(Don’t forget to check out our Brussels city guide for more budget tips.)

Free things to do in Brussels

Here are five free attractions to enjoy in the Belgian capital:

1. The Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

Sinter-Goedelevoorplein
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday to Friday), 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (Saturday), 8:30 to 2 p.m. (Sunday)
Website

Dating back to the 11th century, the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula is a prominent fixture in the Brussels cityscape. Inside you’ll find stained-glass windows and beautiful arched ceilings. The cathedral is home to a Romanesque crypt, though visitors must pay €2.50 to view it.

In addition to holding daily services, the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula hosts classical music concerts, may of which are free. Check the cathedral’s calendar of events to see who’s playing when you’re in town.

2. Visit European Parliament

Wiertzstraat 60
Tel: +32 (0)2 284 21 11
Website

Lest you forget, Brussels is the administrative center of the European Union. This special distinction affords visitors the opportunity to tour the European Parliament—without spending a euro.

To get your international relations fix, catch a guided tour of European Parliament’s debating chamber. Tours are conducted at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday and at 10 a.m. only on Friday. If you want an extra special glimpse into the workings of the EU, check out the plenary sitting schedule to see when events are open to the public.

3. The Royal Museum of Armed Forces and of Military History

Jubelpark 3
Tel: +32 (0)2 737 78 33
Hours: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. (Tuesday to Sunday)
Website

A visit to Brussels’ Royal Museum of Armed Forces and of Military History is completely free. The exhibitions document Belgian and European history chronologically, with no shortage of tanks thrown in for good measure. After winding your way through the galleries, head up to the museum’s roof. You’re in for a real treat: Look out and enjoy a panoramic view of Brussels.

4. Free museums on the first Wednesday of the month

While some Brussels museums are always free, others open their doors gratis monthly, on the first Wednesday of the month. Among the participating museums are the Museum of Old Masters and the Museum of Modern Art. Free admission begins at 1 p.m. Visit the Brussels Museums Website for more information.

5. Free concerts

L’Archiduic, a popular bar in the Ste. Catherine hood, hosts live jazz throughout the week. Check the site to see what’s on—but don’t blame us if you end up shelling out for a few drinks.

What else?

Have other suggestions for free activities in Brussels? Share your wisdom by leaving a comment!

The post 5 free things to do in Brussels appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

While Parisians may pity their British neighbors having to pay for a toilet trip (why do you think Brits term it “spending a penny”?), or for bread at meals, Londoners rightly still feel smug about the host of freebies their city has to offer.

Here are my seven favorite things that will never cost you a penny:

1. Culture

This is the big one for anyone who has baulked at the entrance fee to the Louvre or the Prado: national museums in the UK are all free. That means there’s nothing to pay for getting into some of London’s – and the world’s – best museums, including Tate, British Museum, V&A, National Gallery, Science Museum and so on. (Here’s a list of free museums in London.)

There’s plenty of culture available for free outside of the museum world as well. Cinephiles, for example, can book a session at the Mediatheque at the British Film Institute (BFI) on the South Bank, where thousands of films can be watched at no cost to the viewer, or music lovers can take in one of the free classical concerts at St-Martin-in-the-Fields.

2. Wi-Fi

Another good thing about these free cultural institutions? Many (although, annoyingly, not all) offer free Wi-Fi. The South Bank is a particularly good bet because, alongside stunning views over the river, there’s free Wi-Fi available at most of its major attractions including the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre, the BFI and Tate Modern.

Couple that with the huge number of chains offering free Wi-Fi, such as cheap pub chain, Wetherspoons, popular lunchtime sandwich spot, Pret a Manger, or – as in Paris – McDonald’s, and you should always be able to avoid paying for Wi-Fi in the city.

3. Tap water

Paris, London has got your back on water, too. It’s a legal requirement for British pubs and licensed clubs to make tap water available for free. If you ask politely, you’ll normally also get it without a charge in the vast majority of restaurants.

However, the best free drink in London has to be the green tea available at favorite cheapo noodle chain Wagamama (who kindly also offer free Wi-Fi).

Bank of America client? Use Barclays ATM machines for free! Photo: Garryknight

4. ATM withdrawals (for Bank of America clients)

The Global ATM Alliance applies in the UK as well. To make cash withdrawals from ATMs without incurring a charge, Bank of America customers should seek out Barclays Bank cash machines (Their logo is an easy-to-spot blue eagle). You’ll need the four-digit pin for your card to get cash out. (Read our guide to ATM bank fees for Americans abroad.)

5. Tax

Well, kind of. Visitors from outside the European Union can claim back the Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods they have purchased. You’ll need to be leaving the EU in less than three months after making your purchase and – perhaps the biggest catch – you need to have bought it in a store signed up to the VAT Retail Export Scheme to obtain the correct customs forms (look out for the “Tax Free Shopping” signs).

There are various exceptions and complications to work through but, with VAT charged at up to 20% of cost of goods, it’s well worth the hassle if you are making substantial purchases. Check out the UK Revenues and Customs website for full details of how to claim.

6. Exercise

Given the city’s reputation both for inclement weather and an over-fondness for pints, London’s excellent free fitness events may come as a bit of a surprise. We’ve mentioned the weekly free Park Run before, which takes place at parks all over the capital each Saturday morning.

The London Cycling Campaign lists equivalent events for cyclists, or you could – literally – get your skates on to take part in the Friday Night Skate, a marshaled street skate which sets off from Hyde Park Corner each week.

Finally, for something really different, get a workout in exchange for helping with outdoor conservation projects at one of London’s 15 free Green Gyms.

7. Reading material

The Tube groans under the weight of reading matter that’s given out for free in London each day. Weekday travelers get offered Metro in the morning and the Evening Standard in the evening, both great sources of listings and, especially in the latter, reliable reviews.

A recent addition to the selection of freebie reads is Time Out which, since last year, has been given away every Tuesday and is an invaluable way to find out what’s going on and where.

Stylist, pitched at professional women, comes out on Wednesdays, while its male equivalent, Shortlist, is given away every Thursday. Both are more engaging reads than many charging magazines. Finally, the world of sport gets its own dedicated magazine on Fridays.

These publications almost (but not quite) make the astronomical cost of travel in London worthwhile.

Your favorite freebies?

Did we miss anything? Tell us about your favorite London freebie in the comments below!

The post London Free Things: 7 things that won’t cost you a penny appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

What hasn’t changed: The building is as historically and culturally significant as ever. It still affords some of the best free views of the city. You will have to queue and go through security to get inside. The dome is closed four times per year for window cleaning and the plenary chamber is closed during parliamentary sessions.

Big change: Register in advance before your visit

Due to security reasons, you must now register in advance online prior to your visit. Individuals and groups are admitted entrance every 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. In order to complete registration, you must provide first and last name and date of birth for every person in your group.  

* Don’t forget your passport: You must show ID proving your identity when you arrive at the main entrance.

Free audio guides

If you don’t have your own personal Berliner, there are now free audio guides available on the terrace level in 10 different languages; there are also special versions for children and people with disabilities.

Free lectures

If you’d like to learn more about the functions of the Parliament as well as the history of the building, you can register for a 45-minute lecture, which includes a visit to the plenary chamber as well as the opportunity to visit the dome. These are offered in German daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., in English Tuesdays at noon only, only during periods when the Bundestag is not in session, and must be booked in advance.

Free group tours

If you have a group of at least six people, you can request a free, 90-minute tour of the complex. Tours are available of the Reichstag building generally (for adults and for groups with children), the art and architecture of the Reichstag building, and the art and architecture of the neighboring Paul Löbe, Marie-Elisabeth Lüders, or Jakob Kaiser buildings. If your German is up to snuff, these tours take place regularly on weekdays and weekends; check this page for further details. Again, requests must be made in advance.

Both the lecture and the tour, if available, can be booked or requested via the online registration service.

Last-minute reservations

If you forget to plan ahead or find nothing available online, you can check at the Visitors’ Service Centre (across from Tiergarten, next to the bus stop) to register for any free spots within the next three days. You must provide the same information as above for each member of your group and provide identification when required.

And if all that fails, it may still be possible to snag a table for lunch or dinner at the Käfer restaurant, located on the terrace level. Reservations can be made by emailing kaeferreservierung.berlin@feinkost-kaefer.de. Restaurant guests enter the Reichstag via the West C portal.

Special bonus for visitors through October 2012

An installation of film, light, and sound, representing historical events which have played an essential role in the Reichstag building and in the development of democracy in Germany, is projected nightly onto the Marie-Elisabeth Lüders building. The projection starts at sunset each day and lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Best views are from the area between the Reichstag and the Paul Löbe building; grab a seat on the stairs along the Spree. And in case you’re a little late and miss the beginning, the film is repeated once. This installation will be shown until German Reunification Day, October 3, 2012.

The post Visiting Berlin’s Reichstag: The new rules appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In the same way that every region in France has its specialty food, every neighborhood in Paris has its strong point.  (Some areas just do a thing better!) To save you from seeking free museums or cheap eats in the wrong section of town, we’ve compiled a list of 10 popular Paris activities and neighborhoods that do them best.

1. Bakeries. The delicious, crusty baguette is so quintessentially Parisian that the city holds and annual “Grand Prix de la Baguette” competition to determine the best baguette in Paris. And for five of the past six years, the winner has been located in Montmartre, making the 18th arrondissement the bread hot spot.

This year’s prize for stellar baguettes à la tradition went to Boulangerie Mauvieux (159 rue Ordener), but we also suggest a stop at 2010’s winner, Le Grenier à Pain (38 Rue Abbesses) to hold a little taste test of your own. (Don’t skimp on a croissant or two, either.)

French breads! Photo: SnippyHolloW

2. Jogging. It’s tough to decide between the main parks and gardens around Paris, but the Butte Chaumont neighborhood in the 19th arrondissement is a top pick for joggers. The hills may seem tough at first, but there are flat areas around the lake befitting even the hill-averse—and you won’t have to dodge shutterbug tourists either.

3. People watching. There’s something about a classic pedestrian (or semi-pedestrian, anyway) street that begs one to sit and observre the passing theatre. In the Châtelet neighborhood, any café will provide plenty of entertainment. Along rue Montorgueil, the street leading to Paris’s old central food market at Les Halles, you’ll spot trendy young Parisians mingling with the food-obsessed tourists, and day or night there are sure to be some characters.

4. Free museums. The Marais is dotted with hotel particuliers, historic mansions that have been converted into some of Paris’s cutest (and most free) museums.  The Carnavalet (23 rue de Sévigné), the city’s oldest municipal museum, is a standout. And the Maison de Victor Hugo (6 pl. des Vosges), Le Musée Cognac-Jay (8 Rue Elzévir), and the Pavillon de l’Arsenal (21 Boulevard Morland) are all great runners up. For more suggestions, see our guide to Paris’ free museums.

5. Dining. Cheap dining in Paris can be tough, but for an alternative to pricey steaks and humdrum burgers, check out the ethnic side of Paris in Belleville.  The many Asian (mostly Vietnamese) restaurants here are great experiences that won’t set you back more than €15 for copious amounts of food. Check out our post on Belleville cheap eats for some suggested restaurants.

6. Kid-friendly spots.  A stroll through the Latin Quarter is a surefire hit for kids. Home to the Natural History Museum (including the zoo and Jardin des Plantes) and numerous sweet shops along rue Mouffetard, the 5th arrondissement is a little one’s paradise. Stoke a sugar high with candy from Le Bonbon au Palais (19 Rue Monge) or dessert at Sugarplum (68 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine) before folicking about or riding the Charles Garnier-designed carousel at the Luxembourg Gardens. For those with little ones, we’ve got another post of five fun things to do with kids in Paris.

7. Window shopping.  The cheapest way to enjoy Parisian fashions is to “shop” without buying, or “window lick,” as the French call it.  The stores by the Champs Elysées, notably along Avenue Montaigne, are among the most impressive—with more fashion labels than one could ever need.  (Hey, if you’re not going to buy anything, you might as well drool over the best…)

Picnic on Ile Saint-Louis. Photo: jfgornet

8. Sweets. When it comes to sugary delights, it’s hats off to the St. Germain neighborhood.  Rue de Seine, with its Gérard Mulot (76 Rue de Seine) bakery, Pierre Marcolini (89 Rue Seine) chocolats, and Grom (81 Rue de Seine) gelato is just the start of a sweet adventure that will lead you to the buttery pastries of Georges Larnicol (132 Boulevard Saint-Germain) and the blissful chocolates at Patrick Roger (108 Boulevard Saint-Germain).  We could go on forever…

9.  Picnics. Ile-Saint-Louis is the perfect spot to set up with a bottle of wine and a cheese spread (baguette mandatory).  The lively picnickers along the riverside keep the party going all night long as the bateaux mouches boats cruise by, illuminating the banks of the Seine.  Be warned, though, there’s no public toilet nearby…

10. Rainy Days. From the Opera Garnier to the many floors of the Galeries Lafayettes, the 9th arrondissement is the place to be on a rainy day. Wander the many covered passages around the Grands Boulevards area to find cute shops and cafés while waiting for the sun to shine again. Here’s a list of five activities to do in rainy Paris

Ready to go? If these tips get your mouth watering for a visit, be sure to start with this guide to find the best cheap sleeps in Paris and to start planning your trip! We cover the city’s neighborhoods, types of hotels and more.

The post Paris: Best Neighborhoods by Activity appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In February 2009, Irish expat Joe Hatchiban plugged in a karaoke set at Berlin’s Mauerpark Flea Market in Prenzlauer Berg. A bicycle courier by day, Hatchiban toted the necessary equipment on his vehicle: a laptop with karaoke mp3s, a microphone, mixer, two speakers, an umbrella, and a lawn chair. The stage was open to anyone with the gusto to sing and dance on stage. It was a huge success.

Enter the Bearpit

Bearpit Karaoke now draws about 1,500 people on an average Sunday afternoon. It’s open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m in the summer and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the fall. Performers range from kids to adults, metal heads to opera singers, and average Joes to best friend trios.

“It brings a whole new activity to the flea market,” says Donald Burke, a professional Berlin guide, bartender, and Bearpit Karaoke regular.

Burke is a loyal fan, admitting that two favorite performances he caught recently were the Spice Girls’ “If You Wanna Be My Lover” sung by a French girl who barely knew the lyrics, and Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” performed by a 13-year-old boy “with perfect choreography.”

Razzle dazzle them

It’s all about picking a tune that’s both a crowd-pleaser and that falls in line with the three-and-a-half-minute song limit. In the end, perfect pitch isn’t necessary when you’ve got killer moves, high enthusiasm and audience interaction.

The beauty of Bearpit Karoake lies in its communal aspect, as the crowd acts as a giant support group for all performers. The seating area in Mauer Park’s stone amphitheater fills quickly with onlookers ready to spend an entire afternoon clapping, dancing, and shouting lyrics to singers in need of assistance. The event is also a magnet for tourists, who are offered a special look inside Berlin’s summer scene.

Sing for your supper

“It’s also a new outlet for food and drink businesses to set up and accommodate the 1,000 people watching karaoke,” Burke said. About a dozen refreshment vendors line the area ready with water, beer, and soft drinks at dirt-cheap prices.

There is no cost to watch or sing at Bearpit Karaoke, though donations are happily accepted. The whole event doesn’t aim to make money; it’s simply a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Bearpit Karaoke runs during the warm months of summer and fall.  Check out the Web site for more information.

The post Berlin: Bearpit Karaoke at the Mauerpark Flea Market appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Luckily, the Giardino dell’Orticultura (Horiculture Gaden) offers some much-needed greenery not far from the city center. So let me share one of my favorite spots, where you not only get some open space, but you also get a great view of the city you left behind. As an added bonus, all this beauty is available for free!

The 19th-century greenhouse

Florence underwent a huge transformation in the late 19th century. The city was modernized with grand boulevards, large open piazzas and equestrian statues. During the same period, this park was created to reserve a space for expositions of exotic plant life.

Nowadays the plants aren’t so exotic, but there are still fields of daisies sprinkled in the green grass. The area is divided into two sections by the unfortunate placement of the railroad. The lower section includes large fountains, small fields, benches, a small playground and a 19th-century replica of a traditional Italian “loggia” (a covered open-air pavilion with decorated arches).

The dragon fountain

The most impressive feature of this garden is the greenhouse, made entirely of glass and shining metal. It is currently (as of April 2010) being restored to its former glory, though it is still visible. It’s an especially lovely sight when the sun is shining.

The upper section of the garden is accessible by a bridge running over the train tracks. (You can also access it from farther up the hill on Via Trieste.) This section is situated on an incline, and the height offers great views of the city.

As you climb the stairs, take a good look at the dragon fountain made of pieces of glass, stone and bottles. (It brings to mind a similar fountain by Gaudì at the Parc Guëll in Barcelona.) Once you reach the top, you’ll find benches where you can relax and really enjoy the view and the fresh air. This is one of my favorite spots in Florence, so it’s worth the trip to check it out!

The view from the top

Giardino dell’Orticultura (Horticulture Garden)
Address: Via Bolognese near Ponte Rosso
Transportation: #25 bus (from Piazza San Marco to Pratolino) or on foot from Piazza della Libertà

The post Favorite Place in Florence: Free views at the Horticulture Garden appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

History has it that a castle was founded here in the first half of the 10th century, and thanks to its high rocky location overlooking the Vltava River, enjoyed a period of importance for roughly 50 years. The area is now mostly green space with walking paths and beautiful views of the city, including the more famed Prague castle. Mythologically speaking, Vyšehrad is also the spot where Princess Libuše apparently foretold the future of Prague’s greatness.

Statues in the park

Highlights and landmarks

Strolling through, you’ll spot some interesting landmarks. One of the first will be St. Martin’s Rotunda. Built in the second half of the 11th century, it’s not only the largest rotunda in Prague, but also the city’s oldest complete Romanesque building. There’s been a church at Vyšehrad since the 14th century, but the current one, the Church of St. Peter and Paul, was built in the early 1900s.

Slavin cemetery

Next door is Slavín, Prague’s “pop” cemetery. It was designed in the mid-19th century as a final resting place for Prague’s famous writers, scientists, artists, and the like. Prominent bodies laid to rest here include the writer Karel Capek, artist Alfons Mucha and composers Bedrich Smetana and Antonín Dvorák. The headstones and memorials are quite interesting and it’s definitely worth a wander.

On the south side of the church, you’ll spot a large green expanse dotted with four statues. These depict mythological heroes from Czech history. If you come across three huge granite slabs, take a photo. According to legend, these slabs were thrown through the roof of the church by Lucifer, made angry by an insubordinate cleric. They’re now called the “Devil’s Pillars.”

The view from Vysehrad

Aside from the church and monuments, there are a couple cafes, but more importantly a huge beer garden that is filled with locals, families, and dogs at the weekends. A cool wooden playground makes it a great place to allow kids to run and be free for an afternoon.

How to get there

Vyšehrad is listed in nearly all the guidebooks and there’s easy metro access (the stop is on the red metro line C and is named “Vyšehrad.”) It’s about a 10-minute walk from the metro station.

The views from all sides are amazing; you’ll probably spot from above many of the landmarks you’ve already been to down below. I predict it will be a highlight to your Prague visit.

The post Favorite Place in Prague: Vyšehrad Castle appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Friday AM: Boats and beaches of the Elbe River

Cheap boat rides can be found along the Elbe River areas of Altona, Elbstrasse, and Landungsbrücken. They cost as much as a bus ride (about €1.60) and stop at many ideal places for eating, drinking, and sunning on the sandy beaches around the Elbe River. The Alster lake area is another option for organized boat tours.

Friday PM: Watching the St. Pauli Football Team

Snag tickets to one of the most raw, gritty, and hardcore soccer teams in Europe, the St. Pauli Football Team. St. Pauli has it all: a loyal fan base who love to party, sponsors like Hamburg’s signature Astra beer, and a skull-and-crossbones logo. It’s the “Harley Davidson” of European football.

Tickets range from €7-50. Check here for more information. The stadium is located near Feldstrasse, an area rich in World War II monuments, vintage shops, and a Saturday yard sale market.

Saturday AM:  Walking through Sternschanze

Stroll along the hip and bohemian Sternschanze neighborhood for a taste of Hamburg’s café terrace vibe and culture. Streets are lined with interesting boutiques, cheap eats, and bargain bars with a classic décor. A large park, the Planten un Blomen, is nearby – grab an ice cream and do some people-watching in the sun.

Saturday PM: Partying on Reeperbahn

Spend a night out on the Reeperbahn – Hamburg’s main party strip. See the blend of sailor roughness mix with trendy locals at the bars, music venues, clubs, and wurst stands. Beatle-maniacs should try out the nightlife around Grosse Freiheit, the street where the four “mop tops” made their European debut on stage and at parties.

Sunday AM: Stroll through the fish market

A Sunday morning in Hamburg is incomplete without a trip to the lively and exciting Fischmarkt. Located directly on the harbor from Reeperbahn S-bahn station, stroll around the dozens of seafood and produce stands. The market is action-packed with amusing characters and partygoers still out from Saturday night. Stop by anytime between 5 AM to noon.

Sunday PM: Historic Hamburg and the harbor

Spend the rest of Sunday walking along the Elbe River and surrounding harbor. Old harbor vessels permanently dock along the walkway as museums and cafés, and the surrounding area is a historic part of Hamburg undamaged from World War II.

The post Hamburg: A cheap weekend to-do list appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

There are many reasons I’m excited to visit Copenhagen: the smorrebrod, the bicycling, the Danish design! But I’m particularly looking forward to stopping by the Little Mermaid for a visit. The iconic statue is one of the city’s most popular tourist destinations, and, with a harbor-side location, it’s absolutely free.

The Little Mermaid: A brief history

It’s well known that the Little Mermaid is inspired this was years before Disney’s red-headed “The Little Mermaid” was released!)

The poor Mermaid’s head was sawed off on April 24, 1964 by artists affiliated with the revolutionary Situationist movement.

On September 11, 2003, the Little Mermaid was blasted off her rock, apparently with dynamite.

On March 3, 2007, the statue was yet again covered in paint—this time pink.

The statue was found draped in a Muslim dress and hijab on May 20, 2008.

The Little Mermaid has had company since September, 2006. A “genetically modified” version of the statue was created as part of the sculpture group Genetically Modified Paradise and sits just a few hundred meters away from the original.

The Little Mermaid seems to be sitting safe and pretty for now, but she will be making waves in China in 2010, when she travels to the World EXPO in Shanghai.

Getting there: How close can you get?

The statue is located in the Copenhagen harbor at Langelinie 1. Take Bus 26 to Langelinie.

I’m all set to sidle up to the statue for a snapshot. So Cheapos, how close do you think I can get to the Little Mermaid? Tom said I should pack a swimsuit if I really want to get a photo right next to her. I’m not sure I’m ready to brave the water with the cold Copenhagen temperatures, so perhaps I’ll have to settle for some tricky camera angles!

The post Copenhagen Freebie: The Little Mermaid beckons (with a fascinating history!) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

With the oldest of the three, Humboldt, in the midst of a 200th-anniversary celebration, it’s a great time to get in touch with Berlin’s collegiate side. German schools aren’t really known for their wild celebrations, so don’t expect to stumble across raucous soccer matches or wild kegger parties while touring the two most visit-worthy campuses.

Instead, FU and HU boast historic buildings, memorable museums, ultra-contemporary libraries, and tasty, Cheapo-friendly “Mensas” (cafeterias).

Humboldt Universität zu Berlin

Founded in 1810 by the education innovator Alexander von Humboldt, HU is regarded as the first “modern” university because it offered courses in diverse subjects, such as chemistry and physics, in addition to standard classes on the humanities.

Since its debut, the university’s (now faded) halls have hosted dozens of star students and faculty, including the economist Karl Marx, the folklorists Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, the philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, and the physicist Albert Einstein.

A statue of Humboldt guards the central building (Unter den Linden, S-bahn: Unter den Linden), a gorgeous 19th-century palace on Berlin’s monument-studded main drag, Unter den Linden. After browsing the used book stalls set up in the front yard (Mon.–Sat.), pop inside the entrance hall to marvel at the marble-bedecked East Germany-era staircase. It features a gilded quote by Marx.

Stroll through the back courtyard to reach the university’s newest building. Designed by the Swiss architect Max Dudler, the streamlined Brüder Grimm Zentrum (Brothers Grimm Center, Geschwister-Scholl-Str. 1/3, S/U-bahn: Friedrich Str.) houses the university’s central library.

Freie Universität

Nestled in Dahlem (U-bahn: Dahlem Dorf), a leafy suburb southwest of the center, “the Oxford of Germany” is newer, bigger, and more highly-regarded than Humboldt. In fact, HU is still fuming about the fact that FU beat it out for a spot on the exclusive list of German Centers of Excellence, a distinction awarded to the country’s best schools.

In addition to its trio of fantastic museums—the Asian Art Museum, the Ethnological Museum, and the Museum of European Cultures—FU boasts an impressive library of its own.

Opened in 2005, Sir Norman Foster’s cerebral Philologische Bibliothek (Philological Library, Habelschwerdter Allee 45) is literally shaped like a brain. Step inside the so-called “Berlin Brain” to find a curvaceous central chamber that plays host to nearly a million books.

If you find yourself in need of a study break, head to one of the campuses many Mensas for a cheap and filling meal. The best of the bunch, the bright orange Mensa FU II (Otto-von-Simson-Str. 26), is right next door to the library.

The post Berlin Universities: Visit these famous institutions for free appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.