1. Greece
The trick to making Greece affordable is to go beyond eating at restaurants and hotels with the ocean views. Athens in particular has many free things to do. Here are just a few to consider:
- Monastiraki Flea Market: You’ll find hand-made goods, fresh fruits, soccer jerseys and jewelry. Close by is the Roman Agora and Hadrian’s library.
- Mars Hill: This landmark is known for the speeches, trials and meetings throughout history that have happened here by important figures in history such as St. Paul the Apostle. The low, rocky hill is located just below the Acropolis so you’ll get a great view of the Parthenon, especially in the evening when it is lit up beautifully.
- Changing of the Guards: The Presidential Guards, known as the Evzone Guards, change up at The Greek Parliament building in Syntagma Square every Sunday at 11 a.m. It’s a bit of a parade that begins at Irodou Attikou Street and goes down to Vasilissis Sofias to the Tomb of the Unknown Solider at Syntagma Square. Much like the guards at Buckingham Palace, these men are also required to be expressionless and as motionless as possible. Donned in kilts and pom-poms, they are worth a visit as they change up.
- Head to the beach: 30 minutes from Athens are a string of beaches and resorts that are worth the visit. Some do charge an admission fee, but Kavouri and Vouliagmeni do not and they are just as good as any of the others. Go for the beautiful views of the Attica coastline and refreshing beach bars and you’ll be glad you did.
- The National Gardens: Once the actual gardens of the kings, this landmark is a wonderful way to beat the heat and enjoy some greenery.
2. Poland
Are you a nature lover and want to find great places to take picturesque walks or hikes? Poland is for you. Are you more of a city gal or guy and want to be where all the excitement is? Poland is also for you. Warsaw and Krakow are two of the most affordable cities in Europe and you can visit both by bus very easily without breaking the bank.
Here are a few things you can do for free in Krakow:
- The Market Square: The largest market square one in all of Europe! It includes:
- Cloth Hall which was once a major center of trade and exotic imports and where now you’ll find trinkets and souvenirs. The upper level has Sukiennice Museum division of the National Museum in Krakow which is free on Sundays and features Polish paintings and sculptures.
- Town Hall Tower: This is the only remaining part of the old Town Hall.
- Adam Mickiewicz Monument: This is a statue of Adam Mickiewicz, the greatest Polish Romantic poet in the 19th century. It’s one of the most popular bronze monuments in the country.
- St. Mary’s Basilica: This is known for its five-note trumpet anthem that is sounded off every hour and is called Hegnal mariacki. The noon performance is broadcasted to the entire country.
- St. Florian’s Gate or Florian Gate: This used to be the main entrance into the Old Town. At 109.9 feet tall, this is the only remaining city gate left out of the original 8 that were built in the Middle Ages.
- Floriańska Street: Known by tourist for it’s excellent selection of shops and restaurants and historic town houses (kamienica-style buildings) that are pastel yellow and peach.
3. Hungary
Budapest is one of the most affordable places in Europe and has a rich history. Here are a few ideas for you:
- Visit the iconic Fisherman’s Bastions in Old Town: You’ll get a great view of the Danube River and the Hungarian Parliament building. Close by are cafes so you can find an affordable coffee or beer to refresh you.
- Go on a free walking tour. The city offers several to choose from including one on the Jewish District and one on Communism. Go here for details.
- Margaret Island: You can easily reach this area by tram or on foot. It is known for its beautiful paths and vast grassy space, so it is perfect for an afternoon picnic, kite flying or Frisbee. It has a Musical Fountain show at 10:30 a.m, 5pm, 6 p.m, 7:30 p.m, or 9 p.m.
- St. Stephens Basilica: The large square in front of this basilica has more than enough window shopping for you to explore and at night it is lit up beautifully.
- Ruin Bars: These are set in buildings or stores that were once abandoned, or lots of land are converted into eclectic bars that have many rooms and eclectic decorations. You’ll find different music in each room to enjoy and the drinks are very affordable (for example $2 for a beer).
These are just a small sample of what you’ll find in each of these countries. You’ll find there are endless opportunities to find free or cheap things to do in each making it an excellent place to visit.
When you’re ready to get some help planning out an incredible trip to these countries (or any other place), let Complete Getaways take care of the details and help you get the most for every dollar you spend. We’ll create an itinerary that fits you perfectly and stays within the budget you set (without sacrificing to save money). And the best part is that we don’t charge for our services!
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