A traveller’s guide to the world’s most walkable cities 🌍

Before we take you through our top picks, let’s have a quick wander through what actually makes a city brilliantly walkable.

A proper walkable city is one where you can safely and easily reach the best bits on foot. Think charming neighbourhoods, buzzing high streets, proper pavements, and barely a car in sight. Add in a few leafy parks, indie shops, welcoming cafés, and cultural gems at every turn, and you’ve got a city that begs to be explored one step at a time. We’re giving extra credit for pedestrian-only zones, waterside walks, and top-notch people-watching spots.

Our editors have clocked up plenty of miles (and worn out a fair few trainers), and we’ve rounded up ten of the best cities where walking isn’t just easy—it’s absolutely irresistible. Ready to lace up? Let’s go.

1. Florence, Italy

Florence feels designed for wandering. Around every corner, there’s another piazza, statue, or stunning church waiting to stop you in your tracks. You’ll go from the Duomo to the Ponte Vecchio in minutes, but along the way, you’ll stumble across piazzas, espresso bars, and little artisan shops that demand a detour. Plus, much of the city centre is a limited traffic zone, meaning fewer cars and more space for your gelato-fuelled strolls.

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is what you get when a city really backs its pedestrians (and cyclists). Wide pavements, traffic-free streets, public squares packed with life, and a commitment to good design make this city a pedestrian dream. Bonus points for how flat it is—and how many cosy coffee shops you’ll pass between attractions like Nyhavn and Tivoli Gardens.

3. Venice, Italy

Venice is, quite literally, a walking city—there are no cars at all. Every bridge, canal, and narrow alley invites you to slow down and get lost (on purpose). You’ll find yourself wandering from crowded squares to quiet, beautiful backstreets in minutes. Your feet are the only transportation you’ll need.

4. Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is often overlooked in "most walkable cities" lists, but it shouldn’t be. Downtown (the CBD) is packed with wide, grid-planned streets that are easy to navigate, and the lane ways? They’re a world of their own, filled with street art, hidden cafes, and boutique shops. Plus, the riverfront paths, lush parks like Fitzroy Gardens, and beachside promenades (hello, St Kilda) stretch your walk even further.

5. Paris, France

Paris and walking go hand-in-hand (preferably while carrying a baguette). With its elegant boulevards, cosy side streets, and countless bakeries begging you to stop, it’s almost impossible not to explore on foot. Most major sights—Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower—are surprisingly close to each other. And don’t even get us started on strolling along the Seine at sunset.

6. Hamburg, Germany

Hamburg is a surprise favourite when it comes to walkability. The city is full of pedestrian zones, waterfront promenades along the Elbe, and leafy neighbourhoods that feel more village than metropolis. You can walk from the historic Speicherstadt (warehouse district) to the buzzing St. Pauli nightlife scene without ever needing a ride. Plus: so many lakeside and riverside paths, you'll forget you’re in Germany’s second-biggest city.

7. Amsterdam, Netherlands


Amsterdam’s compact size, car-light streets, and canal-crossed layout make it insanely walkable (and bikeable, but that’s another story). Every neighbourhood feels close enough to wander between, and there’s always a new corner café or art gallery to discover. Yes, you’ll dodge a few bikes along the way—but that’s just part of the local charm.

8. Montreal, Canada

Montreal offers European charm with a North American twist—and it’s incredibly easy to navigate on foot. The cobblestone streets of Old Montreal, the buzzing Plateau neighbourhood, the walk-up to Mount Royal for skyline views—all of it feels made for pedestrians. Plus, wide pavement and an ever-growing network of car-free zones (especially in summer) make it even better.

9. Barcelona, Spain


Barcelona was practically designed for aimless wandering. From the medieval maze of the Gothic Quarter to the grid-like streets of Eixample (hello, Gaudí architecture), this is a city where every few blocks feel completely different. Wide pavements, shady plazas, beach boardwalks—it’s all here. And when your feet need a break, a shady terrace and a cold sangria are never far away.

10. Porto, Portugal

Porto is compact, charming, and packed with character—and it’s best explored on foot (with a few calf stretches along the way). The historic centre is a maze of colourful buildings, tiled facades, and steep cobbled streets that all seem to lead toward the riverfront. Walking here means weaving through alleys, climbing staircases, and stopping often—partly for the views, partly to catch your breath. But it’s worth every step. Stroll across the Dom Luís I Bridge, wander Ribeira’s waterfront, and explore the wine cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia—all without ever needing a car.

Just know: if your hotel’s uphill from dinner, you’ve earned dessert.

The best kind of travel is on foot

There are lots of ways to experience a city, but there’s something unbeatable about seeing it one step at a time. These ten cities didn’t just make the list because they’re easy to walk—they made it because walking them is half the joy of visiting. So pack your comfiest shoes, skip the rental car, and get ready to explore the world the old-fashioned way: one incredible street at a time.