Explore Free Museums and Galleries in Europe
Museum-mooching can be a pricey pursuit; however, there’s no need to dust the cobwebs off your wallet to enjoy these esteemed collections. This extract reveals where to see world-class art and ancient artifacts in Europe without spending a penny.
The Prado – Spain
Formerly a royal collection, this feast of fine art is now free every evening. One of the world’s greatest galleries, it boasts paintings by Goya, Raphael, Rubens, and more.
Paseo del Prado, Madrid, Spain; free evenings Mon-Sun.
Schuttersgalerij – Netherlands
One of the world’s only “museum streets,” the walk-through Civic Guard Gallery at the Amsterdam Museum mixes historic portraits with a sprinkling of Dutch Masters, amusing modern artwork, and a 350-year-old statue of Goliath.
Kalverstraat 92, Amsterdam, Netherlands; free.
Berlin Wall Memorial – Germany
This poignant museum preserves the last surviving piece of the Berlin Wall, telling the story of the ghost station of Nordbahnhof S-Bahn and recounting tales of horror, heroism, and hope on Bernauer Strasse.
Bernauer Strasse 119, Berlin, Germany; free.
Bristol Street Art – England
Free-range chinstrokers can enjoy some of the world’s best modern street art in Bristol. In Banksy’s hometown, the al-fresco scene is sensational, with public spaces splattered with murals and installations by guerrilla artists.
Bristol, England; free.
Musée Carnavalet – France
History meets art in this peculiar Parisian institution, where 100 Tardis-like rooms transport visitors through time, via paintings and artifacts from the City of Light’s illuminating past.
16 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois, Paris, France; closed Mon; free.
British Museum – England
London’s full of famous freebies; however, this mothership museum, packed with souvenirs accumulated during Britain’s years of colonization, is top. You’ll never get around in one day; therefore, just come back.
Great Russell St, London, England; free.
This article was originally published on August 1, 2016.
This article was first published Aug 1, 2016 and updated Oct 4, 2021.
