Best Free Things to do in Europe According to Travel Bloggers

Ask many travelers who visit from outside of Europe and everyone seems to agree that Europe is not exactly the cheapest place to visit. But when they research the many free things to do in Europe, things change a bit.

Of course, no number of free things to do can outweigh expensive accommodation – I am looking at you Amsterdam and London – but when you can do a lot of amazing things without taking any money out of your pocket, your budget is thanking you.

With the help of fellow travel bloggers, I’ve put together this article which includes some amazing free things to do in Europe: from museums to castles, to markets, and anything in between.

Walk to the top of the Schlossburg in Graz, Austria

>>book your accommodation in Graz

As the saying goes, some of the best things in life are free; just like our walk up the Schlossberg in Graz, Austria. The Schlossberg is a hill with a fortress dating back to the 16th century. This fortress was the one in the region that Napolean could not conquer. Walking up the 260 steps amidst the little gardens you get an increasingly better view of the entire city of Graz. The Schlossberg can also be accessed by paying a small fee for the lift for those who find walking difficult.

And when you’re finally at the top, the Uhrturm and the beautiful gardens make the climb worth it. The Uhrturm looks like it’s taken right out of a fairytale, and you feel like grandfather time will just come walking around the corner. There’s also the Türkenbrunnen, a well with 94 feet shaft that once provided to the Castle atop the Schlossberg. The rest of the Schlossberg is perfect for picnics and leisurely walks. You’ll spend more than a few hours here.

From Abby from The Winged Fork. Follow her on Facebook.

>>also read about the free things to do in Vienna, Austria

East Side Gallery in Berlin, Germany

>>book your accommodation in Berlin

One of my favorite and free things to do in Berlin was visiting the East Side Gallery. The gallery is, in fact, the longest outdoor gallery at over 1 mile long. What makes the East Side Gallery so unique is that canvas for street art is the historic Berlin Wall, which was pulled down in 1989.

Artists have decorated sections of the wall with various street art, making it a fascinating walk from start to finish. It’s the kind of place you can spend ages, admiring all the unique styles and creativity of the artists.

The wonderful thing about this free must-see art is that because the gallery is so long it’s never too busy. Some of the iconic art pieces are more popular but you can still have time to enjoy it all. I’d definitely recommend adding it to your Berlin itinerary and allowing at least an hour to take it all in.

Becky from Becky the Traveller. Follow her on Facebook.

Visit Drottningholms Slott in Stockholm, Sweden

>>book your accommodation in Stockholm

Drottningholms Slott (Drottningholm Palace) is the official residence of the Swedish royal family since 1981. You can easily reach the site from the city and entrance to the Royal Park is free. Strolling around here in any season is a great tip for everyone visiting the Swedish capital.

Why not bring lunch and have a picnic in the park area? If you want to see Stockholm from the waterside, you can go here by boat from the City Hall, but that will cost you a small fee.

The best time to visit is in spring and early fall. The colors of the majestic trees shifting in fall is my personal favorite (late September). In the summertime, there can be days with quite a lot of tourists. So if you want to avoid the crowds, July should be avoided.

From Per from Resrutt – The Travel Blog. Follow him on Facebook.

The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland

>>book your accommodation in Belfast

One of the world’s most incredible natural phenomena the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is on many a bucket list. Formed millions of years ago the basalt columns form a rare and unusual landscape and legends have it that they were created by Finn McCool a giant who wanted to build a causeway to Scotland.

The site is FREE for all to visit if you want to use the parking lot or the visitors’ center the National Trust will tell you that it is £8.50 per person in the vehicle. The Causeway is free for all to enter and view you don’t have to park in the lot or use the Visitor’s Centre.

Simply park in the nearby mini railroad parking lot for a fiver or have lunch at the local hotel nearby and park for free. Once you enter the site, go under the tunnel where you can either walk down to the Causeway or take the shuttle for £1 down to the site.

Faith from XYUandBEYOND. Follow her on Facebook .

Clifden Castle in Ireland

>>book your accommodation in Galway

Ireland is famous for its ruins. While some of the more popular tourist sites require you to pay admission, there are also many ruins that you can find on your own and explore for free. On our week-long road-trip around Ireland, we frequently stopped to visit places such as Ross Errily Friary, Corcomroe Abbey, Poulnabrone Dolmen, and my favorite, Clifden Castle. The ruins are fun to explore, imagine in, climb around, and they are quite Instagrammable. When we visited Clifden Castle, we had so much fun walking the long field lane to the castle, praying that the rain clouds would hold off, and then we were blessed with this lovely photo of a rainbow. It was the perfect Irish experience.

Lindsay from Excursion Everywhere . Follow her on Instagram .

Remete Cave near Budapest, Hungary

>>book your accommodation in Budapest

Hiking is a great thing to do when you are on holiday. It is free, keeps you fit and you are rewarded with great views. There are lots of hiking trails around Budapest. You can reach Remeta cave by taking the train from Nyugati railway station to Nagymaros or Zebegény. Then it is a 9-12 km round trip hike depending on which hiking trail you choose. Either way, there will be some steep bits, so hiking boots are recommended. The hike itself should take 3-5 hours. Once you get to Remete cave you will get great views of the river Danube and the Börzsöny mountains. This place is not very well known, so you can most likely have the whole place to yourself!

Eniko from Travel Hacker Girl. Follow her on Instagram .

>> read about more free things to do in Budapest

Roman Walls in Chester, UK

>>book your accommodation in Chester

The Roman Walls in Chester are an interesting activity that you can do for free and at your own leisure. The walls span the city centre of Chester, and date from Roman times when the city was known as Deva.

They will take you around the city, allowing you to see the Roman Amphitheatre, the Eastgate Clock, and stroll past the cathedral too. If you’re visiting Chester for the first time, walking the walls is a great way to get an overview of the city, and learn more about its intriguing past.

It’s an activity you shouldn’t miss out on if you visit Chester, especially as it’s free!

Tom from The Travelling Tom. Follow him on Instagram.

Visit the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon in Iceland

>>book your accommodation in Vik

Visiting the Jokulsarlon Glacial Lagoon was one of my favorite things to do in Iceland. The lagoon is full of beautiful icebergs making their way out to see after breaking off the nearby glacier. The bluish ice streaked with black volcanic ash floating in the seemingly still lagoon is an incredible sight to behold. If you cross the road toward the ocean, you can also visit Diamond Beach, where some of the icebergs wash up on the black sand beach. And best of all? It’s free to visit. There is no charge to park in the lot or visit the lagoon itself. Jokulsarlon is located right off the Ring Road in southeastern Iceland, approximately 2.5 hours east of Vik or 5 hours from Reykjavik.

Kris from Nomad by Trade. Follow her on Twitter.

Natural History Museum, London, UK

>>book your accommodation in London

Nicknamed the “cathedral to nature”, London’s Natural History Museum showcases everything from glittering minerals to animatronic dinosaurs. Inside its ornate halls, visitors can interact with skeletons, learn about Earth’s volcanic past, and even view specimens preserved by Charles Darwin himself.

If you love insects, don’t miss the Creepy Crawlies exhibit in the Green Zone, where beautiful butterflies and shiny rhinoceros beetles are displayed in massive glass cases. Make your way to the third floor to see the cross-section of a 1,300-year-old giant sequoia. On your way out, be sure to wave goodbye to Hope, the 25-meter blue whale skeleton suspended from the atrium ceiling.

Though admission is free, donations are accepted near the entrance and exit.

Chelsea from The Portable Wife. Follow her on Instagram.

>>read about more things to do for free in London

Bike around the Croatian island of Korcula

>>book your accommodation in Korcula

Croatia has seen a spike in visitors after its turquoise waters were plastered all over Instagram and Dubrovnik was made famous as “King’s Landing” in the Game of Thrones.

What used to be a relatively inexpensive country to travel is, well, not so cheap anymore. But there are still inexpensive (and free!) things you can do in Croatia.

One of my favorite places I visited was the island of Korcula because although it has a striking resemblance to Dubrovnik, there are far fewer crowds wandering the cobblestone streets and soaking up the sun.

For a cheap day, rent a bike (sometimes free at your guesthouse), pack a picnic lunch and head off on an adventure! Ride your bike through vineyards and on gravel roads. Cycle past the ocean and stop at hidden beaches where you’ll have the turquoise waters entirely to yourself.

An incredible adventure that will cost you nothing… Unless you stop at a winery to taste a glass of the refreshing white they’re known for in this region – which you should!

Katie from Two Wandering Soles. Follow her on Instagram.

Appuldurcombe House, Isle of Wight, the UK

>>book your accommodation in Newport

Appuldurcombe House is a gorgeous 18th Century stately home on the Isle of Wight, just off the south coast of England. Sadly, it fell into disrepair during the Second World War and by the 1950s, it was due for demolition. Luckily the government stepped in and saved this treasure.

The house sits in a stunning location, surrounded by green fields and woodland. From the front, it looks pretty immaculate: the glass is intact and the grassy lawns are mowed. It’s when you get to the back of the house that your jaw drops – there’s no glass in the windows, no roof, just open doorways leading into palatial rooms.

It’s unusual to be able to walk around a house in such a state. You can see what it once was, yet it’s now so far from that. When we visited, we had the place to ourselves and it felt truly special. We’d certainly recommend a visit!

Clare from Epic Road Rides. Follow her on Facebook.

Blomsholm Stone Ship in Sweden

>>book your accommodation in Strömstad

I have visited the standing stones at Stonehenge. They are incredible, but also very full of tourists. There are many runes all around western Europe. Most of them are in open spaces, unmonitored and free to visit. There is something magical about walking through stones set into the earth centuries ago with not another person in sight. We found my favorite by serendipity. I was taking a road trip through western Sweden, stopping whenever we saw a historical marker sign and were in the mood to stop. On the trip, we had visited the Viking Boat Museum in Oslo where we learned about the cultural significance of ships to the Vikings. We got off the highway and found rocks formed into the shape of a ship on a beautiful grassy knoll covered with daffodils along a stream. Who knows what is underneath? Maybe a whole village or the trappings from a very important person’s life. It gave us a feeling of peace.

Jamie from The Daily Adventures of Me. Follow her on Instagram .

Magic fountain of Montjuic’s in Barcelona, Spain

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One of the many great free things to do in Europe is to see the show at the Font Magica de Montjuic (magic fountain of Montjuic’s) in Barcelona. The fountain puts on a magical display during most weekend evenings, with music, water and light show that will leave you wanting more! Crowds gather to witness the fountain’s brilliance as the synchronized show sends water catapulting upwards, whilst different colors illuminate the water to add that extra bit of magic!
The Font Magica is located a short walk from the Pl. Espanya metro station, making it easily accessible for the evening shows. Shows run from Thursday-Saturday for the majority of the year, although there are no shows from early January until March. During the busier summer months shows run from Wednesday-Sunday, with showtimes varying depending on the time of year at which you visit!

Sam and Natalia from Something Of Freedom. Follow them on Instagram

Hot Springs in Tuscany, Italy

>>book your accommodation in Florence

There is something universally loved, I think, about sinking a weary body into a piping pool of hot water. Even more so when that pool happens to be immersed in the hillsides of Tuscany. Thermal activity has scattered hot springs throughout the Tuscan region of Italy. Layers of limestone and other mineral deposits create white, glaciated looking waterfalls where sulfuric water gathers in pockets. Aside from their almost alien-like appearance, these minerals are also supposed to give youthful, vibrant skin back to those who are aging. Some even say they prolong life. I’m not sure about the claims, but I am sure that a soak in one of these springs is a surefire way to gain some relaxation and peace.

Alicia from Miles Less Traveled. Follow her on Twitter.

The Roman Walls of Lugo in Spain

>>book your accommodation in Lugo

On our last trip to Spain we walked the Camino de Santiago from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela, the route goes past Lugo – a beautiful town in northern Spain. Lugo is famous for its Roman Walls that surrounded the Old Town. The Walls were built between 263 and 276 AD by the Romans to protect the town from attacks of local tribes and Germanic invaders. The size of the Walls is impressive; its length is 2120 m, the width – around 4m, the height between 8m and 12m. The Walls have ten gates, five of them are original, built in the Roman times and five were added in the 19th century. Nowadays Lugo is the only city in the world surrounded by the intact Roman walls. The Walls are opened for visitors 24 hours and can be climbed for free, there is no entrance fee. It’s possible to walk all the way around the Old Town on the Walls – there are several staircases at the gates that visitors can use to go up or down. Another interesting sight in Lugo that can be visited for free is the Cathedral of Lugo. It was built between 1129 and 1273 in a traditional for that time Romanesque style. The best view on the cathedral you can get from the Wall.

Campbell & Alya from Stingy Nomads. Follow them on Instagram.

Markthal in Rotterdam, The Netherlands

>>book your accommodation in Rotterdam

The Markthal in Rotterdam is one of the top free highlights of the city. Only an hour away from Amsterdam, many tourists are visiting for a day trip. The Markthal was beautifully designed in a horseshoe structure with an exotic ceiling. There are apartments above and the indoor market stalls below. Of course, the delicious products are not free, but there is a try-before-you-buy atmosphere with free tastings at most stalls. It’s one of the best places to try local Dutch cuisine, such as stroopwaffels and cheese. Being an indoor market makes it also perfect for those rainy Dutch days too!

Zoe from Together in Transit. Follow her on Facebook

Visit Cardiff Museum, Wales

>>book your accommodation in Cardiff

Cardiff Museum is a 19th-century white marble building that houses the best museum in all of Wales.
It is set in two halves, one being an art gallery and one being a natural history museum. The ground floor of the building starts with the separation of the continents and shows how Wales evolved over time. This is helped by the illustrations within the museum and the fossils uncovered of the amazing dinosaurs.

The museum discusses the land bridges and evolution that took place, with animal exhibitions within this area. My favorite exhibition in the area of worms, which shows how important they are to the ecosystem and what sort of impact they have on humans.

Upstairs, the museum becomes Wales’ national gallery, showcasing exhibitions on Monet, other impressionists and Welsh art through the ages. There is a mix of materials including pottery and a usually free exhibition to influential art of this century (the current exhibit is Francis Bacon).

The whole place is free to visit and located centrally within Cardiff, across the road from Cardiff Castle.

Amber from The Great Ambini.

Attend a free fado show in Lisbon, Portugal

>>book your accommodation in Lisbon

Fado is a type of traditional Portuguese music that’s incredibly soulful and passionate, and attending a fado performance is an absolute must if you’re visiting Lisbon (or Coimbra). You’ll come across plenty of venues that offer fado evenings which include dinner and a fado performance, but it’s also possible to see a show for free.

Some venues, like Clube De Fado, allow you to turn up at around 10 pm after the dinner has finished and sit at the bar to watch the show. Not only is this the cheapest way to see a fado show, but it’s actually the best: the food at most fado performances isn’t great and it’s usually overpriced as well. You’re much better off grabbing something to eat beforehand and then turning up to watch the performance.

James from Portugalist. Follow him on Facebook.

Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic

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If you ever find yourself in Prague, a visit to the Charles Bridge is a must. From here you can gaze out onto the Vltava River, or admire Prague Castle which towers above the city keeping a watchful eye over the city. The bridge gets really busy during the day with tourists, artists, and locals. If you want to make the most of it though, we recommend visiting at sunrise. As you make your way over to the bridge in the dark you will find only a handful of other people with the same idea. Together you wait until the sky comes alive, changing from black to an array of pinks until finally settling on a shade of blue for the day. It really is an incredible moment and probably the best time of day to explore Prague’s oldest bridge. The best thing about it though is that it is absolutely free.

Lizzie & Dave from Wanderlust & Life. Follow them on Instagram.

The rock castle of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in Spain

>>book your accommodation in Bilbao

There’s a lot of free things to do in the Basque Country, from enjoying the beautiful local beaches like in Biarritz and San Sebastian to hiking in the Pyrenees mountains or enjoying the delicious Basque food.

The rock castle of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe is one of these incredible places where you will be able to enjoy both the beauty of the ocean, a hike in nature surrounded by the mountains and the famous Basque pintxos, recently elected the best culinary experience in the World by Lonely Planet. Without any surprise, the island has been chosen as the Dragon castle’s place in Game of Thrones 7. And the visit is totally free!!!

Stephanie from Ethno Travels. Follow her on Facebook.

Le Mont Saint-Michel in France

>>book your accommodation Beauvoir

Le Mont Saint-Michel is visited by more than three million people per year and is one of France’s top tourist attractions. And no wonder considering its spectacular setting 600 metres off the Normandy coast.

It’s a tiny, rocky island, often enshrouded in mist, which is cut off from the mainland at high tide. But when the mist clears and the tide is out, it reveals itself as a medieval masterpiece of architecture.

From its fortifications, a medieval village rises above the ramparts, topped off with a fantastic monastery which dominates the skyline.

The entrance to the island is free and is best approached on foot along the boardwalk on the mainland. Once on the island, you can stroll among the medieval streets and along the ramparts for sublime views of the bay’s mudflats with their hues of orange, pink, green and grey.

And don’t forget your camera!

Nicky from Above Us Only Skies. Follow her on Facebook.

Prizren Castle in Kosovo

>>book your accommodation in Prizren

The city of Prizren is the most visited city in Kosovo and there is a strong reason for that: it is hospitable, beautiful, and memorable. Whoever ends up visiting once goes back again and again. There are a few things to do for free in Prizren but the best one is to hike to its castle from where the view of the city and its mountains is amazing, in particular, if you go during sunset. The time needed is 10-20 minutes depending on the person. I recommend to bring water with you, or you can buy it on the way or at the entrance of the castle but it costs more than the normal price you’d pay in the city. The castle belongs to the Late Bronze Age and is at 525 altitudes so prepare for wind.

Lavdi from Kosovo Girl Travels. Follow her on Instagram .

Visit Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican

>>book your accommodation in Rome

One of the most impressive churches in the world, Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican , is completely free. After you’ve braved the often long cue, you can admire the architecture and treasures of this church. The current church, dating from the 17th century, is built on top of a 4th-century Basilica. Inside, you’ll be greeted by an abundance of gold and other luxurious material. There are various masterpieces to be found in the church, such as the Pietà by Michelangelo. Make sure to visit Bernini’s baldachin that is located above the papal altar as well. The square in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Saint Peter’s Square, is just as imposing. It’s designed by Bernini. At the center of the square, you can admire one of Rome’s ancient Egyptian obelisks.

Sanne. Follow her on Twitter.

>> read about other free things to do in Rome

Narikala fortress in Tbilisi, Georgia

>>book your accommodation in Tbilisi

There are several free walking tours in Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi, but you don’t even need to do that in order to take in the stunning views from the Narikala fortress. Narikala Fortress dates from the 5th century and there’s not much of her left, but you’ll find her dominating the skyline over Tbilisi. Walking up here through the old town you’ll get a great sense of the cultural influences that have shaped Tbilisi over the centuries. At the top, you can see the statue of Mother Georgia or Karlis Deda, which has been here since 1958 – She’s the symbol of the Georgian National Character. There’s not much of the fortress to see, but from here you have simply marvelous views – you can see the President’s Palace, the stunning Orthodox Cathedral and the pretty rooftops of the largely intact old town.

Sarah from A Social Nomad. Follow her on Facebook

Check out the Street Art in Shoreditch London

>>book your accommodation in London

London has some of the most amazing street art in the world and one of the best places to see it is the east London neighborhood of Shoreditch. Street art is constantly popping up so there is always something new to see. Just off Brick Lane, you will find the Star Yard which is full of large colorful murals. You can also find a Banksy piece under glass right by the Truman Brewery. As you are exploring the area, keep an eye out for smaller pieces too. We even saw street art painting on some of the street signs. During your Shoreditch Street Art Tour, you can also find pieces from ROA, Dreph, Jasper Goodall, Zabou, This One, Ronzo, Ben Eine, Shok-1, Mr Cenz, HNRX and more.

Anisa from Two Traveling Texans. Follow her on Instagram.

The Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, France

>>book your accommodation in Paris

The Shakespeare and Company bookstore is nestled in the Latin Quarter of Paris , France overlooking Notre Dame. It is one of the most famous bookstores in the world and definitely worth a visit. Sylvia Beach started the original bookstore in a different location in 1919 and it was one of the first English-language bookstore in Paris. Though the original store closed during the Nazi occupation in World War II, Sylvia managed to hide and save the books from being destroyed. She is not involved in the current store, but they have continued her tradition and offer a large selection of English language books. Shakespeare and Company often hosts author events for the public and it is known as the cheapest place to stay in Paris. Following Sylvia’s example, the store will house travelers (especially writers) in exchange for some shift work. Even if you aren’t looking for a book or souvenir, visiting Shakespeare and Company is well worth the history!

Dorothy from Oz and Other Places. Follow her on Facebook.

Also read about:

>> free things to do in Bratislava, Slovakia
>> free things to do in Cluj-Napoca, Romania
>> free things to do in Athens, Greece
>> free things to do in Arad, Romania

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