The 10 Best Free Things to do in The Netherlands, The Netherlands

July 11, 2021 Harland Bartelt

– in Europe  (green & dark grey) – in the European Union  (green)
Restaurants in The Netherlands

1. Erasmus Bridge

Erasmusbrug, 3072 Rotterdam The Netherlands http://www.rotterdam.nl
Excellent
48%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,718 reviews

Erasmus Bridge

Considered an architectural work of art, Rotterdam's imposing bridge that is shaped like a harp soars over the largest harbor in Europe.

Reviewed By Hermes_NL - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

The iconic Erasmus bridge, nicknamed “the Swan”, crosses the wide river Nieuwe Maas in Rotterdam. It offers a great opportunity to take a city walk and reach out from the industrious North shore to the bubbling “Kop van Zuid” and the gentrified Katendrecht peninsula.

2. Zaanse Schans

Schansend 1, 1509 AW Zaandam The Netherlands +31 75 681 0000 [email protected] http://www.dezaanseschans.nl/
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,189 reviews

Zaanse Schans

This open air museum recreates a Dutch village with wooden houses and windmills dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Reviewed By irashafran - Winter Park, United States

Best day trip and real taste of Dutch life and a most beautiful and charming small town with windmills, small shops and great old hotel.... Setting gorgeous surrounded by picturesque waterways and homes with backdrop of a massive dam .... Ingrid lives there and showed us her beautiful home

3. St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal)

Sint-Baafsplein Casco Historico de la Ciudad, Ghent 9000 Belgium +32 9 225 16 26 http://www.sintbaafskathedraal.be/
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,171 reviews

St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal)

Reviewed By john_tabac - Southampton, United Kingdom

St Bavo’s Cathedral was a 12th century Romanesque church which dedicated to St John the Baptist. During the 15th and 16th centuries, was converted into the imposing Gothic St Bavo’s Cathedral. It has a rich history and it is also filled with art treasures. From the baroque high altar in white, black and red flamed marble, the Rococo pulpit in oak, gilded wood and marble, a masterpiece by Rubens, the Calvary Triptych by Justus van Gent, the Gothic sanctuary lamp, the opulent tombs of the Bishops of Ghent – and the world-famous Mystic Lamb. St Bavo’s Cathedral is still used for worship and although it has a sign that cameras are not allowed inside, everybody take pictures and security staff didn't say anything. Only in Mystic Lamb they don't allow pictures.

4. Graslei and Korenlei

Graslei en Korenleih, Ghent Belgium
Excellent
69%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,358 reviews

Graslei and Korenlei

Reviewed By N3899ACrolandb - Ferndown, United Kingdom

Just a short stroll from central St.Michaels Bridge along each side of the quay,the range of picturesque and architectural styles are most pleasing to the eye;take along with you a descriptive guidebook,( available from the Tourist Office),and you will find interesting details of the purpose and history of the various buildings (alternatively,take the half hour informative boat trip there- currently a modest €7!)

5. St. John's Cathedral

Parade Torenstraat 16, 5211 KK Den Bosch The Netherlands +31 900 1122334 [email protected] http://www.sint-jan.nl/
Excellent
57%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,415 reviews

St. John's Cathedral

Reviewed By 329halinav - Pretoria, South Africa

One of two cathedrals in the world that has these statues on the arches, the only one where the statues look up. If you are lucky and they have the roof open in summer, do it. It is truly a sight to behold. The interior is richly decorated and the windows are breathtaking. The entrance from the market has a window that has a panel dedicated to WWII, enter and look back and up. The Maria chapel is still heavily used, with various saints along the walls. Have a look at the wood engravings all along the sides.

6. Maasplassen, Roermond

Hatenboer, Roermond The Netherlands http://vvvmiddenlimburg.nl/nl/waterrecreatie-watersport-maasplassen
Excellent
39%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 137 reviews

Maasplassen, Roermond

Reviewed By 561sandir - Cranfield, United Kingdom

The walks around the lakes and water are beautiful, so is the town with the live music from the bandstand. I was recommended to come to this town as an off the beaten track and it certainly is but its also vibrant, colourful and friendly. Highly recommended

7. Zandvoort aan Zee

Boulevard, Zandvoort The Netherlands +31 23 571 2171 http://www.restaurantdemeerpaal.nl
Excellent
52%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 900 reviews

Zandvoort aan Zee

Reviewed By 935susannek - Stockholm, Sweden

Going to Zandvoort aan Zee was a great bonus to our Amsterdam vacation. Only 30 minutes with train from Amsterdam Central you think that you are in Greece, Spain or Italy. A seemingly endless, clean beach with the possibility to find something to eat and drink a long the way. If the weather permits, I will plan for a day at Zandvoort aan Zee the next time I go to Amsterdam.

8. Begijnhof St Elisabeth (St. Elisabeth House)

Kortrijk Belgium +32 56 24 48 38 [email protected]. http://www.kortrijk.be/adressen/begijnhof-unesco-werelderfgoed
Excellent
52%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 354 reviews

Begijnhof St Elisabeth (St. Elisabeth House)

9. Grote Markt

Grote Markt, Haarlem The Netherlands http://visithaarlem.org/haarlem-markets
Excellent
51%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,190 reviews

Grote Markt

Reviewed By springlering - Marietta, United States

We have been in Haarlem for several days, and have visited the Square each day. Our own home has a classic town square, and we’ve grown to appreciate how they change character each visit, as does this one. Surrounded by excellent shopping, quaint streets and alleys, with a stunning church and historic buildings, there are nice restaurants to hang out at, a bustling Saturday market, and for those of you who might share our secret vice, lots of Pokestops to hold your interest. The VVV (tourist information) on the square has several nice brochures featuring historic or memorial walks. Or (and this is the nuttiest tourist tip you’ll ever get) download Pokemon (a free app). Real world locations (or “Pokestops”) are points of interest that locals have added to the game. Particularly in Haarlem, we’ve found all kinds of local buildings, small statues, architectural features and more unique and easy to miss features and oddities we never would have noticed had other players not flagged them on the easy to follow 3D map that is part of the game. Pop into St Bavo’s and see if you are lucky enough to catch an organ rehearsal or concert. The little visitors center next to the big visitors center has a beautifully produced film with a history of Haarlem that is worth seeing.

10. Canals area

Utrecht The Netherlands +31 85 401 9555 http://www.bezoek-utrecht.nl
Excellent
65%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,284 reviews

Canals area

Reviewed By cwtravelgirl - Cardiff, United Kingdom

One of the few cities that I've been to in the Netherlands where there are restaurants/bars right down at canal level, where lots of people rent kayaks or small boats. Stunning!

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