Nijmegen, with a population of 175,002, is situated on the banks of the Waal, a branch of the river Rhine in the region of the “Great Rivers” and located in the east of the Netherlands at a mere 10 kilometers from the German border.
Of Roman origin (its name derives from 'Noviomagus', meaning 'new market') the city celebrated its 2000th anniversary in 2005. This makes Nijmegen the oldest city in the Netherlands. Nijmegen was also the imperial residence during the Carolingian period. The 'Valkhof' – “Falcon’s Court” - is the highest point of the city overlooking the river. It was once the site of Charlemagne’s castle.
Despite being the Netherlands’ oldest city, Nijmegen retains its sense of youth, partly thanks to the tens of thousands of students in the city, since it not only hosts HAN university, but also the Radboud University. This large student population helps to give the city a hipster vibe, ranging from trendy coffee bars and concept stores, to a wide choice of nightlife and live music venues.
With its many welcoming, historic streets, Nijmegen is one of the better shopping cities in the Netherlands. It also boasts the oldest shopping street in Holland! If you want to sit down for a drink and a bite to eat, Nijmegen also has a large selection of cafes, terraces and excellent little restaurants
Nijmegen’s annual calendar is literally bursting with events and special activities. There’s something happening in the city almost every single day, including festivals or outdoor events every weekend. In the summer months, this self-proclaimed ‘Summer Capital of Holland’ organizes events that also attract visitors from all over Holland and Germany.
The city of Nijmegen also has several interesting and unique museums, showcasing various aspects of its cultural heritage. Besides that, it has a very diverse offering of venues for live performances of theatre, music and other cultural workshops and activities, as well as several international student associations\clubs.
Cycle through the area known as “The Betuwe”, where you will be captivated by the blossom in spring and where later in the year you can buy locally picked cherries, apples and pears from roadside stalls. You’ll find plenty of grapes in the nearby wine village of Groesbeek; it's almost like Greece !
Comments are closed.