Free things to do · Rotterdam · Netherlands
6 free things to do in Rotterdam
Rotterdam without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Rotterdam without paying an entry fee: Markthal, Erasmus Bridge, Delfshaven and Wilhelminapier and Hotel New York are all free. The Rotterdam Welcome Card combines transport and attraction discounts if you plan several paid visits.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 6
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Free sights and experiences
Market · Centrum
1.Markthal
Come for an early lunch on a weekday; it gets very crowded on Saturday afternoons.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Food
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Landmark · Kop van Zuid and Wilhelminapier
2.Erasmus Bridge
Walk across at dusk and continue to the end of the Wilhelminapier for the classic skyline view.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- After dark
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Neighbourhood · Delfshaven
3.Delfshaven
Visit on a weekend afternoon, when the windmill sometimes opens to visitors.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
- Couples
Waterfront · Kop van Zuid and Wilhelminapier
4.Wilhelminapier and Hotel New York
Take the water taxi from the Hotel New York pier for a quick ride across the river.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Views
- History
- Couples
Street · Cool and Witte de Withstraat
5.Witte de Withstraat
Start with an early dinner here, then move to the bars on the Nieuwe Binnenweg nearby.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- After dark
- Art
- Shopping
Park · Kralingen
6.Kralingse Bos and Plas
Rent a bike and cycle the loop around the lake on a sunny afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Centrum | Markthal | 1 hour |
| Kop van Zuid and Wilhelminapier | Erasmus Bridge and Wilhelminapier and Hotel New York | 30 minutes + 1 hour |
| Delfshaven | Delfshaven | 1.5–2 hours |
| Cool and Witte de Withstraat | Witte de Withstraat | 2 hours |
| Kralingen | Kralingse Bos and Plas | 2–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Architecture · Centrum
Cube Houses and Oude Haven
Visit the Kijk-Kubus to see how residents furnish rooms with sloping walls, then have a drink by the Oude Haven.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Kids
Religious site · Centrum
Laurenskerk
It is a two-minute walk from the Markthal; check whether the tower is open for a climb during your visit.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- The Rotterdam Welcome Card combines transport and attraction discounts if you plan several paid visits.
- Walking the Erasmus Bridge, the Markthal, the Cube Houses exterior, Delfshaven and the Wilhelminapier costs nothing.
- Eat at the Markthal, the Binnenrotte market or Surinamese takeaways for good-value meals.
- Rent a bike for a day instead of buying multiple transport tickets.
- Weekend hotel rates are often lower than weekdays thanks to the city's business travel.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Rotterdam expensive to visit?
Rotterdam is moderately priced for most visitors, but 6 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Rotterdam?
Markthal: Come for an early lunch on a weekday; it gets very crowded on Saturday afternoons.