If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good walking tour.
The perfect way to take in a city’s sights, history and culture has to be on foot. Sure, hoping on the Tube in London is a great way to get from A to B – but what about all the great spots and hidden gems inbetween?
I wanted to salute the humble walking tour so I’ve put together a quick list of my faves in Europe. So here we have: the best 5 walking tours in Europe (if not the world).
5. Goslar
Organised by the Harz tourism board, Goslar walking tours are a fascinating insight into the history of the former mining town and the region. The town itself is incredibly photogenic, so there’s a photo-opp around almost every corner. Our guide was a very enthusiastic woman from the US (who I’ve since forgotten the name of) who really brought the tour to life.
Read more about Goslar here.
4. Sibiu
One of my favourite travel memories from this year is exploring the beautiful town of Sibiu in the heart of Transylvania. The history of the town is really interesting but a little bit confusing (the town was built by Germans and has seen been part of the Austrian Empire, Hungary and now Romania) – so it’s a great idea to sign up for a guided walking tour with ABC Travel Romania.
Read more from my walking tour here.
3. Sarajevo
Another town with an incredible past is Sarajevo. Like Sibiu, Sarajevo has been passed between countries and empires for most of its history, creating a rich tapestry of history. Sarajevo Insider organise a daily free walking tour of the city that covers all areas of its history from Ottoman rule to its heyday as part of the Austrian Empire.
Get to know more of Sarajevo’s history here.
2. Copenhagen
Definitely one of the best city tours I’ve ever done, Bike Copenhagen with Mike was a fantastic way to get to know the Danish Capital. By pure chance (and by visiting out of season), my friend and I were treated to a private tour with the charming and knowledgeable Mike. The cycling tour takes in all the major sights of the city, including a stop at the Torvehallerne Food Market.
Check out 5 places to eat in Copenhagen.
1. Warsaw
The Jewish Warsaw walking tour from Free Walking Tours was without a doubt the best city tour I’ve done. Lasting for over two hours and captivatingly recounting the history of Jews in the Polish capital, the tour brings to life the lost community. There is surprisingly little left of the former Jewish neighbourhood and the tragic Jewish ghetto, but this tour pointed out every trace that remains. A moving, fascinating and compelling tour.
Read more about my trip to Warsaw here.