If there’s anything better than crossing things off your ever-growing European must-see list, it’s not spending your funds while doing so! From Rome to Istanbul, cheese-tasting to hiking, wine sampling to painting, and everything in between, these are the fifty best free things to do in Europe.
Best free things to do in Europe
1. Stroll along the canals in Venice, and don’t worry about getting a little lost because that’s how you find hidden little spots to have a snack, take a unique photo, and awe at the architecture.
2. Take in the impressive architectural detail across Spain
3. Walk from Buda to Pest across the Danube on the copper-green Liberty bridge in Art Noveau style. A popular photo spot daytime and nighttime alike
4. Enjoy a picnic under the Eiffel tower in Paris; whether a typical baguette and cheese combo or a poke bowl, you’ll remember this one
5. Discover the many statues of Skopje, North Macedonia. Scattered over the city’s downtown, there are charming sculptures of all shapes and sizes meant to captivate visitors and reinitiate tourism after the 2008 economic downturn.
6. In summer, catch an outdoor movie in Austria
7. Visit one of Dublin’s many free museums, the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and the Dublin Castle, would be our suggestions. A walk through Trinity College is also filled with atmosphere and entirely free
8. A walk along the north bank of the Seine offers both spectacular views of the other side and plenty of Parisian charm as you’ll see vendors of old magazines, art, old and new trinkets, and books.
9. Take a #selfie with the guards at Buckingham Palace
10. Go swimming in the crystal clear waters of Navagio Beach on spectacular Zakynthos Island, Greece
11. Get up close and personal with the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, famous from Hans Christian Andersen’s book and a certain Disney movie from 1989, initiating the Disney Renaissance of the 90s
12. Hop your way across the scenic Giant’s Causeway on Northern Ireland’s north coast
13. Chase the northern lights in Norway
14. Watch a local chef make fresh pizza in Rome or, better yet, its birthplace Naples
15. Catch the sunrise in Cappadocia, Turkey
16. Marvel at the colorful streets of Lisbon, especially the alleys of the historical Alfama neighborhood are sure to captivate you and your camera roll
17. A unique insight into politics, or just an amazing viewpoint depending on how you prefer to see things, is visiting the Reichstag Dome (Parliament) in Berlin. Added in 1999 to an 18th Century building, it offers 360° views of the Berliner cityscape
18. Learn the difference between ‘hombre’ and ‘hambre’ in Madrid
19. While entering the famous Alhambra palace in Granada is not free, the views from the outside are pretty spectacular as well
20. Just outside of Sofia, Bulgaria, lies Boyana, which used to be a separate village but today has become integrated with the capital. The Boyana Church is UNESCO-listed, and the 25-meter-tall Boyana Waterfall is another draw, absolutely free of charge
21. Czech out all of the incredible views of magical Prague while strolling through its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town
22. Lake Geneva in Switzerland is quite stunning to behold, and if you exit the city, you’ll find many small beaches for a scenic summer dip
23. Anyone who’s been to Zagreb, Croatia, knows that walking through the old city center up to the Upper Town ‘Gornji Grad’ and taking in the view of the city’s beautiful Cathedral is one of the highlights here
24. Soak up the endless history of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. Just imagine all the spectacles and historical events in the arena memory
25. Belgrade Fortress and the surrounding Kalemegdan Park are absolute musts; it’s a nice green in the otherwise bustling Serbian capital and offers scenic views of the meeting point of the Danube and Sava rivers.
26. Search for the best-hidden gelato shops while walking the streets of Florence. The gelato itself is probably not free, though
27. Look for Nessie at Loch Ness in Scotland
28. Peruse the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey. Even if you’re not buying, just walking the old alleys and taking in the colorful products is an experience you don’t want to miss
29. Sample port wine at a local vineyard in Porto, Portugal
30. Experience the midnight sun from May to June in Swedish Lapland
31. Hike through the Swiss Alps
32. Reykjavik, Iceland, doesn’t have a lot of tall buildings, ensuring that the Hallgrímskirkja Church makes its mark on the skyline. Started in 1945 and completed in 1986, this landmark has unique architecture and is located right in the city center
33. Hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy for the ultimate pic for your Instagram or personalized postcard.
34. Architecture keeps appearing on the list, and not to be outdone, Riga, Latvia boasts some of the best and most Art Noveau buildings not only in Europe but in the world.
35. Get your Game of Thrones game on in Dubrovnik and walk the town walls. Avoid the summer crowds for the best experience
36. Wander along the pathways of the Thames river in London and snap iconic photos of The Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Big Ben, and the House of Parliament
37. Marvel at the remnants of the Berlin Wall in Germany; its East Side Gallery is an open-air art display and entirely free
38. Reenact your favorite scene from The Sound of Music in Salzburg
39. Marvel at the intricate marble facade of the Duomo in Milan, Italy.
40. Set your sights on the iconic Parthenon in Athens, Greece. Standing tall since the 5th century BC atop the Acropolis citadel, this is truly an incomparable view to behold.
41. Stroll through the Old Town of Warsaw, Poland, and be surrounded by post-WWII reconstructions of colorful 17th and 18th-century buildings. You may feel a strong inclination to accompany the atmosphere with a beer or two, though, which, alas, is not free
42. View the changing of the Royal Guards at the palace in Stockholm. It’s a 40-minute procedure, so you may want to avoid wintertime
43. Watch the sunset over Santorini
My favourite thing about Santorini is its rich history. I’ve always been interested in ancient civilisations and visiting Akrotiri was an unforgettable experience for me. The ancient city was buried underneath volcanic ashes during the explosion of 17th BC and, much like Pompeii, has been spectacularly preserved by the lava. Everyone has heard of the dreamy sunsets and white-blue houses of Oia. My suggestion is a little different – go hiking! Profitis Ilias is the tallest mountain in Santorini, separating the villages of Perissa and Kamari, and offers beautiful views of the island. Sabina, Girl vs Globe
44. Take a dip in the deep blue waters of Turkey
45. Take a little hike up to the castle in Bratislava, Slovenia, and enjoy the best view in town, overlooking the red-tiled roofs and cute streets.
46. Visit Utrecht in the Netherlands and enjoy wonderful views of the canals and picturesque architecture without the crowds and traffic a similar experience in Amsterdam will entail. Accommodation will be cheaper in Utrecht as well
47. Relive in the history and beauty of Brugges, Belgium.
48. Climb up 284 steps and enjoy the view from the Arch de Triomphe in Paris. There’s also an elevator if you’re not up for the workout, and yes, absolutely free
49. Vienna, Austria, is a city full of grand architecture and centuries of art masterpieces as it was the home of the rulers of the Austro-Hungarian empire. A great and free way to enjoy some of that heritage into your itinerary is to visit the Schönbrunn Palace, where you can admire the facades and enjoy the gardens for free, and they’re just as beautiful no matter the season
50. Rounding up the list, in Vilnius, Lithuania, you can find many treats, but a quite unique feature is the ‘Republic of Užupis,’ a bohemian neighborhood that’s proclaimed independence has its own constitution and flag and is filled with art, graffiti. To get you inspired, one of the 41 points of the constitution is number 13, ‘A cat is not obliged to love its owner, but must help in time of need.’. How can we not want to go?
Searching for more budget-savvy tips? Take a look at 18 Most Affordable Places to Travel for Under $18 a Day.
