You’ve mastered the £14.99 Ryanair flight, packed your 40x20x25cm bag, and saved a fortune on supermarket picnics. But now you’ve landed, and the “Tourist Tax” is waiting.
In 2026, entry to the Colosseum in Rome or the Louvre in Paris can cost over £25 per person. For a family of four, that’s £100 before you’ve even had a coffee. At MoneySavvyUK, we believe the best things in life (and travel) are free. Here is our 1,500+ word authority guide on how to see any European city for £0, using hacks from MoneySavingExpert, Which?, and local “insider” secrets.
1. The “Free Walking Tour” Revolution
Almost every major European city—from Lisbon to Prague—has a “Free Walking Tour” network. Look for companies like Sandemans New Europe, Civitatis, or GuruWalk.
- How it works: You meet a local guide at a central landmark. They take you on a 2.5-hour history and culture tour.
- The “Money Savvy” Catch: These tours are “pay what you feel.” While a tip of £5–£10 is expected, it is still 70% cheaper than a pre-booked private tour.
- Pro Tip: Do this on your first morning. The guides are locals and will tell you which restaurants are tourist traps and where the cheapest beer is. As MoneySavingExpert often notes, the “local knowledge” gained here is worth more than the tour itself.
2. The “First Sunday” Museum Hack: 2026 Update
Did you know that some of the world’s most expensive museums are free if you time your trip correctly? However, in 2026, “over-tourism” means you must book these free slots online in advance.
- Paris: The Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are free on the first Sunday of every month (October to March).
- Rome: The Vatican Museums are free on the last Sunday of every month.
- Barcelona: Many museums, including the Picasso Museum, are free on Sunday afternoons (after 3 PM) or the first Sunday of the month.
- Florence: The Uffizi Gallery and Accademia (home of David) participate in the “Domenica al Museo” scheme, offering free entry on the first Sunday of the month.
Money Savvy Tip: These days are crowded. Arrive 45 minutes before your time slot to avoid the worst of the queues and save £25+ per ticket.
3. DIY Audio Guides: Ditch the £10 Rental
Museums and cathedrals often charge £5–£10 for those clunky plastic audio headsets.
- The Hack: Download the Rick Steves Audio Europe app or search Spotify/YouTube for “[City Name] Walking Tour.”
- The Move: Bring your own headphones, hit play, and walk the same route as the paying tourists.
- Saving: £10 per person. Total for a couple: £20. This is a classic Which? style tip—using technology to bypass “convenience fees.”
4. The “Free View” vs. The “Paid Tower”
Every city has a famous tower or dome with a “Stunning View” that costs £15 to climb. Don’t pay it.
- London: Skip The Shard (£32). Book a free ticket for the Sky Garden or The Lookout instead. Same view, zero cost.
- Paris: Skip the Eiffel Tower lift (£25). Go to the rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette department store for a free, panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower itself.
- Florence: Skip the Duomo Cupola (£20). Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset for the most iconic (and free) view of the city.
- Venice: Skip the St Mark’s Campanile (£10). Book a free slot at the Fondaco dei Tedeschi rooftop terrace for a view over the Rialto Bridge.
5. Public Transport as a “Sightseeing Bus”
The “Hop-on Hop-off” buses in Europe now cost around £35 per day. They are a total money drain. Instead, use the local routes that the residents use.
- Venice: Skip the £80 Gondola. Take the Vaporetto Line 1 down the Grand Canal. It’s the same water, same palaces, but for the price of a bus ticket.
- Lisbon: Take Tram 28. It rattles through the historic Alfama district for a few Euros.
- Berlin: Bus Line 100 was the first bus route created after reunification to connect all the major sights. It passes the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate, and Victory Column.
- London: The Route 11 bus takes you past St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, and Parliament for £1.75.
6. The “Money Savvy” Top 5 Free City Guides
London: The Museum Mile
London is the world capital of free culture. The British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and V&A are all 100% free. You could spend four days in London and never pay an entry fee.
Rome: The Open-Air Museum
You don’t need to enter the Colosseum to feel Rome. The Pantheon (check for 2026 booking rules), Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Piazza Navona are all free. For a hidden gem, visit the Appian Way on a Sunday when it’s closed to cars.
Paris: The Secret Parks
Beyond the Eiffel Tower, visit the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont for waterfalls and cliffs, or walk the Promenade Plantée—an elevated park built on an old railway viaduct (the inspiration for New York’s High Line).
Krakow: The Royal Route
Walk the Royal Route from the Barbican to Wawel Castle. While the castle chambers cost money, the grounds and the cathedral (during non-tourist hours) offer incredible history for free. Don’t miss the Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter) for its vibrant, free street art.
Barcelona: The Gothic Quarter
Lose yourself in the Barri Gòtic. The architecture is the attraction. Visit the Santa Maria del Mar church—a stunning example of Catalan Gothic that is often free to enter during prayer times.
7. The “Table Tax” and Free Water
In 2026, “Service Charges” and “Coperto” (table cover) are rising.
- The Water Hack: In Rome, use the Nasoni (public fountains). In Paris, ask for a “Carafe d’eau” (tap water)—restaurants are legally required to provide it for free. Never pay £4 for a “San Pellegrino.”
- The “Standing” Hack: In Italy, drinking your espresso standing at the bar costs £1.20. Sitting at a table in the square can cost £5.00. Stand like a local and save.
8. Use “Which?” and “MSE” for City Pass Analysis
Which? often reviews “City Passes” (like the Paris Pass or London Pass).
- The Verdict: These passes only save you money if you are a “Power Traveller” who visits 4+ attractions a day.
- MSE Advice: MoneySavingExpert suggests doing the math first. Often, buying individual tickets for the 2 things you actually want to see is cheaper than a £70 “All-Inclusive” pass.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are “Free Walking Tours” really free?
A: Technically yes, but the guides work for tips. A tip of €5–€10 is standard and much cheaper than a formal tour.
Q: How do I find free events in a city?
A: Search Facebook Events or “Time Out [City Name]” for “Free events this week.” Local festivals and outdoor concerts are common in summer.
Q: Is the tap water safe to drink in European cities?
A: In 95% of Western and Central Europe, yes. Carrying a reusable bottle saves you £20+ per trip.
Conclusion: The “Zero Cost” City Break
A holiday doesn’t have to be a series of expensive tickets. By using free walking tours, finding the “free view” spots, and timing your museum visits, you can see the best of Europe for the price of your Ryanair flight.
Be smart, stay savvy, and remember: The best views in Europe don’t have a ticket booth.
Money Savvy Disclaimer
Disclaimer: MoneySavvyUK.com is a journalistic website providing information, tips, and guides for educational purposes only. We are not travel agents or financial advisors. While we strive to keep our data accurate, “Free Entry” days and museum policies can change without notice. Always check the official website of an attraction before visiting. MoneySavvyUK may receive a commission from some of the links on this page at no extra cost to you.
