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City in South Holland, Netherlands
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Rotterdam is a city in the province of South Holland in the west of the Netherlands. The city is the second largest in the country with a population of approximately 650,000 inhabitants in the municipality (2020) and about 2.2 million inhabitants in the shared metropolitan area of the Rotterdam-The Hague Metropolitan Region (MRDH). Rotterdam is a vibrant, multicultural city; it is known for its university (Erasmus University Rotterdam), cutting-edge architecture, lively cultural life, industrial riverside setting, its maritime heritage and colourful summer events. The municipality stretches all the way to the North Sea with gigantic areas like Europoort and Maasvlakte 1&2. All belong to the Port of Rotterdam.
Filled with highrise and out-of-the-box architecture, this district forms the heart of Rotterdam and gives the city its characteristic.
Originally a part of Delft, this town over time grew closer to Rotterdam, leading up to its incorporation in 1886. The former town still has a fair bit of its historic identity.
Famous for the Kralingse Plas, a large artificial lake and the surrounding park, as well as Blijdorp, the second-oldest still active zoo in the Netherlands.
Namesake of a Dutch football club, Feijenoord is the heart of the south banks of the Meuse.
Home to Rotterdam's airport as well as Hilligersberg and the surrounding lakes and forests.
Largely home to Rotterdam's urban sprawl.
Though not incorporated into Rotterdam, Nieuwerkerk is largely an extension of the city. It is home to the lowest point of the famously low-lying Netherlands, at 6.76 m below sea level.
The southernmost districts of Rotterdam.
Best known as the largest seaport of Europe, the Port of Rotterdam has been built within a river delta as well as the sea.
Formerly one of the main gateways into the Netherlands from anywhere reachable by ocean-going vessel, nowadays a popular beachfront.
Island on the suburban fringes of Rotterdam, functioning as a suburb both to Rotterdam and Spijkenisse.
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A cycling competition in early December.
The International Film Festival Rotterdam, which mainly features independent films from all over the world in February.
In February, you can see (and buy) masterpieces of modern art.
In February.
Music, art & performance. Plus a sleeping project that enables sleeping in art or on special locations in Rotterdam (April)
Festival in June.
A huge Caribbean-oriented parade and party in the city centre.
Three day event where you can sample dishes from Michelin-star restaurants for a reduced price (dates vary, summer edition usually late August)
By train
The Dutch railway company NS runs high-speed Intercity Direct trains between Amsterdam, Schiphol, Rotterdam and Breda.
By bus
By boat
You can also get to Rotterdam by ferry from the United Kingdom. No ferries arrive in the center.
By metro
Coming from The Hague or somewhere in between it can be advisable to use metroline , see for more information the page about the whole region.
By car
Rotterdam is easily reached by car. From Amsterdam take the A4 South to Rotterdam Haven. From Utrecht take the A12 and change to the A20 just after Gouda on knooppunt Gouwe.
By bike
As a Dutch city Rotterdam is well connected to extense (inter)national bicycle networks which use all kinds of infrastructural facilities.
Tickets
You can use your contactless bank card to pay for any public transport that also accepts the OV-chipkaart. This system is called OV-Pay and is the most convenient way to travel.
By metro
There are 5 metro lines in the city. Unlike many metro systems, however, these function more like metro systems in the city and light rail lines on the outskirts.
By tram
There are nine tram lines in the city. Each tram has a conductor. Tram stops provide a detailed map of the public transport system for on-the-go route-finding.
By bus
RET operates bus services across the city.
By water taxi
By taxi
If you do need a taxi you will have to find yourself a taxi rank or call a taxi company.50 which included the first two kilometres).20.
By tuk-tuk
By bicycle
Like any city in the Netherlands, Rotterdam is very, very bicycle-friendly. Getting around by bike is probably the fastest way of travel within the city.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Rotterdam · International · RTM
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Articles and travel topics about Rotterdam and Netherlands.
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