Most Walkable Cities in Europe: The Ultimate Guide

Ghent is a beautiful port city in Belgium, just half an hour away from Bruges by train. The city centre is very walker-friendly, with wide footpaths and closely packed landmarks. From St. Michael’s Bridge, you have a breath-taking view of the buildings on either side of the River Leie, along with the Gravensteen Castle.

Aachen is a historical university town in western Germany. The cobbled city centre hosts a lovely Christmas market in December. Aachen’s best known landmark is the Aachener Dom, but the city hall and fountains are also worth seeing in the Old Town. Aachen is also home to natural hot springs and ancient city gates.

Salzburg offers gorgeous views of the Eastern Alps and River Salzach from Fortress Hohensalzburg. The determined explorer can walk through all of Salzburg. The Old Town is indescribably beautiful and notable attractions include the Mirabell Palace & Gardens, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and the Horse Pond.

Sankt Goar is one of the most beautiful towns in the Middle Rhine, set apart by picture-perfect views of the winding river, flanked by verdant mountains and hilltop castles from Burg Rheinfels. It’s an offbeat addition to our list of most walkable cities in Europe. Tiny Sankt Goar is a walking explorer’s delight, but there’s a fair amount of climbing involved, so make sure you wear shoes with good grip.

Most people pass through Fussen to reach the famous Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. Spend some time wandering around the garden of the Gothic Hohes Schloss and the quaint Old Town. The riverside is particularly striking. Make sure you visit Lechfall, a tiered waterfall in the middle of the emerald Lech River.

Surrounded on all sides by the city of Rome, the Vatican City is a treasure trove of museums and monuments and the perfect European walking destination. The Vatican museums deserve to be explored inch to inch, but the most famous attractions include the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms.

Trier is Germany’s oldest city and choc-a-bloc with Roman ruins, thermal baths, and other ancient monuments. The Old Town is among the most beautiful ones we’ve seen in Germany, and the Market Square is full of stunning half-timbered houses and cathedrals. Walking is not optional in Trier as local buses are quite infrequent. So it’s a good thing that it’s a great European city to explore on foot!

The compact capital of Luxembourg is ideal for a day trip. On your walking tour of the Old Town, you will see the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Palace of the Grand Duke, and summer markets at Place Guillaume II. Wander among the ruins of Fort Thüngen and enjoy sweeping views of the city from the Chemin de la Corniche promenade.

Avignon lies on the Rhone River in Provence, and used to serve as the seat of the Catholic popes in the 14th century. You can relive history at the Popes’ Palace in the city center. Also don’t miss the museums, churches, and delicious local cuisine.

Lille is a French city with Flemish origins on the Belgian border. Walking around its cobbled city center is a delightful experience, as you gaze upon town houses made of brick, the Renaissance-style Old Stock Exchange, and the stately Citadelle Fortress. So it’s certainly among the most walkable cities in Europe.

Also on Lake Geneva, Vevey is famous for the giant fork emerging from the lake near Alimentarium Museum, a museum devoted to nutrition. Vevey is home to the Charlie Chaplin Museum, lovely 16th century houses, and daffodil-cloaked mountain slopes. For sure, it’s a great European city to explore on foot.

The port city of Bordeaux is synonymous with wine, but its also exceedingly walkable. Walk along the Garonne River and see Gothic cathedrals, mansions, museums, and gardens. Place des Quinconces is full of soaring columns and marble statues.

Florence, the capital of Tuscany, has a long tradition of art and architecture. The city’s skyline is characterized by the scarlet dome of the Duomo cathedral. Shop for jewellery on Ponte Vecchio and walk around Piazza del Signoria, a beautiful square.

The beautiful city of Seville lies in the Andalusia province, and is the birthplace of flamenco. It is very walker-friendly as most of the main attractions are in the old town. Alcazar Castle, Seville Cathedral, and the Santa Cruz quarter are must-see sights.

Slovenia’s capital city is famous for the sprawling Tivoli Park and the Ljubljanica River that winds through the old town. Walk over the Triple Bridge and explore nearby attractions like the central square and the cathedral. Also don’t miss Ljubljana Castle.

Embrace the beauty of the Baltic Sea at Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia. The walled Old Town is set apart by its cobbled streets, an ancient defense tower, a 13th century town hall, and the St. Nicholas Church. Palaces and gardens crowd this city that boasts of inimitable architecture.

Known for its olive oil, Lucca is a historical city along the Serchio River in Tuscany. The old town is surrounded by Renaissance-era city walls and full of leafy pathways and ancient ramparts. You can get splendid views from the top of the Guinigi Tower.

Set on the Vistula River, Torun is among the oldest Polish cities, and a political center. Make sure you visit the birthplace of Copernicus, Torun Castle, and the Leaning Tower. At Muzeum Pernika, you can learn about the origin of gingerbread.

This tiny cathedral city in Somerset is located on the fringes of the Mendip Hills. There are three famous wells in the city, all dedicated to St. Andrew. The Bishops Palace Garden, Wells Cathedral, and the Wookey Hole Caves are must-visit attractions.

Bologna is a historical city in northern Italy, famous for its pasta and the University of Bologna. Full of arched colonnades, Piazza Maggiore is ideal for a walking tour, and is home to the Fountain of Neptune, the city hall, the San Petronio basilica, and the medieval Two Towers.

Belgium’s capital city is the seat of the European Union. The elegant city center is home to intricate 17th century guild houses, the Gothic Town Hall, and the Grand-Place square. Brussels is also famous for its museums, murals, the European Quarter, and the Atomium.

The Scottish city of Stirling‘s biggest claim to fame is the medieval Stirling Castle, which is perched on a steep volcanic rock in the Old Town. The Stirling Smith Art Gallery, the National Wallace Monument, old townhouses and churches, and the Cambuskenneth Abbey along the River Forth should also be on your itinerary.

Tiny and superbly picturesque Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory off the coast of Spain. From the limestone Rock of Gibraltar, you are treated to mesmerizing ocean views. On a walking tour, you can explore an ancient Moorish Castle and the Great Siege Tunnels.

Geneva occupies the southern edge of Lake Geneva, and offers splendid views of Mont Blanc, the Alps, and the Jura Mountains. Commerce and politics abound in Geneva, the seat of the United Nations in Europe. St. Pierre Cathedral, the Flower Clock and the Bourg-de-Four square grace the Old Town.

Basel is located along the Rhine River at the confluence of France, Switzerland, and Germany. The old town is best explored on foot, and notable attractions include the crimson town hall in the market square, the Gothic cathedral, university, and various cathedrals and bridges.

Zurich is a city of cobbled footpaths and trams. It is a fascinating melange of old and new, with historical buildings and churches in the Old Town, and dazzling banks and luxury stores at Bahnhofstrasse. Walking along Lake Zurich and the Limmat River in the evening is a most magical experience.

The coastal city of Porto is the birthplace of port wine, so that’s reason enough to visit! The riverside medieval quarter is full of tiny cobbled lanes, old merchants’ houses, and landmarks such as the Sao Francisco Church, Clerigos Tower, and Palacio de Bolsa.

Dubrovnik‘s brick red rooftops with the azure Adriatic Sea in the backdrop are a frequent fixture on Instagram. The walled Old Town is full of architectural marvels like Dubrovnik Cathedral, St. Blaise Church, Rector’s Palace, and Sponza Palace. Don’t miss the pebbly beaches and seaside clubs either.

Scenic Stockholm is actually an archipelago of 14 islands on the Baltic Sea, connected by ferries and boats. But the Old Town is perfect for exploring on foot, and full of cobbled streets and ocher edifices. Make sure to visit the Nobel Museum, the Storkyrkan Cathedral, and the Royal Palace.

Ireland’s capital city is very walkable, and lies at the mouth of the Liffey River. The 13th century Dublin Castle and the Gothic St. Patrick’s Cathedral are bound to take your breath away. Dublin is also home to verdant city parks and a museum of Irish history.

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and famous for its array of winter sports. But on a walking tour, you will find striking examples of modernistic and Imperial architecture. The Gothic Court Church, 16th century Ambras Castle, and Golden Roof museum are also worth visiting.

Mittenwald is a scenic town nestled between the Bavarian Alps. You can learn about the history of violins at Geigenbaumuseum and wander among the lanes lined with colorful houses and churches. Trails in the forest take you to idyllic lakes like Lautersee, Ferchensee and Barmsee.

Munich is large, but the central area is designed for walking. A walking tour will take you through Marienplatz, which is home to the New Town Hall and other historic buildings. Then, you can move on to the famous English Garden, Asamkirche, and finally take a stroll along the Isar River.

Tourists flock to the world-famous Cologne Cathedral, and the surrounding Old Town and riverside promenade are ideal for exploring on foot. Don’t miss the Chocolate Museum and the views from Deutzer Bridge. Another walking tour can be done at Ehrenfeld, renowned for its street graffiti.

Even locals will tell you that it’s impossible to see all of London on foot. That said, there’s a fair amount of walking to be done in neighborhoods like Southwark, the Thames river promenade, and the area around Big Ben and the London Eye. A hop on hop off tour in our opinion, is non-negotiable.

Bergen is a coastal city enveloped by fjords and mountains. At the old wharf, Bryggen, you can feast your eyes on colorful wooden edifices. You can also walk around Lille Lungegårdsvannet lake and park and the port region, where there’s a market full of vendors selling fish and fresh produce.

The seaside Varna is a hidden gem that’s just waiting to be unraveled. Located on the Black Sea, the port city is famous for the 6000-years-old ‘Gold of Varna’, showcased at the Archaeological Museum. Walk along the waterfront and explore Primorski Park and the historic quarter.

Situated on the Oder River, Wroclaw is one of the most walkable cities in Poland. Walk along the beautiful townhouses in the Market Square, moving on to the Old Town Hall, the Centennial Hall, the White Stork Synagogue, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Wroclaw Fountain, and Szczytnicki Park.

Warsaw is huge, but the city center can certainly be explored on a walking tour. Much of the Old Town was rebuilt after WWII, and today, it is home to the Monument of the Warsaw Mermaid, the Royal Castle, numerous churches, and buildings from the Soviet Era.

The port city of Gdansk was also severely damaged during WWII. Today, travellers flock to Long Market in the Main Town, full of colorful buildings that are mostly shops or restaurants. The 17th century Neptune Fountain, the Solidarity Square, and St. Mary’s Church are also worth visiting.

Set on the Danube river, Vienna is the city of palaces, art, and history. Walk through the Museums Quarter for its architectural brilliance, and the Ring Road, home to the Austrian capital’s main government structures. Schonbrunn, Belvedere, and The Hofburg are among the many palaces in the city.

Slovakia’s capital city lies on the Danube River, nestled between Austria and Hungary. With vineyards and the curves of the Carpathian Mountains all around the city, you won’t have to go hunting for great views. The Old Town is reserved for pedestrians and full of medieval marvels.

Like Rome, Athens is one of the must-visit historical destinations in the world. Relive the ancient Greek civilization at 5th century BC landmarks like the hilltop Acropolis and the Ancient Agora of Athens. Walk through the pedestrian-only Plaka neighborhood, Syntagma Square, and the Grand Promenade.

Romantic Venice is the capital of Italy’s Veneto region, and its winding Grand Canal needs no introduction. Although there are no roads in Venice, it is highly walkable as long as you have a good map and a water bus travel card to hop on whenever you need to. Get good advice on walking in Venice here.

Scotland’s hilly capital is begging to be explored by foot. Walk through the medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and Princes Street. Gawk at neoclassical edifices in the Georgian New Town and get glorious views from Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat. You’ll definitely thank us for adding it to our list of the most walkable cities in Europe.

Prague, the Czech Capital, is often called the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’, and split into two by the Vltava River. On a walking tour of the Old Town, you will see vivid baroque structures and Gothic churches. The hilltop Prague Castle lets you look over the entire city. Other routes take you through the Jewish Quarter and New Town.

The walled, English city of York was established by the ancient Romans. Walk along the City Walls that circle the River Ouse, and pause at York Minster, a Gothic cathedral, and The Monk Bar. It’s also worth visiting The Shambles, a medieval street lined with timber-framed edifices.