As European capitals go, Prague is one of the most budget-friendly. The price of everything, from beer to a meal out, is a lot cheaper than many other big cities across the continent.

But it’s possible to make even more savings when you visit this beautiful city by taking advantage of all the free things you can do there. Here’s our pick of some of the best.

Visit the Astronomical Clock

Forgo the National Theatre and State Opera – instead, turn your attention to Prague’s famous Astronomical Clock. It offers one of the best shows in town completely free of charge.

Head to the medieval tower clock, located at the Old Town Hall. Here you can witness the hourly spectacle between 9am and 11pm, with a 45-second performance played out to the eager crowd below. Above the exquisite dial of the clock, you’ll witness 12 figures, representing the apostles, appearing from two windows before disappearing again.

Go on a free tour of the city

Join a walking tour of Prague with knowledgeable local guides. Most are free, with an optional tip at the end. You can pay if you enjoyed it.

During the trip, you’ll visit many of the most interesting sights in the Old Town, including Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and the Jewish Quarter. It’ll give you a completely different perspective of the city, as your guide brings history to life and recounts local legends.

Get free entry to museums

Prague has a wealth of fascinating museums and galleries to discover, entry to which is often free on certain days throughout the year.

If you’re lucky enough to be in town for special anniversaries or arts festivals, check out the website of the National Gallery to see if you could enjoy the exhibits without having to pay. Some of the highlights include its great collection of modern art, as well as work from some real heavyweights, such as Van Gogh, Picasso and Klimt.

Similarly, the Czech Museum of Music is open to visitors for free on the first Thursday of every month. Housed in a gorgeous 17th-century monastery, you’ll find a spectacular piano played by Mozart and a collection of 16th-century woodwind instruments.

Take a trip up Petrin Hill

Venture to the 63m-tall Petrin Lookout Tower, a 19th-century landmark inspired by the Eiffel Tower. Positioned right at the peak of Petrin Hill, it provides spectacular views of the city once you’ve climbed to the top.

You can get there either by catching a funicular railway from the picturesque Little Town area or by taking a 30-minute stroll up the hill yourself. On clear days, you can see out to the mountains on the edge of the city, while there are also some landscaped gardens to visit on your way down.

Catch free entertainment

Prague has a thriving music scene, with more jazz bars than you’ll find in most European cities. And many of the venues don’t charge an entrance fee to some of their gigs.

Keep an eye out for Lucerna Music Bar, which has a good mix of rock and jazz bands playing, and Bordo, where you’ll find an even more eclectic selection. For live music with a twist, take a stroll along the Charles Bridge, which is full of buskers and other street performers at most times of the day or night.