11 Best Walking Tour Companies in 2024
These days, one of the biggest trends in the travel industry is active travel — i.e. travel that involves walking, hiking, cycling, or some other form of physical activity. If this sort of getaway sounds right up your alley, keep reading to discover the 11 best walking tour companies in 2024.
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11 best walking tour companies
1. Best overall walking tour company: Take Walks
Although the Take Walks team started out only giving tours of Rome, they’ve since expanded to more than 600 local guides in some of the most exciting cities around the world. The great thing about Take Walks is that they don’t just copy and paste standard walking tours — instead, they’re always finding “new and better ways to explore even the most familiar attractions.” No matter which tour you choose, you really can’t go wrong with a Take Walks experience.
Locations: United States, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain
2. Best foodie walking tour company: Culinary Backstreets
Culinary Backstreets was founded by American expats with a very clear vision: to tell the stories of unsung culinary heroes from all over the world. The Culinary Backstreets team believes there are “countless stories of a city’s foodways that need to be told,” which is why they focus on family-run restaurants and local masters of their craft. The beauty of their tours is that they give equal measure to the culinary side and the human elements within each experience.
Locations: United States, Greece, Spain, Turkey, Portugal, Mexico, Japan (and more)
3. Best off-the-beaten-path walking tour company: Explore Worldwide
Explore’s walking tours are centered around local stays, authentic experiences, and off the beaten path adventures. For example, all of Explore’s trips offer a mix of famous sights and hidden gems that most other tour companies don’t even know about. In that way, Explore helps you to “really experience a country, not merely observe it.” Travelers can expect to have an immersive few days that are full of totally unscripted, impossible-to-replicate moments.
Locations: all across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa (and more)
4. Best bucket list walking tour company: Intrepid Travel
On top of providing you with expert trail guides, accommodations, and skilled porters (when necessary), Intrepid Travel also takes you to some of the most incredible places on the planet. From the snowy peak of Kilimanjaro to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, all of Intrepid Travel’s tours are guaranteed to surprise and delight. Plus, you can choose from walking, hiking, or trekking trips to suit your level of comfort and ensure you have the best possible experience.
Locations: all across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand
5. Best solo travel walking tour company: G Adventures
If you want to see the world but you don’t have a travel buddy to go with you, you’ll be in great company with G Adventures. We love that all of G Adventures’ small group trips are solo traveler-friendly, meaning they don’t upcharge for traveling on your own. In addition, you’ll be welcomed with open arms regardless of your age or how much ink is in your passport. This company attracts people who are simply looking to get ‘up close and personal’ with our planet.
Locations: all across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa (and more)
6. Best self-guided walking tour company: The Natural Adventure
In their own words, The Natural Adventure are experts in “organizing walking holidays and adventure trips for independently-minded people.” Today, The Natural Adventure offers over 500 self-guided walking tours, as well as a range of curated small groups and privately guided tours, too. The appeal of their self-guided trips is that even though you have tremendous freedom, you’ll still be contributing to the local communities and economies you visit.
Locations: all across South America, Europe, United Kingdom, Asia, and Africa
7. Best small group walking tour company: Classic Journeys
A tour with Classic Journeys averages just 10 guests per group. With such a small footprint, you can expect to blend in with the world around you and not be bogged down by all the logistics of traveling with more people. What’s more, nearly a third of their guests are solo travelers looking for the thrill of exploration without the *what ifs* of going alone. All in all, Classic Journeys is a great choice for those who want an intimate experience that promises to be a trip of a lifetime.
Locations: all across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa (and more)
8. Best responsible travel walking tour company: Boundless Journeys
Boundless Journeys offers exceptional walking, hiking, kayaking, and cultural tours to more than 30 countries throughout the world. However, what really sets Boundless Journeys apart is their dedication to responsible travel. Since day one, their mission has been to help travelers explore the world in a responsible manner. They do this by “treading lightly across unique landscapes” and by protecting fragile natural habitats as much as possible on each of their excursions.
Locations: all across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa
9. Best flexible walking tour company: Backroads
Backroads knows that flexibility is an important quality to have when traveling — which is why they allow you to choose from several thoughtfully designed routes each day, “to give you the freedom to enjoy the best of a region at your own pace.” Simply put, you can opt to take it easy or take it up a notch if/when you feel so inclined. What you see and do and explore is entirely up to you, every day of the trip. That’s a pretty admirable business model if you ask us!
Locations: all across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Middle East (and more)
10. Best luxury accommodation walking tour company: Exodus Travels
There’s a lot to love about Exodus Travels, but we’re especially fond of the fact that they have premium walking adventures for travelers who prefer “higher standards of accommodation.” In short, Exodus Travels guarantees a greater degree of comfort after you’ve spent a long day exploring on foot. Whether you dip your legs in an outdoor pool or unwind in a luxurious wellness center, you’re sure to enjoy some major rest and relaxation along the way.
Locations: all across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa (and more)
11. Best budget-friendly walking tour company: Free Tours by Foot
Since 2007, over 3 million travelers have gone on a walking tour with Free Tours by Foot. This company has dozens of (daily) tours in 50+ cities worldwide, meaning there are tons of opportunities for you to get out and see the sights. And because Free Tours by Foot operates on a pay-what-you-like model, you won’t have to spend months saving up for your trip. Instead, you can have an amazing, educational experience regardless of the budget you’re working with.
Locations: all across North America, Europe, United Kingdom, Asia, Middle East (and more)
Walking tour companies - common FAQs
What makes a good walking tour?
A good walking tour handles all the necessary details and logistics so you can just show up and have a great time. In other words, the walking tour company has arranged your itinerary and/or your accommodation, so all you have to do is observe and absorb the world around you.
How long do walking tours typically last?
Walking tours around a neighborhood or city center typically last from 1.5 to 4 hours. However, if you’re touring a historic trail or famous landmark, you could be gone for several days (or up to a few weeks). Of course, these longer treks will also cost more money than a one-day journey.
How many categories of walking tours are there?
The truth is, there are all different kinds of walking tours available today. Along with culinary excursions and street art adventures, you can choose from luxury accommodations vs. budget-friendly stays, bucket list landmarks vs. hidden gem discoveries, and so much more.