-the-scenes look at Rotterdam’s port. Activities include ship demonstrations, harbor tours, and fireworks shows. 

• Pleinbioscoop Rotterdam – August: An open-air cinema in the Museum Park where visitors watch films under the stars. This event combines a cozy atmosphere with a diverse film selection. 

• Day of Romantic Music – August: Enjoy classical music in the Park by the Euromast during this charming free event. Visitors picnic and listen to live performances in a romantic setting. 

• Winter Festival and Ice Rink – December/January: In winter, Rotterdam transforms into a festive city with lights, Christmas markets, and a large ice rink. The activities provide a celebratory end to the year. 

🔹 Small Facts

• Rotterdam is Europe’s largest port:The Port of Rotterdam is the second largest in the world and plays a crucial role in global trade. 

• Rotterdam was almost completely destroyed in World War II: The German bombings on May 14, 1940, left the city center nearly entirely demolished, laying the foundation for the modern architecture we see today. 

• Rotterdam is one of the most modern cities in the Netherlands: Due to post-war reconstruction, the city is known for its innovative and futuristic architecture. 

• The Market Hall has a massive ceiling artwork: The colorful ceiling of the Market Hall, called “Horn of Plenty,” is the largest artwork in the Netherlands, spanning 11,000 square meters. 

• The Euromast was originally built for the Floriade: The Euromast was constructed in 1960 as an observation tower for the Floriade horticultural exhibition and is now one of Rotterdam’s most iconic landmarks. 

• Rotterdam has the most skyscrapers in the Netherlands: As a result of post-war rebuilding, Rotterdam is a city of modern towers and skyscrapers, including the famous “De Rotterdam” by architect Rem Koolhaas. 

• Rotterdam is a bike-friendly city: The city has an extensive network of bike paths and is renowned as one of the best cities to explore by bicycle. 

• The White House in Rotterdam was Europe’s tallest building in 1898: This art-nouveau building was Europe’s tallest office building at the time and still stands in the city center. 

• Rotterdam has the most museums per square kilometer in the Netherlands: The city is a cultural hub with many museums, including the Kunsthal, Boijmans Van Beuningen, and the Maritime Museum. 

• Rotterdam is home to Erasmus University: Erasmus University Rotterdam is one of the Netherlands’ top universities, known for its focus on international studies and economics. 

• Rotterdam has an international film festival: The International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) is one of Europe’s largest and most important film festivals, focusing on independent films. 

• The city is known for its diverse food culture: As an international port city, Rotterdam is a melting pot of cultures, reflected in its wide variety of restaurants. 

• Rotterdam has the oldest zoo in the Netherlands: Opened in 1857, Diergaarde Blijdorp is the country’s oldest zoo, renowned for its impressive animal species and natural habitats. 

• The city has a ‘whistling’ bridge: The Hef Bridge (officially the Koningshavenbrug) was the first bridge in the Netherlands designed with a horizontal lift mechanism and is now preserved as a monument. 

• Rotterdam is a city of innovation: The city invests heavily in technology and sustainability, with numerous start-ups and initiatives in green energy and smart city solutions.