And if you’re not careful, you could spend a fortune before the time it takes to listen to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21.

For a trip down the less-touristy path, follow our tips on the best cheap (and free) activities in this stately city in Austria.

Cheap and free things to do in Salzburg

Toy Museum

Bürgerspitalgasse 2
Tel.: +43-662-62 08 08-300
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday
Admission: €5

To every city’s expensive modern art museum, there is a cheaper, quirkier collection to check out. Enter Salzburg’s Spielzeugmuseum (Toy Museum), home to Austria’s largest collection of European toys. If you’re a die-hard toy train fan, you’ll find plenty to feast your eyes on; if not, the inoffensive €3 admission is worth it for a chuckle.

If you have children in tow, make sure to stop for one of the Punch and Judy shows, offered every Tuesday and Wednesday at 3 p.m. Check the museum’s Web site for a complete list of children’s programs.

Schloss Mirabell

Mirabellplatz 4
Tel.: +43-662-80722334
Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m
Admission: Free

One of Salzburg most photographed attractions is also free to visit! Schloss Mirabell is as elegant as can be, with marble statues, grand hallways and perfectly manicured gardens stretching in all directions. The palace was built under Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau as a present for his concubine Salome Alt.

Nowadays, Schloss Mirabell is best known for being a coveted place to tie the knot; couples must reserve their weddings here at least a year in advance. The palace also offers a concert series, though attending a performance is not free.

Museum of Historical Musical Instruments

Bürgerspitalgasse 2
Tel.: +43-662-62 08 08-300
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday
Admission: €5 (or free with admission to the Toy Museum)

If you visit the Toy Museum, your ticket is also valid for admission to the Museum of Historic Musical Instruments. If the centuries-old pianos start giving you déjà vus of the exhibit at Mozart’s House, check out the collection of audio samples demonstrating the ancient instruments’ sounds.

The organ in St. Peter’s Church. JNH53

St. Peter’s Church and Catacombs

Sankt Peter Bezirk 1
Tel.: +43 -662-844576
Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Admission: Free (€1 to visit the Catacombs)

The self-proclaimed “oldest cloister in the German-speaking world,” St. Peter’s Church dates back to 696. (The church also boasts the oldest library in Austria.) Visiting the church is free, so stop by to admire the Baroque-style ceilings or to catch a performance on the church’s organ.

Outside, St. Peter’s Cemetery houses centuries-old tombstones. For €1, visitors can access the Christian catacombs in the cliff face above the cemetery.

Hangar-7

Salzburg Airport
Wilhelm-Spazier-Str. 7A
Tel.:+43-6620-2197
Hours: Open daily from 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Admission: Free

Located near the Salzburg airport, Hangar-7 is a restaurant and bar complex that also houses “The Flying Bulls” aircraft. While the aircraft exhibit — complete with large Red Bull logos stenciled on each plane’s side — smacks of sponsorship, Hangar-7 does showcase some interesting work from a variety of international artists. Though Hangar-7’s dining options come with a hefty price tag, stopping by to gaze at the art (and marvel at the super-modern building) is completely free.

The post Salzburg: Our favorite free (and cheap) things to do appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Sure, New York is home to many a great art museum (some even free on certain days of the week), but when summer comes nothing beats enjoying free out-of-doors art in bustling parks. Here is the best of the bunch. And, because everyone loves a good art hotel, I’ve thrown in a few picks where you can sleep near interesting art for less.

Union Square

See: Jaehyo Lee’s naturally elegant works currently grace the southeast triangle of Union Square Park. The artist highlights “beauty in what is seen but not noticed.” Quite apropos for this oft-frenetic Manhattan hub, full of locals pushing through to the subways and teenagers rolling by on skateboards.

Tip: Head over on a Farmer’s Market afternoon (Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday) to pick up a cheap and yummy lunch and enjoy it, and the art, in the park.

Sleep: Not far from Union Square’s bustle is one of our most interesting hotel picks. Ye Olde Carlton Arms Hotel is part hostel, part hotel and all art. What it lacks in amenities (no TV or air conditioning here), it makes up for in flair (each room is decorated floor to ceiling by a different artist). Rooms are available with or without private baths.

The High Line

See: The popular elevated park features a number of interesting art works, including Busted, a series of figurative sculptures by various artists. Based on sculptures found in the streets of ancient Rome, the series examines the nature of heroes, democracy, the self and more.

Sleep with art at the quirky Ye Olde Carlton Arms.

Additionally, Carol Bove’s Caterpillar highlights the magical quality of the Rail Yards, the park’s final section, still untouched wilderness for one more year.

Tip: The High Line is populated with a number of street vendors. Pick up a snack and take a stroll. Also, since the Rail Yards are closed to the public, reserve ahead to get on a free public walk, offered Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. (Reservations are sold out until August 3. Tickets for August 3-September 28 will become available on June 18.)

Sleep: It’s the art of the Silver Screen that graces the walls of the Chelsea Pines Inn,  located a block east of the southern entrance to the High Line. Each of the inn’s rooms is devoted to a different Old Hollywood star, but this is far from your elitist Hollywood scene. In fact, it may just be the friendliest hotel in Manhattan.

Madison Square Park

See: Orly Genger’s undulating “Red, Yellow and Blue” weaves its way through the park, much as its nautical-knot composition gives the work itself a woven look. The work is monumental. It’s made from 1.4 million feet of rope (that’s nearly 20 times the length of Manhattan) collected along the Eastern Seaboard. Weighing in at 100,000 pounds, it changes the landscape of the park, creating nooks, crevices and open spaces like an urban version of the corn maze.

Tip: Wait in the long line for the Shake Shack, then find one of those private “chambers” to sit and enjoy burgers and Concretes.

Sleep: Situated two blocks north of the park, the Gershwin Hotel is bright, funky and artistic, so much so that it’s got its own “style guide,” a local artist associated with Warhol’s Factory. Rooms range from dorms to apartment-style, and all are decked out with quirky art pieces.

Riverside Park South

See: Meanwhile, on the Upper West Side… The Art Students League of New York brings back its “Model to Monument” program, showcasing seven sculptures by student artists, all addressing (in myriad ways) the theme of flux.

Now you can take a passeggiata on the High Line. Photo: Timothy Schenck, Courtesy of Friends of the High Line

Sleep: While it’s not exactly an art hotel, there is no shortage of pretty at the Harlem Flophouse, a truly special B&B about a 10-minute walk from Riverside Park. Each of the four guest rooms is named for a different Harlem personality, and décor is a grab bag of beautiful finds from all around the world.

Where else to get your art fix

Art abounds in many more New York parks, and there are even a number of not-so-cheapo hotels where you can view amazing art gratis. Here, a small sampling…

1. Take a stroll along the Park Avenue Malls to enjoy No Limits, Alexandre Arrechea’s series of sculptures representing iconic New York buildings from the Chrysler Building to the US Courthouse.

2. Wander through The James Hotel, a swanky Soho spot where the rooms are pricey but the art (in the entry, lobby, sky lobby and even elevator) is free to enjoy.

3. Take a trip out to the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk, where Heartwalk, commemorates both the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy (it’s constructed from the boardwalk the storm destroyed) and that fabulous New York resilience and love witnessed in the aftermath.

4. After taking in some museums on Museum Mile, take a peek in The Surrey Hotel, a schmancy spot with original modern art sprinkled throughout its public spaces. 5. Contemplate the confluence of humans and nature with Tomorrow, Akihiro Ito’s sculpture of a baby (the future) made from laminated wood (nature) in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene Park.

The post New York: Our favorite free outdoor art and budget art hotels appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Road-trip? You’ll pay loads in tolls in Catalonia. Bread and olives with dinner? That’s another €2 per person.  Free tapa with a drink (like they do in Granada or Oviedo, or in many other areas of the country)? Yeah right! Don’t make me laugh…

While it seems that nothing is free anymore in Barcelona, here are a few things that they haven’t figured out how to charge people for yet.

1. Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available all over the city thanks to the city government. From Ciutadella Park to the beaches of Barceloneta you can sign on and check your Facebook updates. Of course, you can also find Wi-Fi at one of the city’s many libraries. For more, read our previous post on free Wi-Fi in Barcelona.

Party for free during La Mercè festival. Photo: Hector Milla

2. Parties

This is a good one. Parties in Barcelona are elaborate, days-long, and for the most part free or very inexpensive. When I say “party,” I mean citywide parties or festivals such as La Mercè and Festes de Gràcia. These free parties take over whole barris, or in the case of La Mercè the whole city, and offer concerts, dances, decorations, activities for the kids, fireworks, fire running, and inexpensive communal dinners.

Drinks are also sold at low prices in the streets during these celebratory times. Mostly these bashes happen in the summer and early fall. Almost every barri in Barcelona has its own bash. La Mercè, which is the largest and brings in the big dogs in music, is held every September 23rd with many concerts and events leading up to it the week prior.

3. Maps

Yes maps, and info in general on the city, can be found in abundance in any of the Tourist Information Offices at no cost.  There’s a big one on Pl. Catalunya and another one on the corner of Pssg. de Gracia in Palau Robert. Which brings me to number 4…

4. Museums

Lots of museums in the city are free. Palau Robert is one, though I’ll warn you that many of its exhibitions are in Catalan. Most museums also have a free day. The MNAC for example is free the first Sunday of each month, plus free on International Museum Day, which is May 18th.

(Update: The Caixa Forum, one of my favorite museums, was free until 2013. Sadly, they’re charging now.)

5. Sunshine

As of right now sunshine, as much as you can take, is free. “Big whoop,” I hear you saying, “I can get that anywhere!” No sir, you can’t. I know this for a fact because I come from Portland, Oregon, where the Sun God makes very few appearances.

One of the aspects of Barcelona I enjoy most is all the sunny days, winter and summer alike. Go down to Barceloneta and sit on the beach in the sun in May. Have a coffee in October on a plaza in the sun. Do cartwheels at Ciutadella Park in February in the sun. It’s free, it’s uplifting, and it’s one of the reasons many foreigners from cloudy, chilly places relocate here.

Your favorite freebies?

What do you like doing in Barcelona for free? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

The post Barcelona: 5 things that are always free appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Music

1. Every night, the organ goes wild at the Santa Maria de’ Ricci church on via del Corso. Chillax on a bench and be blown away by the pipes of the God’s favorite keyboard.

2. Or, you can take a stroll to Ponte Vecchio to take in a concert by the sunset. The local buskers will woo you with Italian ballads until you feel the urge to kiss a stranger on your path.

Outdoor Tourism

3. Seeing the inside of a museum is not free. But seeing the outside is! Grab a map from the tourist office and create your own day of outdoor tourism. The very masters who created much of the ornate interiors of Florentine have also contributed to the city’s exterior beauty. Walk and be wowed.

4. Also consider the Loggia dei Lanzi in Piazza della Signora (next to the Uffizi). This impressive collection of sculptures is definitely worth a look. Behold the immensity, the drama, and the beauty of these creations. But don’t have a sandwich in your hand while you’re doing it or Mister Security Guard will kick you back into the Piazza.

5. For those with that certain architectural fortitude, go check out Florence’s recently completed courthouse. Everyone seems to have an opinion on this postmodern behemoth located near the airport.

6. And finally, there’s Piazza Michelangelo which offers that city view supremo – a perfect place to spend some idle time.

Un Bel Farniente

7. Speaking of idle time, the national pastime of “un bel farniente” translates into “a pleasant do nothing.” The art of complete relaxation. Hanging out by the riverbank, frolicking in a meadow, reflecting while seated on a park bench – you get the picture. Florence has several places to do this. Take your pick, this is a wander-friendly city.

8. And then there’s always people-watching. The best spot for this – at the far right on the steps of the Duomo. Not only will you have your very own tourist parade, but there’s also a small corner of shade. Free shade.

Also in our guide: Planning a trip to Florence? Our editors have hunted down the best cheap hotels in Florence, all located in central neighborhoods. Read their reviews and see photographs in our Florence guide.

The post 8 free things to do in Florence appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Glass pass

A trip to Murano is easy, but here’s a quick primer: First, we recommend wandering the streets of Venice proper. Get lost (it’s easy to do!) and browse the windows of the trendy glass shops. Chances are you’ll fall in love with a delicate lamp, or maybe a colorful ashtray, or just a pretty set of wine glasses.

Then, instead of paying retail, hop on a vaporetto and head to Murano. Take in a free glass blowing demonstration. If you’re not visiting one of the bigger factories, there’s no need to make an appointment. Simply stop in and start watching. Most artisans will let you walk right into their warehouses while they’re working. If you’re really lucky, you’ll meet and talk to one of the traditionally trained glass blowers or artists.

Next, ask for a sample (this really only applies to those smaller shops, not factories). Sometimes, they’ll hand you a remnant of colored glass free of charge. Most often, you can buy their unique glass art at a discounted cost.

Or, if you’ve got €5.50 (€3 reduced) to spare, take a tour of the Museo Vetrario (The Glass House). For information including restoration projects and opening and closing times, go here (click on the subheads on the left).

Fun fact: The most well known glass blowers in town are Pauly & C (Compagnia Veneto). Visit their web site (in Italian only) for information about the artists that work there.

Mura-no-no

Ok, so it’s true that people in glass houses (or factories) shouldn’t throw stones. But, just a quick and diplomatic tourist trap note: We’ve heard tales that the Vecchia Murano Glass Factory can be pricey once you’re through the front door. As usual, we suggest sticking with the Ma and Pop glass shops and those single artisan stores.

For more on visiting Murano, go here.

The post Venice tip: Free glass blowing demonstrations on Murano appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The museum started out as a royal collection of art, and visitors can still get a feel for the varying tastes of monarch’s past. The Prado is especially acclaimed for works by Spanish painters, including Velazquez, El Greco, and Goya, as well as “foreigners” Titian, Bosch, Rubens, and Rembrandt.

Visiting the Prado Museum…

The museum is open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM, and closed on Mondays.

General admission to the museum costs €6 if tickets are bought at the museum’s ticket office. Advance tickets (allowing you to skip the line) can be purchased online through the Prado’s website, for €9.

…for free

However, the Prado offers free admission at the end of every day for two hours (three on Sunday). From Tuesday through Saturday, the museum’s doors are wide open from 6 PM to 8 PM, and on Sunday from 5 PM to 8 PM.

With so much to see, we’d suggest visiting the museum multiple times for free. Popping in to tackle one artist or one section of the museum is not only doable in two hours, but could help prevent “museum burn-out.”

Tip: Check out the museum’s recommended list of 15 masterpieces on the Prado’s website. This virtual tour offers historical insights into the collection’s most famous paintings.

Also see: our list of budget tips for Madrid and our reviews of budget hotels in Madrid.

Next stop: Munich!

The post Madrid: The Prado Museum for free — every day! appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.