Art and Culture In Europe

Activities, Events, Galleries, and Museums

Old National Gallery, Berlin

Living abroad on a budget is challenging sometimes, but you'll never be at a loss for interesting and fun things to do. Throughout each European city, there are a multitude of ways to spend your time and save your budget.

Below are several cost saving ways to attend venues and participate in activities while staying within your slow travel and living budget. When doing your travel planning and research, seek out activities and events that offer:

Free daily entrance
Free once a week or month entrance
Discounts based on age (youth under 19, student under 26, and senior over 60-65)
Discounts associated with airline or train ticket (British Airways, Eurostar, Thalys)
City Discount Cards
Annual Memberships

Art Gallery and Museum Visits

Ishtar Gate Babylon Striding Lions
Pergamon Museum, Berlin
© Slow Travel Tales, 4.27.2013

Regardless of where you travel from to live in Europe, you're undoubtedly already interested in learning more about the history and culture of the the city you'll be living in.

After you've settled into your apartment and gotten familiar with your neighborhood, you'll be ready for a museum visit. Students under 19 have more free entry opportunities than others. Seniors over 60 have more discounted opportunities. Unfortunately, those in the middle of these years have few options.

However, if you'll be living abroad for at least three months, many European art galleries and museums offer special passes and membership cards, with extra perks, for a reasonable price.

Below are activity and event listings for each of the cities I've lived in. These listings will help you begin to fill out your travel planning notebook.

Slow Travel Tip - Annual Membership

If you join any museum association for a year, as a Friend, it will save you money over your time living in the city. A yearly Friend of the Museum membership will include several perks such as:

Free admission to permanent collections and temporary exhibitions
Free admission to sister or partner museums and galleries
Free or discounted audio guides
Free Friends booklet
No need to book a spot in advance
No need to stand in waiting lines
Discounts on tours, workshops, and other activities
Discounts in museum shops
Access to activities exclusively organized for the Friends

Berlin, Germany

Photography Museum, Berlin
© Slow Travel Tales, 4.23.2013

Berlin has quite a few museums and galleries that offer free daily entry. Some Berlin museums offer free entry once a week or once a month.

Alte Nationalgalerie - Is one of 7 art galleries and museums, which house vast collections of art. The Old National Gallery is home to Biedermeier, Impressionist, early Modernist, Neoclassical, and Romantic artwork.

Our Berlin Travel Planning Notebook cover art features the 1905 self-portrait painting of Franz von Stuck in his studio. which you may view when visiting the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin.

Pergamon Museum - Is home to several enormous historical buildings such as the Ishtar Gate of Babylon, the Market Gate of Miletus, the Mshatta Facade, and the Pergamon Altar.

East Side Gallery - Tours

Berlin State Museums - Enjoy art and culture as often as you want with an annual membership card.

Brussels, Belgium


Musee du Beau Arts 1910, Brussels Slow Travel Tales

Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium - make up 6 different art galleries and museums which house a collection of over 200,000 drawings, paintings, and sculptures.

Our Brussels Travel Planning Notebook cover art features the 1892 masterpiece painting, Strange Masks by James Ensor, which you may view when visiting the Musee Fin-de-Siecle Museum. Free entrance: First Wednesday of the month at 1 pm.

Royal Museums of Fine Art - Learn about being a friend of the museums. The easiest way to become a member is to join on site at the ticket office and receive free admission immediately. €50 per person (€75 for a couple).

Tip: Save the date for February 2020 - The Brussels Museum Council presented the 12th edition of Museum Night Fever in 2019. From 7 pm - 1 am you may visit over 30 museums who host 1000 young talents with "major exhibitions, performances, installations, live music, DJ's, dance, film, eccentric animations, and whimsical guided tours. The electro-filled after party at C12 keeps the museum train rolling all night long."

ING Art Center - This Brussels financial institution has been collecting art and staging special exhibitions for over 45 years.

House of European History - Free entrance. The museum in located in the European Quarter of the Leopold Park in the George Eastman building (inventor of the Kodak camera). The museum strives to increase awareness and understanding about the complex history of Europe. They encourage dialogue and debate through the "exchange of ideas and to question assumptions."

Wiertz Museum - Free entrance. Antoine Wiertz (1806-65) was a Belgian painter, sculptor and writer during the Romantic period. He gained a controversial reputation due to his giant size paintings and dramatic subject matter. Art lovers of all genre are sure to enjoy this museum.

Halls of Saint Gery - Free entrance. The Les Halles Saint-Gery was once the site of a an 11th century cathedral, public square and a large indoor market. Now a protected listed building, the space has been transformed into an Exhibition Center, Cafe, and Bar.

Tip: The above link is in French. On your laptop, use a Chrome browser and click on the Google Translate icon in the top right of the address bar.

London, United Kingdom

Royal Academy of Arts, London

London has many wonderful world class art galleries and museums. You may visit the permanent collections for free. Each specialize in distinct and individual artistic movements, styles, and periods, such as Old Masters, Impressionist, Modernist, Contemporary, and Photographic.

Royal Academy of Arts - Has been run by artists since 1768. Their mission has always been to champion art and artists. In celebration of their 250 year history, a newly expanded campus has opened which links the Piccadilly and Burlington Galleries. There are many free exhibitions and displays.

Courtauld Gallery - Is located in Somerset House on the Strand. It's home to the collection of the Courtauld Institute of Art. This college specializes in the study of art history and is associated with the University of London.

Our London Travel Planning Notebook cover art features the 1881 masterpiece painting, A Bar At The Folies-Bergere by Edouard Manet. You may view the painting when you visit the Courtauld Gallery in London.

Saatchi Gallery - Specializes in showing contemporary art by young, unknown, emerging UK artists as well as international artists that have rarely exhibited in the UK. The Saatchi is proud to be a "springboard for young artists to launch their careers."

Serpentine Galleries - For over 50 years, the Serpentine has worked to be a caretaker and place to support up and coming artists with new contemporary ideas. Within their two gallery locations, they present "interdisciplinary and collaborative work across art, architecture, design, fashion and digital."

Whitechapel Gallery - Founded in 1901, the Whitechapel is an important international art gallery that showcased, for the first time in London, many contemporary modern masters, such as Picasso, Pollock, Hockney, Rothko, Twombly, and Frida Kahlo. You can be sure to see what's new, innovative, and cutting edge when you visit the Whitechapel.

Madrid, Spain

The following Madrid art galleries and museums are free to visit:

Temple of Debod - Is a beautiful and interesting site to behold. The ancient Egyptian Temple (circa 200 BC) was dismantled in Egypt and reconstructed in Madrid near the Plaza de Espana. Inside the Temple, you'll view small chambers, ancient artifacts, and hieroglyphics. It's poised atop the historical Principe Pio mountain at the Cuartel de la Montana Park, in the Parque del Oeste (Western Park). If you're an avid photographer, you'll want to visit several times during different weather patterns and times of day because the Temple, open sky, and clouds reflect in the water pond surrounding the temple. Facing west is an overlook into the city below with expansive sunset views.

Museum of Contemporary Art - The historic 18th century Conde Duque building is home to 200 artistic pieces by over 175 Spanish artists. The collection includes graphic art, painting, photography, and sculpture. The Conde Duque is also a cultural and exhibition center for concerts, film, opera, and more.

Tip: The above inks are in Spanish. On your laptop, use a Chrome browser and click on the Google Translate icon in the top right of the address bar.

Munich, Germany

Lenbachhaus, Munich

The Lenbachhaus is my favorite art gallery and museum in Munich. The modern exterior wing and main entrance belies the wonderful 1887 Florentine Villa that was home to the painter, Franz von Lenbach. Many of the interior villa rooms have been kept intact with the original antique furniture and decorative embellishments.

Our Munich Travel Planning Notebook cover art features the 1911 masterpiece painting, the Blue Horse, by Franz Marc, which you may view at the Lenbach House during your time in Munich.

BMW Museum - Free Entrance. BMW's history dates from the early 1900's, and the company is well known for manufacturing aircraft engines, motorcycles and automobiles. Located near the Olympic Park, the state of the art museum offers Free entry to all. For those of you who enjoy automobile and motorcycle racing, you'll find a separate exhibition wing devoted to Motorsport, from 1929 to present day. There is a lot to see in the area, including BMW Welt (World), which is located in a different building nearby. The complex includes a shop and restaurant.

Paris, France

Art Galleries and Museums with free entry to their permanent collections:

Museum of Modern Art - Is one of 14 museums of the city of Paris who come under the city's protection. Their aim is to enrich and preserve the collections as well promote the museums within the community. The Musee d'Art Moderne de la Ville Paris is in the Palais de Tokyo's west wing It's home to 20th and 21st century modern and contemporary art.

Our Paris Travel Planning Notebook cover art features the 1926 masterpiece painting of The Eiffel Tower, by Robert Delaunay, which you may view in the museum's permanent collection.

After your museum visit, you might want to wander through the plaza at the Palais de Tokyo. Be sure to visit the Readymade Cafe to see their recycled tables made from coffee grounds and the colorful chairs made out of 100% recycled plastic.

Petit Palace Museum of Fine Art - The Palace was built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition and is now considered a historic monument. The museum is home to over 1,300 art objects, icons, paintings, sculptures and tapestries. The works range from Ancient and Medieval to French and Italian Renaissance as well as famous 19th century French artists.

Museum of Romantic Life - The Montmartre mansion, built in 1830, was the residence and studio of artist Ary Scheffer. He also gained notoriety for hosting Friday night social gatherings, with invitations to other creative types from the art, literary, and music world, such as, George Sand and Frederic Chopin, as well as Delacroix, Ingres, Liszt, and others. Today, the ground floor pays homage to Sand, while the first floor is devoted to the Romantic era with Scheffer's work as well as paintings and sculptures by others.

Tip: This link is in French. On your laptop, use a Chrome browser and click on the Google Translate icon in the top right of the address bar.

Musee d'Orsay and the Musee de l'Orangerie - Free entrance: First Sunday of the month

Louvre - Free entrance: First Saturday of the month, 6 pm - 9:45 pm and Bastille Day (14 July)

Wouldn't it be nice to take your time in the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, and Pompidou, to wander on each floor, and look in each room? If you'll be in Paris for an extended time you can do just that. Learn all about becoming a friend of the museum in our article, Slow Travel Paris - Budget Tips To Maximize Museum Visits.

Rome, Italy

Gallery of the Academy of San Luca - The original Compagnia de San Luca was founded in 1478, by a group of Roman artists who endeavored to support and elevate their artistic works. Throughout the 16th and 17th century, many artists were drawn to Rome to live, work, and study. However, without having a patron, it was hard to find a teacher, let alone a place to live and work. The Academy of San Luca intended to help serve the artist's needs. Over time, in exchange for patronage, each artist/candidate would donate a piece of artwork and a portrait. Today, the gallery is located in the 16th century Palazzo Carpegna (near the Trevi Fountain) and includes drawings, paintings, sculptures and 500 portraits. At the time of this writing, you may visit the gallery for free.

Tip: The above links are in Italian. On your laptop, use a Chrome browser and click on the Google Translate icon in the top right of the address bar.

Vienna, Austria

Belvedere Palace Gardens, Vienna
© Slow Travel Tales, 9.24.2013

Belvedere Museum - The historical Belvedere compound is so large and impressive, that you'll want to return again and again. The two historic Baroque palaces and magnificent gardens are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of Austria's most important art collections is housed within. The Upper Belvedere palace is home to the permanent collection.

Our Vienna Travel Planning Notebook cover art features the 1907 masterpiece painting The Kiss by Gustav Klimt. which you may view when visiting the Belvedere Gallery

Tip: The above Belvedere Gallery link is in German. On your laptop, use a Chrome browser and click on the Google Translate icon in the top right of the address bar.

The Belvedere Gardens are free to visit.

MUSA Start Gallery - Showcases 8 - 10 exhibitions for recent graduates of Vienna's art universities. Via jury selection, the artists are given a solo exhibit, which allows them a venue for their work to enter the art market. Free entry for all ages.

Vienna Museum Locations - Vienna has a proud history to share and does so within a collection of artist residences, galleries, museums, and archaeological excavations. The primary Vienna Museum is in Karlsplatz. Free entry - 1st Sunday of every month and under 19 years of age.

Kunsthalle Wien - Has two cultural locations (Museums Quarter and Karlsplatz). They aim to showcase contemporary art with themed group exhibitions and solo presentations of established and up and coming artists. Their educational department works with artists, schools and universities to offer artistic projects and programs in practice and theory as well as encouraging "in-depth discussion of current issues of everyday life." If you visit on Sunday, you decide how much to pay to enter. Otherwise, entry is: General €8, Reduced/Senior €6, Student €2, under 19 Free.

OstLicht Gallery for Photography - The OstLicht team of specialists endeavor to find, represent, and present unique works by unknown and up and coming photographers. In addition to holding special exhibitions, individual collection consultation, housing an extensive research library, a separate vintage camera and print collection, they preside over the WestLicht Photo Auction. You may peruse the shop, gallery, and library for free. Special exhibitions may require a ticket purchase. The OstLicht Gallery is located in the 120 year old Anker Bread Factory, Brotfabrik Wien, which has been re-purposed into a vibrant neighborhood art and cultural center, to include education, business, events, restaurants and bars. It's all very interesting, so give yourself the opportunity to wander around at your own pace.

City Discount Cards

Brussels
Paris