One of the best ways to get to know a new city is to explore it with someone who knows it well. Local guides can show us hidden gems that we might not find on our own, while also teaching us more about history, culture and everyday life.
On Freetour, you can find guided tours in cities around the world with no fixed price. At the end, you simply tip your guide whatever amount you feel is appropriate. The platform also offers paid tours and activities, including more specialised experiences with a set price. Hostelling International members can get a special discount on these paid tours.
Here are ten exciting destinations you can find on the platform among many others that you can easily explore with local guides.
On guided tours of Lisbon, you can discover central neighbourhoods such as Baixa, Chiado, Cais do Sodré and Bairro Alto, and wander through the narrow streets of the historic centre. You’ll learn about the history of Portuguese maritime exploration, the impact of the devastating 1755 earthquake and the city’s reconstruction, as well as the years of dictatorship and revolution. Some tours also focus on individual neighbourhoods, their landmarks and local legends.
You can explore Berlin through different periods of its history, particularly the Second World War, the Holocaust and the Cold War. Tours cover many of the city’s main sights, but you can also choose to explore Berlin’s alternative side. In Kreuzberg, you’ll discover street art, squatter culture and the impact of gentrification on life in the city.
In the heart of Mexico City, you’ll find sights such as the Zócalo, Museo Nacional de Arte, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, Templo Mayor and Palacio de Bellas Artes. As you explore, you’ll learn more about the city’s history, art and traditions, while some tours also give you the chance to try different types of tacos and other local snacks.
As you walk through the colonial streets of Antigua, your guides will show you Landivar Monument, Arch Street, Casa Antigua El Jaulon, the cathedral, the city hall and La Merced church. At the same time, you will learn more about local history, traditions and everyday life. You can also visit the market and local restaurants, explore the street food scene or stop by a chocolate and wine factory.
A guided tour of Santo Domingo takes you back in time to the first city of the New World. With local guides, you can explore the colonial district and hear the stories and legends behind its streets, or head beyond the old city walls to visit Chinatown, Santa Bárbara, La Negreta and Mercado Modelo. During the tour, you can also try mamajuana, Dominican rum, chocolate and other local treats.
As you explore Santiago’s historic centre, local guides will introduce you to Chilean society, politics and current affairs. During the tour, you’ll see landmarks such as Cerro Santa Lucía, Plaza de Armas, Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral and La Moneda Palace. You can also choose tours focused on food, wine, nightlife, viewpoints and museums.
As you walk around Sydney with a local guide, you’ll learn more about the city’s history and culture and come across famous sights such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Royal Botanic Garden. You might also pass Hyde Park, St Mary’s Cathedral, Hyde Park Barracks, St James’ Church, Martin Place and Sydney Tower Eye, while learning more about Aboriginal history along the way.
In Arusha, local guides will introduce you to the culture, traditions and everyday life in this part of Tanzania. You’ll get to wander through the central and Maasai markets, stop by the Cultural Heritage Centre or venture a little further out to Lake Duluti. You can also spend a day at the foot of Mount Meru, where you can visit a waterfall and go for a short hike.
As you walk around Johannesburg, you’ll see how the city has changed over the years, from the old mining offices of Marshalltown to the more modern buildings around Carlton Centre. You’ll also walk along Albertina Sisulu Street and Vilakazi Street, both linked to Nobel Peace Prize winners, and visit the Hector Pieterson Memorial, a symbol of the struggle against apartheid.
In Ubud, you’ll get to know Balinese culture and explore some of the area’s best-known sights. You can visit the Monkey Forest with its ancient temples, Ubud Palace, the Art Market and Taman Saraswati Temple with its lotus ponds. You’ll also pass rice fields before ending the tour with a walk along the Campuhan Ridge, where you can take in the surrounding landscape.
Exploring a city with someone who knows it well can give you a whole new perspective. Local guides can show you more than just the main sights, and share stories, traditions and spots you might easily miss when exploring on your own. HI and Freetour share the same idea: travel should be more personal and affordable.
If any of these destinations have caught your eye, you can find many more options on Freetour and choose a guided tour that suits you. And if you’d like to save a little more while travelling, a Hostelling International membership gives you access to a range of discounts and other benefits around the world.
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