Travel is often associated with spending, but some of the best experiences on a city trip cost nothing. National museums, royal parks, viewpoints and historic neighbourhoods: here's our selection of free activities, city by city, to travel light on the budget side.
London, the capital of free museums
The British Museum, the National Gallery, Tate Modern and the Natural History Museum are all free to enter — a rare privilege among major capitals. Add a walk through Hyde Park or along the Thames, and the bill stays at zero. See what to do in London.
Rome, open-air ruins
There's no charging for the Pantheon (free entry), the Trevi Fountain or the countless Baroque churches packed with artworks. Stroll from Trastevere to Campo de' Fiori without spending a euro. See what to do in Rome.
Madrid, between the Prado and Retiro Park
The Prado Museum is free during the last two hours of opening every day. Retiro Park, a vast UNESCO-listed green lung, is free to enjoy all day long: a boat ride is optional, but the stroll alone is more than enough. See what to do in Madrid.
Berlin, open-air memory and street art
The Brandenburg Gate, the East Side Gallery and its murals on the Wall, the Holocaust Memorial: Berlin's most striking places of remembrance are free to access, at any time. See what to do in Berlin.
Athens, viewpoints over the Acropolis
Without setting foot on the site, Philopappos Hill and the Areopagus offer free, spectacular views over the illuminated Acropolis. The Plaka district can be explored entirely on foot, at no cost. See what to do in Athens.
To spot good deals and free activities around you, the CityPlanner app builds an itinerary that fits your budget, without sacrificing discovery.
