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Free Tours in Spain: the best local companies

Free Tours in Spain - Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Malaga, San Sebastian and Sevilla

Gorka Regidor 8 Comments

Free Tours are a fantastic way to get an introduction to a city. The guides are friendly, knowledgeable and fun and they go out of their way to help visitors with recommendations to make their stay a memorable one. Nowadays you can find them all over the world so, as you can imagine, Free Tours in Spain are also very popular. In the big cities, there are quite a few on offer but… how do I choose the best one?

Most companies have great reviews on sites like TripAdvisor, the tours are running at similar times, the duration is also between 2 and 3 hours… But there is one big difference that a lot of people seem to miss. A lot of these Free Tours are organised by companies that offer their tours in different cities and disguise themselves under the umbrella of “local guides”. But only when you choose a local company will you:

  1. Get the local flavour that only a homegrown business that lives and breathes that city can give you
  2. Be sure that your money will end up supporting the local economy and the local residents instead of ending going out of the city or country

So how do I know that the company I choose is a real local one? Just answer one simple question: Do they offer tours in other places? If the answer is yes, this is not a real homegrown business and the profits will end up somewhere else and not in the community you are visiting.

We have prepared a list of the best Free Tours in Spain where you can be sure that you get that local feel, as well as the knowledge, the fun and the friendliness while supporting a more responsible type of tourism. These are all good friends of ours, we have been on their tours and they all offer fantastic experiences so you can be sure you are in good hands.

Let me introduce you to Barcelona (us) but also to Granada, Madrid, Málaga and San Sebastian as they can explain about their Free Tours in Spain better than anyone else.

INDEX

  • Barcelona Free Tours (Runner Bean Tours)
    • Gothic Quarter Free Walking Tour
    • Gaudí Free Tour
  • Granada Free Tours (Walk in Granada)
    • Historical Granada Free Tour
    • Albayzin Free Tour
    • Sacromonte Free Tour
  • Madrid Free Tours (OGO Tours)
    • Old Town Free Tour Madrid
  • Málaga Free Tours (Explora Malaga)
    • Free Tour Málaga
    • Free Tour Alcazaba
  • San Sebastian Free Tours (Go Local)
    • Go Local Free Walking Tours

Barcelona Free Tours (Runner Bean Tours)

Barcelona is a city where everyone wants to go to. We have the sea, the hills, the food, the history, the culture… This Free Tours project started in 2010 making it the first one of its kind in the city. Even after so many years, we still enjoy showing visitors the marvels of our city. You can find free tours, scheduled fixed-price tours and private tours but this post is about the free tours so take a look at the 2 we offer in Barcelona.

Free Tour Barcelona Spain

Gothic Quarter Free Walking Tour

Some people get quite surprised when they discover that Barcelona is a city with over 2,000 years of history. From its Roman origins to modern times, passing through its medieval splendour, this is a place that has seen a lot of action.

On our Barcelona Free Tour of the Gothic Quarter, we will unveil the secrets of the stones in the narrow streets, secluded squares and medieval churches of the area but we also learn about the legends of Barcelona and traditions of the Catalan people. This is a must for a lovely introduction to the city!

  • When: Every day at 11am & 4:30pm (Mar-Oct) & 11am (Nov-Feb)
  • Where: Plaça Reial

BOOK GOTHIC QUARTER FREE TOUR

Gaudí Free Tour

If there is one name that is linked to Barcelona, that has to be Antoni Gaudí. Not only did he revolutionise the architecture of the 20th century but his buildings are just a delight on the eye.

On our Gaudí Free Tour, we use a combination of walking and metro to cover the long distances in between the buildings. Not only do we enjoy these wonderful creations but we also learn about the man behind them. His life and death, his patrons and friends, his unusual approach… There is room for everything in this walk to try to understand the mind that came up with masterpieces like La Pedrera or Sagrada Familia.

  • When: Every day at 11am & 4:30pm (Mar-Oct) & 11am (Nov-Feb)
  • Where: Plaça Reial

BOOK GAUDI FREE TOUR

Content written by Gorka Regidor, co-founder and tour guide of Runner Bean Tours Barcelona

Granada Free Tours (Walk in Granada)

Granada, home to one of the most visited monuments in Spain, is a must-see during your visit to Andalusia. Get amazed by the greatness of the Alhambra, enjoy a day skiing in Sierra Nevada during the winter season, relax enjoying free tapas and discover the secrets of the Albayzín and Sacromonte with us!

We are Walk in Granada and started in March 2015 with the idea of offering a different type of tourism that respects the residents of our local neighbourhoods where we visit on tour. After more than 3 years, we can proudly say we are one of the top companies in Granada offering historical and cultural tours. Join us on a free or customised tour. We cater to every traveller’s needs.

Free Tour Granada Spain

Historical Granada Free Tour

An ideal tour to get your bearings if you are here for a short amount of time in our city. Come along and be introduced to the melting pot of cultures that co-existed here many centuries ago and are still present nowadays, making Granada the multicultural city it is today.

Walk around the Old Cathedral and then to the Royal Chapel, burial place of the famous Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. Discover the old bazaar of Alcaicería, find out what Christopher Columbus was doing here and wander through the labyrinth of streets to get a taste of the old Muslim quarter of Albayzín.

  • When: Every day at 11 am
  • Where: Plaza Nueva

BOOK HISTORICAL GRANADA FREE TOUR

Albayzin Free Tour

Got a taste for the Albayzín on our historical tour and want to continue discovering the most iconic neighbourhood of Granada? Get lost with us through the ancient streets of the old Muslim Quarter. This hill was the origin of the Granada that we know today. It still retains a neighbourhood atmosphere with its small friendly shops, twisted alley-ways, cobbled-stone streets, picturesque squares, and, of course, the wonderful views of the Alhambra.

In the Albayzín you can feel the history of this magical city that was the capital of Al-Ándalus. Our guides will reveal all the secrets and emblematic places on a journey that nobody should miss!

  • When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday at 6 pm (Apr-Sep) and 4 pm (Oct-Mar)
  • Where: Plaza Nueva

BOOK ALBAYZIN FREE TOUR

Sacromonte Free Tour

A tour like you have never done before! This walk combines just the right amount of history, hiking at a medium level and the best views of the city. Learn about the origin of the caves, the gipsy community and, of course, the essence of flamenco!

A unique neighbourhood in which you will discover what it is like to live in a cave, its advantages, disadvantages, and its relationship with the history of Granada in the 15th and 16th centuries. The breathtaking views of Sierra Nevada, the Alhambra and the Albazyín is just the perfect backdrop.

  • When: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday at 6 pm (Apr-Sep) and 4 pm (Oct-Mar)
  • Where: Plaza Nueva

BOOK SACROMONTE FREE TOUR

Content written by Eric Zint, co-founder and tour guide of Walk in Granada

Madrid Free Tours (OGO Tours)

We are Javier and Tatiana and we founded OgoTours in 2013 driven by the passion we feel for Madrid and its history. Since then, our small family business has grown to become one of the top-rated tour companies in Madrid. However, being a family business makes us different from other large companies. This advantage allows us to keep the personal touch of a small business and offer an authentic local experience, away from the clichés.

Free Tour Madrid Spain

Old Town Free Tour Madrid

When you think of Madrid, tapas, sun, football and shopping come to mind. However, Madrid’s heritage is truly exceptional, combining both historical and modern treasures. Few cities in Europe have such a concentration of world-renowned museums, palaces and historical sites. Immerse yourself in the history of Madrid and discover the city in a different way with our local guides. After our tour, we are sure that you will feel like a genuine “Madrileño”.

During our 2.5-hour tour, we will walk through the narrow streets of the Old Town, visiting emblematic places such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the majestic Royal Palace, Town Square and the Almudena Cathedral. A historical journey from its Muslim origins through to the turbulent times of the 20th century. All this accompanied by legends and interesting facts about history, culture, traditions and gastronomy. This tour is the perfect introduction to discover Madrid and its wonderful cultural heritage.

  • When: Every day at 10:45 am
  • Where: Plaza de la Puerta del Sol (equestrian statue of King Carlos III)

BOOK MADRID OLD TOWN FREE TOUR

Content written by Tatiana, co-founder and tour guide of Madrid OGO Tours

Málaga Free Tours (Explora Malaga)

Málaga is a lovely destination to visit. 320 sunny days a year with wonderful beaches and landscapes. Most people might be tempted to think that’s all Málaga has to offer, but not really. We have breathtaking monuments, 37 museums and 2,800 years worth of history. Our company, Explora Malaga, was created by two enthusiastic graduates in tourism from the University of Málaga. As licensed tour guides, our goal is to spread the word of the cultural, historical and artistic heritage of our city through fresh eyes.

In our short lifetime, the feedback received by customers far exceeded our expectations. We are pleased to have been awarded the Certificate of Excellence of TripAdvisor and of being the number 1 cultural activity in our city since 2016.

Free Tour Madrid Spain

Free Tour Málaga

The Free Walking Tour passes by the most important monuments of Málaga’s historical centre. Come and learn about the most important events in Malaga’s history. The birth of the city with the arrival of our founders, the Phoenicians, then on to the Carthaginians and the Punic Wars. View the remains left by the Romans and Visigoths, ponder over the interesting Arabic castles with their ingenious defence systems and how they were changed after the Reconquest.

Explora Malaga offers tours daily in English and Spanish. This is the most interesting tour you can experience in central Málaga. Find out how the real city comes alive when you are guided by the right person.

  • When: Every day at 11am
  • Where: Plaza de la Constitución

BOOK MALAGA FREE TOUR

Free Tour Alcazaba

Málaga was under Muslim control for almost 8 centuries, but their legacy will last forever. Discover all about the Moorish period in our city by circling the most influential fortress/palace of its time: The Alcazaba.

Between the historical city centre and the sea, this fortress has seen Málaga growing and changing for almost a millennium. A free tour where you learn about the Muslim legacy in a city they inhabited for 8 centuries while listening to the unbelievable story of a castle that became a neighbourhood. Learn about the Christian reconquest and the never-ending battle of 1487 while taking in the breathtaking views of our town and the bay.

  • When: Thursday & Saturday at 5:30 pm (Apr-Oct) and 4 pm (Nov-Mar)
  • Where: Alcazabilla Street, 2 (entrance of the Alcazaba)

BOOK ALCAZABA FREE TOUR

Content written by Luis Jiménez, co-founder and tour guide of Explora Malaga

San Sebastian Free Tours (Go Local)

Donostia-San Sebastian, a small city full of history, folklore and secrets ready to be discovered. The best way to start your exploration of our city is by the guiding hand of locals. Go Local was born in 2012 with the intention of showing tourists that our city is not a postcard but quite the opposite. This is a dynamic and lively city that deserves to be walked. Go Local believes that everyone has the chance to be a local in Donostia. This is our signature and that is why we are well known for our small group Free Walking Tours.

Free Tour San Sebastian Spain

Go Local Free Walking Tours

Our Free Tour is the best way for visitors to explore the two most popular districts of the city while taking in the history and culture of Donostia along the way. The true backbone of the city is its citizens so we include many anecdotes that help give an insight to the Basque people and maybe change the way you view our city.

We are extremely conscious about the environment and the impact of tourism, so we offer alternative ways of visiting, compared to the more traditional ones. If you would like to join us and have a great time during your stay in Donostia, book your place on one of the many tours that Go Local offers: Free walking tour, E-bike tour, pintxo tour…

  • When: Every day at 10:30am & 4pm
  • Where: Plaza Sarriegi, 9

BOOK SAN SEBASTIAN FREE TOUR

Content written by Iñigo Ansa, co-founder and tour guide of Go Local San Sebastian

I hope you have a wonderful trip to Spain. We are all looking forward to welcoming you and showing you our cities!

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Filed Under: Practical advice

MOST RECENT REVIEWS OF RUNNER BEAN TOURS BARCELONA

RUNNER BEAN TOURS - Barcelona Private Tours & Free Walking Tours
RUNNER BEAN TOURS - Barcelona Private Tours & Free Walking Tours
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Natasha Soares
Natasha Soares
05:35 01 Nov 22
Extremely Professional and well conducted Tour . Our Guide Alberto was extremely knowledgeable and insightful. Even though I was with a child of 10 years of age he engaged with her and kept her engrossed and attentive... to all the information about Gaudi. We really enjoyed the tour with him and did not know how quickly the 2.5 hrs passed. We are looking forward to the next tour with Runner Bean today the Gothic Quarters . Definitely when in Barcelona this is the company to look up .read more
Evelyn H
Evelyn H
19:22 27 Sep 22
Had a great time with Miguel for the Gothic quarter tour. Interesting stories and at the end recommendations around the city. We had a wonderful time!
Maria Sultana
Maria Sultana
12:29 22 Sep 22
We just finished a tour of the Gothic old part of the city with Jarrod and what a great way to get to know the city. Jarrod was super nice and knowledgeable, kept great pace and made sure to find spots for us to sit and... keep in the shade. He was also very generous with recommendations of places to see,eat and how to get around. Two and a half hours flew by quickly and we got to see so many interesting spots. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to explore Barcelona. :)read more
Markus Hayden
Markus Hayden
17:59 08 Sep 22
I did both of the free walking tours on two consecutive days. Both are very interesting and you learn a lot. Personally, I liked the Gothic Tour with Ann-Marie even a bit more.What is important to know? Well: first of... all, you should be able to understand English ;) furthermore, you should wear sunscreen (as everywhere in Barcelona) and you should wear comfortable shoes, since you will both walk and stand a lot.read more
Dejan Rizvan
Dejan Rizvan
17:52 04 Sep 22
I was always little skeptical about organized waking tours. But Jarrod changed my mind completely. Excellent tour of Gothic Square with a lot of city history facts and some legends that you don’t expect. We highly... recommend this tour and Jarrod especially. See you next time.read more
Paulina Mikuła
Paulina Mikuła
20:50 19 Jul 22
We were lucky enough to have Lisa as our guide for the Gothic Quarter tour! An excellent option when seeking an enthusiastic and passionate tour guide who enables you to learn so much about the history of this beautiful... part of the city.Highly enjoyable, educational and insightful! Couldn’t recommend enough!read more
R K
R K
11:41 14 Jul 22
Thank you Miguel! Brilliant tour, good humour, easy to understand and follow. Good history info, Miguel had great advice for the rest of our stay. I would recommend doing this on the first day of your trip. We did the... Gothic quarter tourread more
Christopher Walsh
Christopher Walsh
23:32 16 Jun 22
Touring the "old quarter" with Albert was the highlight of my Barcelona visit. It truly felt as if I were reconnecting with a friend strolling through his hometown. Albert brought generations of knowledge and an... historians perspective to a most informative presentation. Thank you for making that happen. Christopher Walshread more
Meghan Magee
Meghan Magee
23:18 16 Jun 22
We did the Gothic Quarter tour with Miguel, and it was the perfect way to spend our first day in Barcelona. Miguel was so personable, informative, and told great stories. He led an amazing tour!
Alexandra Pode
Alexandra Pode
18:16 09 Jun 22
We joined the family guided tour through the Gothic Quarters with our 10 yr old. Lisa is a fantastic guide, excellent storytelling that was captivating for all ages and with a big heart for Barcelona and Catalunya which... helps both big and small appreciate the history, heritage and beauty of the place. We took the tour on our first day which served as a great introduction for the next days. We also came back to some of the places we discovered on the way in the tour for eating and shopping. Lisa - warm regards from our family and thank you for hosting us!read more
Katie Pennick
Katie Pennick
11:52 07 Jun 22
A simply perfect start to our trip. I recommend wholeheartedly!Jarrod our tour guide was absolutely fantastic! His enthusiasm and love for the city was infectious and he did a marvellous job of talking us through the... history and culture of Barcelona. He was full of practical tips and advice and went out of his way to accommodate us.I use a wheelchair - the tour was wheelchair accessible (we stopped for a break half way through and there is a starbucks that has an accessible toilet!)read more
Rita Murray
Rita Murray
20:13 01 Jun 22
Albert was our tour guide. He was attentive, very knowledgeable and provided an entertaining walk through Barcelona. He was happy to respond to questions and provided many historical details throughout the tour. I’d... highly recommend his tour. However, I think tourists need to understand that this tour is just over 2 hours long.We enjoyed Albert’s passion for history. We ourselves enjoyed it. But others may have found it a bit long.Thanks Albertread more
Shay Gilad
Shay Gilad
12:44 31 May 22
We had a wonderful Gothic Quarter tour with Miguel! He was full of knowledge about the sites as well as places to visit and eat at in the city. Miguel was friendly, chatty, and very helpful. We would highly recommend... this walking tour. The pace was excellent and we were able to go to all the beautiful sites 😊read more
Marisol Mosquera
Marisol Mosquera
09:45 25 May 22
Great tours! The guides are friendly, fun and knowledgeable. You can see how much they enjoy doing these tours. I did two tours: The Gothic Quarter and Dark Past Night walking tours. Loved them both.
Andrea Hill
Andrea Hill
20:10 21 May 22
Incredible experience in Barcelona! We were traveling with our 5 year old daughter and it is hard to find activities that would keep the whole family engaged. This tour did just that. We learned so much about the city... and our daughter had a blast making new friends and completing activities. Highly recommend and wish every city offered this type of family activity. Ann-Marie was a wonderful tour guide and so great with the kids. By far our best day in Barcelona!read more
Janette Pena
Janette Pena
17:38 19 May 22
We had an amazing time during the Gothic tour with Albert! He was extremely knowledgeable and kept the tour interesting! There is not a ton of walking involved and my grandma and I had a great time! Would definitely... recommend.read more
Michele Gordon
Michele Gordon
21:15 15 May 22
We spent a delightful afternoon with Jarrod in the Gothic Quarter on a small group tour. We enjoyed the descriptions, history, commentary & pace. Jarrod is very knowledgeable about BCN & very approachable. We would... highly recommend the tour. Also, Jarrod gave us some great restaurant recommendations. Thank you!read more
Ben Duvall
Ben Duvall
16:55 11 May 22
We had a wonderful tour of the Gothic Quarter led by Ann-Marie. She was very knowledgeable and engaging. This tour was ideal way to start our first visit to Barcelona. I can't recommend this tour enough.
Natalie B
Natalie B
14:43 12 Apr 22
Lisa was spectacular. She was very knowledgeable, kind and she went at a great pace. She gave us so much information that helped us understand the history of Catalonia but she went further to help us connect to the... culture of Catalonia today. Lisa took the time to answer questions and gave us great tips to make the most of our trip. She also has great recommendations for restaurants, places to see and how to get around. The tour was great and Lisa was really terrific.read more
Lorraine Ogilby
Lorraine Ogilby
16:24 31 Mar 22
We took a 2 1/2 hour walking tour of the Gothic quarter with Anne-Marie from Runner Bean tours. She was incredibly knowledgeable and obviously passionate about both the city where she lives and the history! Full of... information and details about every site we visited and we heard so much that’s not included in any other trip. Very interactive with the group and put every single person at ease. She was an absolute mine of local information and recommendations at the end - which we personally used for meals and other sites to visit. These guys work on a donation system and be prepared to give them every euro that you feel they are worth. We took two of their tours and they were the highlight of our trip to Barcelona!!read more
W L
W L
08:57 30 Mar 22
I showed up on an earlier day for my city tour and Lisa was nice enough to let me join anyway. Her presentation was both enlightening and fun. She had personal stories and on the spot observations to share which made it... feel fresh. Her diction was very easy to understand and she was pleasant to listen to. Believe me I have been on some tours where the guides had annoying pet phrases like 'alright?' 'um' etc.. that can be tiresome to listen to for 2.5 hours. Lisa took personal interest in her guests and made the effort to talk to us individually whenever possible. Her food suggestions were great. I highly recommend going on her tour!read more
Helena Loremikan
Helena Loremikan
23:40 22 Feb 22
I went on both the Gothic quarter tour and the Gaudi tour and both of them were brilliant. Miguel was a brilliant guide and is so funny yet so informative. My friends and I enjoyed our tour so much we came back the very... next day. I would highly recommend booking a walking tour with them you would not regret it at all!read more
Sue Pupo
Sue Pupo
18:21 03 Dec 21
We had a very informative, well researched and extremely interesting tour with Miguel today of Runner Bean Tours. He pointed out interesting facts we would never discovered on our own, not to mention little known... facts. It was highly informative. Do yourself a favor, and sign up for one of the tours. We have been on two now, and we’ll worth the time! You will enjoy Miguel, a very personable person and a great guide. He will make you fall in love with Barcelona.read more
Nick Williams
Nick Williams
15:54 18 Aug 21
I did the Gaudí walking tour. We saw Palau Güell, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà/La Pedrera and Sagrada Família. There are more Gaudi things to see but this is an excellent introduction to Gaudí.Miguel was the guide and he... was brilliant. I also did the official Sagrada Família tour and the things Miguel told us were far more interesting than the official tour!!!I highly recommend this tour and I’m sure the other tours they offer are just as good!!!read more
Maria Fonseca
Maria Fonseca
21:04 31 Dec 20
Was a pleasant experience to have Lisa as tour guide.Full of details her explanation and very focus on what she was saying.A touch of british humour was very much appreciated ;)Thank you
Brigitte Gneissl
Brigitte Gneissl
12:47 09 Dec 20
I booked the group tour for the Gothic quarter but obviously due to the current circumstances I was the only one on the tour. Hence, my fantastic tour guide Lisa gave me a private tour and it was super interesting. I... really learned a lot and it's a great way of discovering Barcelona. Highly recommended for anyone who comes to BCN! It's so important to also learn about the history and culture. A fantastic tour. Greetings to Lisa.read more
Satyajeet Sarang
Satyajeet Sarang
15:56 17 Oct 20
We did the Gothic Quarter tour with Miguel. We were lucky that the other party on the tour had cancelled so we had a private tour!! Miguel was extremely knowledgable and gave us lot of detail and information on each... place and also bits and pieces of the in-between that tied the places together into a whole story!Miguel spent a good amount of time with us and also gave us good local tips for food, shops and such.We would highly recommend Runner Bean Tours!!read more
Lisa Gill
Lisa Gill
11:17 14 Oct 20
We had a fantastic tour led by Lisa and due to COVID it was just the three of us. We've been to Barcelona many times and so it was wonderful to learn more about the history of the city and the buildings we love so much.... Lisa was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!read more
rhonda caplan
rhonda caplan
03:03 13 Oct 20
We were so impressed with our tour. It was fun, and extremely informative. They go by donation and they are worth every penny .My friend and I have been on tours in a lot of cities and this tour ranked amongst our... favorite. We were encouraged to ask questions, and if I ever have an opportunity I would take as many tours from them as they offer. Thank you 😊 💙read more
Aoife Leddy
Aoife Leddy
13:56 12 Oct 20
We had a very short time in Barcelona so to make the most of the time we had, we decided to do a walking tour. I'm so glad we chose Runner Bean Tours. We did the Antoni Gaudí tour with Lisa and thoroughly enjoyed it.... Even our children were engaged throughout thanks to Lisa's gift for storytelling and bringing you on a journey with her tour. Given the current climate in Spain with few foreign tourists visiting, we were in a unique position to enjoy an almost private tour in a very quiet city...an experience we will probably never have the opportunity to have ever again. We enjoyed the Gaudí tour so much that we booked the Gothic tour the very next day and were lucky enough to have Lisa as a guide once more. Again, a wonderful tour delivered in an engaging and really entertaining way. Lisa's knowledge of the history of Barcelona shines through and her passion for this wonderful city is absolutely contagious. Highly recommended for the whole family ♥️👌read more
Sophie Nadal
Sophie Nadal
13:46 08 Sep 20
I really appreciated the visit with Ali, who payed attention to us, asking if we add any questions regularly. She loved introducing the city to us and we can feel it, it was a real pleasure. I recommend it !
Elizabeth Skelton
Elizabeth Skelton
14:14 03 Sep 20
We had an awesome time on the Barcelona gothic quarter tour with Miguel! Miguel was an amazing guide. He was full of interesting information, and his passion and love for the city and his job made the tour extra... enjoyable. He also gave us lots of recommendations for places to eat and drink in the city, and even helped us mark them on google maps. He also took some great pictures for us. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend runner bean tours. Thank you Miguel for giving us such an insightful experience!read more
Katie Mckitting
Katie Mckitting
17:06 01 Sep 20
We have done a lot of walking tours all over the world and this was by far our favourite. Miguel was very knowledgeable and funny and made this an enjoyable experience. It is clear that Miguel loves what he does and... made sure that we had fun too. There were only 2 others on the tour with us and he made sure we were safe and distanced and everyone wore their masks to make sure we all felt safe and comfortable. I 100% recommend doing this tour - especially if with Miguel if possible! Gracias for a lovely few hours in Barca!! :)read more
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Comments

  1. Cai Bowyer says

    April 29, 2019 at 4:55 am

    Hello, Could you please let me know if any of your tours are in English.

    Reply
    • Gorka Regidor says

      April 29, 2019 at 9:24 am

      All the tours mentioned in the article are offered in English. You can book directly with the supplier company by following the BOOK buttons after each tour description.

      Reply
  2. Marianna says

    June 4, 2019 at 6:23 pm

    How big are the groups.

    Reply
    • Gorka Regidor says

      June 4, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      The Free Tour companies recommended in the post are all independent local groups so each one has a different policy. However, they are all committed to a more responsible type of tourism so groups are never too large as numbers are limited. For more information, you can contact each company individually:
      – Barcelona
      – Granada
      – Madrid
      – Malaga
      – San Sebastian
      Hope it helps 🙂

      Reply
  3. fred sefcovic says

    June 20, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    I am thinking of going for a 7 day trip to spain hoping to see Madrid, Barcelona,Granada and Seville. I saw your add and thought you might be helpful to me in seeing the things of importance to me. I assume nothing in life is “free”. What type gratuity is normally expected for a tour?Besides tours do you offer suggestions on places to stay, etc.
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Gorka Regidor says

      June 20, 2019 at 5:17 pm

      To be honest, I think that 7 days is a very short time to visit all four places. I would focus in only a couple of them to make the most of your trip.
      The gratuities are entirely up to you and your enjoyment of the tour and guide.
      These companies are specialised on tours. If you need some advice on places to stay on each city I recommend you visiting some of the travel forums where other travelers can give you advice based on their experiences.

      Reply
  4. Alfonso says

    May 16, 2020 at 9:36 am

    Hi Gorka…

    I am a mountain guide with my own brand…do you thing there is a chance for those we offer hiking tours in Natural Parks to be sustainable offering free tours?
    (I am considering the idea of doing free tours instead of tours with fixed prices)
    This is my web in case you want to check it
    http://www.malagaactivatours.com
    Thank you,
    Alfonso

    Reply
    • Gorka Regidor says

      May 16, 2020 at 11:49 am

      Hi Alfonso. You have to take into account all your expenses to see if it will be sustainable to offer your tours as a free tour model (guides, transport, insurance, marketing, etc). I guess that you know your business better than anyone else and you can make a better-informed decision.

      Your tours and locations look great, by the way. I love hiking so I am looking forward to being able to travel again and head to the mountains. Maybe in Malaga? 🙂

      Best of luck with your project.

      Reply

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Last week we celebrated the Runner Bean Christmas Last week we celebrated the Runner Bean Christmas Dinner🍴🎄
We all had a great time and it was lovely seeing everyone together again 😄
As a surprise, we also got a very nice present from all the guides full of treats for the Christmas table 🎁😋. Thanks a million again 😘
In the photo (sitting from the left): Laura, Anna, Gorka, Albert, Miguel, Tati, Ann-Marie, Alex, Dani, Mari and Anna 🙋
#runnerbeantours #xmasdinnerparty
A castle with eggs on top? What else but the Dalí A castle with eggs on top? What else but the Dalí Museum! 🎨🖌️
Situated in the town of Figueres, just a couple of hours from Barcelona, this is one of our most popular private tours outside the city. A must if you are a Salvador Dalí fan 👌
More info on our bio.
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#dalimuseum #dali #tourguide #besttourguide #tourguidebarcelona #privatetour #barcelonaprivatetour #barcelonaprivatetours #dalitours #salvadordali #barcelonaprivateguide #tourguidebarcelona #privatetourbarcelona #privatetoursbarcelona #barcelonatravel #supportsmallbusiness #familycompany #localguide #localtours #runnerbeantours
Last weekend, we took all our photography equipmen Last weekend, we took all our photography equipment to capture unusual views of some of the highlights of Barcelona. 

These 4 images are just some of what we saw.

Below is the explanation of how we did it but... we also used a trick! Do you know which one? 😉

⛪ Sagrada Familia. Gaudí's unfinished work is the symbol of Barcelona. We captured the Nativity Façade in all its glory, without any construction cranes.

🏛️ Plaça Sant Jaume. We climbed to the top of the Generalitat Palace to get a bird's view of the iconic government's square.

⚓ Columbus Monument. We took the lift to the top for nice views of Barcelona and to try to emulate the work of famous Catalan photographer Francesc Català-Roca

🏰 La Pedrera & Casa Batlló. Both Gaudí buildings are located at Passeig de Gràcia. We used a very long telephoto to bring them closer to each other.
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#thisisbarcelona #barcelonalovers #barcelona #barcelonacity #nextstopbarcelona #barcelonatrip #barcelonatodo #bcnlovers #visitbarcelona #ig_barcelona #barcelonagram #bestcitybreaks #barcelonalife #barcelonastravel @catalunyaenminiatura #barcelonaexperience #barcelonatips #discoverbarcelona #gaudi #gaudihouse #architecture #gaudiarchitecture #beautifulbuildings #barcelonaarchitecture #gaudibarcelona #gaudisagradafamilia #gaudilovers
Corners of Barcelona. In the middle of the bustlin Corners of Barcelona. In the middle of the bustling city, you can still find these calm, green spots 🌿😌
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#barcelonacorners #thisisbarcelona #barcelonalovers #barcelona #barcelonacity #nextstopbarcelona #barcelonatrip #barcelonatodo #bcnlovers #visitbarcelona #ig_barcelona #barcelonagram #bestcitybreaks #barcelonalife #barcelonastravel #barcelonaexperience #barcelonatips #discoverbarcelona
We had a great time with Ellen and Paula on their We had a great time with Ellen and Paula on their private Gothic Quarter and Sagrada Familia tour. Lovely ladies 😄
Thank you for booking with a local company 💪
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#barcelonatour
#gauditour #tourguide #besttourguide #tourguidebarcelona #privatetour #barcelonaprivatetour #barcelonaprivatetours #sagradafamilia #sagradafamiliatour #barcelonaprivateguide #tourguidebarcelona #privatetourbarcelona #privatetoursbarcelona #supportsmallbusiness #familycompany #localguide #localtours #runnerbeantours  #gaudibarcelona #gaudisagradafamilia #gaudi
Third and final part of our La Mercè 2022 reels. Third and final part of our La Mercè 2022 reels.
One of our guides sent us a video from the heart of the "correfoc". Are you brave enough to go in there? 🎇😱
#lamerce2022 #lamercè #correfoc #barcelonatraditions #thisisbarcelona #barcelonalovers #barcelona #barcelonacity #bcnlovers #visitbarcelona #barcelonalife #barcelonaexperience #discoverbarcelona
🎊 The main parade is one of the highlights of L 🎊 The main parade is one of the highlights of La Mercè Festival. 
👸🤴 All the giants of every neighbourhood come out to dance for the delight of kids and adults alike.
😄 We definitely enjoyed it on this post-pandemic year, when it came back to the streets of the old city.
#lamercè #lamerce #lamerce2022 #giantsparade #barcelonafestival #barcelonalife #barcelonaforkids #thisisbarcelona #barcelonacity #barcelonaexperience #barcelonalovers #barcelonatodo #visitbarcelona
#lamerce2022 #barcelonafestival #lamercefestival # #lamerce2022 #barcelonafestival #lamercefestival #barcelonalife #thisisbarcelona #barcelonalovers #barcelona #barcelonacity #nextstopbarcelona #barcelonatrip #barcelonatodo #bcnlovers #visitbarcelona #barcelonagram #bestcitybreaks #barcelonastravel #barcelonaexperience #barcelonatips #discoverbarcelona
🚐 Having a local transport and chauffeur compan 🚐 Having a local transport and chauffeur company that is reliable is like finding gold.
🥇 We have been trusting Alex and his team for our private chauffered tours for a long time now and we couldn't be happier.
📷 Here he is, on the left, with Kriah, our customer today, and Dani, the guide, in the centre.
Thank you, Alex 😄
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#barcelonatour #chauffeuredtour #tourguide #besttourguide #tourguidebarcelona #privatetour #barcelonaprivatetour #barcelonaprivatetours #sagradafamilia #sagradafamiliatour #barcelonaprivateguide #tourguidebarcelona #privatetourbarcelona #privatetoursbarcelona #barcelonatravel #supportsmallbusiness #familycompany #localguide #localtours #runnerbeantours
🏛️ Only 1.5 hours away from Barcelona, you ca 🏛️ Only 1.5 hours away from Barcelona, you can find the Greek and Roman city of Empúries.
🏺Founded in 575 BC and located in an incomparable setting with Mediterranean sea as a background, this is a must for for archaeology enthusiasts.
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#empuries #archaeology #ruins #catalonia #daytrips #discovercatalonia #cataloniaexperience #visitcatalonia #mediterranean #empúries #romans #greeks #romancity #greekcity #girona #catalunya #costabrava
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Address: Rambla del Poblenou, 56, 08005 Barcelona
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