How it works
A local guide in your pocket, on your schedule.
FreeGuides Tours are self-guided walking tours that run in your phone’s browser. A live map shows where you are and where to go next; at each stop you get the story behind the place, written by someone who knows it well.
- 1
Pick a tour
Browse tours by city, theme and length. Every tour is written by a local guide, tourism board or hotel that knows the area.
- 2
Unlock on your phone
One small payment, or free for tours funded by a council or tourism board. Apple Pay and Google Pay work. No app, no account.
- 3
Explore at your own pace
A live map guides you from stop to stop, with stories and photos at each one (and audio narration on many tours). Start when you like, pause for coffee, finish tomorrow.
Questions, answered
What is a self-guided walking tour?
A self-guided walking tour is a route you follow on your own, at your own pace, instead of joining a group with a guide. On FreeGuides Tours, your phone shows a live map from stop to stop and tells you the stories behind each place, written by local guides, hotels and tourism boards.
How much does a tour cost?
A tour costs a one-off €2 in Europe, US$2 in the US and A$3 in Australia and elsewhere, set by the country the tour is in and shown on its page. Tours funded by a council or tourism board are free. There is no subscription and no account.
Do I need to download an app?
No. Tours open in your phone’s web browser. Tap “Unlock”, pay with Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card, and the tour starts straight away.
Can I start and stop whenever I like?
Yes. There is no start time or meeting point. Begin whenever suits you, stop for lunch, and carry on later.
Who writes the tours?
Local guides, hotels, hostels, councils and tourism boards publish tours on FreeGuides. Each tour page names its guide where one is credited.
I’m on a computer. How do I start a tour?
Every tour page shows a QR code. Scan it with your phone’s camera to open the tour there, then head out.
I lost my tour link. How do I get back to it?
The link to your tour is on the page you see straight after paying, and in your payment receipt when Stripe emails you one. If you can’t find it, email hello@freeguides.com with the email you paid with and we’ll send it again.
Something went wrong with my payment. Who do I contact?
Email hello@freeguides.com with the tour name and the email on your receipt and we’ll sort it out. Our refund policy is on the Refunds page, linked at the foot of every page.