Weekend in Rotterdam

A sleek, cable-stayed bridge nicknamed 'The Swan'. You can walk or cycle across it for panoramic views of the Rotterdam harbour and skyline.

Tip: Cross it at sunset for the best light. On the south side, walk down to the Kop van Zuid area for a free look at the old shipyard cranes.

A huge indoor food market with a striking arched ceiling covered in a giant fruit-and-vegetable mural. You don't need to spend money to walk through and admire the artwork and arch

Tip: Go early on a weekday morning to see it without the crowds. Try a 'bitterbal' from a stand for a cheap snack, but skip the overpriced tourist restaurants.

Actually the depot of the museum, not the main gallery—a mirrored, silo-shaped building. You can walk around the public ground floor and roof terrace for free to see how art is stored.

Tip: Book a free slot online to visit the rooftop garden, which has great views of the city skyline and the Maas river. No need to pay for the depot tour.

The outside of this Rem Koolhaas-designed building is a free modernist architecture highlight—it's a tilted, zigzagging glass-and-metal structure. The interiors require a ticket, but the exterior is w

Tip: Walk around the whole building to see how it slopes down to the park. Combine with a stroll through the adjacent Museumpark, which has free outdoor sculptures.

A large, leafy green space south of the centre, with old trees, lawns, and a pond. It's a quiet escape from the city's bustle and has a playground for kids.

Tip: Pack a picnic and head to the hilly area near the Euromast tower—it's one of the few elevated spots in the flat city. Entrance to the Euromast itself costs money, but the park is free.