GuruWalk recognises the world’s top-rated free tours and guides in the 2026 GuruWalk Awards
GuruWalk unveiled on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, the winners of the 2026 GuruWalk Awards, the second edition of awards that celebrate the world’s highest-rated guides and free tours for their quality, originality and ability to connect with travellers.
Following the success of the first edition, the GuruWalk Awards return this year with new categories and a selection that reflects the diversity of styles, themes and destinations currently trending among travellers.
For the 2026 edition, the GuruWalk team established the following categories:
- Best free tours in the world – Award in Spanish and award in other languages
- Best free tours in Spain – Award in Spanish and award in other languages
- Best free tours in Europe – Award in Spanish and award in other languages
- Best free tours in Asia and Oceania – Award in Spanish and award in other languages
- Best free tours in Africa – Award in Spanish and award in other languages
- Best free tours in North America – Award in Spanish and award in other languages
- Best free tours in Latin America – Award in Spanish and award in other languages
- Best free tour agencies – Award in Spanish and award in other languages
- Best freelance free tour guides – Award in Spanish and award in other languages
- Best mysteries and legends free tours – Award in Spanish and award in other languages
- Best unique free tours – Award in Spanish and award in other languages
- Best food free tour – Single award
- Best free tour for solo travellers – Single award
- Best LGBTI free tour – Single award
🥇 You can view the full list of 2026 GuruWalk Awards winners here.
How were the winners selected?
As in the first edition in 2025, the awards were determined using GuruWalk’s internal platform data, combining verified reviews, number of bookings and each experience’s sustained performance throughout 2025. This approach makes it possible to identify not only the most popular tours, but also those that consistently deliver high quality and a strong connection with travellers over time.
The 2026 GuruWalk Awards also reflect the diversity of today’s free tour scene. Beyond classic routes, the awards recognise increasingly specialised experiences, from the Best Food Free Tour and mysteries and legends tours to categories such as Best LGBTI Free Tour and Best Free Tour for Solo Travellers. They offer a clear snapshot of how the sector is evolving to meet different interests and ways of travelling.
A format gaining momentum worldwide
This approach is also playing out internationally, with award-winning experiences across destinations in Europe, Asia and the Americas, confirming the global growth of free tours and their ability to connect with travellers worldwide.
“These awards are a snapshot of how travel experiences are evolving globally: tours are becoming more specialised, more human and more strongly tied to local identity,” said Belén Casanova, Head of Supply at GuruWalk. “They recognise not only the best free tours, but also the guides who are raising the bar across the industry,” she added.
