A scenic skyline outlook can really take your breath away but getting access to some of the world’s most iconic city vistas can often mean paying extortionate entrance fees to observation decks or for pricey cocktails in rooftop bars. But fear not, we’ve found free or very cheap perches where you can gaze at some of the world's most impressive city panoramas.

Forget the priceless art housed within the walls of the spectacular Tate Modern and head to the 10th-floor viewing platform instead for priceless 360° views of London. Gaze at the Thames snaking its way past the capital’s most famous landmarks then wander around the open terrace to see the city sprawl out to the suburbs. Just don’t peer in the luxury neighbouring flats for too long – the residents don’t like it.

The roof of a dingy multi-storey car park in south London might not be where you’d expect to find great views but seek out this super-cool spot in Peckham and you’ll find picture-perfect panoramas of the skyline as well as seriously tasty food and cocktails. There’s no entrance fee – although you may need to queue on warm evenings when it gets busy – so you could just pop in to check out the view, but it's a fab place to linger with a drink or two.

Glorious and completely free vistas of Edinburgh are guaranteed at the top of this ancient volcano, which looms above the picturesque Scottish capital. It’s a steep stroll up but the path is good and the rewards significant. The view of the busy streets and the captivating castle are breath-taking. On a clear day, the view stretches to Fife and down the east coast – you might even spot North Berwick and the Bass Rock.

A total of 287 steps lead up to the top of this mighty monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott. Catch your breath as you soak in the fabulous views below of the New Town and beyond. The imposing Gothic spire was built after Scott's death in 1832 by public subscription to remember the literary great. It’s £5 to climb but easily justified for the views over the castle, down Princes Street, across to the North Bridge and Calton Hill and out to the Firth of Forth. There’s a museum too.

This city’s golden spires and intricate stonework are best appreciated from above so head to the top of the bell tower of University Church of St Mary the Virgin to marvel at this seat of learning. You'll get sweeping views over Radcliffe Square, Brasenose College, All Souls College, the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian Theatre and the Divinity School and the Radcliffe Camera from this 13th-century tower, all for a small fee of £4. Don’t leave without exploring the fascinating church too.

Paris isn’t short of good views – pretty much everywhere you go in the romantic city offers up a stunning vista. But for a lofty lookout free of charge head to the roof terrace of the wonderful Art Nouveau department store Printemps on Boulevard Haussmann. It’s a café so you can stop for a quick bite or coffee if you like while you pick out Paris’s main landmarks – Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur, among other buildings.

The narrow alleys, little stairways, and pretty squares of Montmartre might be crammed with tourists but it still offers some of the most mesmerising views. It’s a steep walk into the cobbled streets of this little hilly village within Paris but more than worth it to stroll its atmospheric streets and to gaze down at the hubbub of Paris. Sunset is a great time to enjoy a long lingering look at this most romantic of cities.

You’ll have caught your breath after walking up to Florence’s best lookout only for it to be taken away again by the magnificent view. Set on a hill south of the river Arno, people come here in their droves to gaze at the incredible panorama over the historic city and surrounding Tuscan hills underneath the gaze of a bronze replica of Michelangelo’s David. If time permits, come back at different times of the day to see Florence in the different light and to seek out more sights.

At the southern end of the Grand Canal, the Ponte dell'Accademia might not be as famous as the Rialto but it has the most enviable views. In fact, you feel like you’ve stepped into the canvas of a Canaletto painting as you gaze at the sights of the Grand Canal, the quays and the colourful palazzo from here. The wooden bridge, which links San Marco with the Dorsoduro district, was recently restored.

Giardino deli Aranci on the Aventine Hill is worth visiting for a tranquil wander anyway but it also has fantastic views over the Eternal City. Wander among the orange groves then head to the lofty terrace from where you can look back down across the bustling city and make out many of its sights including St Peter’s Basilica, which rises in the middle. It’s free to enter and is a popular spot at sunset.

Splash out €3 and you can scale up Berlin's Siegessäule – Victory Column – for thrilling views of this thrilling city. It’s surprisingly cheap, considering it’s one of the city’s most famous landmarks. There are 270 steps up to the viewing platform, which sits just below the bronze figure of Victoria – the Roman goddess of victory – at the top. You’ll be able to see the Brandenburg Gate, Tiergarten, Potsdamer Platz and Reichstag Parliament building among others from here.

It’s all about the rooftop pools and terraces in the Spanish capital but if you’re not staying somewhere that has a lofty lookout then Circulo de Bellas Artes is a good bar to head to for some mesmerising Madrid views. You will need to pay to enter (only €3), and it’s probably good form to buy a drink as you enjoy the lookout, but it’s money well spent.

Housed in the stunning Palau Nacional on Montjuic hill, the National Art Museum of Catalonia has wonders to ogle at both inside and out. Pay €2 to gain access to the rooftop for staggering vistas of Barcelona’s elegant streets and plethora of beautiful buildings. Or if you're visiting the museum anyway, entrance is included. There are two terraces from where you can gawp at the 360° views, including one with a cocktail bar.

Marvel at the majestic architecture and ancient streets of Austria's thoroughly cultural capital from above by scaling 343 steps to the top of the southern tower of St Stephen’s Cathedral. The towering Gothic structure is a sight to behold in itself. Constructed in the 12th century, it has dominated Vienna’s skyline for centuries. For €5.50 you can see the city stretch out in all directions and admire the church's multi-coloured mosaic roof.

Lucky Lisboetas have a plethora of free vantage points to gaze at their gorgeous city, many with kiosks to enjoy a beer alongside the view including this lovely mirador which is up the steep Calçada da Glória. The little garden with its fountains, Greek busts and terrace is a lovely place to linger and look across the city to St George’s Castle and out to the harbour. You can spot all of the sights thanks to the handy map.

You can gaze up at the Acropolis from all over Athens but nowhere feels quite so close to the ancient wonder than a vantage point at the top of Areopagus Hill, a rocky outcrop just below. If you can manage to tear your eyes away from the Acropolis, you’ll also get some great views of the rest of Athens, the Aegean sea and the port of Piraeus.

Want a workout with your view? Take the fairly strenuous one-to-two-hour hike up Lion’s Head – Table Mountain’s neighbouring peak – for incredible views of the scenic city and beyond. Join the picnickers at the summit as you gaze across to Table Mountain and out along the Cape Peninsula coastline and Robben Island. Full moon hikes up this peak are a popular Capetonian tradition.

Governor Macquarie’s wife Elizabeth picked a good spot when she ordered a seat to be chiselled into the rock so she could sit and admire the view in 1810. The historic stone chair remains a popular perch in the Botanic Garden – it’s the perfect vantage point to see the classic Sydney view of the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge as the ferries shuttle around the water.

In a city jam-packed with wonderful views there are many to pick from but Watson’s Bay towards the South Head has a lot going for it. Firstly, it’s best to catch a ferry there which means harbour views galore as you chug past little beaches, coves and mega-houses. Secondly, there’s a fab fish and chip takeaway right on the ferry wharf. Soak in the views as you sink your feet into the sand of Camp Cove Beach then walk up to the Gap for an even better outlook.

Skip the queues and steep entry price of the Sky Tower and hotfoot it up Mount Eden or Maungawhau instead for a gorgeous glance down at the compact city and the Hauraki Gulf. The dormant volcano is the highest natural point in Auckland and the steep but short walk up its slope to the summit is a great place to stretch your city-weary legs.

Drive or hike to the top of this hill in the Marin Headlands to capture incredible shots of San Francisco’s seriously stunning skyline, Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and wider Bay area. It can get pretty blustery up here – and there's often a high chance of fog on the Bay – but its staggering beauty makes it worth a little discomfort. Look up and you may even see hawks circling overhead too. It’s atmospheric stuff.

The views from both the top down and bottom up of the city’s “crookedest street” are worth pausing to appreciate. Looking upwards you can see the street zigzagging uphill. Walk or catch a cable car to the top stretch of the famous street for glorious views down the curvy street, across the city and out to the Bay.

There’s no shortage of places to go for views in Manhattan but many are more than a little pricey. Those in the know will hop on the Staten Island Ferry for close-up encounters with some of New York’s big hitters: the skyline of lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Governors Island and Brooklyn Heights. Best of all, the ferry service shuttles between Staten Island and Manhattan 24 hours a day and is totally free.

A walk along the mighty Brooklyn Bridge’s walkway is an absolute New York must, not least for its expansive views of Manhattan, Brooklyn and the harbour. The landmark itself is one of the city’s most photographed sights. Walk both ways for spectacular views during the day time and night when the Big Apple sparkles like no other city.

This ten-acre public park near Navy Pier and next to the Ohio Street Beach might not be on the tourist trail but it has one of the best skyline views in the city. And it’s totally free. Sit on the grass and admire some of Chicago's architectural marvels across the water. Another good free viewing spot is Michigan Avenue Bridge, which spans the Chicago River and has fab vistas of the city and river walk.

Washington DC has sights galore but few places to enjoy panoramic views for free – especially as the Washington Monument is currently closed for maintenance. Instead, nip up to the wrap-around roof terrace of this wonderful venue for some splendid views including the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument to the south east and the Watergate to the north. There’s a bar and restaurant here too so if you’re feeling peckish pull up a pew.

This pretty spot in the city's west end is rightly popular with walkers, cyclists, joggers and photographers for its fabulous skyline views. Lap them up from the arch bridge or go further into Humber Bay Park itself for equally lovely places to perch and enjoy more waterfront views of Toronto's captivating and sprawling skyline.

It’s a well-travelled route by tourists and commuters alike but you won't ever tire of the view you get from the Star Ferry as it crosses Victoria Harbour from Kowloon to Tsim Sha Tsui. The ride is just eight minutes long – not nearly enough time to appreciate the island’s soaring skyscrapers and looming green peaks. And this classic Hong Kong experience only costs just over three Hong Kong dollars – a good reason to hop back and worth numerous times. The views are staggering by day and night.

For the postcard view of Victoria Harbour, Central’s towering steel and glass skyscrapers, Kowloon and Lamma Island you simply can’t miss Victoria Peak, the city’s highest mountain. You can hike up it rather than pay to ride the (admittedly rather thrilling) tram. Get there early to beat the crowds and walk via the Morning Trail, which skirts Victoria Peak and has many spectacular viewpoints along the way.

Experience how close built-up Rio is to nature by heading to the Tijuca Forest National Park, a gorgeous swathe of rainforest that’s one of the world’s largest urban national parks. There are many astonishing views here but the five-hour round trip to the top of Pico da Tijuca, the park's highest peak affords the best: an incredible panorama of the city, bay and mountains. You may even spot monkeys and toucans as you hike – far more exciting than masses of fellow view seekers.

Hills are few and far between in Beijing, which explains why Jingshan Park’s artificial hill is a popular place to climb for its majestic panorama of the capital and the rooftops of the Forbidden City just below. Head here early in the morning before the smog threatens to ruin your lookout. These pretty gardens were once part of the imperial palace complex and are a wonderful place to roam after you’ve taken a few snaps. There’s a small entrance fee.

There are plenty of swanky high-level restaurants and bars with swoon-worthy views in Singapore but you can get some incredible ones from ground level too. Take a stroll along the waterfront by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay for one of the city’s best with its outlook across the water to Raffles Place and the elegant Fullerton Hotel. The spiky Esplanade building itself is fantastic to look at, especially at night.

Clamber up the man-made Golden Mount for some of the best views of the frenetic Thai capital – this well-loved peaceful perch is where the main gilded chedi (or stupa) of Wat Saket sits. The beautiful and ancient temple that was originally constructed outside the city walls by King Rama I shortly after the founding of Bangkok. From here you'll be able to see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha at the Grand Palace, the Rama VI bridge and the thrusting towers of the business district. 

Looking down onto Dubai’s astounding skyline is the usual viewpoint people seek out in this high-rise metropolis but if your budget doesn’t stretch to the Burj Khalifa's viewing deck, or if you simply want to be at ground level, try the Marina Walk. From here you can gaze up at the city’s looming structures, ogle at super-yachts and generally people watch to your heart’s content at one of the restaurants that line this stretch of water. Alternatively, check out our suggestions for great sky-high views in Dubai. 

You’ll feel on top of the world when you reach the Terraza Bellavista within the lovely Parque Metropolitano, the park on top of Santiago’s tallest hill. The sweeping city views are sensational and you can even see the snowy peaks of the Andes Mountains from this lofty lookout. You can walk up here, but save your energy to explore the city’s largest green space by catching the cable car from the Bellavista district then the funicular to the top.

It’s imperative you get some elevation in the world's largest city to truly appreciate the wonder of the place where ancient heritage and striking modernity sit side by side. Yes you can hop from one skyscraper cocktail bar to another if yens are no object but you can also drink in wonderful views for free from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. There is an observation deck on the 45th floor of each of the building's tower – so why not do both?