Having to commute between landmarks can really take away from being present and enjoying the atmosphere of a city. That’s why these walkable cities are some of the top travel destinations.
Wander through winding streets and encounter hidden treasures as you explore the city’s most famous attractions. Stop at cafes and bars along the way to catch your breath.
Insider Monkey has curated a list of the most walkable cities based on data from a number of sources. The used a city’s walkability scores from sources like Tourlane and WalkScore and then mapped out distances between the top tourist attractions. They even look at air quality from IQAir data and safety indexes from Numbeo, to narrow down the list.
Here are the top cities where you can enjoy the best walking experiences.
17. Prague, Czech Republic
This fairy-tale-like city has a distinctly medieval feel to it. The city center is bustling with travelers exploring on foot.
Wander to the Prague Astronomical Clock and catch it on the hour, when the clock comes to life and little figures appear out of the clock face. Then walk over the legendary Charles Bridge and through the narrow streets up to the Prague Castle on the other side.
You can do all of this in less than half an hour of walking!
16. Melbourne, Australia
With a vision of becoming one of the world’s most walk-friendly cities, Melbourne is set up for walkers. You can cover most of the city’s landmarks in just over an hour.
The city is dotted with lush green parks where you can stop to catch your breath along the way. Follow the walkway along the Yarra River to the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Visit the Shrine of Remembrance, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Old Melbourne Gaol.
15. Istanbul, Turkey
Walking around Istanbul is far from a slog thanks to its stunning architecture and lively culture. In just 25 minutes you can get from the Sultanahmet to the Beyazit Square and then the Grand Bazaar.
The other perks of exploring Istanbul by foot? There are always tea sellers wandering the city streets, so you can buy a hot cup of tea to sip along the way.
Remember that Istanbul has two parts to it: the Asian and European sides. Walk around them on separate days!
14. Copenhagen, Denmark
Despite being a large Scandinavian city, Copenhagen is walker-friendly. With canal-side walkways and shop-lined boulevards, the city offers on-foot explorers exciting city walks that cover most of the city’s main attractions in an hour’s walk.
In the confines of City Hall Square, you’ll find the National Museum, Tivoli Amusement Park and City Hall. Break off from there into the streets of Stroget. This network of lively streets and squares nestled into the heart of the old town.
From here, you can reach the colourful and quaint Nyhavn harbour in just 15 minutes.
13. Bordeaux, France
This charming French city has more to offer than local dishes and wines. To explore it on foot, you can break it up into walkable neighbourhoods.
The Saint-Michel district is a must-visit that is classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and riddled with history. From the Saint-Andre Cathedral to the Pey Berland Tower and Monument to the Girondins. You can see all this and more in less than half an hour’s walk.
Next, wander to the Chartrons district, where you’ll find antique dealers and street art.
12. Liverpool, England
Known as Liverpudlians, the people of Liverpool are infectiously joyful and proud of their city.
Wander around the Liverpool Waterfront, which has a wealth of museums just a few minutes’ walk from one another. Within 10 minutes’ walk, you can hit the Tate Liverpool, the iconic Beatles Story museum, and the International Slavery Museum which dives into the city’s darker past.
From there, it’s a light 15-minute walk to the city center. Here, you’ll find a lively atmosphere and lots of traditional pubs.
11. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam packs a lot into its relatively small city center, making it the perfect destination for on-foot exploring.
Incredibly, the city itself is built two meters below sea level. Wander along the glistening city canals and marvel at the quaint bridges and sights along the way.
On foot, you can explore most of the city center in about an hour. The streets are quaint and riddled with picturesque cafes and traditional Dutch houses.
Along the way, visit the Anne Frank House, Dam Square, Oude Church, and the famous Van Gogh Museum.
10. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is one of the best cities to explore on foot in the US. Incredibly, the city already has a sightseeing walking tour you can follow. Known as the Freedom Trail, this 2.5-mile-long trail takes you past 16 historical sites in less than an hour.
Along the way, you’ll visit the Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere’s House, and the Old North Church.
Fancy giving your feet a rest? Then catch a game of baseball at the Fenway Park stadium, home to the Boston Red Sox, which is just a 15-minute walk from the city center.
9. Sydney, Australia
Australia’s capital is home to some of the world’s most renowned attractions, and they’re all within walking distance of one another!
Start your walking tour of the city at the elegant Sydney Opera House along the city’s waterfront. Then visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, which are just 15-minute walk away.
Don’t miss the Harbour Bridge, which is just 10 minutes away and offers great views of the city’s skyline and Opera House.
From there, stroll down to The Rocks neighbourhood which has distinctive colonial architecture.
8. Stockholm, Sweden
This charming historical city is made up of a maze of colourful buildings and cobblestone streets, which make it delightful to explore on foot.
Waterside strolls are one of the delights offered by this city made up of 14 islands and positioned where Lake Malaren meets the Baltic Sea.
Begin exploring at the Gamla Stan, or Old Town. Wander through the medieval buildings and cobbled streets in search of the Royal Palace and Storkyrkan Cathedral in the heart of the neighbourhood.
7. Tallinn, Estonia
Despite being a capital city, Tallinn has a distinctive town-like feel to it. The city’s Old Town is home to some of the best-preserved medieval architecture in Europe. Wander the cobblestone streets and visit the Town Hall Square and St. Olaf’s Church along the way.
Next, walk to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, just 10 minutes away. Built in a Russian Orthodox style, it’s a distinctive landmark.
From here you can reach the baroque Kadriorg Palace and park in less than half an hour.
6. Edinburgh, Scotland
Despite Scotland’s famously bad weather, Edinburgh ranks amongst the most walkable cities in Europe. Be mindful that it is an old and hilly city, so if you’ve got bad knees, it might not be for you!
Wander to the famous Arthur’s Seat, which boasts panoramic city views and sits atop an ancient volcano.
Next, make your way to the Palace of Holyroodhouse just down the road. Then follow Royal Mile Road to the breathtaking Edinburgh Castle.
Incredibly, you can see all of this in an hour’s walk.
5. Madrid, Spain
Composed of elegant, open boulevards and elegant parks, Spain’s capital is a delight to wander around. Though vast, the city’s main attractions can be walked between in less than an hour.
Starting in the city center, make your way to the Palacio de Cristal in the immaculate El Retiro Park. Soak in the grandiose architecture along the way as you head toward the famous Puerta de Alcala archway.
Wind your way past cathedrals and ancient Moorish walls to the iconic Plaza de España.
4. Porto, Portugal
This colourful and quirky city built on the banks of the Douro River is also one of Europe’s most walkable cities. In just half an hour, you can cover the city’s top-rated attractions.
Start on the legendary Ponte Dom Luis I Bridge that spans over the river and connects the two sides of the city. Either side of the bridge, there is a walkway along the river riddled with bars and restaurants.
Then wander to the Torre dos Clerigos and round the corner to the pretty Livaria Lello bookshop. Finish your day at the Jardim do Morro gardens.
3. Hamburg, Germany
Built on the banks of the River Elbe, Hamburg’s distinctive red-brick buildings are a charming backdrop to a very walkable city.
In just over an hour, you can check off some of Hamburg’s most iconic landmarks and attractions. Start at Miniatur Wunderland and take a look at the miniature landscapes inside.
Then walk to the Speicherstadt UNESCO World Heritage site. Made up of old red brick factories and canals.
Continue on to the Elbphilharmonie concert hall and then walk 20 minutes to the stunning baroque St. Michael’s Church.
2. Riga, Latvia
Riga’s highly decorated Art Nouveau buildings line the city’s enchanting streets. With the most famous monuments and landmarks within just 40 minutes’ walk of one another, it’s no wonder Riga is considered one of the world’s most walkable cities.
Excite your senses at the Riga Central Market before wandering into the city’s Old Town, which is home to the House of Blackheads, Riga Cathedral, and St. Peter’s Church.
Next, venture to the Freedom Monument on your way to the city’s famous Art Nouveau District.
1. Florence, Italy
Captivating and decadent, Florence is Italy’s most walkable and charming city. Within half an hour you can walk between the city’s most captivating landmarks.
Every visit to Florence should start at the magnificent Florence Cathedral, whose red-brick domes tower over the city.
From there, stroll to the Uffizi Gallery which houses great works of art by da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo. Just five minutes away, you’ll find the Ponte Vecchio bridge that stretches over the Arno River.
A little further, and you’ll come to the Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio square, home to the city’s gorgeous town hall and famous sculptures.
