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Destinations Things To Do Tours

Free Tours

Yes we said Free Tours. Many of the major tourists cities have free tours. These are typically walking tours of a small area around sights that are close to one another. They are usually in the oldest part of a city because that’s where most of the historical events have occurred. They are normally 2 – 3 hours in length and some up to 4 hours so, put on the comfortable walking shoes. Almost all include no entry to main sights like museums or cathedrals and provide no transportation.

Here’s how they work; you meet guides at a designated location and time and take the tour. You can go online and book a reservation, some will require reservations, or just show up. They will be wearing t-shirts, hats or have umbrellas and signs with the tour name on them, you can’t miss them. If the group is to large they’ll add another tour guide and split it into two groups. At the end of the tour you can tip the tour guide whatever amount you feel the tour was worth. The guides are usually very entertaining and knowledgeable. They will give an overview on the cities history, important sights, dining and customs. The guides aren’t paid so they will only earn what you tip them. Normal cost on tours is 10 – 12 Euros plus tip so if the tour was good, tip them the €12-18 you would have normally paid for a tour.

The intent is, if the tour was good enough you’ll sign up and do some of their other tours. There’s no high pressure but, they will tell you about the other tours available through their tour company. These are good tours to take on your first day in a city because they will get you familiar with a city and it’s customs quickly.

Some tours in a language may only depart at certain times. The daily schedule of some tours can vary depending on the day of the week and the season. Please click on their web pages to confirm the language, day and time you desire is available. Some tours limit the number of people within a tour. Go online and book your spot in advance to guarantee a time and date.

 Free Tours…

Starting locations for tours and start times are for tours in English only…

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AUSTRIA

Innsbruck

Innsbruck Old Town Tour – Meeting point: near Innsbruck Hofburg – black Building on the other side of the street = house of music, in front you find the Leopold fountain. 3:00 pm

Salzburg

Vienna

  • Civitatis-Free Vienna Walking Tour – Meet at Danubius fountain in Albertinaplatz, 10:00 am & 2:00 pm, in English, duration 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Good Vienna Tours – Meet behind the big red bus, at Albertinaplatz 1 1010, 10:00 am & 2:00 pm, in English, German & Spanish, duration 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Original Europe Tours – Meet at Jasmirgottstraße corner of Stephanplatz, 11:00 am, duration 2 hours.

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BELGIUM

Antwerp

Brussels

Bruges

  • Legends of Bruges – Market Square (Grote Markt) of Bruge, daily 9:45 am & 11:30 am, in English, duration 2 hours.

Ghent

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BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA

Sarajevo

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BULGARIA

Plovdiv

  •  Free Plovdiv Tour –  Under Central Post Office clock near the Tourist Information Centre Plovdiv 6pm (May to Sep.)  2pm (Oct to Apr)

Sofia

Varna

  • Free Varna Tour – Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, 6pm (May-Sept)

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CROATIA

Dubrovnik

Zagreb

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CZECHIA

Ceský Krumlov

Prague

  • Civitatis-Prague Free Waking tour – Meet at Na Příkopě 14, 10:30 am, 11:15 am & 2:00 pm, in English, duration 3 hours.
  • Good Prague Tours – Meet at booth at Na Příkopě 14, In front of The Hamleys Toy Store, 10:30 am, 11:15 am & 2:00 pm. In English & Spanish, duration 3 hours.
  • Sandeman’s New Prague –  Meet in front of the Cartier store and the Czech tourism office on Old Town Square, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm, in English & Spanish, duration 3 hours.
  • Extravaganza Free Tour – Outside the Cartier store on the corner of the Old Town square (Staroměstské náměstí) and Pařížská street. 11 am , 3 pm
  • Royal Walk Free Tour – Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square, daily at 10 am, 11am and 2pm.
  • Next City Tours – 3 different tours start at corner of Pařížská Street Old Town Square. Prague at 11:00 am / Castle at 2:30 pm / Red Prague at 3:00pm
  • Original Europe Tours – Meets at Zapořícskou Bránou 365/21, 12:30 pm, duration 2 hours 30 minutes.

Copenhagen

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DENMARK

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ESTONIA

Tallinn

  • Yellow Free Tour – In front of the Tourist Information Center (Niguliste 2) 12:00 noon

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FINLAND

Helsinki

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FRANCE

Bordeaux

Nice

Paris

  • Civitatis-Free Paris Walking Tour – Meet Next to the fountain in Place St Michel, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm, in English, duration 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Momartre Free Tour –  Only on selected dates, check web site for availability.
  • Sandeman’s New Paris –  Meet at the fountain on Place St Michel 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm, in English, French & Spanish, duration 3 hours.
  • Original Europe Tours  – Meet outside metro station Cité on line 4, Monday, Wednesday & Saturday at 11:00 am, duration 3 hours. 

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GERMANY

Berlin

  • Civitatis – Free Berlin Walking Tour – Meet at the Starbucks by the Brandenburg Gate, 10:00 am, 10:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm &  4:00 pm, in English, duration 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Sandeman’s New Berlin –  Meet at the Brandenburg Gate, 10:00 am , 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm. In English & Spanish, duration 3 hours.
  • Alternative Berlin Tours  – Everyday at 11 am & 1 pm at Alexander Platz TV Tower next to Starbucks
  • Next City Tours – 4 different tours at Lustgarten by Berliner Dom & Museum. Berlin & Alternative at 11:00 am / Cold War & 3rd Reich at 3:00 pm
  • Original Europe Tours – Meet at One80 Hostel in Alexanderplatz Otto-Braun-Staße 65, 10:30 am, 12:30 pm & 1:00 pm, duration 3 hours.

Dresden

  • Free Tour in Dresden – Meet at the statue of King John I of Saxony (König-Johann-Denkmal) on the Theaterplatz in front of the famous Semper Opera House 11:30 ma & 2:00 pm

Hamburg

Leipzig

Munich

Nuremberg

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GREECE

Athens

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HUNGARY

Budapest

  • Budapest Free Walking Tours – Vörösmarty square (at the lion fountain) Original Tour 10:00 am & 2:30 pm.Check web site for 4 other free tours
  • Free Budapest Tours– Meet Deak Ter at in the middle of the square, under the clock, at the grey statue. Orientation tour 10:30 am / Pest tour 2:30 pm
  • Next City Tours – 3 different free tours start in front of St. Stephan’s Basilica. Budapest 10:30 am, Jewish Legacy or Red Budapest at 2:30 pm
  • Original Europe Tours –  Starbucks at Budapest, Deak Ferenc u. 23. 1052 at 11:00 am & 2:00 pm, duration 3 hours.

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IRELAND

Dublin

  • Civitatis – Free Dublin Walking Tour – Meet In front of the Town Hall, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm & 3:00 pm, in English, duration 3 hours.
  • Sandeman’s New Dublin Tours – Meet at Barnado Square 10:00 am, 11:00 am & 2:00 pm. in English & Spanish, duration 3 hours
  • Next City Tours –  3 different tours start at Central Bank on Dame St., Dublin at 11:00 am  / Brew Legacy 3:00 pm / 1916 Rising at 2:30 pm

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ITALY

Florence

Milan

Rome

Venice

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LATVIA

Riga

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LITHUANIA

Vilnius

  • Yellow Free Tour – In front of Vilnius Town Hall, 12pm (during winter season only with pre-booking)
  • Vilnius with Locals – In front of Vilnius Town Hall everyday at 12:00 noon

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NETHERLANDS

Amsterdam

  • 360 Amsterdam – Meet in DAM Square – in front of the Royal Palace. Look for the guides with the Orange 360 Umbrellas, 11:00 am & 1:00 pm, In English & Spanish, Duration 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Sandeman’s New Amsterdam – National Monument at Dam Square, 10:00 am,  11:00 AM , 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm. In English & Spanish, duration 3 hours.
  • Free Classic Walking Tour – Waterlooplein (in front of the Moses and Aaron Church) Wed., Fri. and Sun. at 2 pm, Sat. at 11 am
  • Original Europe Tours – Across From Madame Tussauds In Dam Square: Dam 20, 1012 NP, 2:00 pm, duration 2 hours 30 minutes

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NORWAY

Oslo

  • Free Tour Oslo – Fridays to Monday 10:00 am at The Tiger , Jernbanetorget, 0154 Oslo

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POLAND

Gdansk

  • Main Town Gdansk – Meet between the Golden Gate and the Amber Museum. Look for the guide with yellow umbrella. Jun-Aug: Mon, Fri, Sat & Sun at 10.00 am, 11.00 am 4.00 pm Tue, Wed & Thu at 10.00 am & 4.00 pm, September: Mon, Fri, Sat & Sun at 10.00 am & 11.00 am Tue, Wed & Thu at 10.00 am, Oct-Feb: check web site, In English, German, Italian & Spanish, duration 2 hours 30 minutes.

Kraków

  • Good Carcow Tours – Meet In front of St. Mary’s Church on the main square, 10:15 am, 10:30 am & 4:00 pm. , duration 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Kraków Free Walking Tours – Rynek Glowney in front of cathedral – multiple free tours, check web site for details.
  • Free Old Town Kraków – Meet at Between St. Florian´s Gate and Barbican. Look for the guide with yellow umbrella or Walkative! sign, Mar-Oct: at 10.00 am, 12.00 PM,  2.00 pm & 4.00 pm, Jul-Aug: at 10.00 am, 12.00 pm,  2.00 pm & 4.00 pm, extra evening tour only on Fri, Sat, Sun at 6.00 pm
    Nov-Feb: at 10.00 am 12.00 PM & 2.00 pm, in English,German, Polish & Spanish,  duration 2 hours 30 minutes.

Warsaw

  • Orange Umbrella Free Tour – Sigismund’s Column, Castle Square, Warsaw. 11 am
  • Free Historic Centre- Old Town Warsaw –  Meet at Zygmunt’s Column on the Castle Square. Look for the guide with yellow umbrella, Apr-Jun: at 10.30 am, 2 pm, 4 pm, Jul-Aug: at 10.30 am, 2 pm, 4 pm also Fri & Sat 12:00 pm, Sep-Oct: at 10.30 am, 2 pm, 4 pm, Nov-Mar: at 10.30 am and 2 pm, in English, German & Italian, duration 2 hours.

Worclaw

  • Free Walking Tour Warclaw – Aleksander Fredro statue, in the Main Market Square. Look for the guide with yellow umbrella. Mar-Oct: everyday at 10.00 am & 1.30 pm, Nov-Feb: check web site for details, in English, German, Polish & Spanish, duration 2 hours 30 minutes.

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PORTUGAL

Lisbon

  • Sandeman’s New Lisbon – Meet at Praça Luís de Camões,  10:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm, in English & Spanish, duration 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Chill Out Lisbon Free Tour  –  Praça Luís de Camões (Luís de Camões Square) 10 am & 4:40 Pm after Oct. 15, 3 PM only

Porto

  • Porto Free Tour –  text or email for reservations by 10:00 pm the night before. Usually at 11:00 am location TBD
  • Porto Free Walking Tour – Praça de Gomes Teixeira , known better as Lions Square (Mon. – Sat.) 9:30am reservations required.
  • Sandeman’s New Porto –  Meet opposite Clérigos Tower, tours in English & Spanish, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm, duration 3 hours.

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ROMANIA

Brasov

  • Brasov Free City Tour –  Piata Sfatului (the Town Hall Square), next to the fountain at 10 am (Oct- Mar.) / 6:00 pm (Apr. – Sept.)

Bucharest

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RUSSIA

Moscow 

  • Moscow Free Tour – At monument to Cyril and Methodius in the center of the Slavyanskaya Square 10:45 am
  • Civitatis- Free Moscow Waking Tour – Meet In front of Christ the Saviour Cathedral (Ulitsa Volkhonka, 15), 12:00 pm, in English, duration 2 hours 30 minutes.

St. Petersburg

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SERBIA

Belgrade

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SLOVAKIA

Bratislava

  • Be Free Tours – Hviezdoslavovo namestie by the Statue of Hviezdoslav at 11:00 am & 3:00 pm

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SLOVENIA

Ljubljana

  • Ljubljana Classic Free Tour –  In front of the Pink Church in PRESEREN Square (City’s Main square), 11am 365 Days a Year,  3pm 1 May – 31 Oct   Daily, 6pm 10 Jul – 25 Aug Daily, in English, duration 2 hours.
  • Ljubljana Free Old Town & Castle Tour – In front of the Pink Church in PRESEREN Square (City’s Main square), 3pm  1 May – 19 Jun Sundays, 3pm 20 Jun – 31 Aug Tues & Friday, 3pm 1 Sep – 31 Oct   Sundays, in English, duration 2 hours 20 minutes.

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SPAIN

Alicante

Barcelona

  • B Side Free Tours – Only available in Spanish at this time.
  • Sandeman’s New Barcelona – Outside the Jaume I Metro Exit at the square Plaça de l’Àngel in front of Hotel Suizo, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm. In English & Spanish. duration 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Next City Tours – 2 different tours start on gothic cathedral steps on Pla de la Seu. Barcelona at 10:30 am / Gaudi Modernism at 2:30 pm
  • Original Europe Tours –  Everyday at 11:00 am
  • Civitatis-Free Barcelona Waking Tour– Meet at Plaça de L’Àngel, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm & 5:00 pm, in English, duration 2 hours 30 minutes.

Cartagena

Cordoba

Granada

Madrid

  • Civitatis-Free Madrid Walking Tour – Meet at Civitatis Office, 2 Calle Coloreros, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm, in English, duration 3 hours.
  • Sandeman’s New Madrid – Meet in front of the Tourist Information Centre in Plaza Mayor, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm, in English & Spanish, duration 3 hours
  • Ogo Tours Free Madrid –  Puerta del Sol Square (Equestrian Statue of Carlos III) at 10:45 am

Malaga

Palma de Mallorca

Pamplona

Ronda

Santiago de Compostela

San Sebastian

Sevilla

Toledo

Valencia

Zaragoza

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SWEDEN

Stockholm

  • Free Tour Stockholm – 4 free tours with different start points. Check web site for dates & times and just show up.

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SWITZERLAND

Bern

  • Free Walking Tours – Various dyes & time for 2 different tours. check web site for details.

Fribourg

  • Free Waking Tours – Fribourg train station (La gare de Fribourg/ Fribourg Bahnhof) check web site for dates & times

Interlaken 

Lucerne

Zürich

  • Free Walking Tours – 4 free tours of Zurich , check web site for dates, times and meeting places.

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UKRAINE

Kiev

  • Free Tours Kiev – Daily at 12.00 and 16.00. Meeting Point: Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Sq) in front of the Central Post Office

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UNITED KINGDOM

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ENGLAND

Liverpool

  • Civitatis- Free Liverpool Waking Tour – Meet at St. George’s Hall, next to the statue of Prince Albert, 11:00 am & 3:00 pm, in English, duration 3 hours.
  • Sandeman’s New Liverpool – Outside St. George’s Hall by the Prince Albert Statue, in English & Spanish, 11:00 am., in English & Spanish, duration 3 hours.

London

Manchester

NORTHERN IRELAND

Belfast

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SCOTLAND

Edinburgh

  • Sandeman’s New Edinburgh – Meet at Frankie & Bennies, 130 High Street. 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm & 2:00 pm, in English, German & Spanish. duration 2 hours 30 minutes.
  • Civitatis – Free Edinburgh Walking Tour – Meet at 130 High St, Edinburgh, Outside Frankie and Benny’s,<10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, & 4:00 pm in English, duration 2 hours 30 minutes.

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WALES

Cardiff