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RotterdamGuide was updated:
Rotterdam is a young, dynamic city, continually renewing itself at a rapid rate. Sparkling skyscrapers, an impressive port, trendy restaurants and food markets, renowned museums and fun festivals are the direct result of the can-do mentality of the Rotterdammers. Add to that the many extraordinary attractions and city tours — by bike, bus, boat or on foot. Now is the perfect time to explore the Netherlands' second-largest city!
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Facts
Population:
Urban: 1.3 (2023)
Metro: 2.4 million (2023)
Currency:
Euro
Emergency Numbers:
112
Website:
rotterdam.info
www.rotterdam.nl
Opening Hours:
Generally, shops in the city centre are open 7 days a week, from around 10 am until 7 pm. On Sunday, shops open their doors at noon. On Friday, shops are open until 9 pm.
Most attractions can be visited 7 days a week as well. The Markthal is open until 8 pm except for Friday (9 pm) and Sunday (6 pm). Rotterdam museums welcome their visitors from Tuesday until Sunday (thus closed on Monday).
National holidays include Christmas, New Years Day, Easter, King's Day (27th of April) and Pentecost.
Tourist Information:
Rotterdam Tourist Information
Coolsingel 114, Rotterdam
Rotterdam Tourist Information
Stationsplein 21, Rotterdam
Open daily 9:30am–6pm
+31 10 790 01 85
info@rotterdam.info
Art & Culture
Rotterdam has a rich cultural scene centred largely around the cultural axis between Museumpark and Witte de Withstraat. This area includes acclaimed museums like Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Kunsthal Rotterdam and The New Institute, where large and small (international) exhibitions of old and new art, design and photography are presented. The numerous galleries around Witte de Withstraat and the city centre are also well worth your time.
You don't necessarily have to head indoors to see art in Rotterdam, though. Pablo Picasso, Joep van Lieshout, Henry Moore, Paul McCartney, Elmgreen & Dragset: masterpieces by the world's most famous artists can simply be visited in public in Rotterdam. If you love street art, feast your eyes on the beauties around the Luchtsingel pedestrian bridge and the Hofbogen arches, where major and impressive wall paintings by local artists are progressively covering the walls.
Rotterdam also boasts many theatres, concert halls and arthouse cinemas where you go to be inspired and touched by classical and contemporary music, theatre, cabaret, dance and musicals from local, national and international artists and companies.
Fans of arthouse films can indulge themselves at the charming old Cinerama cinema, at the LantarenVenster movie house or the new small Kino movie theatre. Or visit Rotterdam in January during the global International Film Festival Rotterdam.