15 Places to Visit in Europe You Won’t Believe are Free

16. 08. 2016 · 8 min read

The old continent offers a variety of wonderful places you can visit, surprisingly without having to pay a single (euro)cent. As long as you can discover them. We have prepared a selection of European locations which are definitely worth seeing for free! If you are about to set off wandering through great European metropoles, just keep on reading. The following tips are for every type of traveler. Passionate instagramers are going to convince you along the way, too.

360-degree London

Would you like to have London in the palm of your hand? You actually don't have to pay dozens of pounds for such a view. Just visit Sky Garden which offers a 360-degree panoramic view from the highest garden in London. In case you can't find the skyscraper which hosts the garden, just ask local people about „Walkie-Talkie” and they will surely be glad to help. All you have to do then is enjoy the view of the best-known monuments of the United Kingdom's capital.

Free entry:
Monday–Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 09:00 p.m.

51°30’40.608″N 0°5’0.879″W

Freedom Overcomes the Berlin Wall

The concrete structure of the Berlin Wall isolated citizens of the German Democratic Republic for the long 28 years. Today it is a mere reminder of the times when Berlin was divided into the eastern and western part, between the districts of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg. Just a month after the fall of the Berlin Wall, artist Christine Mac Lean decided to paint this section, thus creating a 1.3-km long memorial for freedom called East Side Gallery. In the following months she was joined by more than 100 artists who created memorable graphic works with the leitmotif of freedom euphoria.

Free entry:
24/7

52°30’18.081″N 13°26’22.903″E

Museum of Modern Art in Paris

Between Champs-Elysées and the Eiffel Tower you can find a beautiful presentation of contemporary art in the Museum of Modern Art de la Ville de Paris. Permanent collections include all primary artistic movements from the beginning of the 20th century until today. You can see as many as 10,000 works which will walk you through the world of art. You can also find a number of truly unique pieces in the museum. Noteworthy is a majestic masterpiece by Raoul Dufy called La Feé Electricité. You can see the permanent exposition for free.

Free entry:
Tuesday–Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m.

48°51’51.632″N 2°17’52.154″E

Lunch Classic in Amsterdam

If you plan a visit to the Dutch capital on Tuesday, don't miss a truly nourishing music encounter, directly in the Dutch National Opera and Ballet. You can look forward to a concert classic delivered by the national orchestra, completely free. The first concert of this kind was held 25 years ago and ever since it has been in great demand not only from locals but fortunate tourists as well.

Free entry:
Every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m.

52°22’2.976″N 4°54’6.739″E

Comic Strip Trail in Brussels

It`s not just fans of comics who will enjoy more than 50 comic paintings across the whole city of Brussels. The initiative of local authorities along with the Belgian Comic Strip Centre dates back to 1991 and its original aim was to promote a strong community of artists dedicated to comic painting. Most creations can be found in the city center and they most certainly cannot be missed.

Free entry:
24/7

50°50’54.617″N 4°20’29.496″E

Touch the World in Madrid

Visit a museum in which one is obliged to touch exhibits. In just a few minutes you will travel across the world. You'll put your hands on the Eiffel Tower and touch the Leaning Tower of Pisa, too. It is interesting to get to know the world of the blind people and find out how to perceive the world through other senses than those we are commonly used to.

Free entry:
(September–July) Tuesday–Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m.

40°27’19.046″N 3°42’0.461″W

Pablo’s City

Art lovers should not miss the museum dedicated to one of Spain’s greatest painters, Pablo Picasso. More than 4000 works comprise a permanent collection which, among other things, reflects his close relationship to Barcelona. Such an intimate, firm affinity being formed from his youth until his death in 1973.

Free entry:
Each first Sunday from 09:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.
Each Sunday from 03:00 p.m. to 07:00 p.m.

41°23’6.778″N 2°10’51.213″E

Fairy-tale Copenhagen in the palm of your hand

If you adore splendid views, you should definitely head to the Tower of Christiansborg Palace from where you’ll be able to spot hidden alleys, beautiful rooftops as well as other magical places you can't see from the ground. Christiansborg Palace was once the seat of the royal family, but after the great fire of 1800 the family left this monumental building.

Free entry:
Tuesday–Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 09:00 p.m.

55°40’35.583″N 12°34’49.254″E

Take a Swim in Bern

A public swimming pool in the very heart of the city and completely for free? You can find such refreshment in the Swiss city Bern. Proponents of sunbathing without a swimsuit will be in their element, too, as they can fully enjoy the sun out of sight of others. The area is huge and besides local people, it is filled by tourists as well. If you are an avid swimmer or you just want to cool yourself down on a sweltering day, you will fall in love with this place instantly.

Free entry:
April, May, September from 08:30 a.m. to 07:00 p.m.
July, August from 07:00 to 09:00 p.m.

46°56’42.72″N 7°26’35.152″E

The Most Romantic place in Rome

In the Italian capital it's worth wandering to Trastevere – Rome's most romantic and charming neighborhood situated across the Tiber river. No planning, no map. This district full of narrow alleys, colorful window shutters, oleanders and trees can be relished to the fullest once you get lost. Stray around, absorb the genuine Italian atmosphere and when your feet get tired, stop to taste some homemade wine and the best pizza in the city.

Free entry:
24/7

41°53’5.386″N 12°28’13.446″E

Royal Feeling in Prague

What a shame it would be to go to Prague and not feel like a monarch for a while. Once you set foot on the Golden Lane, the feeling is guaranteed. This is a historical route across the center of the Czech capital which used to be the coronation route for Czech monarchs. The route starts at the Royal Court in the Old Town and leads to the Prague Castle and the Cathedral of St. Vitus. Today it is one of the main tourist attractions and you can enjoy it completely for free in the evening.

Free entry:
Every day after 05:00 p.m.

50°5’31.552″N 14°24’15.235″E

A Piece of French Beauty in Warsaw

After having a good lunch in the capital of Poland, you deserve a rest in one of the most splendid gardens you have ever seen. The Wilanow Palace and its surroundings are the perfect place. It is one of just a handful of places in Warsaw which were not destroyed during the world wars. The wonderful palace gardens are often compared to the gardens in French Versailles. If you visit on Thursday, you will get free entry to the whole complex.

Free entry:
Thursday 09:30 a.m. – 04:00 p.m.

50°5’31.352″N 14°24’15.235″E

From Fisherman's Bastion Right to the Centre of Budapest

A pleasant trip to the Hungarian capital can be enriched by the Fisherman’s Bastion from the 19th century. It was built in place of the former fish market at the top of Várhégy (Castle Hill). If you manage to count its towers, you will get the number 7. This is the number of the original Hungarian (Magyar) tribes. If you are fond of epic buildings and stunning historical views, this place is right for you.

Free entry:
24/7

47°30’7.858″N 19°2’5.212″E

The Entire World in One Place in Vienna

Since the 16th century the inhabitants of Vienna have enjoyed the most intriguing tastes of the world in the Naschmarkt market. Today’s Naschmarkt offers a variety of groceries which you would have a hard time shopping for in supermarkets. Try fresh meat and fish of the best quality or treat yourself to luxury street food. If you love cooking, this is the right spot for buying fresh ingredients.

Free entry:
Monday–Friday from 09:00 a.m. to 06:30 p.m.

48°11’54.259″N 16°21’47.219″E

Freedom Memorial Above Bratislava

A monumental memorial to fallen Soviet soldiers is proudly towering above the Slovak capital of Bratislava. These soldiers liberated Bratislava from the Nazis in 1945 at the end of the World War II. The main part of the monument consists of a huge granite pylon on top of which stands an 11-meter high statue of a soldier erecting a flag. This place is a popular spot for weekend strolls providing a splendid view of the entire city.

Free entry:
24/7

48°9’14.015″N 17°5’58.48″E

Written by Dominika Majchrakova