Quick answer: Yes. Civitatis is a legitimate Spanish company — Civitatis Tours S.L., founded in Madrid in 2008 — and the largest activity platform for Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking travellers, with millions of reviews, 24/7 support and free cancellation on most activities before a stated deadline. It is best known for free (tip-based) walking tours and for Spanish-language guides across Spain, Portugal and Latin America, and it increasingly offers English-language tours. The things to check: the language of the tour, the cancellation deadline on the activity page, and whether payment is online or on the day.
Related: Civitatis Cancellation Policy (2026)
What Civitatis Is
A marketplace of local operators, Spanish-first, with a catalogue of tens of thousands of activities and hundreds of free walking tours. It operates worldwide but is deepest in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Argentina and Chile. The site and app are available in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.
Top-Rated Seville Tours & Experiences on Viator
How Your Money Is Protected
Online payments are processed by Civitatis (cards, PayPal, Apple/Google Pay, Klarna in some markets). Some activities — free tours especially — are reserved online and paid to the guide in person. Most activities can be cancelled free before the deadline shown on the activity page (commonly 24–48 hours before; longer for some day trips), with refunds to the original payment method. If the operator cancels, you are refunded in full.
Are the Reviews Genuine?
Reviews come from customers who booked; volumes are large but mostly in Spanish. For English-language travellers, translated reviews are helpful but the sample of English-speaking reviewers is smaller than on Viator.
Common Complaints
Tours that turn out to be Spanish-only when the traveller expected English; missed deadlines on day trips with 48–72-hour rules; free tours that are full at popular times; occasional confusion over meeting points. None indicates fraud.
How to Book Safely
Check the tour language on the activity page. Read the cancellation deadline. Note whether you pay online or on the day. Save the voucher offline and keep the operator contact. For free tours, arrive early — they fill up.
Is Viator Better for This?
If you want English-speaking guides, English-language reviews in volume (the Seville tours above each carry thousands), private or special-access tours, or one platform for a trip that continues beyond the Spanish-speaking world, Viator is the stronger choice with its 24-hour free-cancellation default and 24/7 phone support. If you want Spanish-language guides, free walking tours or local day trips in Spain and Latin America, Civitatis is excellent. Compare: Viator vs Civitatis. Related: Civitatis cancellation policy. Destinations: Seville, Granada, Malaga.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Civitatis a real company?
Yes. Civitatis Tours S.L. is a Spanish company founded in Madrid in 2008 and one of the largest activity platforms for Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking travellers.
Are Civitatis free tours really free?
Yes, they are tip-based: you reserve online for free and pay the guide what you think the tour was worth at the end.
Can I cancel a Civitatis booking?
Most activities can be cancelled free before the deadline on the activity page, commonly 24–48 hours before; some day trips require longer notice.
Does Civitatis have English tours?
Yes, on many activities in major destinations, but the platform is Spanish-first. Check the language listed on each tour.
How do I pay on Civitatis?
Online by card, PayPal, Apple/Google Pay or Klarna where offered; some activities are paid to the guide in person.
Civitatis or Viator for Spain?
Civitatis for Spanish-language guides and free tours; Viator for English-language guides, deeper English reviews and premium or special-access tours.
Kratos Review is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Prices and policies were checked on 28 September 2026 and can change.
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