Although rent prices continue to soar to questionable heights, and most Londoners can’t step out of the house without spending a tenner or two, there’s no denying that we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to free things to do across the capital. With an astounding variety of museums, galleries, and cultural events that won’t cost you a penny, outings in London don’t have to be spenny in any way, shape, or form, and it’s pretty easy to enjoy yourself while spending little to no money.
From the awe-inspiring Victoria and Albert Museum and the family-favourite Natural History Museum, to vibrant events like West End Live and London Pride, these complimentary attractions and experiences go unrivalled, with a brand-new study confirming this handy quirk of London town is the best in all of Europe!
The best city in Europe for budgeting travellers
The booking portal for holiday homes Holidu have conducted a study that crowns London as the free attraction champion of Europe. The capital boasts a monumental 96 free museums, 1,200 free eventsand 79 free city toursfar outstripping our continental rivals who followed us.
Just for comparison, Paris came in second place, where you can visit a total of 30 museums that are free of charge. However, more museums open their doors to visitors for free on the first Sunday of every month, and different European cities have certain infrastructures in place so you can visit their biggest museums for free, but it isn’t as simple and easy as London.
Following Paris, Madrid, Rome, and Barcelona follow, with Spain being the only country in the study claiming two spots in the top ten. Madrid tops the list when it comes to free guided tours, with 176 to choose from.
So, this report highlights just how much London has to offer, with nearly every corner of the capital providing opportunities to soak up some culture without getting the wallet out. From art exhibitions to pop-up performances and historical walking tours, make sure to check out all of the incredible free things to do in the city.
For those looking to explore this further, check out our continuously updated list of the best free things to do in London. Whether it’s wandering through world-class museums, unmissable festivals, or discovering the capital’s favourite hidden gems, click the link below for the full round-up.