Free tours in the most fascinating cities in the world

Traveling abroad is not a cheap thing, but you will surely be happy to hear that almost everywhere you go in the world you will find free tours. In many cities, international organizations such as GuruWalk, FreeTour and SANDEMANs operate, which offer guided tours of interesting attractions and sites with excellent local guides.  

How do you find? Type in the Free Walking Tours search engine with the name of the destination (Rome for example), go to a website that offers free walking tours and select a tour. Pay attention to the stopping points on the way, the duration of the tour, the degree of difficulty and most importantly: the recommendations of other travelers. At the end of the tour, it is customary to give a tip to the guide, who will almost always equip you with worthwhile recommendations for the rest of the trip. 

1. Rome, Italy

With a rich history, magnificent architecture and delectable cuisine, Rome ranks high on the list of the most desirable cities in the world. Among the leading tours in the city is the classic tour, which passes through ancient stone alleys and historical sites such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the beautiful Trevi Fountain, into which if you throw a coin and ask for a wish, it will come true. Two other great tours are the popular tour of the young and lively Trastevere neighborhood and an instructive and magical tour of the Vatican City. 

Duration of the tour: About three hours.

What to see: The Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, the Sistine Chapel, Piazza Navona and Campo di Fiori, a charming square with a lovely farmers' market.      

Who is it suitable for: Culture and history enthusiasts, the curious and those who come to the city for the first time and want to get to know it in depth. 

2. Berlin, Germany  

Berlin is a fascinating city with a rich history and vibrant culture. The free tours are varied and offer an encounter with famous sites such as the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall, graffiti tours in the East Side Gallery and the alternative tour in the Kreuzberg neighborhood, a colorful and intriguing immigrant neighborhood. Throughout the tour, you will encounter interesting and contrasting architecture, visit Check Point Charlie, the crossing point between East and West, and the Bergman neighborhood, an urban charm in the heart of Kreuzberg, which offers plenty of boutique shops, cafes and restaurants.   

Duration of the tour: About three hours.   

What to see: Landwehr Canal, a romantic canal along which lively restaurants and cafes are scattered, Kreuzberg Park, Check Point Charlie, Oberbaum Bridge, East Side Gallery and a colorful cosmopolitan population.   

Who is it for: Everyone. For lovers of history, architecture and culture, for those who want to get to know the unique versatility of Berlin and connect with the real vibe of the city. 

3. Amsterdam, Netherlands   

The Dutch beauty is one of the most interesting and colorful cities in the world. The tours are varied and suitable for all types of travelers. The classic tour lasts about two hours, and passes through important sites such as the Rembrandt House, the Westerkerk Church, Dam Square and the Royal Palace and the Red Light District. In the niche tours category are a dizzying Coffee Shop tour accompanied by explanations for fans of the genre, a charming graffiti tour for street art lovers, and an alternative bicycle tour in the most secret and coolest places in the city. 

Duration of the tour: About three hours.  

What to see: Rembrandt House, Westerkerk Church, Anne Frank House, Jewish Quarter, Amsterdam Museum, Dam Square and Royal Palace, Red Light District and the oldest church in the city.      

Who is it for: History, culture and architecture enthusiasts. For young people in body and spirit and for those who want to get to know the city from a slightly more personal angle.    

4. Paris, France

Paris is the ultimate city to get lost in, but the real gems are not discovered alone. Alongside the classic tour, which passes by famous sites such as the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees and Tuileries Gardens, you will find the tour in Montmartre - the magical artists' quarter. The tour, seasoned with amusing stories and anecdotes, follows in the footsteps of great artists such as Picasso, Toulouse Lautrec, Dalí and Renoir, passes through beautiful squares and iconic sites, the cafes and bars where they used to sit and culminates in the mythical Moulin Rouge. 

Duration of the tour: About three hours.   

What to see: Basilica of Sacra Ker, the Wall of Love, Tartera Square with its multitudes of portrait painters, Cabaret Le Pin Egil, Van Gogh's house and Moulin de la Galt, an ancient windmill that inspired many artists.    

Who is it suitable for: Culture and art lovers, nostalgic romantics and anyone who wants to get to know the authentic Paris, off the beaten track.   

5. Budapest, Hungary

The unique combination of old and new, classic and modern, is evident in every corner of the Hungarian capital. The range of free tours is impressive and includes, among other things, the classic tour that goes through all the important sites, St. Stephen's Basilica, Buda Castle, the Chain Bridge and the Fishermen's Fort. But those looking for a more exciting experience will find it on a tour dedicated to the city's Jewish heritage. The tour mostly takes place in the Jewish Quarter and passes through key landmarks such as the Great Synagogue, the Jewish Museum and the creepy shoe monument on the banks of the Danube. 

Duration of the tour: About three hours.  

 What to see: Budapest's Great Synagogue, the Weeping Willow Monument, the Jewish Museum, the remains of the Jewish ghetto wall and the Gozdo courtyard, which houses kosher restaurants alongside underground cafes and pubs.    

Who is it for: Everyone. For lovers of history and Jewish heritage, and also for lovers of street art who will be happy to discover a creative and inspiring graffiti scene in the quarter. 

6. Madrid, Spain

The capital of Spain is a beautiful, interesting, immersive and delicious city with beautiful squares and busy streets, colorful markets and fine cuisine. Among the free tours you will find classics, with stops at popular sites such as the Plaza Mayor, the Old City and San Miguel Market. But we actually recommend a tour of the Prado Museum, one of the most important museums in the world, which presents masterpieces by Spanish and international artists, from Velazquez to Rembrandt, and offers a first-rate cultural and artistic experience.  

Duration of the tour: About three hours.   

What to see: Spectacular works of art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, the Renaissance and the Baroque; And a mesmerizing collection of over 8000 paintings by well-known artists such as Wallace, Goya and Allegro and many more. 

Who is it suitable for: Art lovers, but also for those who like to explore, delve deeper and enjoy beautiful and uplifting masterpieces.        

7. Stockholm, Sweden

Sweden's capital is a mesmerizing city built on a chain of islands, with a perfect blend of magical medieval history and modern culture. Apart from the Viking tour, almost all the free tours are concentrated in the old city (Gamla Stan) and its surroundings, so no matter who you choose to travel with, enjoyment is guaranteed. The tour passes through narrow stone-paved streets lined with colorful buildings, in the royal palace and hidden courtyards full of Nordic history, in the chic Sergels square and the Skansen open-air museum.  

Duration of the tour: About three hours.     

What to see: The Royal Palace, the Great Church, a dramatic 700-year-old church, the Knights' Hall that used to be used by the Swedish Parliament, the City Hall known as the symbol of the city and the magnificent House of Culture.  Who is it suitable for: History and culture lovers, lovers of Nordic design and advanced foodies, who will be happy to discover during the city tour a wonderful culinary scene. 

8. New York, USA

The big apple and the city that never sleeps are just some of the nicknames given to a city that has no equal in the entire world.  New York offers plenty of walking tours of iconic sites such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and Time Square. But GuruWalk's culinary-historical tour of Greenwich Village beats them all. The tour passes through the bustling streets of the Village and stops to taste appetizing falafel and hummus, cupcakes, corn dogs, pizza and chocolate, at the end of which you decide how much to pay. The most valuable of all.      

   Duration of the tour: About three hours.   

What to eat: Falafel and hummus at Mammon's, delightful pizza triangles, salty rice balls from Indian cuisine, Belgian fries with a variety of sauces, cannoli you make and excellent handmade chocolate.  

Who is it suitable for: Gluttons, and anyone who loves to eat and wants to experience the eclectic tastes of the different cultures located in the coolest neighborhood in the city. 

9. Tokyo, Japan     

With over 13 million inhabitants, modern skyscrapers next to ancient temples, traditional Japanese gardens and colorful shopping areas, Tokyo is a magnetizing city and, as in Ricky Gal's beautiful song - never ending. Among the many free tours in the Japanese capital, the tour in the Shibuya district, the beating heart of the city, stars. The tour passes through magnificent temples, Shibuya's iconic crosswalk, Hachiko the Dog Statue, Center Guy Pedestrian, Shibuya's main street, and Shibuya Building 109, the fashion temple of Tokyo girls. 

Duration of the tour: About three hours.     

What to see: The Hachiko dog statue, whose story has become a symbol of perseverance and loyalty, Shibuya Junction, Building 109, a 10-story mall filled with boutiques and fashion stores, the Hill of Love Hotels and the charming Yoyogi Park.  

 Who is it suitable for: Lovers of Japanese culture, and travelers who come to Tokyo for the first time and want to experience the incredible vibe and energy of the city. 

10. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a city of fascinating contrasts and a unique combination of ancient culture and tradition with futuristic innovation, stunning desert landscapes and modern skyscrapers. Everything here is big and magnificent, and almost every tour goes through the main attractions that are a source of national pride. On the classic tour, with which you should start your visit to the city, you will meet Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, the Dubai Mall containing hundreds of shops, the impressive palm islands and the peaceful marina, where luxury yachts sway with the pleasant breeze.  

Duration of the tour: About three hours.     

What to see: Burj Khalifa, the artificial islands, three islands shaped like palm trees, Dubai Mall, the largest shopping mall in the world, the flower garden, the largest fountain in the world, which presents a spectacular show of water and lights. 

Who is it for: Everyone. For lovers of adventure, for families with children, for lovers of the good life and for those who have already seen everything, but have not yet seen Dubai. 

Lihi Ron is a journalist and editor, author of destination guides and leader of women and food tours in Israel and around the world.