15 Fun Ways To Save Money in Europe this Summer

Romantic fairytale castles. Cobbled medieval streets. Breaking the bank. Europe is known for many things, but being budget-friendly isn't necessarily one of them. Especially during the summer months, when both temperatures and prices soar. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save a few dollars in Europe and many of them might just make your trip a little more fun, too.

Seemingly every European city is now home to a new, sparkling Instagram-ready food market full of vendors selling local and international street food delights. Skip that one if you are looking to save money. Instead, make for a more traditional produce market that caters almost exclusively to locals. Here, in between the fruit and vegetable stalls, you will often also find food counters where local snacks can be had a fraction of the price.

Generally speaking, the further east you go in Europe, the lower the prices will be-even during summer. Big names like Prague, Krakow and Dubrovnik are still going to fill-up and pack a wallop to your budget, but if you go off-the-beaten-path you won't believe the value. Swap Prague for Olomouc or Dubrovnik for Trogir and watch the savings pile up.

No matter where you are in Europe, you are never far from a leafy park. On summer days, they fill-up with locals working on their tan, throwing the frisbee or just plain picnicking and you are more than welcome to join them. The best part? The park-and the people watching-is absolutely free.

No matter how expensive the city, the locals who live there have to go grocery shopping-and no supermarket will stay in business overcharging locals. So skip the corner "quick shops" that cater only to tourists and buy provisions for your picnic or apartment dinner here. It can also be fun discovering new-and sometimes hilariously-named-supermarket brands.

"City cards" are all the rage right now. These cards typically allow for entry into multiple museums, tourist attractions and/or public transportation for one set price. Famous examples include the I Amsterdam card, the Paris Pass and the Barcelona Card. The more you use them, the more money you save.

During the summer months, European cities and towns come alive with a schedule of outdoor events. And many of them are free. Open-air movie showings, World Cup watch parties and concerts are just a few examples to look out for when you arrive. The calendar page on a city's official tourism website is the best resource here.

To many, European travel is only associated with budget airlines and train trips. While these are fantastic ways to move around the continent for sure, a bus journey is often the cheapest way to get from Point Amsterdam to Point Barcelona. (And we're not talking your grandpa's Greyhound here, either). European bus lines offer cheap tickets and cheerful vehicles with WiFi and plug sockets. In addition, the pit stops at the service stations along the way will introduce you to a side of Europe you would have otherwise missed.

Since the turn of the millennium, free walking tours have become ubiquitous in Europe. These tours are run by knowledgeable and often affable guides and are a great way to get an overview of the city and have a fun time with fellow travelers. Tipping is suggested but the going rate is always a value compared to more formal tours.

You may be far away from work while exploring Europe, but time is still money. You can save a ton of time nowadays by buying your tickets to popular attractions online in advance. This will let you bounce straight to the front of the line and leave all the time-wasting behind.

There are only a handful of sleeper trains still operating in Europe, but they all offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will save you on hotel costs for the night. Two of the best still in operation are the Budapest-to-Prague line and the Paris-to-Venice line. Use those savings to treat yourself to a drink in the cafe car.

Tapas in Spain. Aperitivo in Italy. Europe is home to a couple fun ways to enjoy a complimentary snack with your drink. You'll have to buy a beverage of course, but in many bars in both countries, you will then have access to an entire spread of light bites. Could there be any more fun than enjoying happy hour with locals?

No matter what country you find yourself in this summer, there's sure to be a sandy beach or lake nearby. While these locations certainly attract crowds and staying on their shores can be a budget-buster, they make for the perfect day trip. The best part? Swimming in the sea will always be free.

While many of Europe's most famous museums will set you back a pretty penny (and are almost universally worth it), some are still free. London is renowned for this as several of the top sights (National Gallery and Tate Modern most notably) have no admission charge. In Paris, nearly all museums (even the Louvre) is free on the first Sunday of the month.

Most of these tips have focused on ways to save money inside Europe's bustling cities, but one of the most wallet-friendly activities on the continent is based in the countryside. It's absolutely free to stretch your legs on the continent's network of walking paths and you will be able to get up-close-and-personal with the picturesque landscapes that Europe is so famous for.

Making lunch your main meal of the day will often save you money in Europe as many restaurants offer set menus to lure in elusive daytime foot traffic. Tie in your lunch with an exploration of a city neighborhood and you will find that your money goes a lot further then it does in the tourist core.