And though that was centuries ago, if it sounds at all like Vienna, Austria is resting on its musical laurels, fear not—the city still has plenty to offer to music-lovers—provided you have a healthy appreciation for classical. Despite the high-society implications of this genre, it’s cheap and easy to get your daily dose of Mozart (or anyone else) while staying in Vienna.

In fact, it’s possible to take in tons of music while in the Austrian capital without spending a dime! To help you figure out how, here is our guide to finding free music in Vienna:

The Vienna Philharmonic’s summer concert
Annually in early June

If you happen to visit Vienna in late Spring (and who wouldn’t want to?), you might be lucky enough to catch the Vienna Philharmonic‘s annual free concert. Usually held in early June (though this year’s performance was on May 30th), the event provides the rare opportunity to catch one of the world’s most renowned orchestras in action without an accompanying price tag.

The ante is upped even further by the concert’s enviable location: in the gardens of the Schoenbrunn Palace. This former home to the imperial Habsburg family—now a UNESCO world cultural heritage site—provides the perfect atmosphere to match the Philharmonic.

Open-air opera
April-June, September

Continuing the theme of world-class music outdoors, the Vienna State Opera offers the opportunity to see its performances live for free, albeit on a projector screen in front of the Opera House.  Called “Opera for All,” the broadcasts take place at Herbert-von-Karajan Square in the pleasant evenings from April-June and in September.

Additionally, starting 45 minutes before the actual performance and during the intermissions, guests are treated to information about the Opera and the works being performed.

Organ concerts at the Peterskirche
Year-round

For a more intimate musical experience, Peterskirche (Saint Peter’s Church), holds daily organ concerts that are free to attend. Featuring works by such luminaries as Liszt, Chopin and Bach, and located in the heart of Vienna’s Innere Stadt, these performances are an easy and convenient way to get your classical music fix. Concerts are held Monday through Friday at 3 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m.

You may have to pay for this view of the Vienna Boy’s Choir, but if you can settle for just their voices, you’ll get in for free. Photo: Navnetmitt.

The Vienna Boy’s Choir
Year-round, except late summer

Along with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Boy’s Choir is one of the defining musical ensembles of the Austrian capital. Throughout the year (save for the end of June through the middle of September), they perform each Sunday at the Hofburg Chapel in Innere Stadt—a musical venue that dates back to Medieval times.

Seated tickets for these performances run between €7 and €35, but if you’re willing to stand, you can see the Boys Choir for free.  Well, technically you can hear them for free—the Hofburg Chapel’s website warns that standing room attendees will not get a view of the performers.  In fact, even the cheapest €5 seats do not feature a direct view.

Standing room opens at 8:30 a.m. for the performances, which begin at 9:15 a.m. If you do want to purchase seats, you must do so by mail, fax or e-mail.  Follow the link above for instructions from the Chapel’s website.

The Music Film Festival in front of City Hall brings scores of tourists and locals each night in the summer. Photo: Ivan C.

The Rathausplatz Music Film Festival
Late June – early September

Every summer, from the end of June until the beginning of September, the square in front of Vienna’s City Hall becomes a nightly tribute to the city’s status as a global music capital, by playing host to the vibrant Rathausplatz Music Film Festival.  Every evening at dusk, a different music-centric film plays on a giant screen displayed above the square.  The selection is diverse—from operas to ballets to jazz to rock concerts—which can be refreshing for those worn out by Vienna’s constant onslaught of classical.

The festival doesn’t just offer audio delights either—a wide selection of international cuisine is available daily from 11 a.m. until midnight. Provided by twenty of the top restaurateurs in the city, the aim is to provide a “culinary world tour” for festival-goers.

This year’s festival began on June 26th and is running until September 1st. For more information, check out the Vienna tourism office’s website.

Donauinselfest
Annually in Mid-June

For visitors that have really had enough of concert halls and opera houses, Vienna also offers a much more modern music experience: Donauinsel, a free music festival on an island in the Danube River. The 30-year-old festival is held annually in mid-June and attracts a lineup of mostly German-language acts, though some major international acts have also performed.

The festival usually attracts more than three million guests and is one of the largest open-air events each year in Europe. In addition to the musical acts, Donauinselfest also features kid-friendly events, sports and a wide variety of vendors.  For those looking to see a different side of Vienna than the Baroque concert halls of the old city, this is the place to go.

Want more? Check out EuroCheapo’s guide to Vienna for travel tips and budget hotel recommendations.  And if you’ve got any questions or comments, be sure to leave them in the box below.

The post Vienna: City of (free!) Music appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Big shows with hefty price tags, including Patti Smith, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Arcade Fire and more, will hit the capital’s dozens of stages this season. But there are so many smaller and cheaper venues throughout the city that you won’t have a hard time catching up-and-coming acts for little—or even nothing.

Here’s a rundown of our favorite venues that sing the Cheapo tune:

Be Worldly

Housed in a funky 1950s building dubbed the “pregnant oyster” by locals, the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (S-bahn: Hauptbahnhof; U-bahn: Bundestag) hosts dozens of free or inexpensive acts from far-flung corners of the world.

The multi-kulti (German slang for multicultural) Wassermusik Festival (July 22-August 13) features live music outdoors (or, in the case of rain, inside). This year’s theme—the Danube, the Nile and the Amazon—dictates the diverse acts, which hail from Hungary, Peru, Uganda and beyond. Tickets are €10. After the concert, you can take a relaxing—and cost-free—stroll through the expansive Tiergarten park.

Jazz-a-ma-tazz

Berlin’s most famous jazz club, Quasimodo, shuts its doors July and August, but A-Trane (S-bahn: Savingyplatz) and B-Flat (S-bahn: Hackeschermarkt) sweat out the summer. Both venues offer the occasional free concerts; B-Flat shows are rarely more than €10 (€8 if you’re a student).

Open-Air

Berlin’s most beloved summer hangout, Badeshiff (U-bahn: Schlesisches Tor, €4), doubles as a music venue in July and August. Badeschiff is a swimming pool floating atop the Spree River in the funky district of Treptow, just east of bar-lined Kreuzberg. During the day, it’s the place to cool off and recover from a night on the town. After 8 p.m., it’s the place to catch some inexpensive tunes before hitting the bars again. Performers include singer-songwriters and DJs. Shows start at 8 p.m. and cost €4.

If you do feel like shelling out for a full-price concert, check out Comet Club (S-bahn and U-bahn: Schlesisches Tor) for shows under €20 and O2 Welt (S-bahn: Ostbahnhof), Huxelys Neue Welt (U-bahn: Hermannplatz), Arena (S-bahn: Treptower Park) and Magnet Club (U-bahn: Schlesisches Tor) for pricier options.

Don’t forget to check out Zitty, Tip and the English-language Ex-Berliner for comprehensive event listings. If you’re trying to decipher German, look for the word frei (free).

The post Berlin: The top venues for free (and cheap) summer concerts appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here are three summertime freebies you won’t want to miss.

Movies in Bryant Park

This year’s line-up includes a EuroCheapo personal favorite “Harold and Maude” as well as classics like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Dog Day Afternoon.” Locals know to snag a picnic spot early. Bring your own food, wine (we won’t tell), and nibblies and settle in for a fun night under the stars. All movies are free of charge and open to the public. For a full schedule and directions, visit Bryant Park’s web site.

A typical Summerstage scene, photo by wallyg

Central Park Summerstage

Summerstage kicks off its diverse season tomorrow with performances by Calle 13 and Bebe.  The rest of the summer promises more excitement with headliners like Q-Tip (July 18), performances by the Metropolitan Opera stars, and a smattering of renowned dance spectacles. For a full rundown of all free events, go here. Line up early for the best seats.

Free tours and workshops, Prospect Park (Brooklyn)

Prospect Park, in Brooklyn, was designed by the same gents who brought us Central Park.  It measures a hefty 585 acres. Summer brings a lushness to the park that’s out of this world, and also a host of free events and workshops. Tours of the grounds, bird-watching seminars, arts and crafts workshops, and an annual fishing contest are all free for the taking. While Prospect Park’s events are decidedly more kids-oriented, we think adults will enjoy them too. For a full schedule, visit the Park’s web site.

The post New York Tip: Free summertime events appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.