The Netherlands’ oldest city is still young at heart; Nijmegen cherishes its historical treasures while simultaneously embracing renewal. Nijmegen’s abundant natural beauty, thanks to its riverside location, combined with its wide range of sporting and cultural activities mean that this city on the River Waal has something for everyone.
Over two thousand years ago, the Romans settled in Nijmegen with good reason – they saw the area as having plenty of potential. Admittedly, in those days ‘Nijmegen’ was little more than a hill next to a river, but it was a very nicely situated hill offering a terrific view. Nowadays you can find traces of the Roman history in the museums and – if you look closely enough – in the city’s streets too.
The other face of Nijmegen
Despite being the Netherlands’ oldest city Nijmegen retains its sense of youth, partly thanks to the thousands of students in the city. They help 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. In the summer months, this self-proclaimed ‘Summer Capital of Holland’ organises events that also attract visitors from much further afield.
