The capital of the United Kingdom is one of the most visited places in Europe for the number of monuments and buildings that you can find scattered throughout the city. Depending on how long you are going to stay, we recommend that you adapt the places you are going to see so that what you have time to see, you can do at your leisure. If you leave things to do, you already have an excuse to come back!

The best way to see and visit London: take a free tour

When you go to a new city, one way to discover its history and culture is to do it with a local guide. Getting to know the secrets and nooks and crannies of a new destination isn’t easy unless you’re shown around by a local who already knows it. You can take a look at the free tours in London with themes and neighbourhoods from all over the city.

If you haven’t yet had this experience, you can read this post on what is a free tour that will clarify all the essential points. This phenomenon is growing all the time and is one of the most popular ways to discover new cities in recent years.

What to see in London in 3 days (a weekend)?

London is located in the south of the United Kingdom. With your visit, you will be in one of the most important European capitals, full of must-see places and a must-see for anyone who loves to travel. London itself is a cultural centre that is developing at breakneck speed every day and is well worth getting to know in depth.

Even if you have little time to visit the city, you should always keep in mind what to see and do in London. There are hundreds of routes that will make the city very attractive to you, but this one we propose will make you feel unique and special. Which part of London do you like the most?

These are essential places to see and visit when you travel to the UK’s capital. All the points of interest have been selected by local guides who will tell you why it is worth including them in your travel guide as they include them in their free tours of the city.

1. Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster in London has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Today it is one of the essential excursions to do if you are visiting London. It is located on the banks of the River Thames and in medieval times was a royal residence. The architectural style of the Palace is neo-Gothic and the Clock Tower, popularly known as Big Ben, is the most representative of its emblems.

Those who live in the United Kingdom can, from the public galleries of the chambers, attend all the debates that take place, either by queuing to enter or by invitation from their representatives. However, capacity is very limited and there is no guarantee that you will be able to get in. Travellers, on the other hand, will be able to visit in the summer, when there is a recess period.

2. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey was designated a World Heritage Site in 1987. It is an Anglican church where the burials of the kings of the United Kingdom are held, as well as their coronations. There are tourist spots that you cannot miss on your route when you want to really get to know a destination, but with a more historical as well as cultural vision. For this, you will have a very original and enriching visit to London that you will surely love, and one of them is this one. It has a Gothic style and is one of the essential places in the United Kingdom due to its artistic, cultural and historical importance.

Important kings of England have been buried here, such as Richard II and Elizabeth I, as well as other important figures such as Dickens, Newton, Daewin and Lord Byron. Some relevant places to see inside the Abbey are The Cloister, Lady Chapel, the Poets’ Corner, The Cloister, the Chapter House or the Chapel Museum. The route includes Westminster Abbey and aims to give you a unique experience while visiting London, so that you can make the most of your trip, as this place has a great recognition.

3. Piccadilly Circus

Piccadilly Circus is one of the symbols of the city. It is a square where some of the most important streets of the city converge, where the busiest shopping and entertainment areas are located. The square was built by John Nash and in 1885 it became a busy area, so many people began to place their advertisements there, and it was not until ten years later that the first illuminated signs appeared.

The great urban planning that began in the 17th century, most of the city was enclosed within the city walls, which led to a major plague epidemic that claimed 70,000 victims. The following year, a fire destroyed a quarter of the city, and the reconstruction of the city also took into account urban planning needs, resulting in wonderful squares such as this one.

4. Tower of London

The Tower of London is located on the banks of the River Thames. It is a castle that was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988. Its original tower was built around 1078 by William the Conqueror, in the middle of his fortress. Later, in 1100, it was completed. It was protected by Roman walls, although it was not built to be a first line of defence or to serve as a palace.

Medieval kings enlarged the fortress by adding nine more towers to the defences and a moat around the castle. The Tower of London gradually declined in importance until the 19th century when it was remodelled, a medieval castle was opened and opened to the public for the first time.

However, if we start with its true origins, the Tower was actually a castle that was founded in 1066. Today it is the tower that gives the whole complex its name. It symbolises the oppression of the people by the rulers. However, this meaning was short-lived, as within a few years of its foundation, the elite began to use it as a prison.

The original medieval castle was built in different and varied stages. The major works were carried out under Richard the Lionheart, although major alterations were also made to the buildings within the whole complex and to the moat under Henry III and Edward I. The different stages of construction lasted two centuries: the 12th and 13th.

5. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is over 120 years old and is one of the city’s iconic landmarks. At night, dressed in lights, it is impressive. The location will also allow you to see the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Big Ben. This monument was inaugurated in 1894 and took 8 years to build. Its permanent exhibition was first opened to the public in 1982. Inside you can visit the private rooms, the walkways with special glass and the engine room.

This London landmark is one of the must-see sights for quality sightseeing and is suitable for all tastes. It was built because the city began to need a new river, as commercial development increased greatly in the 19th century. The problem that arose at that time was mainly that there was no possible way to leave a traditional fixed bridge, as sailing ships would then not be able to access the harbour.

A solution to this problem was sought for years and was found by the Special Bridge or Subway Committee in 1877. Beforehand, they had to decide between more than 50 designs that were submitted. Until 1884, almost in the 19th century, no design was considered valid due to many different reasons, among them the insufficient clearance height of the bridge. However, the bascule bridge as we know it today was the solution.

Two towers were added to the bridge, which are still standing today and give the bridge its name. These were built on pillars. Parliament approved the construction of this marvellous bridge, which today is also a monument in its own right, a year later. It is Gothic in style and lends an aura of antiquity and mystery to the area in which it stands. It has a free height of 41 metres and a width of 61 metres, which allowed and still allows for adequate river traffic.

6. St Paul’s Cathedral, London

St Paul’s dates from AD 604 and is the cathedral of the Diocese of London and the oldest cathedral in England. The previous cathedral was destroyed in the Great Fire of London and this was the first to be built after the Reformation in the 16th century. Great events took place here, such as the funerals of Mr. Churchill, Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, as well as the birthday celebrations of Queen Mother Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. It is also the place where Diana of Wales married Prince Charles.

Inside the Cathedral you can’t take pictures, and it will be most tempting, as it has a very striking decoration spread all over the huge temple. The ceilings are one of the most remarkable parts, as it has very well preserved fresco paintings. Another of its main attractions, apart from the frescoes, is the great dome, which has three galleries.

What to see at St Paul’s Cathedral in London?

In general, the visit is much more enjoyable with an audio guide, since, in addition to learning every detail about St. Paul’s Cathedral, it is free of charge. The first of the galleries you can visit is “Los Susurros”, but we recommend that you be careful, as you have to climb 257 steps to get there (it is 30 metres above sea level). If you decide to go up, you will find spectacular acoustics.

After this climb, you can either stay there or climb some 378 more steps to enjoy the beautiful views outside. You will reach the Stone Gallery. However, at 85 metres, this will be surpassed, if possible, by the famous Golden Gallery. It’s up to you to decide which one you want to go to! Bear in mind that due to the altitude and the number of steps, access may seem complicated.

Similarly, you cannot leave St Paul’s Cathedral without visiting its crypt. It is very large and you will be visiting the remains of some of the country’s most important personalities, such as Churchill, Nelson and Wellington. The crypt is also home to various memorials, other temples and monuments. You’ll love it!

7. London Eye

The London Eye opened in March 2000 and is a Ferris wheel-viewing platform celebrating the turn of the millennium. It was designed by Julia Barfield and David Marks, architects, with the symbolism of the passage of time. It took a year and a half to build and 32 capsules were made, seating a total of 25 people. The tours last 30 minutes and the cabins are designed to give you a 360º view of London from up to 40 kilometres away.

Until 2006, since its construction, the London Eye could boast of being the largest Ferris wheel in the world. It has been followed by two more records, the Nachang Star in China in that year, and two years later, in 2008, the Singapore Flyer, at 165 metres.

Top must-see places in London

If you want to visit the London Eye, you have to bear in mind that you will have to get on while it is running, as it is designed that way. The wheel rotates slowly so that everyone can get on without stopping. The views, however, will be breathtaking, and its altitude will allow you to see both the countryside and the city. Nowadays you can also enjoy the “4D Experience” on your visit, where you can watch a short film about the city in three dimensions.

8. British Museum, London

The British museum was opened to the public in 1759, although it was established in 1753. Its origins are linked to Hans Sloane, a physicist and collector, who wished to keep his collection of 80,000 items after his death. It contains antiquities from Rome, America, Greece, Egypt and the Middle East, as well as 40,000 books. The first location was in Montagu House, a 16th century mansion, but it was soon outgrown by new acquisitions and donations to the museum.

The museum grew in different stages, increasing the number of pieces of both Greek and Roman origin, as well as Egyptian antiquities, with the Rossetta Stone, which allowed the translation of Egyptian hieroglyphs, standing out. It was not until 1852 that the entire museum was moved to its current location, after the construction of the new building was completed.

In 1887, it was decided to move the natural objects to the Natural History Museum, and in 1973 the whole of the more literary part was separated as the British Library.

The objects are arranged according to their provenance, and the museum is so large that you would need more than a day to see it all. In fact, there are some rooms and sections that are truly fascinating. To give you an idea, the section dedicated to Ancient Egypt is only surpassed by the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

If you want to learn about the history behind everything the British Museum has to offer, we recommend you take the themed free tour of the British Museum. The reviews are really positive and travellers leave very happy with what they discover when they learn about the history behind each piece.

9. Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of London’s largest parks and one of its eight Royal Parks. In the 16th century it was purchased by Henry VIII from Westminster Abbey. It is worth noting that it was a royal hunting ground until it was opened to the public under Charles I, after having been improved. This large park, as well as providing beauty and tranquillity, has many stories to tell in every corner.

Some of the interesting places and monuments in Hyde Park are, for example, the Rose Garden or the Diana Memorial Fountain. There are other memorials scattered around the centre, such as the Holocaust Memorial, the Norwegian War Memorial, the Queen Caroline Memorial and the Cavalry Memorial, among others. Nor should we forget the fountains and statues.

Other very interesting points in the park are the Speaker’s Corner, where everyone can give their opinion without censorship, although the police can intervene, contrary to popular belief. There are also many sports, such as rowing, skating, cycling, swimming, golf and horse riding. The park is open from 5 a.m. to 12 midnight.

10. Camden Town

Camden Town is one of the most picturesque and well-known neighbourhoods in the city, famous firstly for being home to one of London’s most extravagant street markets, and secondly for being the place that represents an alternative lifestyle. In addition, its fame is also due to the cultural life of many famous people who used to pass through here, such as Charles Dickens.

What to see and do in Camden Town, London?

This neighbourhood has only existed since the end of the 18th century and its birth is attributed to the Count of Camdem, as he was the first wealthy man to develop an urban plan for the area. For this reason, there is a street named after him in the heart of the neighbourhood.

11. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the British Royal Family since 1837. Today, it is used as an administrative residence as well as for royal ceremonies. The palace is only open to the public during two months: August and September. You can visit the Royal Gardens, the Ballroom and the State Rooms. There is another ticket which also includes a visit to the Royal Coach Houses and the Queen’s Gallery.

Buckingham Palace was built in 1703 and has stood the test of time, surviving two world wars. In the Second World War, the palace was bombed and the Chapel Royal was destroyed in 1940, although the rest of the building remained intact.

Another of the great attractions of this place is the Changing of the Guard that takes place in front of the palace. It is an event that always attracts attention and attracts many travellers throughout the year.

12. Big Ben

Big Ben or Elizabeth Tower is one of the most visited sights in London, making it one of the capital’s major must-sees and especially beautiful when lit up at night. Big Ben’s popular name refers to its giant bell, which weighs more than 13,800 kilos and is located inside the tower. The actual bell was built in 1858 and rang the following year for the first time.

Big Ben has four more bells inside it, which play the music that is heard before the chimes are rung. The clock was designed by Sir George Airey, the Astronomer Royal, and Edmun Deniso. Even today, it is surprisingly accurate and punctual.

Today, the sound made by the bells of the Clock Tower is broadcast by the BBC every day at midnight, uninterrupted since 1923. Only UK residents are allowed to visit the interior of the Clock Tower.

13. Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is an iconic landmark in the city. It was built in 1805 to commemorate the victory of the English navy over the Spanish and French navies at the Battle of Trafalgar. Around it there are numerous museums, historic buildings and art galleries. For example, you can see the National Gallery, the Charing Cross and the Church of St. Martin in the Fields. Charing Cross is established as England’s kilometre 0.

The area is always very lively. In the centre of the square is Nelson’s Column, and at its four corners are pedestals with equestrian statues. The granite column is almost 50 metres high, with Admiral Nelson standing atop it, escorted by four bronze lions (the material belonged to the cannons of the Spanish and French fleets).

The fourth pedestal contains contemporary works of art. Fountains were added in 1845. In the southeast corner, the Imperial Measurements are also on display.

At Christmas, as a thank you from Norway for the help given by the British army in World War II, the City of Oslo donates a fir tree which is placed in Trafalgar Square as a Christmas tree.

14. National Gallery

London’s National Gallery is the capital’s most important art museum and one of the best known in the world. In its exhibitions we can see Western European paintings from 1250 to 1900. Among its most famous works are Titian’s Bacchus and Ariadne, Monet’s The Water Lily Pond and Botticelli’s Venus and Mars.

The museum came into being thanks to the private collection of John Julius Angerstein, a banker who had 38 works from the English, Italian and Flemish schools. The intention was to create an art museum open to the public from this collection. Sir George Beaumont’s collection was also donated in 1823, but this was a complicated process. The painter and collector would only allow such a donation if there was always a suitable place for them to be exhibited. In 1826 he decided to formalise the handover of the works, even though they did not yet have their own building.

The National Gallery was opened in Trafalgar Square because of its easily accessible location, as the building is right in the centre of the city. Today, the museum is made up of 2,300 works. Today, we can enjoy works by Titian, Turner, Raphael, Titian, Goya, Velázquez, Van Eyck, etc. There are also important sculptures and mosaics.

15. Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace was built in 1690 as an extension to the country home of King William III and his wife, Queen Mary. It is located in Kengsington Park and, after its construction, became their official residence, as the present one was cold and old-fashioned. It was commissioned by the architect Sir Christoplher Wren and the monarchs were extremely pleased. In fact, it was the architect himself who designed St Paul’s Cathedral, leaving his mark on the City of London twice over.

A visit to the palace combined with the gardens can take a couple of hours. It’s well worth taking the time to see the former royal chambers, as well as admiring the beautifully manicured gardens. There is also an exhibition on Queen Victoria and a section dedicated to Princess Diana of Wales.

If you’re looking for a break from the city, it’s the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll and disconnect from the city (in the heart of London).

How to get to London?

The most common way for travellers to get to the UK’s capital is by plane. However, if you’re not in a hurry and have an adventurous soul, you can also get there by train, boat, bus or even car. The plane is not only the fastest alternative, but also the cheapest. Here’s a summary of the options, but if you want more information, you can take a look at the complete guide to getting to London.

Travelling by air

There are currently six airports in London, with Heathrow and Gatwick being the main ones and the ones that receive the largest number of travellers from all over the world. Thanks to the low-cost airlines, you can get fairly cheap tickets, with a return trip costing no more than €50. Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, City Airport or “The City” and Southend.

Travelling by car

It is possible to travel to London by car, although it’s not the cheapest or fastest option. What it will give you is a journey full of experiences and cities you can stop off to visit. To cross the English Channel, you’ll have to cross via the Eurotunnel, which connects France to England with a 55km underground conduit that takes around 40 minutes.

Travelling by train

If you’re travelling without your own car and are terrified of planes, the Eurostar high-speed train is the way to go. It connects Brussels, France and the UK directly. No, Spain isn’t on the list but the connections that currently exist are very worthwhile and, although not the cheapest option, it’s a different way to travel to the Punk Summit. 

Travelling by boat

If you’re not in a hurry to get to your destination, travelling by boat can be a good alternative for those who are terrified of flying or simply want to start their journey in a more original and fun way. The company that usually offers boat trips from some relevant destinations is Brittany Ferries which links Santander-Portsmouth or Bilbao-Plymouth.

Travelling by bus

As crazy as it sounds, you can also travel to the UK by bus. Yes, yes, as you read. Personally, we don’t recommend travelling this way as it will take you more than a day and buses, as we all know, are not known for being the most comfortable vehicle to date.

How do I get to the centre?

If you’re travelling by car or train, you’ll be lucky enough to get to the centre directly, without any hassle. However, airports have a reputation for not being very central. All of them tend to be located on the outskirts, but fortunately they are all very well connected by train and bus.

Map of the must-see and must-visit places in London

On this map you can see all the places to visit in London so that you can make a route that links the sights and buildings. Depending on how many days you’re staying, you’ll be able to see more or fewer sights, but don’t get frustrated if you miss any. It’s always good to have a good reason to come back to the UK.

This is our selection of must-see and must-visit places in London, but we’re sure we’ve left out many others. It’s not unusual for a weekend traveller to be able to do all these things in 2 or 3 days, so depending on your situation, select the points of interest you don’t know yet and enjoy one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

As well as standing out for its quality of life, you will find a good selection of places to visit. Both in the historic centre and in the part of the Turia Gardens that run through much of the city, housing large green spaces, parks, the City of Arts and Sciences and much more.

The best way to see and visit Valencia: taking a free tour

If this is your first visit to the city, one of the best alternatives is to take a free tour of Valencia. You’ll discover the best of Valencian culture and history with a local guide as you take in the main points of interest.

If you haven’t been lucky enough to experience a free guided tour, we recommend you take a look at the concept of free tours. In addition, these are all the cities where you can find free walking tours around the world.

What to see in Valencia in 3 days (a weekend)?

Valencia is famous for the City of Arts and Sciences with its futuristic structures such as the Oceanographic, or Hemispheric, and even its Bioparc. In addition, in its streets you can enjoy baroque and modernist architecture, as well as very close to the city, you can visit spectacular natural areas, such as its beaches or the famous Albufera.

Valencia is currently recognised by UNESCO for its incalculable historical and cultural value thanks to the civilisations that have passed through this beautiful city. This legacy, which UNESCO recognises, includes three of the most representative assets: La Lonja de la Seda, Las Fallas and the Tribunal de las Aguas.

1. Plaza de la Virgen

In the Plaza de la Virgen the construction of the city of Valencia began, it is located in the historic centre of the city where the Cathedral of Santa Maria, the fountain representing the river Turia, the Palace of the Generalitat Valenciana (similar to a castle) and the Basilica of the Virgen de los Desamparados are located. It’s a beautiful array full of history, magic and reality. 

The best time to visit Valencia is in spring, the temperature is ideal, the buildings are illuminated at night and the gardens are exceptionally colourful. However, it is also worth going to Las Fallas in March.

A large number of tourists pass through the Plaza de la Virgen every day. And many of them are looking for a nice terrace with a good view to have a drink and talk about the mythical history of the square. When the sun goes down, many young people ride their skateboards, roller skates and bikes to practice their manoeuvres in this area of the historic centre of Valencia.

The Plaza de la Virgen has its origins in Roman times, the main point of two great roads of the Roman city, El Cardo (currently Calle de San Vicente Mártir) and El Decumano (currently Calle de Caballeros). In addition, the square is the site of important events worth mentioning:

Weekly meetings of the Tribunal de las Aguas in front of the door of the Apostles of the Cathedral. This Tribunal usually meets every Thursday to settle disputes between those in charge of irrigating the fields of the Vega de Valencia over the use of water from the canals.

The Offering of Flowers to the Virgen de los Desamparados which takes place every year during the Fallas. Inside the Plaza a huge image of the Virgin with the Child Jesus is installed and her mantle is made with the flowers carried by the falleros of all the fallera commissions who parade in front of the huge monument on the evening of the 17th and 18th of March every year.

Year after year the exhibition of the “rocas”, or floats, take part in the Corpus Christi procession. Every season at this time, the rocks leave the Casa de las Rocas where they are kept for the whole year to be displayed days before the procession in the Plaza de la Virgen.

In this lively square in the old town you will see people from all over the country and the world passing by and taking pictures of some of Valencia’s most symbolic buildings.

Valencia Cathedral

The mother church of the Christian community in Valencia is the Cathedral. This building is dedicated to the worship of God the Father. It houses all Catholic believers of good will. The Cathedral has witnessed the passing of time, the history of mankind, archives, images, religious culture of the Valencian Christian people from the 4th century to the present day.

Inside the Cathedral there are many interesting things to see. The Holy Chalice can be found in the Cathedral of Valencia, as well as important pictorial works of the Spanish Renaissance, works by Maella, Goya and many more renowned painters. Learn about the history of the Virgen del Buen Parto or take a walk on the heights of the Miguelete are curiosities worth seeing and enjoying in Valencia.

The cathedral is predominantly Gothic in style but it preserves various elements from different periods. Previously the Cathedral was a mosque, however, in addition to the Gothic style it preserves elements from other periods such as Romanesque and Baroque. This Cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of St. Mary, blending art and history. Its walls protect the Holy Chalice, the documents and the archaeological studies with which it is suspected that the Grail of Valencia is the one used by Jesus at the Last Supper. Inside you can appreciate the Renaissance frescoes of the Cathedral’s High Altar by the artists Paolo de San Leocadio and Francesco Pagano. 

In the Cathedral there is the Cathedral Museum with about 90 works of different styles, Renaissance, Mannerist, Gothic. The canvases by Maella and Goya and the panel paintings by Juan de Juanes stand out. Climbing the Miguelete is quite a challenge with its 207 steps, but it is also a must for the panoramic views that can be seen from the top.

Basilica of the Virgen de los Desamparados

In the Plaza de la Virgen is the Basilica of the image of the Virgen de los Desamparados next to the Cathedral. There is La Peregrina which is another image of the Virgen de los Desamparados. La Peregrina travels through different neighbourhoods, entities or associations in Valencia. The Virgin of the Forsaken is called the “geperudeta” (cheperudeta or jorobadita).

The Virgin of the Forsaken is linked to the birth of the first hospital for the insane in the world known as the “Hospital de Ignoscents, Folls e Orats”, the hospital was placed under the foundation of the Virgin Mary. With the passing of time the image took the name of “Nostra Dona Sancta Maria dels Ignocents” and from 1493 the decision was taken that the image would be called “Nostra Dona Sancta Maria dels Ignocents”.

The Virgin is standing, with her back curved and her face downwards. In her right hand she holds a bouquet of lilies and a rose as symbols of purity. In her left hand the infant Jesus is carried. In 1885 she was proclaimed Patron Saint of the City of Valencia. In 1954 she was named honorary and perpetual Mayoress of Valencia and in 1961 she was named first and foremost Patron Saint of the entire Valencian Region (now the Autonomous Community).

Undoubtedly, one of the essential places to see and visit in Valencia for everything there is to see in this Plaza de la Virgen, with special attention to the Basilica of the Virgen de los Desamparados.

2. Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Another important site in Valencia is the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, formerly known as Plaza del Caudillo. It is less than 5 minutes from the Plaza de la Virgen. The first thing you see is the white façade of the Casa Consistorial. The Casa Consistorial was built between 1758 and 1763 in a mixture of neoclassical, neo-baroque and neo-renaissance styles. In the centre of this square is a circular fountain and many flower stalls. 

Opposite the Town Hall is the emblematic Correos y Telégrafos building resisting the day of mascletà with its loud explosions for the Fallas celebrations. Free walking tours, such as GuruWalk, often pass through this important and imposing square.

The origin of the Plaza del Ayuntamiento in Valencia lies in the large plot of land that was created by the demolition of the Convent of San Francisco in 1891. A large park was to be built on the empty space, and although trees, hedges and gardens were planted, the project did not succeed. And the old place known as the Park of San Francisco is nowadays the space for events organised by the city of Valencia.

The Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the ground zero of Valencia. In this area you can find theatres, leisure and drinks to enjoy during your stay in this beautiful city. The Town Hall occupies a block of just over 6 thousand square metres, with a façade on the 4 streets on which it is located. The main façade has the Clock Tower and the Main Balcony. The rear façade, which is on Arzobispo Mayoral street, is full of windows with grilles and balconies, and to the right is the façade of the old school church.

The façade on Calle Periodista Azzati has an entrance that gives access to municipal buildings in use. The Town Hall Square hosts the event of Las Fallas from the 1st of March until the end of the Fallas festival on the 19th of March. This square is filled with gunpowder and people at this time every day at 14:00 hrs.

Valencia’s Plaza del Ayuntamiento is also famous for its fountain, which is illuminated at night and the light changes colour. Its varied flower stalls are the special and different icons of the square. Valencia is really enjoyable on foot, so you can undoubtedly appreciate the main monuments that are within walking distance of each other.

3. Lonja de la Seda

The Lonja de la Seda de Valencia, also known as the Lonja de los Mercaderes, is a civil Gothic masterpiece located in the historic centre of the city of Valencia. It is a characteristic building of the city and is one of the most famous monuments that Europe has to offer. It has been listed as a Historic-Artistic Monument since 1931. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1996.

The Lonja de Mercaderes is located right in the centre of the city, opposite the Central Market and the Temple of the Santos Juanes. It occupies an area of about 1990 square metres on a rectangular surface. Previously, the old Lonja was insufficient to cope with the prosperity of the city at the end of the 13th century, and in 1492 the foundation stone of the new Lonja was laid, and construction began one year later.  

The Lonja consists of three sections and an orange tree courtyard. The trading hall is divided into 5 transversal naves and 3 longitudinal naves. It has a height of 17.40 m. Some time later UNESCO integrated Valencia into the Silk Route, which passes through 32 cities in Europe and Asia.

The economic power of Valencia in the 15th century is shown with La Lonja in the Golden Century. Passing through the courtyard you enter the interior of the building, in the Contracting Hall, where the Valencian textile trade deals of the time were concluded.

4. The Central Market

The Central Market is located in the Plaza de la Ciudad de las Brujas, right next to the Lonja de la Seda. This peculiar market, built in 1914, is one of the masterpieces of Valencian modernism. It was built by two renowned architects from the Barcelona School of Architecture, Alexandre Soler i March and Francesc Guàrdia i Vial. However, in 1928, the Valencian architect Enrique Viedma Vidal took over the direction of the project and brought it to an end. The architecture of the Central Market should not be missed, nor should its domes, stained glass windows, columns and every touch of Gothic and Modernist style. 

The market was renovated in 2004, and this comprehensive refurbishment brought both its market functions and its structure up to date. Today you can find around 1,200 stalls offering all kinds of food products such as meat, fish, seafood, fruit, vegetables, and much more. The market supplies prestigious Valencian restaurants, as it is known for its fresh produce.

5. The Serranos Towers

The Serranos Towers date back to 1392. They were built by Pedro Balaguer to defend one of the entrances to the old city. At that time, 95% of the people entering the city passed through here, and perhaps from that time onwards they became so important in the Valencian city. It is even said that a toll had to be paid every time someone entered or left. In 1865 the walls that formed part of the towers were demolished and only the towers were left standing. 

From the mid-16th century until the end of the 19th century, the towers were used as a prison, where nobles who committed misdeeds were sent to prison. It is one of the best examples of military architecture of that period on the Iberian Peninsula. For this reason, its characteristic Gothic style should not be overlooked. As well as the back of the Towers, which has five rooms decorated with ribbed vaults and pointed arches. In addition, some gargoyles can be seen on the interior façade. Although these date back to the 20th century.

In 1931 the Serranos Towers were declared a National Historic and Artistic Monument. The origin of the name “Serranos” is curious, it comes from a geographical location. This can be clearly seen if we analyse where the gate is located. It is located on the north side of the city. It is therefore the gateway through which the people from the Serranía area, also known as “los Serranos”, used to enter the town. The bridge just in front of the towers also has the same name: Puente de los Serranos (Bridge of the Serranos). The architect Pedro Balaguer, builder of the towers, was also involved in the construction of Valencia Cathedral and the Miguelete.

During the Spanish Civil War, the towers served as a refuge for some of the works of the Prado Museum in Madrid.  In order to protect them, a concrete vault had to be built on the first floor with an important humidity and temperature control.

Nowadays the Serranos Towers, as well as being an essential part of any tourist’s visit to the city, is an important place when some of the city’s most important celebrations take place. There, the Crida is held on the last Sunday in February, by the Fallera Mayor of Valencia. It is the moment when she welcomes the whole city to inaugurate the Fallas, an event that is well worth witnessing.

6. Mercado de Colón

The Mercado de Colón used to be a regular market. Today it houses various flower stalls and the best restaurants. It is one of the most beautiful buildings in Valencia. The Colón market was designed by the architect Francisco Mora Berenguer at the beginning of the 20th century. It is one of the most representative works of Valencian modernism. It was even declared a National Monument. Moreover, its design is reminiscent in some of its peculiarities of Gaudí’s constructions in Barcelona.

It is a 3,500 square metre building divided into three naves, the ends of which are closed by two stone and brick gates in the form of triumphal arches. Its façade contains colourful ornamentation, ceramic details typical of the area and an artistic wrought iron grille that surrounds the building. The building has been meticulously restored, as have the entrances and its height. All this makes this market an open and luminous space.

The fitting-out project was created in an elegant and sensitive setting where the monument can be appreciated in a modern, comfortable and avant-garde environment. This contemporary project has served as an elegant contrast to the historic building, leaving the monument’s prominence intact. It is now a wonderful space in which to relax, see and hear the appeal of the city centre. The refurbishment focuses on the 6 glass cubes with good interior backlighting and a beautiful water cascade. 

The building was built to meet the needs of the wealthy class of the time. It is still located in one of the most affluent areas of Valencia, the Ensanche, which receives many visitors every day.

What to do in the Mercado de Colón?

Nowadays, the Mercado de Colón has several renowned shops such as Carnes Varea, or Frutería Fina. However, its main strength is its restaurants. These include Habitual by Ricard Camarena, Ma Khin Café, Manglano, among many others. Although we can also find Las Cervezas del Mercado, Daniel’s horchata stall, the cafeteria Bocados.

As well as Balade flower shop, which was the first to be installed in the courtyard, where it now shares space with Vinos y Flores. In addition, a large number of events normally related to gastronomy are held within the premises.

7. Turia River Gardens

The Turia River Gardens are located in what used to be its riverbed. It used to run through the city, but it was diverted to make a space for fun and sport. It is one of the largest green areas in the city. The Jardines de Turia are catalogued as the largest expanse of gardens that exist for a family stroll.

The huge garden is bounded to the west by the Parque de Cabecera, the Bioparc and the famous City of Arts and Sciences on the opposite side, almost at the exit. The Turia Gardens can be said to link the African savannah recreated with precision in the Bioparc, with the underwater world and ecosystems that can be visited in the Oceonográfic and with the opera auditorium, the Palau de las Artes, both in the City of Arts and Sciences.

Along the route there are other stops of interest such as Gulliver, the huge slide park, where children in particular can slide, climb and have fun on the legs, fingers or hair of this giant 70-metre figure, as if they were real inhabitants of Lilliput. Not far from the park is the Palau de la Música, which offers a full programme every year and very large esplanades outside, ideal for children to play football or skate and show off their skills.

Small boats in the shape of swans can be rented in the ponds surrounding the City of Arts and Sciences. In the summer months there are canoes and balls to ride on the water. As Valencia is a flat city, the Turia Gardens are ideal for jogging or walking, as well as for cycling, tandem or segway tours of the gardens. These vehicles can be hired on site.

In the area there are very nice cafés and bars with large terraces for relaxing. The Turia Gardens have 18 bridges from different periods and architectural styles.

8. City of Arts and Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences was inaugurated in 1998, the design looked like something out of a film from the future. Today, however, it is one of the most important identities of the city of Valencia. Santiago Calatrava’s architecture as an architect, civil engineer and sculptor, intertwines ingenuity, creativity and art in the creation of this Valencian icon.

The seven monumental buildings that make up the City of Arts and Sciences are: L’Hemisfèric, the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, L’Umbracle, the Oceanográfic, the Palau de les Arts, the Ágora and the L’Assut d’or Bridge are the modernist art of Santiago Calatrava brought to a spectacular reality, which can be enjoyed both inside and out. The events and exhibitions that make it up give you the chance to see a brilliant spectacle up close, you can watch a film, an opera, there is an interactive museum and it contains the largest aquarium in Europe.

The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is a modern spectacle for visitors. The buildings that compose it offer an avant-garde image that takes us by the hand into the 21st century.

Museum of Sciences

The Museum of Science is a spectacular building that houses interactive scientific motifs and exhibitions in which visitors can touch everything and become the protagonists of curious experiments. It is an amazing museum of the 21st century, which shows in an interactive, didactic and entertaining way everything related to the development and evolution of life, science and technology. 

There are several interactive exhibits and a variety of scientific animations that introduce us to new technologies and the great advances in science. The variety of interactive exhibits and the numerous outreach activities that take place at the Museum have been a great success with the public. The public has undoubtedly responded vigorously to the proposal to transmit and disseminate technology and science through fun and entertainment, while at the same time without renouncing the minimum scientific rigour that is essential when dealing with the subjects to be dealt with.

In all communication activities, live experimentation with the environment provided continues to be the best, most stimulating and fun way of obtaining scientific knowledge. For this reason, in addition to the exhibitions, the Museum offers a very complete programme of scientific activities, which helps to encourage the participation of the public and their help with the monitors.

Oceanographic

With over 45,000 specimens and more than five hundred species, the Oceanogràfic is the largest aquarium in Europe. It is a true tribute to the planet’s seas and oceans. It is made up of several buildings that house examples of the most important ecosystems of the planet’s seas and oceans: Wetlands, Temperate and Tropical, Oceans, Arctic, Antarctic and Islands; including the Red Sea, which is represented in the aquarium of the Underwater Auditorium and the Dolphinarium, considered the most important in Europe. 

The Oceanographic opened to the public on 14 February 2003, and today it is the largest marine complex in Europe, suggesting a journey through all the seas and oceans of the planet, transporting visitors to the most exceptional marine ecosystems. Its innovative architecture, the distribution of the different aquariums and its recreational, scientific and educational vocation bring the marine world closer to the population and try to raise awareness about the protection of its flora and fauna, also serving as a base for scientific research.

It has a surface area of 110,000 square metres.

It is one of the largest dolphinariums in the world, containing 26 million cubic metres of water with a depth of 10.5 metres.

It has 6,761 square metres of methacrylate panels up to 33 centimetres thick.

It has 150,000 cubic metres of concrete plus 15,000 tonnes of steel.

It also has more than 25 kilometres of pipes with diameters ranging from 1.4 centimetres to 1.3 metres.

It is a large igloo-shaped dome that houses the Arctic zone. A large sphere 26 metres high that simulates two of the most unique wetland environments on the planet: the American mangrove swamp and the Mediterranean marsh. The underwater restaurant is located in the centre of the enclosure and is the most emblematic building of the Oceanogràfic, thanks to the peculiarity of its roof. The roofs of the Access Building were designed to evoke a paraboloid figure similar to a water lily. The exhibition of a large aquarium on the ground floor makes the building even more unique.

Hemisferic

The Hemisfèric offers us state-of-the-art Imax cinema films, an innovative laser show and a planetarium. The Hemisférico (in Spanish) was the first of the buildings to open to the public on 10 April 1998, belonging to the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia in Spain. 

The building designed by Santiago Calatrava is an analogy of an eye, which inside houses a huge hall with a concave screen of 900 m² and 24.4 m in diameter, where its programming covers science and technology themes and changes periodically. It has an approximate surface area of 143,000 m², serving 2 projection systems

Digital projections with entertainment shows as well as astronomical performances.

Cinema in IMAX Dome format.

The Hemispheric was the first building of the City of Arts and Sciences to open its doors to the public in 1998 with its inauguration. It is a spectacular building designed by Santiago Calatrava and has an ovoid roof more than 100 metres long, which houses the sphere that makes up the projection room.

9. Reina Sofía Palace of the Arts

The Reina Sofía Palace of the Arts, after the inauguration of the Hemisfèric in 1998, the Science Museum together with the Umbracle in 2000 and the opening of the Oceanogràfic to the general public in 2003 complete the artistic ensemble that represents this valuable commitment of the Generalitat to culture in its broadest sense. Together with technology, science and nature.

It was inaugurated in 2005 and has the most modern technology, adapting to the image that corresponds to a modern, avant-garde space. It has also become a cultural dynamizer, placing the Valencian Community, from its centenary musical tradition, in a great and privileged place worldwide. 

The imposing building was designed by the Valencian engineer and architect Santiago Calatrava, guaranteeing the city of Valencia and the Valencian Community the best infrastructure to put them on the international circuits, especially in terms of opera and great musical shows.

10. La Albufera, one of the essential places to see in Valencia

The Albufera Natural Park is only 10 km from the city. It offers nature in its purest state, dreamlike sunsets, boat trips and total disconnection. Like an urban paradise surrounded by forest and rice fields: this is the Albufera Natural Park, the place where paella was invented.

Pure natural surroundings, spectacular sunsets, boat trips and disconnection from the real world with direct transport to relaxation and fun. Like an urban paradise surrounded by rice fields and forest: this is what the Albufera Natural Park is like for all those who know it. Moreover, you have to visit it to understand the origin of Valencian gastronomy. It is precisely here that paella was invented. So you can’t leave Valencia without visiting La Albuera and having a paella, the best in Spain.

What to see in the Albufera of Valencia?

In El Palmar you can taste a wide variety of typical dishes such as all-i-pebre or llisa adobada and savour a new way of understanding food while enjoying and learning about its origins. Take a stroll through any of the six signposted sites in this natural park. Inside the park you can experience and discover a new space worthy of getting to know and enjoying to the full.

To get to the Albufera in less than an hour and for €1.50, you can easily get there on line 25 of the EMT city buses. This line runs from the centre of Valencia to El Palmar and El Perellonet. You can get off at the pier and enjoy a ride in a traditional boat on the lake. There is also the Albufera Bus Turistic with which you can enjoy a complete view of the Albufera Natural Park, discovering the ecosystems of the rice fields and a boat ride.

How to get to Valencia?

There are different ways to get to Valencia, by air, land and sea. The city is connected to the main European and Spanish cities. Valencia airport is just 8 kilometres from the city, and offers regular daily flights to the most important national and international destinations. It is one of the best ways to reach the capital of the Valencian Community. 

Valencia also has two train stations: the Joaquín Sorolla high-speed train station, from where AVE trains depart to Madrid, Seville, Cordoba and Cuenca. The Sorolla station is also the departure point for Euromed and Alvia long-distance trains, which connect Valencia with Barcelona and other cities. The other station is the Estación del Norte or Valencia Nord, and it is here that the local train network operates.

The port of Valencia city is one of the most important in the Mediterranean Sea in terms of trade traffic. The port connects Valencia by ship with Italy and the Balearic Islands. The city is increasingly becoming a popular destination for cruise ships which dock at the western quay, in order to be able to explore the city for a few hours. 

If you want to reach the city of Valencia by car, there is no need to worry, as Valencia is connected to the main Spanish cities by means of a modern road network, the most important of which are the AP-7, which runs from north to south along the entire Levantine coast and links Valencia with Barcelona and Alicante, and the A-3, which runs towards the centre of the peninsula towards Madrid. 

Valencia can be reached by plane, by train, by car or by boat on a cruise ship. Either way, getting there is very easy. Valencia is a city well worth visiting, as the number of people who visit year after year speaks for itself.

Map with essential places to see in Valencia

Find the essential places to visit on this map of Valencia so that you can make a route to suit you for the days you spend in the city. If you don’t have time to include all the monuments and buildings, don’t get overwhelmed. It’s good to have reasons to come back to a city as beautiful as this one.

These recommendations with the most emblematic places are only suggestions on what to see and visit in Valencia. There may be other places of interest that are also worth visiting outside of this selection, but they are entirely complementary – the important thing is that you enjoy yourself and soak up the local culture!

Like any other Spanish city (Barcelona, Seville, Cordoba…), making a list of things to do and see in Madrid is a complicated task. There are a lot of essential places to visit and you don’t always have all the time in the world to do it. That is why we have the help of local official guides who will help us to select the buildings, monuments, churches and other points of interest that we should not miss.

The best way to see and visit Madrid: take a free tour!

One of the alternatives that has been gaining momentum in recent years to get to know and discover the culture of this city is to take free tours in Madrid with local gurus who help travellers to better understand the history surrounding each part of the tour, making it a pleasant and enriching walk.

If you haven’t yet had this experience, you can find out more about what a free tour is to understand what this new way of visiting a city is all about. In addition to meeting people from other parts of the world, you get out of the conventional guided tours, being more dynamic and fun.

What to see in Madrid in 3 days (a weekend)?

If you are going to travel to Madrid and you still don’t know which places you want to visit, you can make this guide your itinerary. In it we want to show you the 15 must-see places in the Spanish capital that you can’t miss on your trip.

It’s possible that if you want to visit each of these places in depth, you won’t have time to do it in a weekend or 3-day getaway. Don’t worry, because that’s not a problem. It’s always good to leave some places to discover in a city like Madrid to have more excuses to come back.

Even if you are not a tourist and you live in this city, you will surely find a new vision and anecdotes that you did not know about places that are very close to you. Will you join us to find out what to see and do in Madrid?

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is one of Madrid’s most recognisable icons and is located in the centre of the capital. It is home to some of Madrid’s most significant buildings and was the site of the proclamation of the Second Republic in 1931.

What not many people know about it is that it was built in different stages. The first was the Casa de Correos, which was built in the mid-18th century. Later, thanks to the architects José Morer, Juan Rivera and Lucio del Valle, between 1857 and 1862, it took on its final form. Finally, the fountain, the gardens and the pedestrian area that you can see today were added in the 20th century.

In addition to the clock of the Casa de Correos, from where you can see the chimes on New Year’s Eve, in Puerta del Sol you will find three other very famous elements: Kilometre Zero, the place where the radial roads of Spain start, the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, symbol of the city, and just above the latter, the Tío Pepe advertisement.

From Puerta del Sol you can walk to other essential places in Madrid such as Plaza Mayor, Gran Vía, Palacio Real or Plaza Cibeles. It is one of the most central places in the city, which is very well connected thanks to its metro station, which connects with the suburban train and the numerous bus stops.

2. Prado Museum

Although you can find a wide variety of museums in the Spanish capital, the Prado is the best known. It was inaugurated in 1819 and during this time it has become one of the most important museums in the world, with a collection based, above all, on paintings from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

This museum is the work of Juan de Villanueva and here you will be able to find paintings by painters of the stature of Goya, El Bosco, Rubens, El Greco and Velázquez. To see all its rooms and works, you will need about a full morning, although this will depend on whether you are a great art lover and do not want to leave any corner unvisited, or whether you prefer to enjoy only some of the best-known works on display. Some of its most important pieces are The Naked Maja, by Goya; The Three Graces, by Rubens; The Gentleman with the Hand on his Chest, by El Greco; and Las Meninas, by Velázquez.

If you are not an art expert and you are interested in soaking up all the culture you can find in the Prado Museum, you may want to book a guided tour to get the most out of the experience.

If you want to get to know the Prado Museum in depth, one of the most important museums in Spain and Europe, let yourself be accompanied by an expert local guide. He or she will tell you everything you need to know about the works and the history behind this marvel of Madrid.

3. Plaza Mayor, one of the must-see places in Madrid

The Plaza Mayor is located about 350 metres west of the aforementioned Puerta del Sol, that is, it is situated in the centre of Madrid. Its 94 metres wide and 129 metres long are surrounded by three-storey buildings and different arcades and, what you probably didn’t know, is that it has suffered different fires that have meant that this square has had to be rebuilt at different times throughout history.

And just as it has needed rebuilding, it has also undergone several name changes. The current name has been preserved since the end of the Civil War, but previously it was called Plaza de la República, Plaza Real, Plaza de la Constitución and Plaza del Arrabal, the name it received during the 15th century.

Despite having points of interest such as the Arch of Cuchilleros, the Casa de la Panadería or the Statue of Felipe II, what you should not miss is the spectacle of this square at Christmas time. During the festive season, and for almost 150 years now, you can see a multitude of stalls with Christmas articles of all kinds.

4. Gran Vía of Madrid

When visiting Madrid, you can’t miss the city’s most famous boulevard: the Gran Vía. It connects the Argüelles neighbourhood with the Salamanca district and is a project that took several decades to complete (from 1910 to 1929, although the first sketches were made in 1862) and involved the demolition of 300 houses.

In this case, as in the case of the Plaza Mayor, it has not always been called that. Are you surprised? If you had tried to find it in other times you would have had to ask for the avenida del quince y medio, for the avenida de Rusia or for the avenida de José Antonio, which, in homage to José Antonio Primo de Rivera, was its most transcendental name.

And what are you going to find on Gran Vía? Basically three things: cinemas, fashion shops and restaurants. There is a 24-hour atmosphere and, although there are fewer and fewer cinemas, in its heyday this area was known as “Madrid’s Broadway”.

5. El Retiro

Its full name is Parque del Buen Retiro, and it is one of the must-see places in Madrid for tourists and locals alike. It was inaugurated in 1968 and has a large number of places to visit and activities to do, and is about 750 metres from the aforementioned Prado Museum.

Do you want to see musicians, puppet shows, actors dressed up as children’s characters, seers or fortune tellers? Well, believe it or not, this is the place for you. What’s more, there are a number of points of interest inside the park that you won’t want to miss if you want to get to know this gem of Madrid in depth.

What to see and do in El Retiro, Madrid?

• Paseo de las Estatuas: although it is actually called Paseo de la Argentina, it took this name because you can see the statues of the different Spanish monarchs.
• Palacio de Cristal: it was initially used as a greenhouse, but nowadays it hosts a large number of temporary exhibitions.
• Pond: where you can rent one of its rowing boats and enjoy a relaxing time.
• Monument to Alfonso XII: you will find it on one of the banks of the pond and, if you visit it on a Sunday, you will find groups of people playing timbales and other instruments.
• Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez: located on the side of the park, very close to the metro station Ibiza. They are a small treasure within the marvel that the Retiro represents for Madrid. These gardens are specially cared for, and you can find peacocks and ducks inside them. It is a corner that is not very well known and there are usually few people strolling around, being one of the quietest places in the whole park.

6. Puerta de Alcalá

Now it’s the turn of one of the city’s most emblematic monuments: the Puerta de Alcalá. Do you remember the famous song by Ana Belén and Víctor Manuel? Well, it was dedicated to this place, which was inaugurated by the Italian architect Francisco Sabatini in 1778.

Previously, there was another Puerta de Alcalá, which Charles III ordered to be demolished and then rebuilt. This first one was made of brick and the second (which remained as the definitive one) of two different types of stone. It is very close to the Retiro Park, so a visit to the Puerta de Alcalá is a very good option for entering the park through one of its main gates.

A curiosity you should know about its name is that it is called “gate” because it was originally one of the five gates that existed to enter the city. It was not until 1889 that it became a square. On the other hand, the surname “de Alcalá” refers to the fact that it is located on the road that was used to reach the town of Alcalá de Henares. Alcalá Street itself, which is the longest street in the city, continues in the direction of this town, which is 30 km from the capital.

7. Plaza de Cibeles

This square is about 370 metres from the Puerta de Alcalá, so it is easy to get from one to the other, and is located at the crossroads between Calle Alcalá and Paseo del Prado. You probably know it from the fountain that presides over it, which represents a chariot pulled by lions carrying the goddess Cibeles herself, and it is the place where the football titles won by Real Madrid are celebrated.

In addition, you may have in mind the imposing buildings that surround it, which have their own particular history. It is very common to see many travellers and tourists strolling around the Plaza de Cibeles taking pictures of the monument and the surrounding buildings.

What to see in Plaza de Cibeles?

• Palacio de Linares: built by the Marquis of Linares in 1900, it later became an institution that sought to foster cultural relations between Latin American countries and Spain: the Casa de América.
• Banco de España: the central headquarters of the Banco de España was inaugurated in 1891 and, although its imposing exterior is sparsely decorated, its interior has a large collection of paintings, including works by Vicente López, Maella, Mengs and Goya.
• Buenavista Palace: it was originally the residence of the Duke and Duchess of Alba, although it is currently the headquarters of the Army Headquarters.
• Palacio de Cibeles: this majestic building, which was the central headquarters of the Post Office, nowadays houses the City Hall and you can see exhibitions of all kinds throughout the year.

8. Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is also known as the Palacio de Oriente and is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family. However, the King and Queen reside in the Zarzuela Palace and the Royal Palace is only used for official acts, ceremonies and receptions.

Its location was the same as that of the Hapsburg Palace before it was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve 1734. Now, it is about 600 metres from the Plaza Mayor and about 670 metres from the Gran Vía, which makes it very convenient for you to visit all these areas in the same day.

This palace was designed during the 18th century, its construction lasted around 17 years, and in 1764 it became the residence of Carlos III. It is surrounded by the Sabatini Gardens, which date from the 20th century, and the Campo del Moro Gardens, which were created in the Middle Ages.

It is a palace worth visiting, but especially from October to July, every Wednesday at 11 am, as this is when you can watch the changing of the guard, as well as the official rooms, the royal armoury and the royal pharmacy, which you can visit any day during opening hours.

Just opposite the Royal Palace is one of the most representative buildings in the city: the Almudena Cathedral.

9. Temple of Debod

This temple is located next to the Parque del Oeste, about 400 metres from the Plaza de España and 700 metres from the Royal Palace. It was a gift from Egypt to our country for having collaborated in the salvage of the Nubian temples and, if you go to visit it, you will find a spectacular piece that is 2,200 years old.

During the move, some stones were lost, which, together with the lack of good plans, made its reconstruction complicated. It took two years to complete, and during the first period when this temple was in Madrid, not as much time or resources were devoted to it as would have been necessary to keep it well preserved and, in fact, it was considered unsafe.

However, this has changed, and now you can enter the interior of the temple, where you will find explanations about the hieroglyphs, a model with the temples of Nubia represented, and information about Egyptian society and mythology. The exterior is also a real discovery, especially at sunset, when the Temple of Debod is dyed in golden colours that you should not miss.

You can also enjoy the surrounding gardens, where many people do yoga exercises, picnics or simply come to relax and get away from their routines. In addition, the location of the Temple of Debod means that you can see beautiful views of Madrid from the viewpoint, which is very close to the exit of the cable car that connects this part of the city with the Casa de Campo.

10. Royal Theatre

Given its name, you won’t be surprised to know that the Teatro Real is located opposite the Royal Palace, in the Plaza de Oriente. Although it is currently used as an opera house, this has not always been the case.

Its construction began in 1818, although it was not inaugurated until 1850. If you had visited it then, you would have found a theatre that became one of the most important in Europe for 75 years, until a collapse meant that it had to remain closed for more than four decades. In 1966 it was able to reopen its doors, but this time as a symphony concert hall. Although this was not its last remodelling, as it had to undergo a major refurbishment that kept it closed for another 9 years, until it became what you can see today.

On your audio-guided tour, you will be able to visit a large number of rooms with palatial decoration or its incredible stage box with articulated platforms, which allow a large number of stage combinations to be made for the enjoyment of the audience. You will also be able to see the views you would have if you were to attend one of the shows at this theatre in its best seats: in the Royal Box.

As a curiosity, you should know that when you enter the theatre’s restaurant (which was a former ballroom), you will find a starry sky created with thousands of LED lights. The arrangement of the stars in that sky represents the star map that was in place on the opening night, when the stage had an open ceiling.

11. Almudena Cathedral

The Almudena Cathedral is the most important religious building in the city. It has a very particular style, with a ceiling and stained glass windows in bright colours and straight lines, which sets it apart from the more classical style.

Its construction began with the first stone, laid by King Alfonso XII in 1883, and it was the first cathedral to be consecrated outside Rome, thanks to Pope John Paul II in 1993. It is located about 300 metres from the Royal Palace and about 600 metres from the Plaza Mayor.

You can also visit the 12 rooms that form part of its museum which, although quite small, is much more interesting than you might think. Here you can enjoy episcopal coats of arms, mosaics and a large number of objects from the archdiocese of Madrid.

You can also climb up to the dome when you enter the museum, although the views are not as spectacular as those of other cathedrals. We rate this place of interest as one of the essential places to see and visit in Madrid if you go for a weekend.

12. Colon Square

This nerve centre of Madrid is bounded by the Paseo de la Castellana, the Paseo de Recoletos, and the streets Jorge Juan, Goya and Serrano. In this square you can see an enormous monument, built between 1881 and 1885, dedicated to Christopher Columbus. Some of the points of interest worth visiting here are:

• The Spanish flag: you will be impressed by the sight of this flag flying from a mast more than 50 metres high. The flag itself measures 21 x 14 metres.
• Jardines del Descubrimiento (Discovery Gardens): they have several tree cores among which you can find a group of three large concrete sculptures with inscriptions and reliefs: the Monument to the Discovery of America.
• Columbus Monument: this statue, carved in white marble and 3 metres high, stands on a 17-metre pedestal.
• Torres de Colón: these twin buildings have a peculiarity that will catch your attention: they were built from top to bottom between 1967 and 1976. In addition, at the top there is a curious green structure.

13. Reina Sofia Museum

This Reina Sofía museum is located in a building that was built at the end of the 18th century, in the former Hospital de San Carlos, about 570 metres from the Prado Museum and about 800 metres from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. If you like contemporary Spanish art, you can’t miss it. It was founded in 1992 and covers the period that does not take place in the Prado Museum, i.e. since the birth of Picasso in 1881.

Its most memorable painting is Guernica, by Picasso himself, although at the Reina Sofía you can also see the work of other geniuses, such as Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí. If you are only looking to see the main works in this museum, you will need one or two hours to visit it, although if you are a real art lover and want to see the whole museum, you will need to set aside an extra hour or two.

In addition, the museum itself offers a third option, which is to get to know the museum and its most important works with a guide who is an expert in art and history. Choose the way you are going to enjoy it most, but don’t miss this museum, as its collection is really interesting.

14. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

We have already talked about the Museo del Prado and the Reina Sofía, so now it is the turn of the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, which complements the works of the two previous museums.

It is housed in an 18th-century palace, the Palacio de Villahermosa, and is so called because the 1,000 pieces it contains were bought from the family of the same name in 1993 by the Spanish state. Throughout its three floors you can enjoy works from the 17th to 20th centuries by painters such as Van Gogh, Edvard Munch, Caravaggio and Van Eyck.

It is advisable to start on the first floor, the top floor, and continue downwards to see the historical evolution of painting. Despite being a museum with less important works than the Prado Museum, its selection is very interesting and will leave you with a good taste in your mouth.

15. Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is the third largest bullring in the world, the largest in Spain and has a capacity for more than 23,000 people. It was built in 1929 and its bullring has a diameter of 61 metres.

Bullfighting became more and more popular from 1913 onwards and the bullring that had been built in 1874 became too small, leaving many people outside. Thus, the construction of the current bullring was proposed. The place that was chosen did not have the prestige it has today, being one of the most marginal neighbourhoods of Madrid.

Even if you are not a big fan of bullfighting, it is an enclave worth visiting and it is not necessary to attend a bullfight to do so. You simply have to book a tour that will show you all the ins and outs, with the help of an audio guide, and take you through the paseíllo, the bullring, the courtyard and the upper tiers.

How to get to Madrid?

Madrid is one of the best connected European cities for travelling from anywhere in the world. Whether by plane, train, bus or car, there are plenty of alternatives for getting to the Spanish capital depending on your location and how you want to get around.

• By plane: Adolfo Suárez airport (formerly Barajas) is the main entry point to the country, welcoming thousands of national and international travellers and tourists. From the airport you can reach the city centre by metro (line 8) in 25 minutes or by EMT bus which takes a little longer, although there is a direct bus to Cibeles.
• By train: Another alternative that allows you to get to Madrid relatively quickly is the AVE, although it is not available to all destinations. The most direct trains leave from Valencia, Seville and Zaragoza, although there are also trains from Malaga, Vigo, Tarragona and Segovia itself.
• By bus: Madrid has several bus stations that connect with the whole of Spain and Europe. There are connections to Lisbon, Oporto, Paris and Amsterdam, although there are many more destinations. You can find a wide range of transport companies offering services from the Spanish capital, such as Alsa and AvanzaBus.
• By car: The options for getting to Madrid by car are practically endless. If you are travelling from anywhere on the Iberian Peninsula, as it is located in the centre, it is likely to be closer to you than other major cities in the country, although it will depend on where you are leaving from. For example, from Barcelona, the distance is 620 km, from Valencia 355 km and from Seville 530 km. As a reference if you are going to another European city, Florence is 1,700 km away and Rome is almost 2,000 km away.

Map with the essential places to see in Madrid

We provide you with a map of Madrid with the location of the points of interest we have described. This way, you will be able to locate each monument and building so that you can plan your getaway to the millimetre and not miss any essential places to visit.

As you have seen, there are a large number of parks, monuments, squares, theatres, museums and, in short, essential places to visit in Madrid. Although with this list we think we have made it very easy for you to save time and see the most characteristic areas, there is much more to see in the city.

The list of essential places to see and visit in Madrid is not perfect, or at least not for everyone. We are aware of this fact, as there are destinations that are impossible to cover in a single weekend, and we are sure to leave some points of interest out of any selection we make. But the idea is to be able to see the essentials of the city, being able to understand the culture of Madrid while leaving those places that we have not been able to cover for other visits.

1.     Configuración previa

Por favor, acceda al siguiente enlace y descargue e instale la versión actual del “Configurador FNMT-RCM” según su tipo de sistema operativo:

https://www.sede.fnmt.gob.es/descargas/descarga-software/instalacion-software-generacion-de-claves

2.     Solicitud vía internet de su certificado

                                I.            Después de instalar el configurador acceda al siguiente enlace, cumplimente la solicitud ¹ y haga clic en el enlace “Pulse aquí para consultar y aceptar las condiciones de expedición del certificado“ ² según se muestra en la siguiente figura:

https://www.sede.fnmt.gob.es/certificados/persona-fisica/obtener-certificado-software/solicitar-certificado

                              II.            Desplace el texto de las condiciones de uso hacia abajo, marque la casilla de “Acepto los términos y condiciones de uso” ¹, después haga clic en “Enviar petición” ².

                            III.            A continuación se deberá permitir la ejecución del Configurador FNMT antes instalado y proteger la solicitud de su certificado mediante una contraseña que usted necesitará recordar para su uso posterior:

                            IV.            Si el envío ha sido correcto le aparecerá un mensaje que le informará que recibirá un correo electrónico en la dirección que usted indicó facilitándole el código de su solicitud de certificado digital.

3.     Acreditar identidad

                                I.            El solicitante del certificado deberá acudir a una oficina de registro para acreditar su identidad de manera presencial presentando tanto su DNI como el código de la solicitud recibida en su correo electrónico. Estas oficinas de registro pueden corresponder con oficinas de la Seguridad Social y la AEAT, incluyendo en ocasiones Gobiernos Civiles. La propia FNMT facilita el siguiente enlace para la consulta de estas oficinas de registro:

http://mapaoficinascert.appspot.com/

4.     Descargar certificado.

Tras acreditar su identidad recibirá un segundo  correo electrónico que le informará de la disponibilidad de su certificado digital para su descarga. Para ello es importante que realice dicha descarga desde el mismo ordenador e iniciando sesión con el mismo usuario mediante el siguiente enlace:

https://www.sede.fnmt.gob.es/certificados/persona-fisica/obtener-certificado-software/descargar-certificado

                                I.            Introduzca sus datos ¹ y haga clic sobre el enlace para aceptar las condiciones de uso ².

                              II.            Para continuar desplace el texto de las condiciones de uso hacia abajo, marque la opción “Acepto los términos y las condiciones de uso” ¹, haciendo clic por último en el botón “Descargar Certificado” ².

                            III.            Permita una vez más la ejecución del Configurador FNMT e introduzca la contraseña con la que protegió su solicitud de certificado como se indicó más arriba para instalar su certificado en el ordenador y hacer una copia de seguridad del mismo:

                            IV.            Finalmente, una vez realizada la copia, el sistema procederá a la instalación del certificado en todos los almacenes de certificados de su sistema operativo.

Before creating the tour script

Before starting to write the script, you should be aware of at least these 2 elements:

1. Make sure to have identified all the places of interest (ex: town hall) and topics (ex: gastronomy) that you want to introduce throughout the tour.

2. Make sure to have ordered all the places and topics to create your tour itinerary, taking into account a coherent structure and the shortest distance between each stop (max. 2-3 minutes).

If you have any questions about that, we strongly advise you to read this post first to define the itinerary of your tour.

1. Create a great introduction

Think about it as if it were the first few minutes of a movie or the first pages of a book. You have to create the “WOW” effect.

Your tour introduction has several goals:

• Captivate your travelers: you have to show travelers how special this experience will be with you and that it was worth booking. Make it clear that you will exceed the expectations they have.

• Break the ice: travelers don’t know you yet, they don’t know your city, or the other travelers in the group. It’s important to reduce this tension from the beginning.

• Give confidence: You must show your professionalism and credibility so that travelers can trust what you explain.

This introduction is usually short (5 minutes) and is normally structured like this:

1. Say hello, welcome them, thank them for booking with you, introduce the tour and get the travelers’ interest.
2. Introduce yourself to the group (and sometimes the travelers among them): here you have to show your credibility (experience, studies, time spent in the city …) so that the travelers know that they made the best decision booking your experience.
3. Tour structure (key sights) and practical information (duration, if there will be a break to go to the bathroom, the payment concept, …). You make sure travelers know what to expect from you and to show them your professionalism.
4. Get travelers’ interest and give time for some practical questions.

Then, in the same place, gurus usually start with their first explanations (most of the time, it’s an historical introduction of the city and the country). This explanation is normally a bit longer than the others (10-15 minutes) and serves to put the context for the rest of the tour. It’s also important to start at the meeting point so late travelers can still join.

2. Balance the types of content 

It’s important to find a balance between the different kinds of content to include in your tour so it’s easy for them to follow you. 

These are the different types of content that your tour must include:

• History: it’s usually the main focus for the content of your tour and helps to introduce the rest of your explanations. In many cases, travelers have already read part of the story before joining the tour in their travel guide or online but it’s important to explain it as travelers expect it and to put everything in context. It can be both the history of a building or monument, as well as the history related to a topic (specific period, important social movement, gastronomy, …).

• Anecdotes and curious legends: that’s what makes the difference for travelers and what they will remember, since it’s usually something that surprises them and that they don’t usually know about. It touches travelers’ emotions and keeps their attention. This kind of content is usually explained after the historical context.

• Customs and recommendations: Travelers who participate in a free walking tour don’t just want to listen to stories. They also want to be able to understand the city as a local, live as a local and go to places that are not as touristy. That’s why it’s important to include some local customs and personal recommendations in your tour.

You can balance the content both from one spot to another and within the same explanation of the place! (Ex: have a moment to talk just about recommendations or include recommendations after an historical overview). 

3. Find the content and write the tour script

Now that you know the type of content you need, it’s time to search for it.

There is no miracle, you will have to read a lot, watch many documentaries, visit many places, talk to the tourist office, experts … and that takes a while.

While doing this research, also consider the following things:

• Keep only the most essential and relevant information: you can talk for hours about some places, so it’s important to select only the most interesting part for the traveler. 

• Open your search beyond the content of the tour: If you read more than the content of your tour, you’ll be able to show to travelers that you are a true professional by answering all their doubts, which often go beyond what you explain on the tour.

• Verify the data: you can’t trust just one single source of information. Cross-check the data to ensure your script’s content is reliable.

• Write in an understandable way for everyone: sometimes travelers don’t know anything about the topics you are dealing with on your tour, so you have to explain it in a simple and clear way and avoid technical words.

• Think of practical information: free walking tours give travelers a general overview of what the city can offer, so they can then visit some places on their own. That’s why it’s important to know the practical information of the most important places in your city and to include them in your tour: opening hours, ticket prices, how to get there, …

4. Think of the best way to explain your stop

Just as you did by selecting the type of content for your tour, you must also balance the different ways of transmitting this content, which will create a much more enjoyable experience.

Maybe you can explain a personal story, or perform a historical event with travelers, even teach them how to prepare a traditional recipe, or make a quiz … You can find more information on this topic by consulting this post on how to create a more interactive tour and in this post on how to create amazing explanations.

In addition, you can include your travelers better by asking them questions, as we explain in more detail here.

5. Create natural transitions in your itinerary

Maintaining the logic between your explanations can be achieved when you have good transitions, because it gives a common thread to the whole tour. Your experience is not just going from one place to another, you have to see it as a set where each explanation tells a story that supports the overall idea of ​​your experience, like a movie with different scenes.

Good transitions allow travelers to better remember key facts and will help make the journey more meaningful. It also helps you memorize your speech better and will keep travelers interested to follow the whole tour.

You have to add these transitions at the end of the stop or when starting the next one. It can also serve to get travelers’ attention and surprise them, as we explain in this post.

6. End the tour with style

The final part of the tour has to be the cherry on top. Like a good movie, the final part is essential and will be the last impression travelers get before paying you. It’s important to make an emotional ending, so travelers realize how awesome this experience has been with you.

Many gurus achieve this by choosing a very special place to end their tour, such as a vantage point with a spectacular view of the city. Others choose a site that is relevant to the common thread of their tour, because of the history of that place.

What is usually said at the end:

1. Summarize the most important elements of the tour, show travelers that the experience was amazing and that they have learned a lot with you.
2. Give options on things to do after the tour.
3. Remember that they will receive an automatic email from GuruWalk to leave a review on your profile and explain why it’s so important they do so (it allows you to get more bookings).
4. Thank them and wish them a good stay.

If they give you an applause, it means that the tour and its ending have been a success. 

7. Control time, practice and improve the tour script

Remember, the best free walking tours last between 2 and 3 hours. Shorter than that, travelers will feel that the experience was not complete and longer, you will tire them out too much and they will end up bored.

With Google Maps, you can approximate the time you will need to walk. In this example of an itinerary in Brussels, which is a 2-hour tour, you walk about 40 minutes, leaving 1h20 to tell stories. Only the main stops are represented there, but there are about 10 stops, which makes 10 minutes per stop, taking into account that the first stop is usually longer, so it’s fine.

So, you can put a timer so that each stop on your script is no more than 10 minutes. It is not an absolute rule. There are places that require more time and others less.

Now that you’ve added or removed content from the tour script, it’s time to practice it at home and learn it well.

Once you have it ready, practice it with a friend or family member in real conditions. This person can also give you valuable feedback to improve your speech. Look at the time before starting the tour and halfway through the tour, verify your progress at the halfway point to make sure you are on target. If not, you will have to add or remove content.

You have to constantly review your tour script. With practice, you will realize what is more or less interesting to travelers.

However, keep in mind that the speed of the group is always different. So you have to identify less important explanations or places that you could skip or add to meet the duration of the tour.

It’s important to memorize the tour script perfectly. In front of the group of travelers, you can’t doubt or read something from a notebook. Otherwise, you may lose all your credibility (and money… ).

What’s next? 

Do you have your tour script ready and are you learning it? Before doing your first tours with travelers, check out this post about the most common mistakes when starting as a tour guide and how to avoid them.

The best way to visit and see Amsterdam: do a free walking tour

Discover this city by doing one of the free tours in Amsterdam that you’ll find on GuruWalk. A local guide will help you to get to know the culture and history of the local monuments and landmarks on your tour of the Netherland‘s capital.

If you haven’t had the chance to do one of these pay-what-you-please walking tours, you can read up on what it is here so you’ll know what to expect on this type of guided tour.

How can I visit Amsterdam in 1 or 3 days?

If you are planning on visiting the Venice of the North soon, here you have our list of must-see places and stops for your trip. When you are planning what to do and see in Amsterdam it’s important to take into consideration what are the most iconic or popular places in the city.

If you want to visit the city at a more relaxed pace but still see all those things that interest you, you can always reserve a guruwalk and not miss a thing.

1. Take a trip back in time to the Rijksmuseum

The National Museum of the Netherlands is an essential stop on your trip to get a general idea of the country’s history. Here you can do a quick rundown of the Netherlands’ history from the year 1100 up to today by way of the 8000 objects on display in its 80 exhibit halls. Among such a vast collection, we’d have to say that the Doll Houses and the Delft collection of fine porcelain stand out for their exceptional beauty.

The paintings by the master artists from the Golden Age of Dutch Painting, like Vermeer, Jan Steen and Frans Hals, are the most popular in the museum, especially the museum’s collection of masterpieces by Rembrandt, including The Night Watch.

The top must-see places to visit in Amsterdam

It not just what’s on exhibit at the museum that will attract you, the building itself which has recently been restored is a true architectural masterpiece on its own.

Since it is such a popular and transited museum, we recommend that you go first thing in the morning to avoid the rush and see all the amazing art at your own pace. It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day and it has a cool audio-guide available in different languages that can you download on the museum’s application. The entrance fee costs €20 per person and people under 18 get in for free. Buying your ticket in advance can also help get you in faster and skip the line.

2. Take a boat ride or just walk along Amsterdam’s canals

How can you go to Amsterdam and not take the chance to visit its canals? Impossible! These wonders declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO can be visited by just walking on land and water.

A walk along the canals will allow you to discover the city and its most beautiful buildings on the Gouden Bocht, the stretch of the Herengracht canal between Leidsestraat and Vijzelstraat streets. At the corner of Reguliersgrach and Herengracht streets is the Bridge of the 15 bridges. From there, on the side of the street with the odd-numbered houses, you can enjoy one of the most romantic views of the city at dusk. If you don’t arrive then, you can entertain yourself by counting the fourteen bridges seen from there. The Magere Brug is one of the most picturesque drawbridges and is also a mandatory stop.

Without a doubt, the best way to get to know the channels is to take a boat ride in them. There are companies that rent water bikes or offer short cruises which are always an unforgettable experience!

The water bicycles have three stops on Stadhouderskade streets, 42; Stadhouderskade, 11 and Prinsengracht, 280. They cost around €15.50 per person and can be rented in summer from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and in winter from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Amsterdam boat cruises, which leave from in front of the Central station, cost €18 for adults and €10 for children 4 to 12 years old. Children under 4 travel free. Departure times are every 20 minutes between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and every 30 minutes between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

If being near the water is not your thing or you want to expand on the information you got about the canals, you can visit the Grachtenhuis. This museum informs you about their history with an interactive multimedia exhibition and numerous models. The building where it is located is also worth mentioning since bankers and merchants lived there since 1663, including Jan Willink, the famous supporter of the Americans in the Revolutionary War.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., while Mondays it is closed. General admission costs €15, children between 4 and 13 years pay €7.50, and retirees and students have a reduced admission of €12.50. For children under 3 years, access is free. There are also special discounts for families. You can buy your tickets in advance and avoid unnecessary lines.

3. Let yourself be dazzled by the Van Gogh Museum

This museum houses the largest collection of artwork by the Dutch Post-Impressionist master of the 19th century. It is curious how even though, in his life, Vincent van Gogh did not sell more than a painting, he had such a great influence on the art of the future, as he is considered today to be one of the great masters of the history of universal art. Proof of the importance of this artist is the high number of annual visitors to the museum itself, with about two million a year. The most outstanding masterpieces that are on exhibit there are the paintings: Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters, and his various self-portraits. The visit will shed some light on the life and times of the famous painter.

The museum is always quite busy, which is why we suggest you visit it first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds. Tickets can only be purchased online and it is better to do it well in advance to make sure you get the chance to visit at the time or date you want. It is open every day, except January 1. The 2019 schedules are from September 2 to October 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., from October 28 to December 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from December 23 to December 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m. Fridays it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tickets cost €19 and visitors under 18 are free.

4. Check out the surprising Houseboats

Nothing is more logical in a city full of canals, than having a lot of houseboats. They are authentic homes that are moored on urban waters. In the beginning, they were used as a method to reduce the housing problem after World War II and as a way to reuse cargo ships from the Dutch fleet.

If you prefer accommodation on land but you are still feeling curious, you can always visit one of these houses that has been converted into a ship-museum. The Houseboat Museum, located on a former cargo ship from 1914, offers you the chance to check one out that is full of traditional details.

This museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It costs €4.50, for children under 15 years, it’s €3.50 and it is free for children under 5 years. Tickets can only be purchased on the ship itself.

5. Feel like you’re in a Fairy Tale in Volendam

One of the most recommended excursions from Amsterdam is the fishing village of Volendam. Its isolated location has contributed to preserving its peculiar traditional character which can be seen in their homes, traditional costumes, their dialect and even in their own musical style.

It is best to discover this village walking through its streets, its squares, its port and visit the eel smokehouse. Here is the perfect place to do your souvenir shopping, as you will find numerous handicraft and gastronomy products: from typical Dutch wooden clogs to delicious cheeses. This day trip is really worth it and one you should include in your trip!

6. Be moved by visiting the Anne Frank House

Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who lived hidden in this house with her family and two others during the Nazi occupation from June 1942 to August 1944. But by this time, they were discovered and deported to different concentration camps. No family member survived except the father, Otto Frank. Anne was 15 years old at the time. The teenager’s experiences during that period were described by herself in a journal, or the famous Diary of Anne Frank. This moving personal account of the Holocaust was subsequently published and turned into a unique testimony of the Jewish persecution by the Germans.

In the house-museum, you can visit the apartment where the three families were hidden during those years. The furniture was confiscated when they were arrested, but fragments of the diary’s manuscript, photographs, documents, and personal belongings have been left on exhibit to give you a living idea of what happened in those rooms.

If you want to have the opportunity to visit the house, you have to buy tickets online well in advance because it is a very popular museum. Schedules are from April 1st to November 1st every day from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., from November 1st to April 1st every day from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. at 10:00 p.m. It is closed on October 9th by Yom Kippur. The ticket price is €10.50 for adults, €5.50 for children between 10 and 17 years old, and €0.50 for children under 10 years old.

7. Check out the Coffeeshops

The famous coffeeshops are coffee shops where you can buy and consume soft drugs. You can find them spread out across the whole city. In the Netherlands, these types of drugs were legalized in the 1970s to prevent and reduce the use of harder drugs. Although it seems like a very permissive country, in reality, the regulations are very strict, and you can only purchase and consume in these licensed coffee shops legally.

The entry of minors is not allowed and identification is required before entering. In most of the coffeeshops, they also serve non-alcoholic drinks and “normal” food, but they have a second menu in which they offer products derived from marijuana and cannabis. Even if you do not consume these substances you can always go in for a while just to check it out.

8. Breathe in the peace of Begijnhof

Begijnhof is a courtyard surrounded by modest homes where the Blessed Sisters, a community of women, lived under a vow of chastity without being nuns. After the prohibition of the Catholic religion in the sixteenth century, the Begijnhof continued to exist, since the houses were and still are privately owned, but the chapel was closed. Later, a clandestine church was built that still exists and can be visited today.

Legend has it that a devotee, Cornelia Arens wanted to be buried in the patio’s sewer. Despite her last wish, when she died she was buried in the church. The next day and then on, the coffin is reported to have mysteriously appeared in the sewer until the sisterhood gave up and left her buried there.

Nowadays, although the last devotee has died, the houses are still inhabited and the rest and privacy of the neighbors must be respected, so it is not allowed to take photos, leave the walking trails for visitors or make any unnecessary noise.

One of these houses stands out because it is the only wooden dwelling left in the city: the Houten Huys, built in 1528.

The patio can be visited daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

9. Get to know what’s up with the Red Light District

The history of the Red Light District, famous for having prostitution in showcases or window fronts, is very old. The neighborhood owes its name to the red lights that were formerly used as an attraction for customers between the curtains of the windows.

One of the most interesting things to do here is a visit to the Prostitution Museum, where you will learn a lot about this activity and you can even put yourself in these workers’ place- in one of the shop windows. The museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and is only accessible to those over 18. The half-day ticket (until 1:00 p.m.) costs €10 and the whole day ticket €12,50.

What to see and do in Amsterdam’s Red Light District?

It is important to know that in 2018 tourist visits began to be regulated with very strict rules to protect the privacy and safety of women workers. It is completely forbidden to take photos, stand in front of doors or windows, look between the curtains, display any aggressive behavior, go there drunk or knock on the glass of the windows. This regulation is part of a more extensive and thorough plan to regulate legal prostitution in the city.

10. Learn all about beer with the Heineken Experience

In the old Heineken brewery, closed since 1988, there is an exhibition where you can learn about the beer manufacturing process, the history of the brand and try some of its varieties.

This destination is open every day of the year, from Monday to Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and from Friday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The price depends on the type of visit you want to do. The most basic visit is 90 minutes with an audio guide and two beers, which costs €18 if you buy the ticket online. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and will receive, instead of the gift beer, a soda.

11. Stop and smell the roses at the Flower Market

This curious floating market originated in 1862, when growers went with their boats downtown to sell their flowers. Over time, these vessels became fixed in the Singel canal and even began to build small greenhouses on top.

It is local’s favorite place to buy fresh flowers at any time of the year. Currently, there are more and more souvenir shops, but there is no souvenir from the Netherlands more typical than a few bulbs of your favorite tulip.

It is open from Monday to Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

12. Admire the monuments in Dam Square

This square is the most famous in the city and is where the Royal Palace and the National Monument are located.

The Royal Palace of the Netherlands was the old city hall. The imposing building that was built during the Dutch Golden Age was inaugurated in 1655 and it was not until two centuries later that it was converted into a palace. Currently, receptions and other events are held there, but you can also visit and learn about the life of ancient royalty among the marble galleries, numerous sculptures, and period paintings.

Visits can be made daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but it is better to check the calendar on the website to see the days on which it is closed. The price is €10 for adults and free for children under 18. Free audio guides are also available in many languages.

When you cross the square you find the National Monument, a memorial monument to the victims of World War II on which every May 4th, the Nationale Dodenherdenking, the royal family, present a floral offering in memory of the victims of war violence around the world and observe two minutes of silence.

13.Go treasure hunting in Spui Square

The attraction of this central square is its art and literature markets. Every Sunday from March to December the art market opens and, every Friday, the book market. It is a phenomenal opportunity to acquire works of art directly from the creators, as well as to find that special book in the piles of literature on offer.

The art market works with a rotation system, this way there is almost never the same artist each week. An authentic work of art purchased from a local artist is the best souvenir you can imagine. It is open every Sunday from March to December from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The book market is a meeting point for writers, readers, and collectors. The other days of the week there is also intellectual activity in the square as it houses three popular bookstores, an editorial house and a space for literary events. The cafes around are frequented by authors and other characters from the cultural landscape.

14. Discover the Oude Kerk, Amsterdam’s oldest church

This church located in the Red Light District is the oldest in Amsterdam. Its origin can be traced back to 1213 when in the place where it is today there was a small wooden chapel used by sailors and fishermen in the area. Later, in 1306, he was officially consecrated to St. Nicholas, their patron. With the passage of time, the building has been changing and expanding to become the beautiful church that we can admire today. He considers that it was a Catholic and later Calvinist temple, so he has suffered all kinds of looting and destruction, but is part of the life and soul of the city.

The beauty of its stained-glass windows, the curious collection of miniature ships reminiscent of its sailor origins, the beautiful medieval paintings in the wooden vault and the decorative organs make this a very special church and worthy of a detailed visit.

In 2016, the Oude Kerk took a turn towards modernity and has become an exhibition hall where both local and foreign artists are invited to exhibit and create their works of art in this unique frame full of history.

Visiting hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The ticket costs €10 and has audio guides.

15. Live like a painter from the 17th Century in the Rembrandt House Museum

If you want to know how the genius of painting lived, this place is for you. Thanks to the fact that he was evicted in 1658 and an inventory was made of all the objects that were in the house, it has been possible to make a recreation quite faithful to reality. Entering there is like taking a little trip in time. In addition, you can see paintings by various contemporaries of Rembrandt, his master Pieter Lastman and his students, engravings of the artist himself and other temporary exhibitions.

It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. General admission costs €14, for children 6 to 17 years it costs €5 and for children under 6 years is free.

Map with the essential places to see in Amsterdam

We hope you enjoyed this list of the essential places to visit in Amsterdam and remember that our gurus will help you to get the most out of your time in this amazing city. Enjoy it!

Barcelona is a city that can be tough to see in just a weekend, although if you only have two days, you can catch the most iconic places that represent the essence of Catalonia’s culture. The city is one of the most visited destinations in Spain and Europe by travelers from around the world

When choosing these points of interest, you should get some advice from local experts who really know the hidden charms and can see the world though in the eyes of the tourist. In fact, it’s ideal to visit the city of Barcelona with someone who knows it perfectly, both for the inside information you can get but also because of the time you can save by getting oriented quickly and effectively on a guruwalk.

The best way to visit and see Barcelona: do a free walking tour

At GuruWalk, we have a large community of local tour guides that offer the best free walking tours in Barcelona and in many other cities around the world. Thanks to them we can discover the city in a different, fun and more relaxing way.

If you have never done a free walking tour, let us explain what it is and how it works!

How can I visit Barcelona in 1 or 3 days?

Are you looking for the essential places to visit in Barcelona? This city, which is described as Mediterranean and cosmopolitan, integrates urban remains, medieval neighborhoods, and modernist avant-garde architecture from the 20th Century.

Barcelona is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with emblematic buildings and an incredible cultural, historical and artistic heritage. It is the perfect city to visit since it has multiple museums, shows, dances, historic buildings and parks with lots of colors as well as being famous for its exquisite cuisine.

1. Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is the symbol par excellence as it is the best known and most characteristic building in the entire Catalonian city. It is modernist architecture designed by the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí i Cornet. This is a temple that has not yet been finished that is visited by thousands of tourists every day. In addition, you can hire a guided tour to get to know this magnificent landmark in detail.

Monument history

The first stone that was laid was in March 1882 with a neo-Gothic style, later when the crypt was built and, when certain disagreements with the promoters occurred, the basilica came to Gaudí, who redesigned the entire concept. When the architect died (1926) the basilica was not finished, but thanks to the plans which have been preserved since then, they were able to continue building it.

Most outstanding elements

• The towers

So far 8 of the 18 towers that make up La Sagrada Familia have been placed, and an interesting bit of information is that Gaudí decided that they should be dedicated to the Apostles, the Evangelists, the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus.

• The facades

The main facade or facade of La Gloria is the one that represents death, the day of judgment, glory and the abyss. The birth of Jesus Christ is embodied in the second facade which makes it full of life. The third and last outstanding facade is that of La Pasión, it is really a bit sober in reflecting the suffering of Jesus at the moment in which he was crucified.

• The interior

The interior of the Sagrada Familia is spectacular for its huge tree trunk-shaped columns made with volcanic rock of red porphyry combined with granite, in addition, you can see the street lights being reflected. The altar and the crypt deserve mention also, and in the latter, there are two angels and an image of Jesus hanging on the cross.

Beyond what we can tell you at the historical level, there are always details that can only be appreciated by being there. That is why we advise you to visit the Sagrada Familia with a local guide who can tell you all the interesting details about the place, in addition to answering any questions you may have.

2. Las Ramblas, Barcelona

Do you know that Las Ramblas is the most emblematic street in all of Barcelona? It is the most central avenue that crosses the down town. It is also characterized by being a pleasant walking area of ​​1.3 kilometers that connects the Plaza de Cataluña and the old port.

All the tourists who visit this landmark observe that the street is always lively, full of passersby, live performances, street performers, flower kiosks and large terraces for a drink. There are also permanent attractions and they are as follows:

Wax Museum

The Wax Museum is a great neoclassical building that has more than 200 wax figures of famous and historical figures inside. We must highlight that the most curious exhibit in the place that is the bank’s vault.

Boqueria

The Boqueria is the most famous market worldwide as it has more than 2,500 square meters and more than 300 stalls in which they offer you many different types of food, for example, sweets, Macedonian tubs, eggs, meat, fish, etc.

Christopher Columbus Monument

The Christopher Columbus monument was built in 1888 when this navigator landed in Barcelona to find the new world. It stands out for its towering height of 60 meters and being at the end of Las Ramblas, next to the port.

3. Gothic Quarter, Barcelona

One of the best-known neighborhoods is the Gothic Quarter, which has the greatest treasures in terms of Gothic buildings throughout the European continent. It is known for its medieval layout, its narrow streets, its hidden squares, and its ancient and modern buildings.

Brief history

Around Sant Jaume square, in the Gothic quarter, the Romans of Barcino settled, and it was established between the year 15 and 10 BC, becoming the economic and commercial center. In addition, there are remains of the Temple of Augustus and they were intact until the nineteenth century, at which time the walls were demolished.

Essential places to visit

There are many points of interest in the Gothic quarter, and the church of Santa María del Pi and that of San Felipe Neri should be mandatory stops on your trip. The Sant Jaume square is the emblematic place and in it there is the Generalitat building and City Hall, a place where many important events are held. Another of the places that should be mentioned is that of the King’s headquarters of the Royal Palace, which was built in the Middle Ages, and houses a group of buildings from that time which now house part of the Museum of History of the City.

4. Gracia

Another one of the obligatory places to visit in Barcelona is the Paseo de Gracia which has been described as an elegant and stately promenade out of the nineteenth-century Barcelona bourgeoisie. It is characterized by linking the Plaza Cataluña with the neighborhood of Gracia and those who walk around can admire the amount of enormous, modernist and nineteen-hundreds’ buildings. Two of the most outstanding cases are the buildings created by Antonio Gaudí, explained below.

Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló was designed by Gaudí for Josep Batlló and was built between 1904 and 1906. The facade is very original, since the balconies look like skulls and the pillars like bones, and all of this playing with optical illusions. The interior is fantastic and the audio-guide runs through the old family residence that lived there to see all the most interesting hiding places, as well as a patio full of lights and a roof with very original fireplaces.

La Pedrera

La Pedrera or Casa Milà was built between 1906 and 1912 by the Spanish architect and was commissioned by Pere Milà and Roser Segimon with the aim of living there. A civil building that stands out for its innovation when it comes to building it and for its aesthetic and decorative solutions since the facade is of undulating limestone with huge windows and convoluted balconies. During the visit, the most curious thing to see is the rooftop where different elements are found, such as stairwells, skylights, chimneys, and free-form ventilation towers.

Without a doubt, one of the essential places to see in Barcelona when you visit. We recommend this tour with a local guide with whom you can discover all the secrets of Catalonian culture.

5. Hospital of Santa Creu and Sant Pau

Thanks to a millionaire’s donation, at the beginning of the 20th century they were able to start building the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau by the hand of the modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It is a hospital that occupies 9 blocks of the neighborhood with a square plot of 300 meters each side and 27 pavilions and, today, is declared World Heritage by UNESCO.

The architect decided to give it a completely avant-garde style and for 80 years it was the place where the poor were cared for. This hospital can be visited freely, with audio-guide or hire a guided tour to learn all the details of this icon from a bygone era.

6. El Born, Barcelona

There’s no better way to fully enjoy one of the best-known neighborhoods in the city of Barcelona: El Born. The area has many essential places to visit in Barcelona that we strongly recommend.

Brief history

El Born was the core of the economy between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries as it was one of the trade routes, which led to increased wealth and made very distinguished buildings such as the palaces of Montcada street possible. Little by little, the famous Ciutadella, a military fortress that was located in the current Ciutadella Park, fell apart and was finally lost.

What to do in El Born in Barcelona?

One of the notable places in this neighborhood is the Santa María del Mar basilica built between 1329 and 1383 and with a Gothic style. We must also mention the Picasso Museum, since it is a cultural symbol of El Born and one of the most popular tourist destinations, the most famous Market in the neighborhood called Santa Caterina, the walk along Via Laeitana and Calle Princesa.

7. Park Güell, Barcelona

Park Güell is a public park with gardens and architectural elements located in Northern Barcelona. The design of the place was directed by the architect Antoni Gaudí and the construction took place between 1900 and 1914 in a natural environment that has some of the best views of the city. These are the park’s most famous sites.

The Nature Square

An esplanade that stands out for its natural beauty and is limited by a huge wavy bench lined with a beautiful mosaic; a site from which you can see views of the city.

The Dragon Staircase

An impressive staircase structured in 3 sections and made with stones, having the well-known salamander or the mosaic dragon above, which has been used as the park icon.

The Hypostyle Hall

This room is designed by 86 columns that collect rainwater and are intended to hold the Plaza de la Naturaleza, in addition, the roof domes are adorned with ceramic mosaics.

Top essential places to visit in Barcelona: Park Güell

We highlight Park Güell as one of the most important places in Barcelona. Gaudí’s work is reflected in a very particular way in every corner of the park, from the Hall of the Hundred Columns, through the Hypostyle Room, the viaducts, or the Calvario Monument itself.

Beyond Park Güell, Guadí’s work extends throughout much of Barcelona, ​​flooding the city with his art and way of understanding the world. If you want to see the best of Modernism and inform yourself with an expert in the field, we advise you to take a look at this tour with an official local guide of the city who will help you make the most out of your trip by uncovering the stories behind these iconic places.

8. Montjuic

Apart from Tibidabo, Mt. Motjuic is Barcelona’s other mountain, ​​in addition, it is one of the enclaves full of places and landmarks that used to play a key role in defending the city.

What to see in Montjuic, Barcelona?

For an ideal trip, visiting emblematic sites such as Montjuic Castle, the Joan Miró Foundation, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, the Greek Theater Gardens and the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, and many others is a must for you to get to know this unique place. Don’t forget some of the most important sports venues in the city such as the Olympic Stadium and the Palau Sant Jordi, host different types of events and are located in this vicinity.

9. Palau de la Música Catalana

The Palau de la Música Catalana was designed by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner between 1905 and 1908. It is a very particular modernist building because of its magnificent facade that is hidden between the streets of the La Ribera neighborhood.

It is open to the public and stands out for having a rehearsal room of the Orfeón Catalán designed in the modernist era and because of the concert hall with great lighting as it has a giant skylight in the middle. Finally, there is the Lluís Millet room, where you can see the spectacular colonnade formed by the facade’s ornate balcony.

Music is a fundamental part of the culture of any city. That is why we are choosing the Palau de la Música Catalana as one of the essential places to visit in Barcelona.

10. MACBA: Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona

The MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona) is a space that opened its doors in 1995 and, since then, has become a national and international reference for art from the second half of the 20th century, recognized as a Museum of National Interest.

It is located in the Plaza dels Angels, next to the CCCB and the Faculty of Geography and History of the University of Barcelona. This esplanade is characterized by being a place in constant motion, with groups of skaters out under the sun and hanging out in its pleasant terraces.

The building was designed by Richard Meier. Its facade is accentuated by the pieces of glass while its white color and strong luminosity stand out and highlight its beauty. Inside. Here, you can visit permanent exhibitions, composed of a collection of more than 5800 own works, and also check out some of the featured temporary exhibitions.

Barcelona is a city to get lost and stroll through its streets throughout the day. Its endless cultural and gastronomic options have made it one of tourist’s favorite destinations in the Mediterranean. If you visit Barcelona, ​​try doing it with a guide so you can get to discover the best places.

11. Labyrinth Park

You will find the park of the Labyrinth of Horta (Labyrinth Park) in the northwest of the city, in the district of Horta-Guinardó. It is the oldest preserved garden in the city and one of the essential places to visit on our list.

Of course, this is a lesser-known spot that is in a more remote place where many tourists looking for what to see and do in Barcelona don’t usually get the chance to visit.

The history of its gardens

This park combines Neoclassical and Romantic styles. Its construction began at the end of the 18th century as a private garden for the Desvalls family. The design was commissioned by the important Italian architect Domenico Bagutti, who together with the French gardener Devalet and the builder Jaume Valls, created this incredible landmark.

In 1961, the Desvalls family donated the gardens to the city of Barcelona, ​​and today it is recognized as a museum garden and Cultural Property of Local Interest.

Tour the park

The biggest attraction you will enjoy in this magical-looking park is, without a doubt, its enormous maze of Cypress trees, in which getting lost is a game for both children and adults. However, throughout its gardens you will also come across spaces with different styles and influences, with sculptures, fountains and small buildings such as the Temple of Danae or the Pavilion of Carlos IV.

12. Raval neighborhood, Barcelona

Raval neighborhood is located in the center of Barcelona, ​​next to La Rambla, within the Ciutat Vella (old Town) district. This unique enclave, known as Chinatown decades ago, stands out for its rich multiculturalism. In fact, more than 50% of its residents come from other countries around the world.

History and origin of the neighborhood

Originally, the neighborhood of El Raval was just a combination of settlements that were at the entrances of the city of Barcelona but outside its fortified walls. After the fortification reforms were initiated in the fourteenth century, the neighborhood was brought inside the wall. Interestingly, this wall was not completely demolished until the nineteenth century.

At the end of the 18th century, a strong industrialization process began in El Raval that changed the neighborhood’s history completely, making it the largest working-class neighborhood in the city and the densest in Europe. From this time period, there are factory houses that have been preserved to protect their relevance to the city’s history and its heritage.

Best things to do and see in Raval, Barcelona? Essential places

The neighborhood of El Raval is full of streets full bustling with activity, small shops and establishments with culinary delicacies from around the world.

La Rambla del Raval is a pedestrian avenue that divides the neighborhood. Here you will see a large bronze sculpture which is the work of the artist Botero, Nice, which is a figure of a fat cat that has turned into a neighborhood symbol.

This district houses some of the most important cultural spaces in the city: the MACBA, the CCCB and the Filmoteca.

From El Raval you access the La Boqueria market and the Sant Antoni market, two essential places to visit in Barcelona, especially when you are accompanied by an expert guide on a free walking tour of Barcelona.

13. Tibidabo

Tibidabo is a mountain located approximately 500 meters above sea level that is part of the Sierra de Collserola. Beginning in the 19th century, Tibidabo hill began its urban development. There were distinguished buildings and houses in the modernist style, making the neighborhood home to Barcelona’s upper class.

There are different ways to get to the top of Tibidabo, where you’ll be able to enjoy spectacular views of the city. One of the most interesting ways to get there is to take the funicular from the bottom of the hill.

Tibidabo highlights

One of the biggest attractions is the Tibidabo Amusement Park. Opened in 1901, it is the oldest operating amusement park in Spain. It has more than 30 attractions, and has been the filming location chosen for many popular movies including Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona by Woody Allen.

The Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Heart is another place worth seeing if you make it to the top. It is an imposing neo-Gothic construction, designed by the architect Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia, and is composed of a lower crypt with a church built on top.

14. Encants Market

The Encants market is a paradise for collectors, bargain lovers, second-hand items and auctions. It is the largest market in the city and in its stands you can find everything you can imagine.

Its origin dates back to the thirteenth century, being one of the oldest markets in Europe. Throughout its history, it has changed location many times. In 2013, its definitive space was released, an open-air structure that is also protected from sun and rain, designed by the architecture studio B720.

It is located in the Eixample district, in what was the former Bosquet dels Encants, near the Glories, Monumental or Encants metro stops. It has several floors full of stands that are all accessible by way of elevators and stairs, and different dining options await its visitors.

In Barcelona, you can find other markets that are also worth seeing and visiting, such as the Boqueria Market or the Mercat de San Antoni. It is always interesting to see such places (essential in any city) full of people, and the stories that and day-to-day experiences there every day.

15. The Barceloneta

La Barceloneta is one of the best known seafaring neighborhoods in Spain and is located in the Port Vell district. Until the 18th century, it was an area where many people did not live, but that changed, in 1754 when fishermen began arriving when the sea was next to them. Currently, it has a modern feel that is mixed with the special charm of that time, with its narrow streets and its timeless facades stained by the salty sea breeze.

The best thing to do in this neighborhood is to get lost in its streets and enjoy the atmosphere as you try its rich cuisine. There are also places of interest to visit, such as the Museum of History of Catalonia or the Clock Tower, which was built in 1772 to act as a lighthouse for the port. Last but not least, there is the Barceloneta beach, one of the largest in Spain, stretching 578 meters along the coast. It also has extensive sports and leisure equipment to enjoy a magnificent afternoon at the beach.

Map with the essential places to see and visit in Barcelona

The list of places to see in Barcelona could be endless because it is a city full of monuments, streets, and buildings that would take weeks to visit completely. Therefore, local guides have made a selection of essential places in Barcelona so you can check out what most interests you and decide what you want to check out on your trip to Barcelona on your free walking tours.

Overall, Barcelona is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit because of its rich cultural, historical, artistic and natural attractions. If you plan on traveling to this beautiful city, which stands out as one of the most cosmopolitan and avant-garde cities in Europe, make sure you check out these the essential places on our guides’ list.

Rome is one of those cities they say you should visit and explore at least once in a lifetime. The ‘Eternal City’, is capital of Italy and, not long ago, it was the most important city in the world. Roman culture is present in every neighborhood and city street, and there are hundreds of iconic places that you are not going to want to miss.

In addition, it is currently one of the most popular destinations for tourists and travelers from all over the world. Every year Rome receives thousands of foreigners on its doorstep who seek to get to know every corner of Rome on their trip.

The best way to visit and see Rome: do a free walking tour

We recommend if you want to see Rome and not miss all those essential places, that you should do it with a local guide who can accompany you and teach you about all the hidden charms of the city. On GuruWalk‘s online platform you can find a wide variety of free walking tours in Rome so you can choose a tailor-made, enjoyable and cultural tour that’s best for you.

Once you know what a free walking tour is, it’s very likely you’ll understand why more and more travelers are doing a guruwalk in all the cities they visit.

These are the top 20 essential places in Rome that our gurus (local guides) have recommended for you so you can get to know the city in depth. Take notes and update your travel itinerary with our list of what to see in the Eternal City!

1. St. Peter’s Basilica & Square

St. Peter’s Basilica is the most important church in the Catholic religion, in addition to being the largest cathedral in the world and the place where the tomb of the apostle San Pedro rests. It is attached to the Vatican, the papal headquarters where the highest Catholic figure, the Pope, usually resides. Inside you can see the Pieta by Michelangelo or Bernini’s Baldachinno, as well as giving tourists access to one of its domes that gives a unique viewpoint of the entire city.

San Pedro’s Square brings thousands of travelers and visiting parishioners together every day. In the center of the square, stands the Vatican Obelisk which originated from the Circus of Nero. In addition to this structure, there are different entrances and points of interest that we can find throughout the entire square.

Also, if you want to see the Pope, there are audiences on Wednesdays or you could also attend the brief Angelus ceremony on Sunday. Arriving before 12 noon in the square should be enough to see for the Angelus and for the audience, an entry is needed but it is relatively easy to get them.

If you want to know all the details and secrets about one of the most emblematic places in Rome, we recommend this free tour. The local guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Vatican’s history and culture.

2. Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are a mandatory stop in Rome for any art lover. Located within Vatican City, they house a large number of artworks, highlighting the Sistine Chapel above all.

This great extension of artwork represent the artistic heritage of the Popes. They are called ‘Museums’ in the plural because it is a collection of collections divided into different areas: Museum of Archeology, Pinacoteca, Fresco Cycles, the Collections of Ancient Art, Documents and Historical Objects and a Collection of Contemporary Art.

In addition, the museum structure itself is formed in a spectacular architectural framework with stairways, galleries and rooms designed by some of Italy’s most iconic architects like Bramante, Rafael, Pirro Ligorio or Simonetti and all in a 7-kilometer route.

In the same way as St. Peter’s Square or the Basilica, there is the option to visit the Vatican Museums in the company of a local guru from Rome. A new and exciting way to get to know one of the most beautiful and artistic places in the world.

3. Roman Colosseum

The Roman Colosseum is this city’s most famous monument. It is considered one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World and its state of conservation with respect to its construction is amazing. In addition, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site for being the largest Amphitheater of Antiquity, and one of the symbols of the Roman Empire’s splendor.

Formerly called the Flavian Amphitheater, it served as a type of distraction for the people (Panem et Cirsenses – Bread and circus), performing all kinds of gladiatorial fights as well as public executions. Currently, it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world, with entry lines sometimes exceeding a kilometer long!

One of the alternatives to just visiting the Roman Colosseum is by doing a guruwalk (free tour) that includes this monument in your tour. This way you can get to know one of Rome’s essential places with all its hidden charms and interesting anecdotes.

4. Roman Forum

The Roman Forum, formerly considered the nerve center of the city, was considered the central / main square where people gathered. It was the place where trade, business, administration of justice and religion took place. There is a road called the Via Sacra that crosses the Roman Forum and connects it with the Colosseum.

In its current state, you can see the remains of several centuries due to the Roman custom of building on ancient ruins. The excavation that has made it possible to see how the forum is right now was completed at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Roman Forum’s main points of interest are the Via Sacra, The Arch of Titus, The Arch of Severe Seventh, the Temple of Antonio and Faustina, the Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, The Curia or the Seal Column. All these places are part of the common structure of the forum, having been built at different times.

5. Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is considered one of the most representative fountains of Rome as well as being one of the largest (almost 40 meters long) of the Baroque period in Italy. The source itself connects three main streets of the city marking the point of the Aqua Virgo, which was one of the old aqueducts that supplied water to the city.

In this monument, there is a tradition of throwing coins at the fountain with various theories about why it is done and what benefits it brings. The number of coins thrown has been growing year by year, and now it is being used to finance a supermarket for Romans in need.

If you are passionate about Rome’s squares and public places, as well as all the stories and interesting stories that surround them, you can take a look at this guided tour where you will be accompanied by an official local guide who can shed some light on all that!

6. Maximum Circus

The Circus Maximus is located between the Aventine and Palatine mountains and was considered the largest public place in the city. The shape of the venue is elongated and had a capacity of more than 300,000 spectators, in addition to being the place where public games were held, with charriot racing being the highlight of the show.

All the action took place in the arena, which was 600 meters long and 225 meters wide, giving it the title as the largest in Rome, followed by the Flaminio Circus and the Maxentius Circus. In horse-drawn charriots, racers gave their all for victory, even men (slaves) competing for their freedom.

Currently, it is difficult to see the remains of the Circus’ structure, since the esplanade on which it stood is barely there anymore. It can be disappointing if you don’t have enough imagination to build a mental image of the Circus. It may be paradoxical that we place it as one of the places to see in Rome when there is hardly any trace of its structure, but the site radiates Roman history and gives you a good idea of what the city was like in the age of the Roman Empire.

A new and exciting way to get to know a place like this is by doing it in the company of a local guide who can fill you in on all those interestsing details.

7. Trastevere Neighborhood

Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood is one of the most beautiful places in the city because of its bustling bohemian streets. In fact, we can find some of the most impressive churches in the Italian capital like the Basilica of Santa Maria. The fountain in front of the temple offers a perfect place to rest, have an ice cream or just serve as a meeting point.

The narrow streets of Trastevere where every corner has a story to tell, small medieval churches and facades seem like they have been taken from another page in history, will enchant you with all this and a thousand other things. Additionally, if you are looking to eat well, you are in one of the best culinary areas in Rome with a wide variety of traditional taverns, family restaurants and more modern premises.

The best things to do and see in Trastevere, Rome

If you want to know more details about the most emblematic neighborhood of the Eternal City, don’t hold back and take a look at this free tour in Trastevere:

8. Catacombs of San Calisto and Via Appia

The catacombs of St. Callisto were considered the official cemetery of the Church of Rome in the third century. Nearly half a million Christians lie buried in them, including a dozen martyrs, as well as sixteen Popes along its corridors which stretch more than 20 kilometers in length.

Access to the catacombs is done through the Appia road, and is possibly the point of interest that is furthest from the city center. If we enter, we can see how there is a great symbology along the route, being one of the ways that ancient Christians were able to show their faith without being discovered.

9. Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is possibly one of the most beautiful and emblematic squares in Rome. It is located where the old Domitian stadium (Circus Agonal) dating from the year 86 was located, having a 30,000 spectator capacity where Greek athletic games were once played.

The fountains that are found in the square are this place’s real attraction: Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Fontana del Moro and Fontana del Nettuno. In addition, the Palazzo Pamphili and the Church of Santa Agnes also stand out as buildings that are worth seeing during a visit. As an interesting fact, until the 19th century, summer was used as a time to close the drains of the fountains and turn the whole square into ‘The Lake of the Navona Square’.

Without a doubt, this is one of the essential places to see in Rome accompanied by an official local guide to show you all about its secrets:

10. The Pantheon (of Agrippa)

The Pantheon of Agrippa is the best-preserved architectural work of Ancient Rome, in addition to being considered as one of the architectural masterpieces present in the Italian capital. It was finished in the year 126 A.D., in the time of Adrian and received that name when it was built on the remains of the old Pantheon of Agrippa that burned in a fire in 80 A.D.

Its amazing state of conservation is due in large part to the fact that in the seventh century it was donated to Pope Boniface IV, who ended up transforming it into a church. The façade of the monument is composed of 16 columns that are 14 meters high. The dome has a diameter of 43.30 meters (higher than the Basilica of St. Peter) with an Oculus that allows natural light to enter the building.

11. Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps)

The Plaza de España is the perfect meeting point for any traveler. Located between the streets of Via dei Condotti, Via Frattina and Via del Babuino, it received that name because of the location of the Spanish embassy which has been there since the 17th century.

One of the most important parts of this square is the Staircase of Piazza de Spagna itself. It is a staircase consisting of 135 steps and was built at the beginning of the 18th century to create a link between the square and the Trinità dei Monti Church.

In addition, it also highlights the Fontana della Barcaccia which is located in the center of the square and was designed by Pietro Bernini for Pope Urban III. The fountain is based on the shape of a ship and the Bernini motifs can be seen in the structure: bees and suns. If you go to the Eternal City, without a doubt, the Plaza de España is one of those places worth checking out in Rome.

All the squares in Rome have their own history, always with a lesser-known part that only the locals know. That is why if you are going to visit this place in the capital of Italy, you should do it with a local guide who will enrich your vacation so much more.

12. Castle Saint Angelo

Sant’Angelo Castle (also called Hadrian’s Mausoleum) is located on the right side of the Tiber River, very close to St. Peter’s Square and the Vatican. The building dates from AD 139 from the time of Emperor Hadrian who initially intended it to be a mausoleum for his family. However, in 403 it became a military building and was integrated into the Aurelian Wall.

In 1277 an 800-meter long, walled corridor was built connecting the castle with the Vatican to protect the Pope in case of danger. The building is composed of five floors with a spiral ramp that serves as access to the different heights. There is a terrace on one of the upper floors that gives you a privileged position to get some amazing pictures of Rome.

It is one of the most representative places in this part of the city, and it is almost mandatory to put it on the top 20 list of what to see and visit in Rome.

13. Altar of the Fatherland

The National Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II was innaugurated in 1911 as a tribute to Victor Manuel II himself, the first king of Italy after the country’s unification took place. Within the enclosure, itself you can find the Institute for the History of the Italian Risorgimento and the Central Museum of the Risorgimento.

The monument measures 70 meters high by 135 meters wide supported by dozens of Corinthian columns and countless stairs built in white marble. In the middle, you can see the bronze statue of Victor Manuel, escorted by two chariots guided by the goddess Victoria on top of the 16 columned portico structure.

In 1921 the tomb of the unknown soldier was officially set here, a place where the “eternal flame” can always shine, in addition to always being guarded by two soldiers. It is one of the monuments in Rome that has been most criticized by citizens because of its location (clash of styles with the surrounding buildings) as well as for the excessive costs to build it.

14. Piazza Campidoglio and Capitoline Museums

The Campidoglio Square or Capitol Square is located at the top of the Capitoline Hill, being the first place in the city that broke with the classical style of Rome. It was Pope Paul III Farnese who commissioned Michelangelo to design a square with a modernist style, orienting it towards St. Peter’s Basilica.

In the center of the square you can see an equestrian statue of Marco Aurelio made in bronze. The original is kept in the Palace of the Counselors. However, an exact reproduction of the same statue has been left in its place to honor the original design of this characteristic Piazza.

The Capitoline Museums had their origins in a donation made by Pope Sixtus IV in 1471 from a collection of bronzes. These museums consist of two large buildings: Palace of the Conservatives (Palazzo dei Conservatori) and the New Palace (Palazzo Nuovo) that are joined by Galleria Lapidaria.

We advise you to sign up for a guided tour by a local guru who can show you this essential spot in Rome. This guru can share more info on both the square and the museums that it connects.

15. Market and Trajan Forum

Trajan’s Market is considered the first covered shopping center in history. It was built between 100-110 AD and currently is the location of the Imperial Forum Museum. The building is made of brick and has a total of six floors which housed more than 150 stores.

On an architecture level, it still retains an important part of its visual appearance, only surpassed by the state of conservation of the Colosseum. It is one of the monuments in Rome that is worth visiting since it is considered an essential stop on any city tour.

16. Campo dei Fiori

One of the most emblematic squares of the city both for its market and for its terraces and premises is Campo dei Fiori (Field of flowers). It was Pope Calixto III who commissioned to build it in an open part of the city where there was a field of flowers, thus giving the name to the current square. After several renovations and the construction of important buildings such as the Orsini Palace, it became a popular place for Rome’s most important and iconic citizens.

However, this public space wasn’t always flowers and smiles, since it was also used for public executions. There is a statue of Giordano Bruno who was burned at the stake here in 1600 when he was accused of heresy, only to late have a monument in his honor erected here in 1889.

It is an ideal place for a little distraction from the monuments and to rest, being a little less cultural than other places of interest in Rome, although it is generally very crowded with tourists.

17. Palatine Hill

The Palatine Hill is located 40 meters above the Roman Forum and is the most central hill in the city. You could say that this place is the cradle of Rome as it is believed that it could have been inhabited ever since 1,000 BC. As far back as the Republican era, some of Rome’s wealthiest citizens settled on this mountain, building palaces whose remains are still preserved.

The mythology of this culture states that Luperca, the wolf that protected Romulus and Remus, had its cave located on the Palatine Hill. After arguing, Romulus killed Remus and founded the city of Rome on the banks of the Tiber River.

These are the main points of interest: the Domus Flavia Palace, the House of Livia, the House of Augustus, the Farnesian Gardens, the Domitian Racecourse, and the Palatine Museum.

The best way to get to know the Eternal City is by learning about some of the hidden charms and secret spots that only locals know. Therefore, if you want a more complete view of the Palatine, we recommend that you take a look at this free tour:

18. Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is an old Catholic church that is the largest in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary, as well as being one of the four largest basilicas in the city. It was Pope Liberius who in the mid-fourth century ordered this Basilica to be constructed on top of the pagan temple that worshiped the goddess Cibeles.

Over the years different names have been attributed to him, such as; Santa María de las Nieves, for the snowfall that inspired the shape of the basilica, Santa María Liberiana, in honor of Pope Liberio, or Santa María del Pesebre after receiving a relic of the Holy Manger. However, in the end it has remained as that of Santa María la Mayor, because it is the largest church of worship for the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rome.

Inside, we can see a wide variety of architectural styles with the Baroque prevailing over the rest. The building was restored and completely renovated in the 18th century, maintaining the façade and internal decoration of this period

19. Hot Springs of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla were completed in 216 under Emperor Caracalla (Marco Aurelio Antonio Basiano), and were one of the largest hot springs of his time. At present, there are hardly any brick walls and vaults, but much of the splendor that made this a treasured Roman landmark can still be appreciated.

These hot springs were a popular place of leisure for Roman society, which, in addition to providing hygiene, also helped strengthen social relations. In addition, in the enclosure one could also practice sports, go to the library or worship the god Mithras or other pagan deities featured in the temple.

20. Galleria Borghese

The Borghese Gallery is located in Borghese Gardens, and is one of the most important museums in the world. The gallery’s name corresponds to the great collection that Cardinal Scipione Borghese (Pope Paul V’s nephew) started in 1633 and which is now on permanent display in the gallery.

Scipione Borghese is considered to be one of the greatest collectors of Caravaggio’s work, in addition to being Bernini’s first patron. In the museum, you can see a wide collection of works by both artists.

To be able to book a reservation at the Borghese Gallery, you have to do the paperwork or do it by phone or online, through its website. We advise you to do it a few days in advance due to the large quantity of visitors that this museum has every day. We have left this museum at the end of our list of what to see in Rome precisely so you do not forget to book your ticket.

Map with the essential places to see in Rome

So, that wraps up our top 20 list for Rome. We know… we have definitely left out some of Rome’s charms. That’s the worst part about these ‘Top’ lists, having to leave so many out. However, if you have one that is your favorite, leave a comment and let the community know about your essential spots to visit in Rome, and see if you can book a guru walk to check it out and get the inside story to travel like a pro!

In addition, there are always new destinations to visit where you can do free walking tours to get to know the place like a local and start sharing some more authentic experiences.

It is convenient to clarify three terms that we will use in this article:

1. ‘Walker’: traveler or tourist.
2. ‘Guru’: local guide.
3. ‘A guruwalk’: a free tour.

Free walking tour: Concept

There is no official definition of free tour, but it could be defined as a pay-what-you-feel tour based on tips that are paid to the local guide. This type of tour can last between 1-4 hours (some last even more) although usually, it is two hours. You can choose to take a guided tour of the essential places in a city, visiting the most emblematic buildings, monuments, parks and streets through the center or historical center, although they are not the only ones. There are also other types of more specific routes that focus on a particular neighborhood or on a specific theme that is characteristic of that city.

Differences between a walking tour and a guided tour

The difference between a guruwalk and a traditional tour lies in the way in which the service is offered by the guide as the remuneration received will be subject to the positive experience of his or her walker. Because of this, walkers get to see a guru who is receptive to the way they want to check out the city, if the group prefers a more relaxed, less formal style, the guru can immediately respond to that and if they prefer a high energy tour through the top spots, the guru can also respond to that desire and will surely get a bigger tip at the end for their work. 

Another factor to keep in mind is that a guruwalk can be booked for free, with the cancellation also being free. This allows you to have more flexibility when it comes to organizing your trip, although if possible, be respectful and try to notify the guru as soon as possible so that he or she can organize around that.

Additionally, one of the most important differences and that set this type of service apart is the price. A guruwalk is a pay-what-you-please tour, which means that each walker will give the tip that he or she considers fair after having enjoyed the guided tour.

The legal controversy about free walking tours

The legality of this service has raised much controversy in recent years. As we have said, tour guide associations and groups have raised their voices and consider that this type of tour presents a threat to their job security, as well as lowering the price of their work by breaking the current price barrier. Furthermore, it is criticized that since the tip is not considered a payment, the guides do not declare it as a profit before the Public Administration that corresponds to it in each case.

Now let’s explain why a free tour is legal and fully compatible with other services such as traditional payment tours. First of all, gurus that offer a guided tour must have the necessary certification in accordance with the local legislation in which they offer that activity. It should be remembered that not all cities and regions need to be qualified to offer a service of this type and that existing certifications are quite varied depending on the country in which the tour takes place.

Regarding the tax aspect, a guru who is registered as a freelancer can declare his earnings on his quarterly statement, including making receipts and dividing the VAT to show the walkers at the time of receiving a tip.

Regarding the price, since it is a more accessible service for the user, the volume of reservations that a free tour receives is greater than that received by the traditional one. That means that there is a greater number of walkers with a profit potential that can exceed the remuneration established per each tour with the traditional model.

How do free walking tours work?

Now that we know what free tours are, let’s see how they work and what the walker should do to enjoy this service. Actually, the process is really simple since, once you have your destination clear, all you have to do is enter the city page, choose a tour and reserve. Let’s put a couple of examples to make it more clear.

Booking a free walking tour in Florence

Your destination is Florence, it is not the first time you are going and you are interested in learning more about a specific part of the city: Renaissance Initiation. This would be the process:

1. Go to the free walking tours in Florence.
2. Choose a guruwalk that suits your choice.
3. Select a date among the tour options.
4. Make your reservation for the number of people.
5. Go to the meeting point and enjoy the experience.

Booking a free walking tour in Barcelona

First time you visit Barcelona and want to see the essential and most emblematic places of the city, a first contact with the culture of Barcelona. In this case, you should:

1. Go to the free walking tours in Barcelona.
2. Choose a guruwalk that suits your choice: Historic Center Tour or Old Town Tour (very similar options).
3. Select a date among the tour options.
4. Make your reservation for the number of people you are going to go to.
5. Go to the meeting point and enjoy the experience.

There are some walkers who, once they have made the first free tour to get to know the city, book a second more specific guruwalk on a theme or neighborhood of the city (ex: Gothic Quarter of Barcelona)

Where and at what time?

If you have already booked your free tour, the next thing you should do is prepare yourself to enjoy your tour and take a good look at both the time and the meeting place. Normally, being ten or five minutes before is enough to start the tour without problems. Out of respect for the walkers who have arrived on time, the normal thing is that no one waits for anyone and that the guruwalk starts on time. In the event that you are late, you can always contact the guru to ask at what point of the route they are to re-enlist.

** We advise you to try to be punctual since, in that way, you will be able to enjoy the complete tour and it will give you time to see more things.

The meeting point is usually an easily accessible place in the center of the city where you have hired the free tour. Normally, the guru will indicate the color of the umbrella that will be used to make it easier to identify you at the meeting point.

How many people can participate?

There are no exact figures, but it is normal to not exceed 35 people per free tour. That does not mean that there will never be more, but gurus prefer not to exceed that number as they seek a more personal and close deal with the walkers. In fact, it is so flexible that guruwalks of 4-5 people can also be seen as it is the local guide himself who puts the minimum number of people there must be for the guided tour to be confirmed.

So… walking tours are not free?

If you’ve got this far, I think you’ll know the answer. Free walking tours are not free, although at the time of translating this term is done in the wrong way (free tour). What is free (free) is to book on our platform, as well as cancel or not attend (if you are not going to go to the guruwalk, it is a detail that you will thank very much.

The key to this explanation is simple, they are not free because the service offered by a local guide is the same or better than the one you can receive on a paid tour, that guide is passionate about what he does but also expects a remuneration for it although, obviously, it is not obligatory to leave a tip finish the tour. Like any person, the guru needs to pay his bills and has his expenses, it is logical to think that his work deserves reward (variable, but reward).

How much to tip a free walking tour guide?

It is one of the doubts that can be have the walker at the time of giving the tip.There is no fixed price per walker when paying the local guide as some give between € 10 and € 15, another € 20-30 or some even € 50. The usual average in this type of tips is usually around 10 euros. It adapts to the experience you have experienced during the guided tour as well as the economic capacity of each traveler. There will be some who consider € 10 fair, others who consider it little and others too. It is common for families traveling with small children not to pay for them, saving money with respect to free-of-charge tours that do not contemplate this casuistry.

Is the price of the tickets included?

It does not include the price of tickets to museums, exhibitions or any place where you have to pay to access. The walker will pay the entrance fee but always be notified in the description of the tours if there is an activity that is paid on the tour. Similarly, if during the free tour you have to take public transport, it is normal for each person to pay their ticket to take the bus, tram or metro.

Can I do a free walking tour anywhere in the world?

Well, it depends, but we like to think so. In GuruWalk we want to expand this way of knowing new cities all over the world. Initially, it only existed in Germany, but over the years, it is increasingly common to find free tours anywhere in the world. Not only in countries like Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Portugal or Greece, but also in America (Colombia, Peru, United States, Mexico…), Asia (Vietnam, Japan, India…), Oceania (Australia…) or Africa (South Africa, Uganda, Congo …).

This means that anywhere in the world that there is a local guide wanting to show your city, you can do it through our platform. The limit lies in the curiosity of each one when exploring the world in which we live. You can compare different free walking tours to choice the best for you.

There are many official guides who choose to offer paid tours and free tours , combining both services in their day to day. If you want to know more about how to create your first tour or how our guide community works, you can see it on this page: How to become a free tour guide?

1. Choose the main topic of your guided tour?

The first step is to define the central topic of the tour you want to organize with the travelers in your city.

The typical free walking tour shows the most emblematic places and the city’s historical evolution. 

But there are many more topics possible! ?

Gastronomy, street art, architecture, key periods, famous persons, … 

In this post, we explain what the typical free walking tour is made of with the most successful alternatives that best suit your situation! ?

Click here to see the full article

2. Plan your tour route ?

Once you have chosen the central topic of your tour, it’s time to plan it! 

It’s important to define at least 10 stops and structure them to create a common thread without having to walk too much. 

In this post, we explain how to create your tour itinerary step by step, based on the experience of our best gurus. ?

Click here to see the detailed article

3. Write the script for the tour ?

We almost have your tour ready! 

The last stage is to write the script of your tour ?

Your tour experience should be like a movie: every word counts to convey your speech in the best way. 

In this post, we explain how to choose the best content to create an incredible experience and get paid well.

Click here to read the detailed article 

4. The most common mistakes of new guides ?

We all make mistakes when we start out as guides. 

But the worst thing is, we don’t even realize them. ?

Now that you are learning your script, please review this post carefully to avoid these mistakes before you receive your first group of travelers. 

We wrote it talking to over 100 new guides. 

Click here to read the full article

Bonus: best tips from an experienced tour guide (English subtitles available)

What’s next?

It’s important to keep improving your tour. On our blog, you will always find more interesting and updated content to achieve the best experience possible. 

We are also waiting for you on our Facebook group with more than 1000 guides. Our community will gladly answer your questions!  

If you don’t know how to get to the tour edition section, we made a post about it here.

Structure and content

Try to write the description of your guruwalk with the following structure.

1. Introduce your tour

This part is the most important one. You must hook travelers to keep reading. You have to sell your tour, in just a paragraph.

Answer the following: Why is my tour the best in the city? What am I going to show to travelers or what am I going to tell them, and in which way?

Here you have to open the travelers’ curiosity.

Moreover, think about what travelers want from a tour and put it in your description.

Ex: we will go on a slow pace, without stress, we will have fun, with a small group, there will be time to take pictures, it will be a fun experience, this tour is designed for everyone (families and retired people included), they will have the best recommendations to know what do after the tour and where to go to eat …, etc.

Good introduction examples

Arthur in Kampala, Uganda.

Christine in Florence, Italy.

Donkey Tours in Barcelona, Spain.

2. List of places

After a good introduction, you should put the main stops of your guruwalk, so that travelers can get an idea of what they are going to see.

This list can indeed convince travelers to book as they could have these sites on their list of things to see in your city.

It’s not necessary to put all the stops (especially those that are less known). Otherwise, it can make the tour description very long.

To continue opening curiosity, do not hesitate to end with words like ‘and many more things / curiosities / surprises / hidden gems / places that only locals know’.

However, if you think you need to put more details, put them. This way travelers will have better expectations.

You can write everything in a text, although it’s easier to read with bullet points.

Example

Karla in Rome, Italy.

3. Invite travelers to join

After the list, you should continue selling your guruwalk. To close the tour description, we advise you to invite travelers to join the tour using one of the following formulas:

• “See you soon in X!”
• “Looking forward to meeting for you here in X”
• “Can’t wait to show you…”
• “Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to know… ”
• “If you want to learn and have fun in X, this guruwalk is for you!”
• “Join my tour and discover what…”
• …

4. Additional details

In most cases, you don’t need to put anything after the third point. Don’t forget that the goal of the description is to sell! We recommend to put all additional details, that don’t help that goal (Recommended shoes / clothes,…) in the automatic welcome message that is sent once the booking is done. However sometimes, depending on your tour or your city, you have to specify some more details.

• If you have to pay something extra: a transport, a museum ticket, a meal, … You must mention it and put the price of everything.

• Put YouTube videos. People like it very much! It has a great impact on travelers to see images and videos of the tour. In addition, Google likes to provide value to the user, and it will help your tour to rank better.

Example of Agora, in Palermo

Style and form

You already did the most important thing, but some details are missing in order to get the most convincing tour’s description.

Shape

• The description should be easy to read. Forget large blocks of texts and think about small paragraphs of 4 lines maximum. It should be short, otherwise travelers are not going to read it. However, make sure to add all relevant information.

• Do not hesitate to vary the words you use. Instead of always writing ‘tour’, use also ‘guided tour’, ‘walk’, ‘free tour’, ‘free walking tour’, …

• The tour description must be grammatically correct. Your experience can lose all its credibility with just a little misspelling. We invite you to read it several times to make sure that everything is correct.

• To give more life to your description, you can use symbols. In this web, you only have to copy and then paste the symbol in your text. However, be careful with the use of symbols! Your tour description should always look professional.

• Verify the automatic translation of your text into Spanish. It’s always better to check it as the translator is not always perfect. It will give you more visibility.

Style

You already know it. The description should be attractive, make travelers want to book your guruwalk. Travelers should feel your enthusiasm and your passion reading your tour description and be curious to know more.

What you can’t write in the tour description

• Do not explain what a free tour is, we already explain it. If you look at the page of your guruwalk, you will see a grey box with the explanation ‘What’s the price?’.

• Do not write that the tour is free. Do not downgrade your work. The tours of GuruWalk are ‘free to give what travelers want’, but not ‘free of charge’. If you advertise that your guruwalk is free of charge, it goes against the grey box mentioned earlier. You will also attract the kind of people who will pay you the least.

• Do not put a time in advance to book. Example: “you can’t book 6h before the tour starts”  is not allowed. In the case that you can’t do the tour, you just have to block the date in the calendar.

• Do not copy/paste. Be original. If you copy and paste you are not adapting the content to the user of GuruWalk, and it will lower your conversion. In addition, your tour will not be positioned on Google because the duplicate content is ignored by the search engines.

• Do not put links (TripAdvisor, etc), although you can recommend another of your tours at the end of the description.

• …

Example of a good tour description

A good example is the tour’s description of Krakow Explorers, in Krakow, Poland. In this case, they didn’t write the list of monuments but they include what travelers are going to discover, which is good too. However, they could have write more names of famous places/monuments.

This description opens curiosity, and is very attractive. It could maybe be a bit longer and have a finish line to invite the traveler to join the guruwalk.

Another good example, shorter and more personal, is the description of Arturo‘s tour in Stockholm, Sweden. It makes you want to book his tour directly, and discover this surprise that he prepared us!

What’s next?

So you now have the best description for your tour? Maybe it would be time to think about your profile description, right? If you improve it, travelers will know better who you are and that will increase your bookings Have a look at the detailed post we have!