Article Author: Ava Sterling FREETOUR.com Brand Storyteller

Bremen is a 1,200-year-old Hanseatic city on the Weser River, known for its well-preserved medieval center. Highlights include the UNESCO-listed Marktplatz and the winding Schnoorviertel district. In the historic center, you’ll find the Gothic-Renaissance Town Hall (built between 1405 and 1410), the 12-meter Roland statue that stands for civic freedom, and the bronze Town Musicians sculpture from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. The Schnoor area has 111 half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries, now home to artisan shops, galleries, and cozy cafes. St. Petri Cathedral, with its twin spires, stands out on the skyline, and Böttcherstraße is famous for its 1920s Expressionist buildings. The Schlachte promenade has turned the old harbor into a 2-kilometer stretch of restaurants, beer gardens, and boat tours along the river. Bremen’s walkable size, fairy-tale feel, and free walking tours make it a must-see cultural spot in northern Germany.

Puerto de la Cruz is on Tenerife’s green north coast, facing the Atlantic and surrounded by the Orotava Valley and Mount Teide. It started in the 16th century as a small fishing and export port for sugar and wine. After a volcanic eruption destroyed Garachico in 1706, Puerto de la Cruz became the main harbour in the north, growing with new houses, warehouses, and churches. In the 19th century, it became one of the first tourist resorts in the Canary Islands, attracting European visitors looking for a mild climate. Today, the town mixes historic Canarian buildings, leafy squares, black-sand beaches, and the famous Lago Martiánez pool complex designed by César Manrique. Free walking tours from the harbour show how the town grew from a fishing port into a lively, authentic Canarian city.

Murcia is the sunny capital of southeastern Spain’s Region of Murcia. The city is famous for its Moorish history, impressive Baroque buildings, and tasty vegetable-based dishes. Founded in 825 AD by Abd ar-Rahman II, Murcia grew because of advanced irrigation that turned the Segura River valley into what’s known as “the orchard of Europe.” The Cathedral of Santa María, with its grand Baroque front and Spain’s second-tallest cathedral tower, stands in Plaza del Cardenal Belluga. The Salzillo Museum features the dramatic sculptures of Francisco Salzillo, which are a highlight of Murcia’s Holy Week. The Real Casino de Murcia, built in 1847, is a beautiful example of 19th-century architecture, blending Moorish, neoclassical, and Art Nouveau styles. Plaza de las Flores, lined with tapas bars, is the heart of local food culture, serving dishes like marineras, zarangollo, and michirones. Other highlights include the remains of the Arab Alcazaba, the Puente de los Peligros bridge, the Almudí Palace, and lively pedestrian streets that link historic squares. With about 460,000 residents, Murcia has an authentic Spanish atmosphere, a walkable city center, a Mediterranean climate, and excellent free walking tours that showcase its 1,200 years of history.

Antequera is located in the center of Andalusia and is known for its rich history, from ancient megalithic tombs to Moorish fortresses. The Antequera Dolmens Site, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2016, includes three large tombs—Menga, Viera, and El Romeral—built between 5,500 and 4,000 years ago. The area also features two natural landmarks: Peña de los Enamorados (Lovers' Rock) and the unique El Torcal karst landscape. The Alcazaba, a Moorish fortress on a hill, played a key role in defending Granada during the Christian reconquest. Nearby, the Real Colegiata de Santa María la Mayor, completed in 1550, stands as the first example of Andalusian Renaissance architecture. Antequera is often called the "City of Churches" because it has 33 religious buildings, and its old town is filled with narrow streets, palaces, convents, and baroque facades. El Torcal Natural Park, 14 km to the south, is famous for its unusual limestone formations shaped over millions of years. The city is also known for molletes de Antequera, soft round bread rolls with Protected Geographical Indication, baked since the 16th century. Whether you are visiting ancient dolmens, climbing the Alcazaba for views, hiking in El Torcal, or enjoying molletes at sunrise, Antequera offers a blend of history and natural beauty.

Oviedo is Asturias' capital, a welcoming city where pre-Romanesque architecture meets vibrant modern life. The Cathedral of San Salvador preserves the Cámara Santa (Holy Chamber), a 9th-century pre-Romanesque treasure housing the Cross of Angels and Victory Cross—symbols of the Asturian monarchy. On Mount Naranco's slopes 3 km from the center, two UNESCO World Heritage pre-Romanesque churches—Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo—showcase unique 9th-century Asturian architecture. The historic center unfolds around Plaza del Fontán's picturesque market square, connecting medieval streets, Campo San Francisco park with its beloved Mafalda sculpture, and elegant boulevards lined with Belle Époque buildings. Whether you're exploring the Cathedral's Gothic cloisters, climbing the 80-meter Renaissance bell tower for panoramic views, wandering Old Oviedo's narrow lanes on a mysterious night tour, or visiting royal palaces turned churches on Mount Naranco, Oviedo offers authentic Asturian culture, architectural masterpieces, and warm hospitality—without tourist crowds.

Jerez de la Frontera is the largest city in Cádiz province and is known as the world capital of sherry wine (vino de Jerez). More than 30 historic bodegas age this fortified wine using the unique solera system. The city’s UNESCO-listed Alcázar, an 11th-century Almohad fortress with Arab baths, a mosque, and a palace, highlights impressive Islamic architecture. Nearby, Baroque and Gothic cathedral spires create a striking skyline. The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art hosts horse ballet shows that blend classical dressage, 18th-century costumes, and Spanish music. Traditional tabanco bars, found only in Jerez, serve sherry straight from wooden barrels and feature spontaneous flamenco performances, keeping Andalusian traditions alive. Jerez brings together wine tourism, equestrian shows, authentic flamenco, and a mix of Moorish and Christian architecture, making it one of southern Spain’s most underrated cultural destinations.

Baeza is one of Spain's smallest UNESCO World Heritage cities and is known for its impressive Renaissance architecture in the heart of Andalusia's olive-growing region. Often called the "Andalusian Salamanca," it features many 16th-century palaces, churches, and university buildings that turned this former medieval fortress into a Renaissance gem. As you walk along Baeza's honey-colored stone streets, you can see traces of civilizations from the Bronze Age, the Moors, and the Christians. The poet Antonio Machado taught French here from 1912 to 1919 and described it as "a damp and cold town, ramshackle and gloomy, between Andalusian and La Mancha." Today, visitors find Baeza charming, peaceful, and very well preserved.​

San Sebastián, also called Donostia in Basque, is on Spain's northern coast in the Basque Country and is often named one of Europe's most beautiful cities. La Concha Beach, with its crescent shape and views of Monte Urgull and Monte Igueldo, creates a striking urban bay. The city is famous for its food, with more Michelin stars per person than almost anywhere else. In the Old Town (Parte Vieja), you’ll find over 200 pintxos bars along narrow cobblestone streets, where locals love to go bar-hopping. Belle Époque buildings line the main streets, cultural festivals happen year-round, and Basque traditions are still strong. You can walk the beachfront promenade, try txangurro (spider crab) at a bar, or watch the sunset from the funicular. This Freetour.com guide will show you the city’s top sights, best food, and hidden gems, plus expert tips for every stop.

Of all the ways to explore a new city during your travels, nothing beats a free walking tour. Visiting landmarks with a rich history, listening to authentic tales, and discovering hidden gems only the locals know allow you to cover a lot of ground and expand your knowledge of a particular city within just a few hours. There are hundreds of tours offered free of charge all over the world, so take advantage of falling in love with each new destination you visit. If you never considered it before, here are 5 reasons why you should join a free walking tour: