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Need To Find Your Feet In A New City? Look For A Sandemans Tour

Sandemans New Europe Tours are a walking tour company that can be found in Europe, the USA and Middle East. They offer free walking tours in 18 cities across 13 countries, as well as additional tours that have a small fee. The company uses freelance, self employed guides, so even though the main tour in each city is free, the guides work for tips. Free walking tours are a great way to get ‘the feel’ of the city you’re in and ‘find your feet’.

Sandemans Mission

Sandemans have three main missions within the company. They aim to:

Ensure that world-class tours are available to every traveller, no matter what their budget, in the cities that they are in.

Change and redefine the industry standards within the market, setting new expectations that must be met.

Support and give a voice to amazing, local self employed guides, therefore supporting the local community.

The History Of Sandemans Tours

Sandemans New Europe Tours were creation of Yale graduate Chris Sandeman. The company was founded in 2003, pioneering the concept of a free tour. This new concept put the power back into the traveller’s’ hands, allowing them to reward only brilliant tours and tour guides that have reached and even exceeding their expectations. The concept of a gratuity-based model means that high quality tours are available to every traveller, from luxury travellers to backpackers on a tight budget.

Sandemans Tours Tickets

Since the first tour, the company has continued to grow. Now Sandemans tours run in 18 cities shows the sights to 1.5 million visitors every year. They employ 170 employees and work with over 400 free lance guides.

About The Guides

As I have already mentioned, the guides are all self employed and local. Sandemans only work with guides that have a unique style of ‘infotainment’, which means that they mix history and storytelling with their own personal flair.

The easiest way to describe the relationship between Sandemans and their guides is that the guides use the company to market their tours.

Sandemans New Europe London Free Walking Tour

Cities Where Tours Are Available

Tours are available in Europe, the USA and Middle East. Here is a list of cities where you can at least find a Sandemans Free Walking Tour:

Amsterdam Barcelona Berlin Brussels Copenhagen Dublin Edinburgh Hamburg Jerusalem Lisbon Liverpool London Madrid Munich New York Paris Prague Tel Aviv

My Personal Experiences

I have personally been on the free walking tours in: Edinburgh (twice) London (twice) Madrid Amsterdam Barcelona Hamburg Berlin

Sandemans London

I have also purchased extra tours in: Edinburgh (Dark Side Tour) Barcelona (Gaudí and Modernisme Tour and Tapas Experience)

As you can probably tell, I fell in love with these tours with my first tour (which was Amsterdam). I’ve never been disappointed. Every tour is different, even if you retake the same city tour. Each guide takes you to and tells you about the places and people that interest them. The guides are passionate and informative and happy to answer any questions. They are just as happy to help you after a tour as on a tour. Even if you have a query that has absolutely nothing to do with the tour, the guides are happy to help.

I can’t recommend these tours enough. I love them. I’ve been shown numerous ‘hidden gems’ that i wouldn’t have found without going on these tours.

When I arrive in a city with a Sandemans Tour, it’s the priority, especially if the city is new to me. Going on a walking tour gives you an idea of the city, learning some shortcuts and local areas.

But I will also say, please remember to tip on the free tours. Especially if you’re even half as happy with the tour that I usually am! A Sandemans Tour really is a great way to get to grips with a city!

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Just How Do "Free Tours" Work? An Interview With Sandemans New Europe

By Pauline Frommer

10/23/2019, 1:00 PM

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Sandeman's New Paris Tours

Review Highlights

“ On our third day we took the Versailles Tour (30euro) and guess who we had as a guide FILIPA!!! ” in 4 reviews

“ On the tour, you hit many of the major sites (Louvre pyramids, Pont Neuf , Pont d'Arts ("Lover's Bridge"), Jardins des Tuileries, and more. ” in 3 reviews

“ From the tour, I was able to go to the Eiffel tower by myself another day. ” in 4 reviews

Location & Hours

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St Michel-Notre Dame

75006 Paris

Saint-Michel/Odéon, 6ème

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

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Overall rating

Harry was our guide and very knowledgeable. He provided a lot of interesting historical contexts you otherwise wouldn't know about, definitely recommend!

Alberto was fantastic. So engaging, interesting, and well informed. We're heading for Rome next, we wish you could come with us! Thanks, Alberto, you've given us new insight into the beautiful City of Light Jackie and Todd (Le pompier)

We went on a group tour of Montmarte with Fernando. The group was a bit big, but manageable. Fernando did a good job and showed is some street art by Love and Anarchy and the Invader, which we have continued to see during our visit. Fernando offered some recommendations for bakeries and restaurants. A good way to see the high points of this interesting neighborhood.

I was doing some research about Paris, and came across this free walking tour. They have English and Spanish tour. I signed up for the English tour. It was simple and easy through their website. Meet up location was easy to find. My tour guide is Alberto. He is very friendly and knowledgeable. He told a lot of stories about all of the history monuments we visited. To be honest, I dislike history class, but I like listening to stories. Alberto did it in a nice way that interested me. I paid more attention to his tour more than my history professor in college! Tour was about 2.5 to 3 hours long. It was a very enjoyable experience. Thank you Alberto!

Our waiting spot

Dawie was AMAZING!!!!!!! Showed us so much of the city and small details I never would have seen. He talked about the culture and his excitement was contagious. Can not recommend this tour enough. Now searching for Sandeman tours in other cities.

We were in town on Christmas day, all museums and many shops were closed, glad this free tour, tip payment, was available on a national holiday.  Our guide was Francaise? who was very energetic, informative and entertaining.  I learned about the French history as well as their culture from him.   The guides are required to pitch their other paid tours, but done tastefully.  We ended up booking their Versailles Garden Tour which I found well worth the price.

If you have never done a "free" walking tour while on vacation, you must try it. "Free" is a misnomer here. It's not free. They tell you that to lure you in (yet I still give them 4 Stars! Read on to find out why!). A more accurate description would be along the lines of "paying after the tour" as opposed to paying a fixed price when you reserve. You see, at the end of your tour, you are asked to pay whatever you feel the tour is worth. They called it "tipping" but it's not really. Typically, these companies will have a "free" tour but will spend a few minutes to pitch you their paid ones. I did some research and found out that the companies are a little underhanded. They outcompete the bigger tour companies with their "free" tour. In the beginning of each tour, a group photo is taken. The guide will say it's for their Facebook page, but really it's so the handler can charge the tour guide a fixed fee per person (around $2.50). The tour guide keeps the extra money but doesn't get paid otherwise. We've had such good tour guides though, we were more than happy to "tip". I can't knock down more than 1 star despite my misgivings about the company though because our tour guide was so phenomenal, so engaging and charismatic. She spoke to each of us and even though we were a large group, she somehow was able to include everyone in the conversation. She also warned us about thieves that hung around the sites we were going to. She said she would shout THIEF! if she saw them. This August, we were on the free "Intro to Paris " tour given by Sandeman's New Paris, which lasted a good 4 hours. We started around the Seine and ended the tour in the courtyard of the Louvre. Inga, our tour guide, is not a native Parisian, but she has been in Paris for many years and her passion for the city shows! She is fluent in English and she is a great storyteller. She is young, energetic, witty and knows how to engage the audience. She talked about the architecture and some of the famous sites. What I loved is that she told us the background story behind each of the sites and made you feel like you are back in that era. You FELT how powerful Napoleon was and the sentiment of the people of the times. We did a handful of these free tours with different companies and all of them had great tour guides; each of them phenomenal storytellers. They seemed to be college students or recent graduates. While in Paris, we also did a couple of paid tours. Although these guides did their jobs and were knowledgeable, what lacked was the passion and enthusiasm. Quite frankly, they were educational but boring... but these are pre-paid. At least with these free tours, you can choose to leave the tour if you didn't like it and choose not to pay.

I participated in the English free tour when I went to visit Paris on a whim this year. This the first thing I did after dropping off my luggage at my hotel. Registration is easy, and the starting place was quick to find. Our tour guide was excellent-he knew so much history and shared such great insight into each spot. When I found this, I thought it was too good to be true, it it really is free-they do accept tips at the end though.

See all photos from Nora S. for Sandeman's New Paris Tours

Enlighten yourself with a free walking tour, but tips are suggested! I wish I knew about the free walking tours back in London, which was the first city that I started out from on my EuroTrip! I would have went to that one as well! Anyways, I am glad that I made it to this one for Paris! We had a tour guide named Enrique and he was well versed on his knowledge about Paris' history and its historic monuments! His energetic tone about the significant sites, was very captivating! I learned a lot from his history telling and this tour was so splendid, that I did the Versailles Tour with Enrique as well for the next day! That one costs, however, but train transportation was included as well as a very knowledgable tour guide! Otherwise, I would have roamed around not knowing the significant history that took place in the massive and marvelous gardens! I highly recommend the tour and what great way to know more about Paris when it's free!

See all photos from Tiffany D. for Sandeman's New Paris Tours

As much as Paris is a destination to visit, my partner and I did not plan much on our on day trip nor knew of the hot spots in Paris. So with the power of Google we were able to find a "free" tour and this one was so worth it! If you happen to have Nancy, you are in for a treat! Nancy is one of the best tour guides that we have ever had. During the tour Nancy did an amazing job intergrating the group together. So that it is less awkward to do the tour. The tour took us at the hot spots and less known spots that is worth checking out. I love the history and context provided. Nancy is super knowledgble and please do not be shy to ask all the questions. From recommendations to more navigation tools. At the end of the tour, Nancy taught super helpful and practical skills in Paris. Last thing to know, if you like the tour, tip well. I know we tip pretty well as we were super content with the tour. If you are able to do 3 hours of walking, then this is a worthwhile tour and pay what you are able too.

4 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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Travel Tips & Inspiration to Help You Explore the World

“Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” —Ibn Battuta

A remarkable tour of the Holy City with Sandemans

Have you ever wanted to walk in the footsteps of those who’ve lived, loved, and laughed long ago?  Jerusalem’s Old City is a place with thousands of years of history, an ideal destination to explore life as it once was.

Two months ago, during a trip to Israel, I was invited to take a tour of the Holy City, so I embarked on the Sandemans NEW Jerusalem Holy City Tour , an opportunity to immerse myself in the history of this mesmerizing city.

Spanning four hours, this comprehensive walking tour escorts you through the four distinct quarters of the Old City and ascends to the Temple Mount , one of the world’s most revered religious sites.

Commencing at the historic Jaffa Gate in the Old City, the tour offers a captivating historical narrative, weaving together 5,000 years of the city’s romantic, challenging, and transformative past.

We began inside the Jaffa Gate, where our guide, Gary, huddled us together, his voice rising over the bustling backdrop of vendors peddling their goods.

“The Holy City is the spiritual center of the world,” he shared. “Not only for the Jews but for the Muslims and Christians as well.”

As a car trundled over the cobblestones, Gary urged us to step aside, then delved deeper: ‘For Judaism, Jerusalem has been the holiest city and the spiritual heartland since the 10th century BCE. In Christian lore, Jerusalem’s place in the life of Jesus gives it great importance, as Jesus taught and healed here..’

I absorbed this rich tapestry of history, almost overwhelmed.

“Jerusalem is also considered a sacred site in Sunni Islamic tradition, along with Mecca and Medina. All three religions here fit together like a beautiful puzzle,” he concluded.

Table of Contents

From the Jaffa Gate to the Zion Gate

The tower of david.

Departing from the Jaffa Gate, we ambled past an alley brimming with shops, their scents of exotic spices perfuming the air. Our journey paused before the iconic Tower of David . Named after King David, who reigned in 1010–970 BCE, this ancient citadel stands as a vigilant guardian on the Western edge of the Old City.

This medieval fortress, augmented with architectural enhancements from subsequent periods, houses the fabulous Museum of the History of Jerusalem. The Tower is also renowned for its exceptional sound and light show, The Night Spectacular , which vividly narrates Jerusalem’s journey from ancient times to modern days.

It’s a spectacle, unlike any other sound and light show I’ve encountered, truly living up to its name. The Tower of David (and The Night Spectacular) is an unmissable experience for anyone seeking to comprehend the country’s last 4,000 years.

Interestingly, despite its name, ‘The Tower of David’ has no direct link to the ancient king. This misnomer dates back to the Byzantine era when a tower from King Herod’s time (the Tower of Phasael) was mistakenly attributed to King David.

The room of the Last Supper  

As we continued along the narrow street, we hugged the walls to allow cars to squeeze past. Approaching the Franciscan Monastery, we ascended a staircase and entered the Room of the Last Supper , revered as one of Christianity’s holiest sites in Jerusalem. This room is believed to be the location where Jesus and his disciples held the Passover meal, later known as the Last Supper.

Intriguingly, this historic chamber once served as a mosque. The room is illuminated by Gothic stained glass windows, casting a beautiful cerulean blue light. Inside, we observed an ornate mihrab (alcove) and Arabic plaques adorning the walls.

King David’s Tomb

Descending to a level below the Room of the Last Supper, we found ourselves in a cramped space housing the velvet-draped royal tomb of King David . To reach it, visitors must navigate through segregated prayer areas designated for men and women.

We learned there is some debate regarding the tomb’s authenticity. According to the Bible, David was interred in the City of David, an archaeological site stretching from the southern walls of Jerusalem’s Old City. However, for over two thousand years, this site has been a focal point for tears and prayers, emanating a profound sense of reverence.

As a side note, if you have time to return to this area later, you can visit the nearby grave of Oskar Schindler , the man who saved more than 1200 Jews during the Holocaust, a story immortalized in Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning film, Schindler’s List.

The Jewish Quarter

The western wall.

Unlike its neighboring quarters, the Jewish Quarter is mostly residential. It exudes a more tranquil atmosphere compared to the bustling Muslim and Christian Quarters.

Housing around 4,500 residents, its modern stone structures were reconstructed after 1967, following significant damage during the War of Independence in 1948.

This rebuilding phase was coupled with extensive archaeological excavations, unveiling numerous captivating sites.

Among them is the Cardo , an ancient Roman street that once thrived as a marketplace.

My tour happened to fall on a Thursday, a day favored for Bar Mitzvah celebrations. The streets were alive with families joyously making their way to the Western Wall , their paths marked by music, laughter, and the cheerful sight of blue and white polka-dotted balloons dancing in the sunlight.

Our initial glimpse of the Western Wall was from an overlook offering a breathtaking view. Often referred to as the ‘Wailing Wall’, this site is among the holiest in Judaism and radiates immense spiritual significance.

Standing there, I was struck by a profound sense of humility.

Despite the throngs of people, a moment of serenity washed over me as I closed my eyes, enveloping me in a powerful aura of awe.

The Temple Mount

Dome of the rock.

This tour sets itself apart from other Old City tours by including an ascent to the Temple Mount . To access it, be prepared for a potentially lengthy wait in the security line.

It’s wise to wear a hat and apply plenty of sunscreen, as shade is scarce. Nonetheless, the wait can be quite entertaining – Gary kept us captivated with legends and stories of Jerusalem.

As I stood there, I remembered a previous visit years ago, when my sister, who was living in Jerusalem for a year, took me to the Dome of the Rock . At the time, visitors were able to go inside this Islamic shrine on the Temple Mount.

I was twenty years old, and it was my first time so far away from home. An old man had approached me and motioned for me to remove my footwear. I did so, and he guided me inside the ancient edifice, murmuring in Arabic. I had no idea what he said, but I will never forget the strange mix of fear, excitement, and reverence I felt at the time.

Today, the policy has changed, and non-Muslims are generally not permitted inside. However, the structure’s exterior continues to be a source of immense fascination.

The Dome of the Rock is revered as the site where Prophet Mohammed is believed to have ascended to heaven. As the oldest extant Islamic monument, its beauty is awe-inspiring.

The dome, which was originally gold, underwent replacements first with copper and then aluminum. However, the aluminum is now gilded with gold leaf, generously donated by the late King Hussein of Jordan.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is another beautiful site, perhaps less photographed but equally significant. As the third holiest site in Islam, following Mecca and Medina, it holds great importance.

Around the Temple Mount, we observed numerous groups of Muslim women engaged in study or enjoying picnics with their children.

Exiting through the Bab El Qattanin gate into the Muslim Quarter, we were led to the bustling Cotton Market . Here, around fifty vendors captivate children with an array of toys and vibrantly colored candy.

The Muslim Quarter

L unch at abu shukri.

As we navigated the maze-like alleys of the Muslim Quarter, my excitement peaked upon learning that Abu Shukri was our designated lunch spot.

My affection for hummus knows no bounds. This exquisite spread, crafted from cooked and mashed chickpeas or other beans, then blended with tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice, became a daily delight during my stay in Israel.

Of all the places I tried, the hummus at Abu Shukri in the Old City stood out as the best. Renowned as ‘the ultimate arbiters of Arab-style hummus,’ according to GoJerusalem.com, their other dishes were equally tantalizing.

Gary offered us the option to dine at Abu Shukri with the group or venture out independently for lunch. For me, the choice was straightforward. This quaint, family-run establishment might be compact and bustling, but the wait is unquestionably worthwhile.

The Via Dolorosa

The Via Dolorosa , the Way of Sorrows , is the path believed to have been taken by Jesus as he bore his cross towards the site of his crucifixion and burial. Each station along the route commemorates a specific event that occurred during this solemn journey.

Upon leaving Abu Shukri , you find yourself at the 5th Station, where, according to tradition, Simon of Cyrene was compelled by the Romans to assist Jesus with his cross.

We continued our path, weaving through groups of devout pilgrims and eager tourists with cameras in hand, all the way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre , which houses the final five stations.

The Christian Quarter

Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Christian Quarter of the Old City is a mosaic of souvenir shops, artists’ workshops, hostels, and residences for nearly 4,500 people. Dominating this quarter is the imposing gray dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre .

Regarded as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has long been a key pilgrimage destination for Christians worldwide. Nestled on the historic hill of Calvary, it is believed that the church’s construction was influenced by Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, some 300 years after the crucifixion.

In a unique arrangement, the church is shared by six Christian denominations. Due to longstanding rivalries, the keys to the church have been entrusted to a local Muslim family, the Nusseibehs.

Gary guided us through various sections of the church, ranging from the Stone of Unction near the entrance to the Chapels of Adam and St. Helena, culminating at the ornate pink marble tomb.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Sandemans tour to anyone visiting Jerusalem. It’s an enriching journey through the city’s history, politics, and diverse community.

Two Tour Options

For those pressed for time or seeking a brief overview of the Old City, Sandemans NEW Jerusalem Tours also offers a complimentary 2-hour tour that serves as an excellent introduction.

Having experienced both, I found each to be uniquely insightful. Additionally, for travelers exploring Europe, Sandemans operates tours in 18 cities – a detail worth checking on their website.

A few tips for visitors

Modesty in dress is essential for entry into many churches and holy sites, as well as for accessing the Temple Mount . It is advisable to wear appropriate attire; shorts are generally not allowed.

Carrying religious items such as Bibles or religious-themed jewelry is prohibited on the Temple Mount . Additionally, items like tripods, laptops, iPads, or Kindles are not allowed. If you happen to bring these items by mistake, Sandemans can store them for you during the tour.

Be aware that the Temple Mount is closed to non-Muslim visitors on Fridays and Saturdays. It may also be temporarily inaccessible during the week due to security concerns or religious holidays.

Note: While this information was accurate at the time of publication, it is subject to change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

I received a complimentary tour in exchange for writing this review. However, all reviews and opinions are my own.

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Sherry Wine Bodegas

Sandeman’s Sherry Visitor Centre is in a perfect location, close to the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art in the heart of the city of Jerez de la Frontera, in the south of Spain.

Jerez de la Frontera is a frequent stop-off point for visitors to many famous Spanish destinations,  such as Sevilla, Cádiz, Puerto Santa Maria and Sanlucar de Barrameda. The city’s other attractions include the Museo de la Atalaya and one of Spain’s finest zoos.

Situated between hillside and coast, Jerez’s extraordinary geographical location means that the city enjoys the very best of fresh local produce including the world-famous Sherry, Brandy and Vinegar of Jerez. These are used as the main ingredients in numerous recipes, allowing Jerez to provide a surprisingly varied cuisine of the highest quality.

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Sherry wine bodegas.

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Sherry bodegas, tour and tasting of 3 sherry wines.

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Classic Range: Sandeman Fino, Medium Dry & Medium Sweet

Tour and Tasting of 4 Sherry Wines

Premium Range: Don Fino, Character, Armada Cream & PX

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Tasting of 4 Sherry Wines of Premium Range, 1 Sherry Wine V.O.S. & 1 glass of Brandy

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