Traveling to Europe is expensive, but no worries, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best free things to do in Europe’s 16 major cities. Because we want you to still have an extremely fun adventure after having that fancy wine.
Amsterdam
Free concerts
Amsterdam has many free orchestra performances. The Dutch National Opera & Ballet and Concertegebouw Orchestra present complimentary lunchtime concerts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There’s also the Muziekgebouw aan t’ IJ, a slick-looking concert hall where conservatoire students play free on the last Thursday of every month.
Athens
Filopappou Hill
If you want to avoid spending bucks and photobombers in the Acropolis, head down to Filopappou Hill for a free panoramic view of Athens, the Acropolis, and even the Aegean Sea. Walking up, there for free and see some attractions like a 16th-century church and the prison where Socrates is thought to have died.
Barcelona
Go to the beach
Tthe best things in life really are free – such as, the sun and all that sand. Barcelona is blessed with plenty of beaches to choose from — from relaxed to raver’s paradise (at least at night) — and the further you get away from the city, the more pristine and peaceful the scenery gets.
Berlin
Bearpit Karaoke
Free daytime karaoke party at Mauerpark flea market, where you’ll find thousands gathered at a legendary.
Budapest
Gellért Hill Cave Church
Discover Gellért Hill Cave which is rich in history. It was first constructed in the 1920s and served as a field hospital during WWII before. Now, monks hold ceremonies here regularly.
Edinburgh
Free Fringe Festival
Catch Scotland’s yearly festival offering live music, standup comedy, and theater shows free of charge.
London
Guided tour at the Tate Modern
Take the one of four complimentary daily tours in the famed Tate Modern. That way, you can also learn the difference between a Turner, a Pollock, and what’s just a used Kleenex on the floor.
Madrid
Museo Nacional del Prado
Spain’s main national art museum is free of charge on the evening. Here you can find one of the finest collections of European art, including paintings and sculptures from as far back as the 12th century.
Lisbon
Berardo Collection Museum
See all modern art masterpieces for free at the Berardo Collection Museum in Lisbon. There are works from Pollock, Picasso, Dali and more — plus it’s also open every day of the week.
Milan
Aperitivo
Yup, that definitely means happy hour! In Italy, buy happy-hour drinks get delighted with a buffet of everything from fresh mozzarella and handmade pizza to pastas and even dessert. Milan’s scene is famous for aperitivo, and you’ll find it everywhere from fancy hotel bars to bakeries
Munich
English Garden
Bigger than Central Park, Munich’s English Garden has a lot to explore. It’s even got a lake, whitewater rapids where people surf, monuments, and even three little islands; so spend a day walking, cycling, or Instagramming the whole scene.
Oslo
Vigeland Sculptures
Marvel at over 200 bronze and granite sculptures set against a lush green Norwegian landscape, world’s largest sculpture park.
Paris
Père Lachaise Cemetery
It may sound a little creepy but Père Lachaise is one to hit before you die. Here you’ll find the graves of a lot of famous personalities, including Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Edith Piaf. Seeing as there are over 700,000 graves, print out a (free!) map here.
Reykjavik
Museum of Photography
Reykjavik’s Museum of Photography has over five million inspiring captures on display, some dating as far back as 1870.
Rome
Pantheon
It’s amazing that Rome’s most lauded landmark is free of charge! Explore this majestic 2,000-year-old temple.
Sofia
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
This Bulgarian cathedral is one of Europe’s most beautiful underrated churches. Not to mention the world’s largest Eastern Orthodox.Get awed by this Byzantine architecture, with gold-plated dome to lavish mosaic interiors.
