The Free And Easy Way To Get European Walking Tours From Rick Steves Himself

When it comes to European travel gurus, Rick Steves is often the first person to come to mind. From hidden gems in Italy to the best sights in Slovenia, the travel TV host is full of advice and insider knowledge. Fittingly, Steves has built a chunk of his business on Europe tours and packaged itineraries, often led by one of his professional tour guides. However, there's a way to let Rick himself guide you on your next walking tour — and it won't cost you a single euro, pound, or krone.

The Europe expert has his own app — the Rick Steves Audio Europe travel app — which offers tourists a high-quality narration of many of the continent's top destinations. The audio tours range from breezy six-minute listens to in-depth tours lasting nearly two hours. In some recordings, Steves partners with another expert to provide additional context to the walking tour.

If you're the type of traveler who snaps photos of the famous sites and landmarks but wants to understand their significance more deeply, the Rick Steves Audio Europe app is the perfect companion. And the best part is that it's completely free to download and use. Keeping the app handy on your phone is kind of like exploring Europe with all of the travel expert's tips and insights right at your fingertips.

The Rick Steves Audio Europe travel app is available on the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android devices. Alternatively, the audio can be streamed on SoundCloud, though this option doesn't offer all the same features of the app. To follow the walking tours during your next European getaway, select the tracks that appeal to you from the library (divided by country and, in some cases, topic) and download them to your phone. Skipping this step puts you at risk of burning through your data, unless you decide to use public Wi-Fi when traveling.

Once you've downloaded some tracks, head to "My Playlist" to find them all in one place. Then, select the audio track you'd like to listen to. Be sure to pack some headphones or earbuds to use when you're out and about — even if the insights are interesting, not everyone around you will want to hear them.

Each track offers an overview of what you can expect to hear, including the amount of time needed to complete the walking tour. You'll also find a list of attractions included in the tour. One of the most useful features of the app is the map included with each tour. Ditch your usual mapping app (or the paper one stashed in your backpack) and simply follow Steves's map to know exactly where to go.

If you plan to visit a country outside of Europe, Rick Steves' audio app won't do you much good. But even when traveling around countries like Portugal or Denmark, Steves believes walking tours are worth splurging on for the best trip to Europe. Sure, his app is an accessible option if you're short on time or don't prefer exploring in groups, but it might not be the best way to learn about a place's history and culture.

In an article on his website, Steves writes, "[Y]ou can experience more by investing in a good tour ($20 to $30 per person). In an hour or two, I get a personal, informative, and well-worth-the-price introduction to a city." The travel pro added that one of his favorite types of tours is food tours, where tourists are led to different restaurants and markets to sample local foods. These and other themed excursions aren't always available in the Rick Steves Audio Europe app.

Steves also notes that the best tour guides are local residents who are familiar with and highly informed about their hometown in a way outsiders wouldn't be. These individuals and their perspectives are often well worth a fee. Even if you stumble upon a walking tour that claims to be free, know that you shouldn't treat it as such. Guides often expect (or at least hope) to receive a tip at the end for their time and service.