Today is the Best Time to Plan Your 2020 Getaway to Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam (Dutch:ˌrɔtərˈdɑm), Netherlands is the second-largest Dutch city after Amsterdam located in the province of South Holland. Rotterdam was European Capital of Culture in 2001. The city has its own orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic, with its well-regarded young music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin; a large congress and concert building called De Doelen; several theaters (including the new Luxor) and movie theatres; and the Rotterdam Ahoy complex in the south of the city, which is used for pop concerts, exhibitions, tennis tournaments, and other activities. A major zoo called Diergaarde Blijdorp is situated at the northwest side of Rotterdam, complete with a walkthrough sea aquarium called the Oceanium.
Why Visit Rotterdam?
Rotterdam features eye-popping urban architectures, nightlife, and many summer festivals celebrating the city’s multicultural population and identity, such as the Caribbean-inspired Summer Carnival, the Dance Parade, Rotterdam 666, the Metropolis pop festival and the World Port days. For example, WORM is a Rotterdam based non-profit foundation and a multi-media alternative cultural centre focusing on experimental, new media art, avant-garde and underground art, primarily music and movies. There are also the International Film Festival in January, the Poetry International Festival in June, the North Sea Jazz Festival in July, the Valery Gergiev Festival in September, September in Rotterdam and the World of the Witte de With. In June 1970, The Holland Pop Festival (which featured Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds, Canned Heat, It’s a Beautiful Day, and Santana) was held and filmed at the Stamping Grounds in Rotterdam.
Architecture
Rotterdam has become world famous because of its modern and groundbreaking architecture. Throughout the years the city has been nicknamed Manhattan at the Meuse and The architectural capital of the Netherlands both for its skyline and because it is home to internationally leading architectural firms involved in the design of famous buildings and bridges in other big cities. Examples include OMA (Rem Koolhaas), Neutelings & Riedijk and Erick van Egeraat.
Rotterdam is also famous for its Lijnbaan 1952 by architects Broek en Bakema, Peperklip by architect Carel Weeber, Kubuswoningen or cube houses designed by architect Piet Blom 1984.
The newest landmark in Rotterdam is the Markthal, designed by architect firm MVRDV. In addition to that there are many international well known architects based in Rotterdam like O.M.A (Rem Koolhaas), Neutelings & Riedijk and Erick van Egeraat to name a few. Two architectural landmarks are located in the Lloydkwartier: the STC college building and the Schiecentrale.
Climate
Rotterdam experiences a temperate oceanic climate. Located near to the coast, its climate is slightly milder than locations further inland. Winters are cool with frequent cold days, while the summers are mild to warm, with occasional hot temperatures. Overall the demographics differ per city area. The city centre has a singles population of 70%, between the ages of 20 and 40, considerably more than other city areas. Also the city centre has a much larger population of people with higher education and higher income.
Religion
Christianity is the largest religion in Rotterdam, constituting about 31.1% of the population. The second and third largest religions are Islam (13.3%) and Hinduism (3.3%), while about half of the population has no religious affiliation.
Since 1795 Rotterdam has hosted the chief congregation of the liberal Protestant brotherhood of Remonstrants. From 1955 it has been the see of the bishop of Rotterdam when the Rotterdam diocese was split from the Haarlem diocese. Since 2010 the city is home to the largest mosque in the Netherlands, the Essalam mosque, (capacity 1,500).
Yearly Events for Planning Your Visit
Rotterdam hosts several annual events unique to the city. It hosts the Zomercarnaval (Summercarnaval), the second largest Caribbean carnival in Europe, originally called the Antillean carnival. Other events include: North Sea Jazz Festival, the largest Jazz festival in Europe, Bavaria City Race, a Formula 1 race inside the city center and a 3 day long maritime extravaganza called the World Port Days celebrating the Port of Rotterdam.
January: “Zesdaagse van Rotterdam” “(six-day track-cycling race) – Rotterdam Ahoy
January: International Film Festival Rotterdam
February: Rotterdam Open ABN AMRO ATP 500 Tennis Tournament – Rotterdam Ahoy
April–June:
Rotterdam Marathon
Koningsdag Festival (27 April)
Poetry International Festival (June)
July:
North Sea Jazz Festival (second weekend of July)
Summer Carnival
August:
Bavaria City Race
Pleinbioscoop
Dag van de Romantische Muziek (Romantic music festival)
September:
The World Port Days
Valery Gergiev Festival
Travel Guide
Rotterdam in 5 minutes | Travel Guide | Must-sees for your city tour
