THE BEST FREE ATTRACTIONS IN EUROPEAN CITIES - ACTUALITY

Affordable weekend getaways: discover the most beautiful attractions to see for free in European cities

Fancy a break in a European city? Looking for the right offers doesn't mean it will cost you a fortune. And with the advice you find below, drawn up with the help of lastminute.com, a leader in the travel and last-minute vacation sector, you can visit many attractions for free.

Choose your destination and set off to discover these wonderful destinations.

London for free: great museums and traditions

London's museums are among the most beautiful in the world and many are free: the National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, the famous British Museum, the Natural History Museum or the Victoria & Albert Museum can be visited without paying an entrance ticket (but a donation is welcome).

Another fun activity for adults and children is the Cockroach Tour at the Science Museum: here visitors step into the shoes or rather the armor of a cockroach to observe human evolution through the eyes of small animals (free tour every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm and 4pm).

Paris for free: on foot or by bike as long as it is with love!

Every first Sunday of the month many of Paris' magnificent museums can be visited for free: among them the Musée d'Orsay (usually for a fee up to 11 Euros), the Center Pompidou (usually for a fee up to 13 Euros) and the famous Louvre with its iconic Mona Lisa.

Paris is a huge city and getting around it can be expensive: a solution to save on public transport is to use the typical Vélib, bicycles for rent at a ridiculous price and to be used for short trips from one attraction to another in the city: the ticket daily costs € 1.70 and the first 30 minutes are always free.

Madrid for free: Titian and tapas

The famous Prado Museum with its masterpieces by El Greco, Vélazquez, Goya and Tizian, can be visited for free (instead of spending 14 euros) from Monday to Saturday from 18 to 20, on Sundays and public holidays from 17 to 19. Museo Archeológico Nacional, on the other hand, is free on Saturdays from 2pm and on Sunday mornings. Furthermore, the Museo Nacional Centro de Art Reina Sofia and the masterpieces of Picasso and Dali are accessible for free on Mondays, from Wednesday to Saturday from 19 to 21 and on Sunday from 13.30 to 19, saving 8 Euros

Madrid also offers the opportunity to taste the best tapas for free: in some tapas bars they are served for free with the drink, for example between Santo Domingo and Gran Via.

Vienna for free: imperial walks and an oversized party

Schönbrunn Palace is a World Heritage Site and one of the most visited attractions in Vienna. You can enjoy a walk in the beautiful gardens, once for the exclusive use of the emperors, reaching up to the Gloriette; the view is truly special over the whole of Vienna and the castle itself, a marvel for the eyes and at no cost.

You can then listen to Puccini or Mozart outdoors, in the magnificent setting of the Vienna State Opera from April to September: a unique opportunity to attend a performance that is usually very expensive. And if you prefer more modern music, the right place is the Donauinselfest: a free open air festival that since 1894 has attracted over 3 million people in three days. The 32nd edition will take place from 26 to 28 June 2015.

Amsterdam for free: floating flowers and jazz performances

Exploring the canals, the typical waterways that adorn the city is a totally free sightseeing tour that alone is worth the trip. Along the canals you will find the Bloemenmarkt, the only floating flower market in the world, with boats full of flowers and seeds for sale, a real explosion of colors and scents.

Every Wednesday for lunch, however, there are free performances at the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra while for those who love jazz, the Bimhuis organizes a completely free evening a month where artists perform improvised performances.

It is not enough? Also free are the visit to the ground floor of the EYE film museum and the Vrije University with its botanical garden with over 6,000 species present.

Prague for free: changing of the guard and breathtaking views

Visiting the old town of Prague, the Old Town Square with its 15th century astronomical clock is the fixed appointment with its show at any hour. Afterwards, you can walk through the Castle and watch the elaborate changing of the guard at 12.

On the cultural front, the National Gallery offers free admissions from 3pm to 8pm every first Wednesday of the month. And walking along the Charles Bridge at sunset is not only free but also literally breathtaking!