In a period in which traveling and saving go hand in hand, Italian cities are standing out for offering zero-cost experiences. The desire to discover new places without having to spend a fortune has pushed more and more tourists to look for attractions and activities that are interesting and engaging, but also and above all free: it is in this context that Holidu comes into play, one of the leading platforms in Europe for the booking of holiday homes and apartments, which recently published a ranking of the Italian cities with the greatest number of free activities.
The ranking, based on data collected from all the main Italian cities, reveals which destinations are the most generous in terms of free experiences, so that travelers can plan unforgettable holidays without emptying their wallet. The categories examined include tours, events, attractions and free museums, for a complete overview of the opportunities available in each city.
Milan at the top of the rankings
It is not surprising that Milan, the economic capital of Italy, is in first place in this special ranking. With an impressive number of 1,547 free events, 69 tours, 646 attractions and 17 museums with no entry fee, the city positions itself as one of the most attractive Italian destinations for budget-conscious travellers. Thanks to the lively cultural scene, Milan offers free access to famous places such as the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, but also to a myriad of events ranging from music to art, through theater and cinema. Despite the relatively small number of free museums, the variety of activities and the wealth of attractions make it the undisputed queen of accessible tourism in Italy.
Rome, a treasure of attractions
In second place in the ranking we find Rome, the Eternal City, which stands out in particular due to its 944 free attractions. Among these, world-famous monuments stand out such as the Pantheon, which, despite its historical and architectural importance, remains open to the public at no cost. Rome is also a leader in the free museum category, with 33 institutions offering free admission, such as the Museum of the Roman Republic and the Garibaldi Memory. Compared to Milan, the city offers fewer free events (320) and tours (15), which still places it in a solid second position.
Parma, capital of free tours
In third place we find the city of Parma, which, with 85 free tours, establishes itself as the perfect city for those who love discovering local beauties on foot, without having to spend too much. The tour of the historic center, which includes stops such as the Duomo and Palazzo della Pilotta, is one of the most popular among visitors. Parma also shines for the number of free events (1,755), but is less competitive in terms of attractions (63) and museums (only 2), which does not allow it to reach the top positions in all categories.
Verona and Reggio Emilia, between history and culture
Verona comes in fourth place, thanks to a combination of 81 free tours, 1,799 events and 105 attractions accessible to all. The city of Romeo and Juliet ensures a free tour of the historic center which includes symbolic stops such as Piazza delle Erbe and Juliet’s House, a way to allow tourists to immerse themselves in local history and culture without spending a euro. Despite a good level of offerings, the lack of free museums penalizes the city, causing it to drop slightly in the general ranking.
Reggio Emilia, fifth in the ranking, has an offer similar to that of Verona: with 80 tours and 1,640 free events, the Emilian city manages to keep up with other major tourist destinations: visitors can take part in various itineraries, such as the Parco del Popolo, where art and nature meet in perfect balance. Even in this case, with only 33 attractions and 5 free museums, Reggio Emilia loses a few points compared to its competitors.
Brescia, Venice and beyond: a variety of experiences
Other noteworthy cities include Brescia, which shares fifth place with Reggio Emilia. By visiting the Lioness of Italy, tourists will be able to choose between 80 tours and 1,780 free events, with attractions such as the historic center and the Fair of Saints Faustino and Giovita, one of the most important events in the city, which is held every year at no cost entrance. Brescia, however, offers a limited number of free museums and attractions, which keeps it slightly distant from the top positions in the ranking.
In seventh place we find Venice, one of the most famous cities in the world, which guarantees 281 free attractions and 20 museums accessible without a ticket, such as the Natural History Museum.
Bologna, Florence and Genoa also close the top 10, with a varied offer of tours, events and attractions that make them attractive destinations for anyone looking for low-cost holidays.
The Italian regions with the most free activities
An interesting fact that emerges from the ranking is the predominance of two regions: Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy. Emilia-Romagna, with cities such as Parma, Reggio Emilia and Bologna, offers a notable amount of free tours and events, making it one of the favorite destinations for low-cost travellers. Lombardy, with Milan and Brescia at the top of the rankings, confirms itself as an equally generous region in terms of zero-cost experiences. The data reflects both the cultural and historical richness of these regions, but also the commitment of local administrations to making culture accessible to all.
