A CAPITAL BREAK

Visiting a capital city is a fantastic and often exhilarating way of getting to know a destination, so it’s no surprise that many of these cities are hugely popular holiday hubs, especially when it comes to the much-loved long weekend break. The UK is no exception here, and each of its capitals makes for a memorable and varied trip that everyone should tick off the list at least once.

But the status and appeal of capitals also means that prices in these cities rise and rise, pushing up the cost of everything from hotels to restaurants to museum entries – clearly not ideal for visitors, especially when you have a budget to stick to. Thankfully, visiting these famous cities doesn’t have to break the bank.

Even in wildly popular and notoriously expensive places like London and Edinburgh, it’s entirely possible to have a sensibly priced trip without missing out on the best bits that these bucket-list locations have to offer.

In fact, world-class art galleries and museums, iconic viewpoints, botanical gardens and buzzing marketplaces are still very much on the agenda – read on to find out our handpicked selection of free and cheap highlights from each city.

BELFAST

Northern Ireland’s vibrant capital boasts many worthwhile free and budget-conscious activities. Get your bearings at Cave Hill, a vast park with unrivalled views, walking trails and an Iron Age archaeological site in McArt’s Fort. Or get to know Belfast’s more recent history on the Maritime Mile, a dockside stretch that shines a light on the city’s shipbuilding heritage, also showcasing the best of contemporary Belfast: colourful sculptures, art installations and a whisky distillery sit next to the famous Titanic Belfast museum (not free, but a worthwhile attraction) and other reminders of the city’s role in building probably the world’s most famous ship. St George’s Market, costing as little or as much as you like, is a historic venue (the current market dates back to the late 19th century) that always has a lively atmosphere, for a brilliant walkaround even if you’re not planning on buying. If you do want to purchase, there’s baked goods, specialty coffee as well as antiques, crafts and live music.

LONDON

Although London regularly finds its way into lists of the world’s most expensive cities, it’s sheer size and range of things to do somehow also make it one of the best cities around for free activities. A host of world-class museums and galleries offer free entry, including Tate Modern, the Natural History Museum, the National Gallery, the V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) and many more (including lesser-known gems like the Horniman Museum and Sir John Soane’s Museum), meaning you can easily get your fix of visual art, history and design.

Elsewhere, Borough Market is always full of life and fresh food, and although it isn’t cheap to eat here, some vendors will give away free samples to try and tempt you over. Wandering around the market’s cavernous interior is always great fun.

CARDIFF

The best place to start when visiting the Welsh capital on a budget has to be Cardiff Bay, Europe’s largest waterfront development. This site has an array of free and cheap attractions, as well as shops and restaurants if you do want to spend a little more. Head for the distinctive Scandi architecture of the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, or the Wales Millennium Centre for free cultural events. History buffs should make a beeline for Llandaff Cathedral, a beautiful complex surrounded by verdant gardens and topped with Gothic spires, giving it all a very cinematic feel. Further free historical kicks can be found at St Fagans National Museum of History, an award winning open-air venue that offers an engaging walk through buildings that demonstrate life over the centuries, including a restored 19th-century pub.

EDINBURGH

Second only to London when it comes to numbers of tourists, the Scottish capital’s prices often reflect its holiday hotspot status, but thankfully – just like London – it also provides cheap and free options.

It is known for its show-stopping scenery, and almost all of it is free to visit. You barely have to leave the city centre to get to Calton Hill’s panoramic views or head a little further to Arthur’s Seat to view Edinburgh from way up on an extinct volcano. The seaside area of Portobello Beach is worth a visit to enjoy the sand between your toes on those rare scorching summer days, or soak up sea views in a cosy cafe when it’s cold.

And of course there are plenty of free galleries, gardens and museums, including the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of Scotland.