About
Nijmegen is a city in the east of the Netherlands, set on the banks of the Waal River close to the German border. The facts most often said about it are its age and its history: it is described as the country's oldest city, with nearly two thousand years of recorded past behind it.
A city of layers
Few places in the Netherlands carry such a long timeline on the surface. Roman remains sit alongside a modern university, so a visit can move from older stones to lively student life within a short walk. The result is a city with both scholarly energy and a strong sense of depth.
History along the river
Nijmegen's position near the German border has shaped its story, and it also played a part in the Second World War, including the events of Operation Market Garden. Visitors interested in that period will find the city's history adds further layers to a stay here.
Its setting on the Waal gives the city a scenic backdrop, and a walk along the water is a simple way to get a feel for the place.
What a visit offers
- Roman ruins and other traces of nearly two thousand years of history
- The atmosphere of a university city, with its scholarly rhythm
- The Waal River and its waterside setting
- Sites connected to the Second World War and Operation Market Garden
Nijmegen suits travellers who enjoy history and want to see how old and new sit side by side in one city. For specific opening times, tickets or the best routes between sites, it is worth checking current local information before you go.