The Best Free Things to Do in Augsburg

Standing in Moritzplatz, you have a totally unobstructed, free view of the massive, highly complex frescoes covering the guild house. The painted figures violently clash with the surrounding grey stone, creating a brilliant focal point. You can spend a long time just decoding the historical scenes and aggressive colours from the pavement. It serves as a massive, entirely free piece of public art right in the commercial core.

Walking into this massive, heavily layered religious building costs absolutely nothing, yet provides direct access to some of the most important art in the city. You can stand silently in front of the wildly ornate Fugger Chapel, absorbing the exceptionally delicate Renaissance stonework. The contrast between the heavy Gothic nave and the bright, delicate chapels is visually staggering. It offers a totally free, deeply moving encounter with the city's complex religious history.

The massive, deeply shaded urban woodland is completely open to the public at all hours. You can walk for miles on perfectly maintained gravel paths, following tiny streams deep into the heavy timber. The air smells aggressively of pine and wet earth, providing a completely free, highly effective escape from the concrete heat. It requires zero planning, just comfortable shoes.

You can walk freely through the chaotic, highly aromatic alleys of the main food market without spending a single cent. Massive wheels of cheese, aggressively butchered meats, and towering piles of vegetables provide incredibly dense, entirely free visual stimulation. The sheer volume of people shouting over prices and socialising creates a highly entertaining, gritty atmosphere. It is the absolute best place for raw, unfiltered people-watching.