If you want to go on holiday to a country you’ve never visited before, your first instinct is to visit the country’s capital, as you feel that it’s a microcosm of what that country’s like. Whether it’s a city of several million people like London or Madrid, or somewhere much smaller like Reykjavik or Edinburgh, looking for hotels in Edinburgh should be your first priority before looking for things to do. There are many things to do and see for nothing in many of the world’s capitals, which is handy if spending money is a bit tight.

Edinburgh

As Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh is a popular destination for tourists, especially those who haven’t got too much to spend. As luck would have it, there are many things to do in the city for nothing which are worth exploring. Once you’ve left your room/hostel Edinburgh has a series of museums and landmarks which don’t charge anything by way of admission fees.

The Royal Botanic Gardens are free to visit: a trip there is ideal for any budding gardeners or nature enthusiasts. Also free are the Writer’s Museum, which charts the history of some of Scotland’s great writers like Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott, plus the Edinburgh Art Festival, which runs annually.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is full of free activities for those who fancy nurturing their cultural side. The Concertgebouw and Muziektheater treat visitors to free 30-minute concerts, often performed be renowned national and international orchestras. Elsewhere in the Dutch capital, the Civic Guards’ Gallery allows visitors to see 17th-century art free of charge, mainly portraits of guards from the 1600’s, while tourists can explore the Rijksmuseum Gardens, gazing at the startling array of sculptures, plants and remains of old Dutch architecture.

Rome

Rome, the capital of Italy, has a plethora of free attractions. On most days, museums in the Vatican City charge quite a lot for entry, but on the last Sunday of every month, admission is free of charge, which allows visitors to glance at all the artefacts detailing the city’s long and rich history. Walking around the city’s famous piazzas won’t cost a thing either, and allow you to sample some local culinary delights.

Some of Rome’s neighbourhoods have a distinct identity of their own, and it might be worth your while exploring the Trestevere and Testaccio districts. The former is famous for its church, which boasts a Byzantine-era mosaic behind the alter, while the latter is popular with younger people, where a clubbing scene is fast-emerging.

This article was brought to you by City Base Apartments. To find out more about the cities of Europe – take a look at our city guides pages.