What Is SANDEMANs and How to Join a Tour

SANDEMANs NEW Europe Tours is a city tour company known as the “birthplace of the free walking tour” concept. Founded in 2003 by Yale graduate Chris Sandeman in Berlin, SANDEMANs pioneered the idea of tips-based “free” city tours. Tours with no upfront cost where guests are invited to pay what they feel the experience was worth.

Over the past two decades, it has grown into one of the world’s largest walking tour networks. With hundreds of thousands of 5-star reviews and millions of participants each year, SANDEMANs has become a go-to choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking an engaging introduction to a new city.

Below, we’ll explore where SANDEMANs operates, what types of tours they offer (from free walking tours to themed excursions), how to join a tour, and practical tips.

A Global Network of Free Tours in 60+ Cities

SANDEMANs NEW Europe began in Europe but now spans multiple continents. As of the mid-2020s, the company runs tours in around 20 major cities across Europe, the Middle East, and the USA under its own brand , and partners with local operators in dozens more destinations.

In total, “Free Tours” are available in 60+ incredible destinations worldwide. Major cities on the SANDEMANs roster include London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, Dublin, Prague, Lisbon, New York, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and many others.

SANDEMANs continues to expand its network by collaborating with trusted local tour companies in additional places – for example, offering partner-led free tours in cities like Munich, Buenos Aires, Singapore, Cape Town, and more.

No matter the location, all SANDEMANs tours adhere to the same core concept: any traveler can show up and join a city tour without paying upfront. Tours are offered daily (often multiple times a day) in popular destinations, usually year-round, and run “rain, hail or shine” without cancellation.

In other words, if you plan to go, dress for the weather – tours will proceed even in rain or cold. Tours are typically available in English, and many cities also have tours in Spanish and sometimes other languages (e.g. German or local languages), led by guides fluent in those tongues. This makes SANDEMANs accessible to a wide international audience.

While the company’s official name includes “New Europe,” its reach today is global. SANDEMANs prides itself on supporting local communities and local guides in each city.

The guides are often residents or long-term locals who are passionate about their city’s history and culture. (In cities where tour guide licensing is required – such as New York, Jerusalem, or Tel Aviv – SANDEMANs only works with duly licensed guides.

In other places, guides may not need formal certification, but SANDEMANs vets them for quality and presentation skills.) The result is a worldwide network of tours that maintain a consistent style yet showcase each city through the eyes of a knowledgeable local.

Types of Tours

Free walking tours are SANDEMANs’ flagship offering and what made the company famous. These are typically 2 to 3-hour walking tours covering a city’s main highlights and historic quarters.

For example, the Original Free Tour of Berlin covers top sites like the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall remnants, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Holocaust Memorial.

A free tour in London takes visitors to must-see landmarks around central London (e.g. Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, the Houses of Parliament) in about 2.5 hours.

Local expert guides lead the groups, sharing a mix of history, legends, and insider tips, often with an entertaining flair. Because guides work solely for tips on these tours, they tend to be energetic and engaging to earn the audience’s appreciation.

As the company puts it, guides perform the free tour on a “tips-only” basis, which “requires them to provide nothing but the best tour every time, ensuring that you have an unforgettable experience”.

Beyond the general city overview walks, SANDEMANs also offers a variety of themed tours and paid experiences, sometimes branded as “Select Tours” or specialty tours. These focus on specific topics, neighborhoods, or time periods.

For example, in Berlin you can join a Third Reich history tour delving into WWII sites, or a Communist Berlin & Berlin Wall tour exploring Cold War history. In Barcelona, SANDEMANs runs a popular Gaudí and Modernism tour spotlighting Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces (like Sagrada Família and Casa Batlló).

Many cities offer pub crawls as well – guided nightlife tours of pubs and bars. A SANDEMANs pub crawl (available in cities like Dublin, Berlin, Edinburgh, Paris and more) typically lasts around 4 hours and includes stops at several bars/clubs with drink specials, free shots, and a party guide leading the fun.

These crawls are a hit with backpackers and solo travelers looking to experience the nightlife in a safe, social setting. SANDEMANs also partners with local operators to provide day trips and excursions in some regions – for instance, day tours to nearby castles, wine regions, or historic sites.

In Berlin, for example, they have offered day trips to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp and Potsdam in the past; in Spain, you might find excursions to places like Montserrat or Toledo, depending on the city.

Additionally, private tours can be arranged for those who want a personalized experience. Private tours can be tailored to specific interests and group needs, and are led by the same pool of expert guides.

SANDEMANs encourages larger groups (more on group size policy below) or those seeking a custom itinerary to book a private tour for the best experience.

In summary, while the “free walking tour” (tips-based) is the cornerstone, SANDEMANs’ menu often includes:

• City Orientation Free Tours (gratuity-based, open to everyone, covering iconic landmarks).
• Themed Walking Tours (Select Tours) – e.g. historical era tours, art/architecture tours, food tours – which have a fixed ticket price. These are usually smaller-group and more in-depth on a particular theme.
• Nightlife Tours (Pub Crawls) – a fixed-price social tour including entries to bars/clubs and sometimes drinks.
• Day Trips & Special Excursions – fixed-price, often operated with partners, to attractions outside the city.
• Private Tours – bespoke itineraries for a fee (priced per group or per hour) for families, corporate groups, or anyone who wants a dedicated guide.

According to the company, the free tour often acts as an introduction that inspires travelers to join additional paid tours.

In fact, SANDEMANs notes that on average 45% of free tour guests end up purchasing another tour or activity offered by the company .

How the “Free Tour” Works

A common question is: Are SANDEMANs tours really free? The answer: Yes – and no. You do not pay upfront to join a SANDEMANs free walking tour. It costs nothing to reserve a spot or to show up at the meeting point.

At the end of the tour, however, participants are expected to tip the guide if they enjoyed the experience. In practice, the “free tour” is a form of pay-what-you-want model: you decide the value of the tour and give that amount directly to the guide.

As one travel writer quipped, “When is a free tour not a free tour? When it is, more accurately, a pay-what-you-want tour… ‘Free’ is loosely employed as a marketing tactic and you are expected to part with more than a handshake.”

In other words, guests should plan to reward the guide’s hard work with a monetary tip – this is how the guides earn their living. Travelers widely understand this arrangement and often budget a similar amount to what a paid tour might cost. For a ballpark figure, many people tip around €10-15 per person for a half-day city tour if they had a good time, though it’s truly up to you.

Importantly, SANDEMANs guides keep 100% of the tips you give – those tips are the guide’s income. SANDEMANs does not take a cut from individual tips. However, behind the scenes the guides are freelancers who pay SANDEMANs a marketing fee for each tour they run.

The company essentially “provides the crowd” through its marketing and partnerships (with hostels, online bookings, etc.), and the guide pays a pre-set fee per guest or per tour to SANDEMANs out of their earnings.

This means that if a guest chooses not to tip at all, the guide not only works for free but actually loses money (since they still owe the marketing fee for that person). This is why tipping is strongly encouraged – it directly supports your guide.

As one longtime guide in Berlin explained, “despite the name, a free tour is only free for you to attend… the guide actually has to pay for anyone who doesn’t tip at the end. So the guide has to pay out of pocket for people who walk away without tipping – the sad reality of the business.”

From a traveler’s perspective, you should only take a free tour if you’re willing to compensate the guide with at least a modest tip for their time and expertise, provided you enjoyed the tour. If you truly didn’t enjoy it, the risk-free model means you can choose not to pay – but if the guide did a good job, not tipping is considered poor etiquette by most travelers.

For those who prefer a conventional upfront price, SANDEMANs’ Select Tours, pub crawls, and day trips have fixed fees. These paid tours can be booked online or sometimes via local tour offices/hostels.

Prices vary by city and tour length. To give an idea: a themed walking tour might cost around €10–€20 per adult for a 2–3 hour tour (e.g. the Berlin Third Reich Tour is about €20 per adult ), while pub crawl tickets might be in the €15–€20 range (often including some free drinks or club entry).

Children are often allowed on walking tours either for free or a reduced fee (SANDEMANs usually lists a free child ticket for ages under 13 or 14 on many tours ). Free tour reservations always cost €0 – you will never be charged at booking, only expected to tip later.

Also note that SANDEMANs never requires a tip – it is entirely voluntary and based on your satisfaction (they explicitly tell guides not to impose a “mandatory” amount, to preserve the spirit of the free tour ).

The freedom from upfront payment is a selling point for many travelers: you can join without financial risk, and if plans change or you oversleep, you’re not out any money. This flexibility is part of the model’s appeal.

Joining a SANDEMANs Tour

How to join: SANDEMANs makes it easy to hop on a tour. You have two main options:

• Reserve a spot online in advance (recommended for popular tours or peak travel season). On the official website (neweuropetours.eu) or SANDEMANs mobile app, you can choose your city, select the tour and date/time, and book a free ticket for a walking tour or purchase tickets for paid tours. You’ll receive a confirmation by email. The booking process for a free tour doesn’t ask for payment, but it guarantees you a spot on that tour’s roster.

• Walk-up and join without a reservation. Traditionally, SANDEMANs guides gather at a designated meeting point – often a central square, popular monument, or easily found location (e.g. near a major train station or by a well-known statue). The guides or coordinators can be identified by their bright red SANDEMANs T-shirts, jackets, or umbrellas with the SANDEMANs logo. If you show up at the right place and time, you can usually join on the spot. For example, in Berlin the free tour meeting point is at Brandenburg Gate (look for the red umbrella), in London it’s at Covent Garden or Charing Cross station (depending on the tour), in Paris near the Fountain at Place Saint-Michel, etc. These details are listed on the website and often on flyers in hostels. Arrive a bit early (10–15 minutes before departure) to find the group and check in with the SANDEMANs staff member.

While online booking is not mandatory for individuals, SANDEMANs strongly advises reserving a ticket whenever possible. Tours can get full, especially in summer or on weekends.

Those with an advance booking get priority if a tour group reaches its capacity limit. Walk-ups are accepted on a first-come basis until the guide’s maximum group size is reached (for quality and sometimes legal reasons, groups are usually capped at a certain number – often around 30 people per guide for free tours).

If you didn’t book and the tour is fully booked, you might be asked to wait for the next tour or come back another time. So to avoid disappointment, booking online (even 1-2 hours prior, if same-day) is wise.

Group size policies: SANDEMANs free tours are intended for individuals and small groups. The company explicitly states that free tours are meant for groups of fewer than 6 people. If you are traveling with a large group (6 or more people), SANDEMANs asks that you make a group booking (they offer a special group reservation) or arrange a private tour.

This policy is to prevent a single large party from overwhelming a “free” tour – it keeps the experience balanced for solo travelers and small parties. If a big group tries to split up and join the free tour without prior notice, the on-site staff may refuse participation or split the group across different guides, and they reserve the right to request an advance payment for a large group joining a free tour.

In practical terms, if you’re, say, a university group of 10 or a tour group of 20, you shouldn’t just show up to a free tour; instead, contact SANDEMANs to either book a private guide or see if they can accommodate you in a scheduled tour with a fee.

The company even notes: “If you are traveling in a group of six or more people we strongly recommend booking a private tour… [which] offers the best experience for guests in larger groups.”. This ensures regular free tours remain enjoyable and not too crowded.

For solo travelers, couples, or small friend/family groups (under 6), joining is straightforward – just book or show up. Do note that some cities require all free tour participants to have a ticket (even if free) due to local regulations or limited space (for example, some might require you to get a free ticket online to manage numbers).

Always check your chosen city’s page on SANDEMANs’ site for any specific instructions.

Meeting the guide: When you arrive at the meeting spot, you’ll often find a SANDEMANs tour coordinator who checks people in. In busy cities, SANDEMANs might have multiple guides and tours starting at similar times, so the coordinator will assign you to a guide (often based on language – e.g. separating the English tour group from the Spanish tour group).

They count the guests for each guide and give the guide a list or headcount. This is also how they track attendance (remember the marketing fee system – an on-site staffer counts how many people go with each guide). Once assigned, you’ll likely get a brief introduction from the guide, and then the tour sets off on foot.

Reservations for paid tours: If you booked a paid “Select” tour or pub crawl, the process is similar except you will likely have a booking confirmation to show (either print or on your phone).

In many cases you can also buy tickets on-site (if spots are available) by paying the SANDEMANs rep in cash or card. But some paid tours have limited slots, so advance purchase is smart.

Tour schedules: Free tours often depart once in the morning and once in the afternoon in many cities (e.g. 10:00 and 14:00, or 11:00 and 15:00). Some larger cities have even more start times, especially in peak season.

SANDEMANs lists the up-to-date schedule on their website and also on flyers. Pub crawls typically start in the evening (around 7pm-8pm for many). Arriving a few minutes early is courteous; SANDEMANs tours tend to start on time.

What to Expect on a SANDEMANs Tour

A SANDEMANs tour generally has a friendly, informal vibe. Guides often begin with a warm welcome and might ask where everyone is from – it’s not unusual to have a mix of nationalities on each tour.

Groups can range from a handful of people in low season, to 20+ people in busy times (the company tries to keep groups manageable; if too many show up, they will split into two groups with an extra guide if possible).

Walking is the main mode of these tours, so be prepared for a few kilometers on foot. The pace is usually moderate with frequent stops, and guides will wait for the group to gather before explaining each site.

The guides themselves are a big part of the experience. SANDEMANs guides are local freelance tour leaders, often history buffs, actors, students or expats with deep knowledge of the city.

Many are young and enthusiastic, and they go through an audition and training process to work with SANDEMANs. Travelers consistently praise the guides’ energy, storytelling, and humor. For instance, one recent participant in Paris wrote that “Keara… made the tour quite entertaining and we all had some laughs. Despite it being chilly and windy, everyone was enjoying it very much, all thanks to Keara.”

Another reviewer in Dublin said their guide was “informative, funny and engaging,” showing them parts of the city they “would have missed” on their own. This kind of positive feedback is common – a hallmark of SANDEMANs’ approach is mixing education with entertainment. Guides often share personal anecdotes or lesser-known tales that bring the city’s history to life.

During the tour, expect to see a lot of the major landmarks from the outside (these are walking tours, so generally external viewing – they won’t go inside museums or attractions due to time).

For example, in London you might stop outside National Gallery, Trafalgar Square (as pictured above with a guide in front of the gallery ), Big Ben, Buckingham Palace gates, etc., but not go inside those places. Guides usually point out what’s worth revisiting after the tour.

They may also give local tips – such as restaurant recommendations, things to do, and advice on cultural etiquette or safety. At the end of free tours, it’s common for guides to mention any paid tours they are leading later that day or the next (like “if you enjoyed this overview, I also do an afternoon tour of X neighborhood, which you can book with me or online”).

There’s no hard sell, but they will inform you of other options. Many guests do end up booking additional tours or the pub crawl as a result.

One unique aspect of SANDEMANs’ free tours is the multi-guide structure: since guides work for tips, they are highly motivated to deliver a great experience. The model has been described as a “try-before-you-buy” approach to touring – you get to sample the guide’s quality and only pay (tip) if satisfied.

This often results in very passionate guiding. However, it can also lead to some variance. Tour quality can occasionally depend on the individual guide. SANDEMANs strives for consistency through its vetting and the sheer number of positive reviews suggests a high standard overall. But as with any tour company, not every guide connects with every traveler.

A minority of participants have reported less stellar experiences – for example, one traveler on a Paris free tour noted that “the young guide felt the need to mention that he worked only for tips about every 10 minutes” , which they found off-putting.

Another traveler enjoyed SANDEMANs tours in many cities but felt the Paris group was “so crowded” that it was harder to engage, suggesting “a paid company with a smaller group might offer something better” in that case. And a few people who prefer very academic tours have commented “you get what you pay for – I knew more than the guide” in rare instances.

These comments underscore that group size and guide expertise can vary. Generally, SANDEMANs guides are well-informed (many are licensed or have history degrees, etc.) but their style is geared toward a broad audience rather than ultra-specialized scholars.

The free tour is an overview; travelers seeking a deep dive into niche topics might consider a private tour or a specialized paid tour for that.

Speaking of group size, as mentioned, SANDEMANs free tours can sometimes be quite popular. In peak tourist season, it’s not uncommon to have around 20–30 people per free tour guide (they try not to exceed 40). If a group does get too big, SANDEMANs might bring an extra guide and split it.

The company’s priority is that everyone can hear and enjoy. Guides often use voice projection (some might have a small microphone in very noisy cities, but usually it’s just their voice). If you find yourself in a huge group and struggling, you can often stand closer to the guide or politely ask them to speak up.

On the other hand, in off-season or early morning tours, you might luck out with a very small group, almost like a private tour for the price of a tip.

Another thing to expect: SANDEMANs tours run every day, even on holidays (in many cities). So if you’re in town over Christmas or New Year’s, for example, they often still have a free tour running (with perhaps a festive twist).

One traveler was pleasantly surprised that a free tour in Paris was available on Christmas Day when most museums and shops were closed.

Finally, SANDEMANs emphasizes an inclusive and fun atmosphere. The tours are family-friendly (kids can join and often enjoy the storytelling, though very young kids might get restless with all the walking). If you have mobility issues, note that walking tours might cover uneven ground or stairs, but guides will usually accommodate as much as possible if you notify them.

The pace is not strenuous and there are opportunities to sit or rest at some stops (e.g. while the guide talks in a square). There’s often a short midway break (especially if the tour exceeds 2 hours – e.g. some guides stop at a café or restroom halfway for 15 minutes). Use that time to chat with fellow travelers or ask the guide questions one-on-one.

Pros and Cons of SANDEMANs Tours

SANDEMANs New Europe has garnered a strong reputation among travelers, especially backpackers, study-abroad students, and budget tourists.

On platforms like TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google Reviews, you’ll find thousands of positive comments. Praise for SANDEMANs tours frequently mentions:

• Excellent Guides: Travelers rave about guides being “knowledgeable,” “entertaining,” “funny,” and “passionate.” Many name their guides as trip highlights. For example, one reviewer of a SANDEMANs Lisbon tour wrote “I would highly recommend this tour. [Our guide] Bruno was great. He answered many questions and gave suggested dining and attractions at the end.” Similarly, a New York City tour-goer said the tour was “superb. Highly recommended!! [Our guide] navigated us to key places…”.

• Great City Introduction: Guests love that they can do a SANDEMANs tour on their first day in a city to get oriented. A traveler on a Berlin free tour noted it was “so informative and worthwhile… a great way to explore and you save a fortune!”. It’s a common sentiment that these tours help you learn the layout, history, and must-sees, so you can later explore further on your own.

• Budget-Friendly (Value): The fact that the tour is essentially pay-what-you-can is a huge plus. Even though most people do tip, you ultimately decide the value. This makes quality tours accessible to those who might skip tours due to cost. “Free walking tours are a great way to explore and you can save money,” one travel blogger noted. Many reviewers mention they appreciate the risk-free model – if their budget is tight, they can give a modest tip without feeling pressured, or they can be generous if they thought it was outstanding.

• Social Aspect: Especially for solo travelers, SANDEMANs tours can be social hubs. You end up in a group of like-minded travelers, which can lead to chatting and even friendships. The pub crawls in particular are known for bringing strangers together for a night out. The tours’ informal style makes it easy to ask questions and interact.

• Consistency Across Cities: Because SANDEMANs operates in so many places, some travelers become loyal fans who seek them out in every destination. They mention that they “look for [free walking tours] in every major city” after having a good experience. Knowing that a SANDEMANs tour will be available (and likely high quality) gives travelers peace of mind when planning.

On the flip side, criticisms or cons occasionally mentioned include:

• Crowd Size: As noted, free tours can draw a crowd. In popular cities in summer, groups might feel a bit too large. One traveler remarked that in Paris their free tour was enjoyable but “towards the lower end [of my experiences] simply because the tour was so crowded”, suggesting the large group made it harder to engage fully. Large groups can also move slowly and make it hard to hear if you’re at the back (though guides try to project or repeat questions).

• Variable Guide Quality: While most guides get rave reviews, a few travelers have encountered guides who were either relatively new or not as polished. A critical commenter on a forum said “I felt like it was a waste of time. I knew more than the guide… won’t ever bother to take another one of these”. Others have mentioned instances of guides relying on corny jokes or delivering somewhat “touristy” versions of history. It’s worth remembering that experiences can vary – SANDEMANs has a big team, and while they generally maintain high standards (bolstered by a feedback loop of online reviews that keep guides accountable), no company is immune to an occasional off day.

• Tipping Pressure (Perceived): The tour is technically free, but some guests feel subtle pressure to tip generously. Ideally, tips are voluntary and based on enjoyment. However, as one traveler noted, a few guides might over-emphasize that they work for tips, which can make guests uncomfortable. The vast majority of guides handle this well – usually they only mention it at the start (to clarify the model) and maybe jokingly at the end (“I hope you enjoyed; I accept hugs, high-fives, or tips!” kind of humor). But if a guide harps on it too much, it can irritate participants. Additionally, very budget-strapped travelers sometimes feel awkward if they can’t afford to tip much. (From SANDEMANs’ perspective, they explicitly discourage any guilt-tripping – the company wants the tours to feel genuinely free and “risk-free” , aside from what the guest chooses to contribute.)

• Not Specialized: By design, free tours cover the broad strokes. Thus, hardcore history aficionados or those wanting a deep dive into, say, art history might find the content a bit basic. SANDEMANs tours aim for a mix of historical info, fun facts, and popular highlights. They are excellent for general interest, but if you desire a scholarly deep discussion or very niche topics, you might consider augmenting with a more specialized tour. (That said, SANDEMANs guides often can answer detailed questions – and if you ask them after the tour, they usually love to nerd out on specifics one-on-one.)

• Competition with Local Guides: This isn’t exactly a traveler complaint, but worth noting: in some cities, traditional tour guide associations have been critical of SANDEMANs-style free tours, arguing that it undermines the profession by making guiding a tips-only gig. Travelers might occasionally hear or read debates about this. However, for the tourist, this mostly matters if you have personal feelings about supporting licensed guides vs. freelance ones. SANDEMANs’ stance is that many of their guides are licensed where needed and that the model raises the standard through competition. In any case, this controversy doesn’t usually affect the tour experience, except perhaps in cities where regulations limit where free tours can operate (always follow the guide’s lead if there are areas they avoid due to local rules).

Overall, traveler consensus holds SANDEMANs in high esteem for providing fun, informative tours that are great value. They currently maintain high ratings (often 4.5/5 or above on review sites).

As of 2025, SANDEMANs had an average TrustScore of 4.4/5 on Trustpilot, for example, with the majority of reviewers giving 5-stars for their experience. Many repeat customers say things like “Had a great time – will be back for another tour in the next city!”.

Of course, it’s wise to read a few recent reviews of the specific city’s tour you plan to take, just to set expectations. But by and large, the pros (engaging guides, flexible cost, meeting fellow travelers, hitting the highlights) outweigh the cons for most people.

Tips for Tourists

To wrap up, here are some practical tips and etiquette to ensure you have a fantastic experience on a SANDEMANs tour:

• Plan Your Timing: If possible, take the free walking tour early in your visit to a city. It’s an ideal first-day activity to get oriented and learn what you want to explore more later. SANDEMANs free tours often run in the morning (around 10 or 11 AM) – a great time when you’re fresh. In hot climates (like Rome or Madrid in summer), a morning tour can be cooler; in winter, an afternoon tour might be warmer. Some cities have multiple departures – if you prefer a smaller group, sometimes the earlier or later tour in the day might be less crowded than the peak mid-morning one, though this can vary.

• Book Ahead for Busy Periods: As mentioned, reserve your spot online if traveling in peak season or on weekends. It’s free to book, and it guarantees you won’t be turned away if too many people show up. If you can’t book, arrive early at the meeting point. In popular cities, SANDEMANs staff often appear 15 minutes before start to organize groups. Being early means you’ll secure a place and perhaps chat with the guide or fellow travelers.

• Come Prepared: Wear comfortable walking shoes – you’ll be on your feet for a couple of hours. Dress for the weather (hat, sunscreen and water for a summer tour; warm coat, umbrella/raincoat for a winter or rainy tour). Tours run in all weather , so check the forecast and don’t assume a tour will cancel for rain – it won’t! A small backpack with water and maybe a snack is a good idea (guides usually allow a short break; you might grab a coffee or use a restroom then).

• Meet at the Right Spot: Double-check the meeting location from your confirmation or the website. It’s often a landmark like “in front of ___ statue” or “by the main gate of ___”. Keep an eye out for the red SANDEMANs umbrella or shirt. If you have trouble finding them, look for a cluster of people who look like tourists – that’s probably it. Don’t be shy to ask “Is this the SANDEMANs tour?” when you see a group.

• Group Etiquette: During the tour, try to stay close to the guide when walking between stops, so you can hear any impromptu commentary. When stopped, form a semi-circle around the guide so everyone can see and hear. If you wander off to take a photo, make sure you catch up promptly. It’s courteous to keep your phone on silent and not chat over the guide’s storytelling. Guides appreciate engaged listeners – feel free to laugh at their jokes and respond to their questions! If you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask – chances are others are wondering too, and guides generally welcome curiosity.

• Safety & Respect: Follow any safety instructions (e.g. crossing streets only when allowed, staying aware of pickpockets in crowded areas). Be respectful at solemn sites (like memorials or churches) – your guide will set the tone. For pub crawls, bring ID (most bars will require proof of age, and SANDEMANs typically only allows 18+ on pub tours). Know your limits with alcohol; the aim is a fun night out, not getting anyone overly intoxicated. The pub crawl leaders will look out for the group’s safety.

• Tipping Etiquette: At tour’s end, the guide will wrap up, often with a heartfelt thank-you and perhaps a reminder that tips are appreciated if you enjoyed the tour. This is the time to approach and give your tip. Bring some cash (in the local currency) for this – it’s the simplest way to tip. There’s no set amount; give what you feel is fair. As a guideline, consider what a similar paid tour costs and your budget. Many travelers report tipping in the €5-€20 per person range depending on their experience and means. If you’re on a tight budget, even a few euros and a sincere “Thank you, it was great!” is better than nothing. If you’re absolutely cashless, some guides can accept digital tips (e.g. via a payment app) – you can ask – but cash is king for these transactions. Tip each guide separately: if you did multiple tours (say a free city tour in the morning and a different SANDEMANs tour in the afternoon), each guide should be tipped for their own tour.

• Feedback and Reviews: If you loved the tour, one way to show appreciation (besides tipping) is to leave a positive review online naming your guide. This helps the guide’s reputation and SANDEMANs as a whole. Conversely, if something could have been better, SANDEMANs as a company is quite responsive to feedback – you can mention it in a review or even quietly tell the coordinator/guide. They have an incentive to keep quality high (guides with consistently poor feedback won’t last long in the system). But please remember to still tip if the guide put in effort; a constructive comment can accompany a tip if needed.

• Consider Other Tours: If you enjoyed the free tour, talk to your guide or check the SANDEMANs website for other tours that might interest you. You might get a discount for booking another tour or pub crawl – sometimes guides hand out a flyer for a few euros off a paid tour as a perk for free tour attendees. Also, if you’ll travel to another city where SANDEMANs operates, you can often use them again – the consistency can be reassuring when hopping between capitals.

• Private and Large Groups: If you are in a big group (6+ people), do the right thing and contact SANDEMANs for a booking instead of overwhelming a free tour. They might arrange a private guide at a reasonable rate. This ensures you get a more personalized experience and you’re not inadvertently taking advantage of the free tour system. Similarly, school groups or tour groups should definitely pre-arrange. SANDEMANs has experience handling large private groups too.

• Enjoy the Experience: Lastly, go in with an open mind and ready to enjoy. Free tours often attract a young, enthusiastic crowd and guides with big personalities. It’s a different dynamic than a stuffy paid tour. Embrace the fun parts – the jokes, the anecdotes, the guide’s personal flair. As one traveler wrote, “It’s such a great way to get oriented in a big city… I still love the concept!”. Indeed, the concept has taken off worldwide, and SANDEMANs’ model has been imitated by many – but SANDEMANs remains the original leader in free city tours, with years of refinement under their belt.

By following these tips and understanding how SANDEMANs tours work, you’ll be well-prepared to have a memorable tour experience.

Conclusion

SANDEMANs NEW Europe Tours has revolutionized city sightseeing by making quality tours accessible to everyone, regardless of budget.

Operating globally with a free (tips-based) tour model, the company offers an array of walking tours and activities led by passionate local guides. Joining a tour is as simple as showing up at a meeting point or reserving a spot online, and it opens the door to discovering a city’s history, culture, and hidden gems through engaging storytelling.

Just remember that “free” isn’t literally free – tipping your guide is part of the culture and the economics that keep these tours going.

Overall, SANDEMANs tours come highly recommended as a must-do for travelers who want an informative, fun, and wallet-friendly introduction to many of the world’s great cities.