If you’re worried that travel will break your bank, then help is at hand. Over the course of my travels, I have found that doing free things is not only easy but sometimes also more rewarding than paying up for experiences. Today, I’m going to share my list of seven things you can do for free, no matter where you’re travelling.
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Take a walk or bike ride
Ditch taxis and public transport for short distances. Instead, take a walk and discover the essence of a place by strolling at your own place. People-watching is overrated when compared with the sheer joy of watching neighbourhoods and points of interest pass by as you walk past them. I make it a point to get purposefully lost in a place I really like. I keep walking, taking turns and ending up miles from my original destination on late evenings before eventually finding my way back.
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Climb a mountain
While walking has its own benefits, it’s only when you climb a mountain or reach the cliff that you can really appreciate a good view of the place that unfolds below you. Having a bird’s eye view of a destination can also help you orient yourself in a new place. Again, I’d recommend climbing a mountain (or better yet, a palace located on a hilltop) early in the morning or late evening so that you don’t tire yourself out.
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Catch a magnificent sunrise or sunset
Yes yes, the entire point of a vacation is to sleep in. I get it. But the most incredible days of your holiday occurs when you take the effort to wake up early and see the sun rise over the horizon. Trust me, I’ve seen some of the most glorious sunrises and breathtaking sunsets simply by taking the effort to do so. The best sunrise so far? Watching the sky change colour while I climbed higher and higher in a hot air balloon in Cappadocia.
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Visit museums or tourist sites on free days
This is a bit of a Catch-22 at popular museums but if you’re looking to save some dollars, there’s nothing like absorbing culture on free days at museums and tourist sites. Popular places in Europe, such as the Louvre in Paris, allow free entry on the first Sunday of every month. While catching Mona Lisa with an entire herd of people is not on your mind, do keep in mind that you just saved 15 euros to see her. It’s well worth it I believe.
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Play in the park
One of my favourite things to do in any city (except my own!) is to catch my breath and eat my lunch (usually a takeaway sandwich) while sitting in the park. Some parks, especially Tuileries in Paris, Buen Retiro in Madrid and the many parks scattered across London invite you to stay longer and unwind amidst breathtaking nature and scenery. Best of all, they’re all free. Total win-win.
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Scan the local market
Visiting the local market is de riguer for anyone who wants to feel like a local on their travels. Nowhere else will you find a microcosm of the place you’re visiting than at its local market. From big name markets such as Ben Thanh in Saigon to London’s Borough market and the many small unknown markets in other towns, there’s nothing more invigorating than breathing in the smells and sight of a local market.
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Attend a cultural event
Learn more about the culture of a place by marking free attractions and attending them. Don’t be too choosy. Whether it’s an art form or a dance performance or even just a local band playing, keep an eye out for any cultural event and attend it. You never know who or what you’ll come across. These events are typically free to attend so you don’t really have any incentive not to attend them. Go with a free mind, be a sponge and soak in all the culture you can get while you’re away from your own city.
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