Travel to Europe can be quite costly, but in almost any major city in the world you can find at least a handful of sites and attractions that are either free or incredibly inexpensive.

The city of London is no exception and with a little creativity and imagination you’ll definitely find yourself with less free time on your hands than you thought you would have. Here are 10 of our favorite budget-saving suggestions:

10. Buy a Bus Pass

The city of London has a very sophisticated bus system with routes traveling all over the city. Bus tickets are inexpensive and on a nice day you can grab a comfortable seat on the top of one of the city’s double-decker buses.

Be sure to check the local bus guide to find out which buses will take you past the attractions you want to see the most. Bus 12, for example, will take you past Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus. At the very least, you’ll have a ton of great photo opportunities no matter what route you choose.

9. Standing Room Only at the Theater

Theater tickets can be quite expensive, but if you plan wisely you can easily grab a spot inside for one of the city’s awesome performances. The English National Opera will sell you a standing room only ticket for 10 pounds as long as the rest of the theater is sold out.

The Royal Opera House, Sloane Square’s Royal Court Theatre, and the Battersea Arts Club all have discounted rates for restricted-view or standing room only tickets as well.

8. Museum of London

The Museum of London is the best place to go if you’re interested in a startlingly accurate depiction of the city’s vast history. You’ll see artifacts from ancient history, ranging from BC through AD, and curators are constantly adding new artifacts to the collection as they uncover new archaeological sites.

Favorite attractions within the museum are the collection of Queen Victoria’s gowns, a display depicting the Great Fire, and a replica of a Victorian street full of shops. There’s even a piece of original London wall, so safely guarded visitors can only view it through a window. Visiting the museum is free.

7. National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery in Covent Garden houses hundreds of spectacular portraits representing historic events and people of interest throughout London’s history. The gallery itself includes floors of spectacular paintings, a lecture hall, and even a research room for those interested in specific works.

Not everyone depicted within the gallery is famous – many of the faces you see on the walls were famous for only a brief period of time, yet their paintings survived well past their deaths. The gallery is organized in chronological order, making it easy for visitors to find specific works or time periods if they don’t have time to see the entire collection. The museum is free, though there is a small charge to see special exhibits.

6. Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament are the ultimate destination for history buffs looking to get a better grasp on the inner workings of London’s government. The formal name for the complex is The Palace of Westminster, and it is guarded by the Clock Tower informally known as Big Ben and sits adjacent to the famous Westminster Abbey as well.

The entire complex has undergone decades of change, completely destroyed and rebuilt after a treacherous fire in 1834. The building covers 8 acres of land and two miles of passages and is home to the two Houses known as the Lords and Commons. Touring the Houses of Parliament is free for most of the year, but there is a 7 pound charge during the summer months when tourist traffic is particularly heavy.

5. Free Concerts throughout London

Ask your hotel concierge for information about free concerts at venues throughout London. Many of the cathedrals have free lunchtime concerts on a regular basis. Westminster Abbey has a regular schedule of organ concerts as well.

The River Bar is a very popular establishment hosting regular open-mike nights for amateur artists on Wednesday evenings. Several other local bars and pubs, including The Palm Tree and the Globe pub, also host regular jazz and blues performances.

4. Whitechapel Art Gallery

The building in which the Whitechapel Art Gallery currently stands was built in 1901 and has since gained a stunning international reputation. Spectacular artists such as Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenberg, and David Hockney have all had special exhibitions here.

When special exhibitions aren’t the focus of attention, the rest of the museum is dedicated to London’s culture and distinct community. When you’re tired of exploring the gallery’s halls we highly recommend the Whitechapel Caf? for an inexpensive yet delectable home-cooked meal. This museum, like others, is free of charge except for special exhibitions.

3. Strolling London’s Parks

London’s parks are amongst the most beautiful in the world and are worth exploring for an afternoon. In Hyde Park you’ll find regularly scheduled bird-watching walks which are free of charge.

There is also a 7-mile path dedicated to the memory of Princess Diana which guides visitors through three different parks as it carves its path.

2. Courtauld Permanent Exhibition

The Courtauld Institute Gallery is a permanent exhibition located within the Somerset House in Covent Garden. The gallery houses several of the world’s most popular impressionist and post impressionist works of art ranging from Van Gogh to Degas, Monet and more.

The gallery is part of the Courtault Institute of Art at London University. There is a 5 pound charge for admission except for Mondays.

1. Take a Walking Tour

Your own two feet will never fail you in London. There are hundreds of small shops, gardens, alleys, public sculptures, and parks that won’t even appear on your already crowded map of the city. Put on your favorite walking shoes, pack a light umbrella, and hit the cobblestone streets for an adventure of your own design.

The city of London welcomes you with open arms and will never disappoint tourists, no matter how far they’ve traveled. Simply open your eyes and look around and you’re bound to uncover something spectacular.

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