Rotterdam, the Netherlands: the largest port in Europe

With a population of 584,000 in 2007, Rotterdam is located in the vast delta of the river Rhine and is the largest port in Europe. It is the second largest city in the Netherlands alongside the most prominent Amsterdam, but definitely Rotterdam has its own unique appeal that makes it an excellent tourist destination. In fact, 4 million people a year visit Rotterdam.

The city center was largely destroyed right at the beginning of WWII, and the city was rebuilt with a look to the future. Therefore, Rotterdam is a modern city compared to some of its European contemporaries, and it features impressive modern architecture. The city is known for its impressive skyline. It has the tallest residential building in the Netherlands at 524 feet, as well as the tallest office building at 520 feet, named Delftse Poort. Another prominent feature of the skyline is the 610-foot Euromast Tower, which is a very popular tourist attraction.

Rotterdam has worked hard to become an attractive destination, and was rewarded for that effort with the designation of the European Capital of Culture in 2001. The city is also rich in museums, of which there are many, including the Maritime Museum, which has more than half a million exhibits. There are also many excellent shops, notably the pedestrianized Linjbaan shopping area with its many excellent specialty restaurants. Also be sure to visit the Oceanium, which is a wonderful marine aquarium that features a particularly terrifying shark tunnel.

Don’t miss the popular Walk of Fame, which commemorates 200 international celebrities in particular along “Star Boulevard.” The harbor is particularly well lit and impressive at night; Before leaving Rotterdam, you should take a cruise on the colorful “pancake ship”, where you can cruise through the nighttime cityscape and harbor while ingesting all the pancakes you can pack.