The Best European Cities for Low-Cost Adventures

Free attractions, museums with no entry fees, and complimentary events: exploring Europe’s iconic cities doesn’t have to break the bank. From awe-inspiring historical landmarks to rich cultural experiences and scenic tours, many European destinations boast a variety of free activities for travellers to enjoy.

Holidu, the booking portal for holiday homes, has analysed the 50 most popular cities in Europe where you can make the most of your trip without spending a penny.

Discover the complete ranking:

https://www.holidu.co.uk/holiday-lettings/united-kingdom/london#free-cities

The Best Cities to Discover for Free

1. London, England // 96 Free Museums // 1222 Free events // 79 Free guided city tours

London is the number one city to enjoy for free. You can immerse yourself in this vibrant atmosphere without spending a lot of money, where more than 1,200 free events and 79 free guided tours of the city can be found – from exciting concerts to comedy shows and admission-free disco nights. Here are some free sights to see:

• Natural History Museum
• Westminster Cathedral
• Horizon 22 observation platform

2. Paris, France // 30 Free Museums // 685 Free events // 94 Free guided city tours

In second place is Paris. Here you can visit a total of 30 museums, accessible free of charge all year round. On the first Sunday of every month, even more museums open their doors to visitors. This is the busiest day, but with over 690 free attractions, 685 free events and 94 guided tours, there are plenty of opportunities to get to know the city on other less busy days and save money. Find out for free:

• Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral
• The Champs-Elysees boulevard
• The public square ‘Le Trocadero et son esplanade’ with a view of the Eiffel Tower
• The Petit Palais exhibition centre

3. Madrid, Spain // 31 Free Museums // 227 Free events // 176 Free guided city tours

Madrid is third in the ranking. This vibrant capital offers a wide variety of free guided tours that will bring you closer to the city in different ways. With a total of 176 offers, every visitor will find the right guide for their interests. Whether you’re interested in gastronomy, art or history, or fancy a tour guided by a local quiz, there’s something for everyone in Madrid. The variety of tours is particularly impressive, including special offers such as Black History tours. The volunteer guides not only have in-depth knowledge and local expertise but above all a passion for their city. What you can visit on a budget:

• Retiro Park
• Cibeles Square
• Matadero de Madrid Museum
• Juan March Foundation Cultural Centre

4. Rome, Italy // 33 Free Museums // 82 Free events // 80 Free guided city tours

From ancient ruins to vibrant squares, Rome offers a world of free wonders. In fourth place in the ranking, you can count on more than 30 free museums and more than 80 free events, too. Stroll around the Roman Forum or relax in the Villa Borghese Gardens. Immerse yourself in history at the Trevi Fountain and the Stairs of Piazza di Spagna, or discover hidden gems like Trastevere. With countless free attractions, Rome is a city where every corner holds a surprise. So get your walking shoes ready and get ready to explore this iconic city without spending too much! Discover these places for free:

• Piazza del Popolo
• Trevi Fountain
• Museu Boncompagni Ludovisi de Artes Decorativas

5. Barcelona, Spain // 14 Free Museums // 205 Free events // 164 Free guided city tours

In the middle of the ranking, we have Barcelona. Here, you can find 14 free museums and 205 free events, too. For a taste of the local culture, stroll along La Rambla, a bustling pedestrianised street lined with shops, cafés and street performers. Immerse yourself in art at the Palau de la Virreina, or simply relax in Ciutadella Park, a green oasis with a zoo, a lake and a botanical garden. Enjoy free festivals and events all year round, from the vibrant Festa de la Mercè to the lively Barcelona International Jazz Festival. Take a free cultural tour of these places:

• Palau de la Virreina
• Castell de Montjuïc – Free entry from 3pm
• MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia). Free entry on Saturdays from 3pm. Free admission on the first Sunday of the month.

5 tips to save even more during your stay in town:

• Take a bottle of water with you! Especially in city centres, bottled water from kiosks is often prohibitively expensive. However, tap water is generally drinkable in most European cities, so you can save a lot of money.
• Plan your trip wisely! Before and after the holidays, as well as during school holidays, accommodation is often more expensive than at other times. If you’re not dependent on school holidays, it’s best to travel in the low season to save on your holiday budget.
• Take public transport! Taxis can be quite expensive, even for short distances, whereas most major European cities are well served by bus and train. Another great alternative is bike hire, which lets you explore the city at a lower cost.
• Check out local eateries on social networks! In preparation for your trip, you can look on Instagram or TikTok for publications where locals share cheap and good-quality restaurants, cafés, bars or other eateries – don’t forget to save them!
• Stay in the EU! With EU data roaming, you can continue to use your mobile data as you normally do at home, without fear of high roaming charges. EU data roaming is valid in all European Union countries, as well as Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland. Be careful in the UK, Switzerland and Turkey, where you can’t use your mobile data as easily.

Who completes the top 10?

6. Milan, Italy // 17 free museums // 670 free events // 34 city tours
7. Amsterdam, The Netherlands // 18 free museums // 721 free events // 49 city tours
8. Prague, Czech Republic // 15 free museums // 59 free events // 134 city tours
9. Lisbon, Portugal // 15 free museums // 81 free events // 140 city tours
10. Berlin, Germany // 35 free museums // 419 free events // 28 city tours