12 Least Walkable Cities in Europe That Challenge Your Step Count

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Europe is widely known for having some of the most walkable cities in the world. In fact, many times, it is recommended not to rent cars to explore major European cities, thanks to their good public transportation networks and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

However, even among the best, there will always be some that lag behind. We are talking about the least walkable cities in Europe. This can be due to unpreventable circumstances like nature or man-made infrastructure. Whatever the reason, be prepared for a less-than-pleasant walking experience when visiting these European cities.

Istanbul, Turkey

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Istanbul is a true clash of cultures – straddling Europe and Asia across the iconic Bosphorus strait. This sprawling metropolis of over 15 million people can feel overwhelming on foot. One minute, you’re strolling through the historic Sultanahmet neighborhood, marveling at the jaw-dropping Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. The next, you’re battling chaotic traffic and navigating maze-like neighborhoods.

Let’s be real – Istanbul’s urban design leaves much to be desired for pedestrians. The city’s hilly terrain and lack of a cohesive grid system make getting around on foot a nightmare. You’ll encounter steep inclines, confusing road networks, and surprise dead ends around many corners.

Thankfully, Istanbul has a decent public transportation system to save your feet. The reasonably priced metro, trams, buses, and ferry boats can easily whisk you between major points of interest.

Lisbon, Portugal

Best Neighborhoods and Hotels to Stay in Lisbon Best Hotels in Cais do Sodré — © Armando Oliveira / Adobe Stock

You must have seen the funny TikTok videos of tourists panting as they walk up the hill to their hotels in Lisbon. While Lisbon’s hilly terrain is one of the city’s charming features, it can be exhausting to explore it on foot. The city’s historic neighborhoods, like Alfama and Bairro Alto, are built on steep hills, with narrow winding streets and slippery sidewalks. This is where your fitness and sturdy shoes come in handy.

While the scenery is beautiful, all those hills make Lisbon one of Europe’s least walkable major cities. To get around efficiently, you’ll want to take advantage of the city’s public transportation options like the metro, trams, buses, and iconic yellow funiculars.

That said, some of Lisbon’s top attractions, such as the Praca do Comercio plaza, Rua Augusta pedestrian street, and the waterfront, are relatively flat and walkable.

Madrid, Spain

Despite its walkable historic core, Madrid’s sheer size, chaotic traffic, and cobblestone streets make it one of Europe’s most challenging cities to explore on foot.

Madrid covers a vast area, stretching over 233 square miles (604 square kilometers). Many of the top attractions are scattered far apart. Trekking from the Madrid Zoo Aquarium to the Royal Palace of Madrid is over 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) – a long haul on foot, especially in the scorching summer heat.

As Spain’s capital and largest city, Madrid’s streets teem with traffic at all hours. Dodging taxis, buses, and motorbikes makes even a short stroll feel like an extreme sport. Frequent construction also forces pedestrians to navigate detours and bottlenecks.

Budapest, Hungary

Budapest sprawls across both banks of the Danube River. On one side lies hilly Buda with its historic castle district. On the other, flat Pest spreads out—an urban jungle of wide avenues and crowded neighborhoods.

Exploring Budapest’s uneven streets, especially in older parts of the city, can be a struggle. Further, the city’s sheer size and split personality make walking impractical for most travelers. Public transportation is affordable but often overcrowded during rush hours.

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That said, some key attractions like Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and the iconic Parliament building are relatively compact. If you have the energy, these highlights are worth the extended urban treks required to reach them on foot.

Edinburgh, Scotland

When you imagine Edinburgh, you might think of charming cobblestone streets and historic buildings. But the Scottish capital can be surprisingly unwalkable in parts.

While the city center is relatively flat, many residential areas are built on hills and have uneven streets. Edinburgh’s Ramsay Lane is a steep street featuring towering staircases and twisting cobbled ascents. Your calves will be burning by the end of the day if you walk up and down the street.

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Despite being an old, compact city, Edinburgh lacks good sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure in some areas. Busy roads without proper crossings make getting around on foot unpleasant and unsafe.

That aside, Scotland’s fickle weather means you could start your walking tour in the sunshine and end up drenched by an unexpected rainstorm.

Stockholm, Sweden

While undeniably beautiful, Stockholm’s island geography and extreme seasons severely limit its walkability score. The city sprawls across 14 islands connected by bridges. At first glance, that sounds idyllic for aimless wandering. But in reality, it’s a navigational headache. Confusing waterways and dead-ends constantly block your path.

You might assume Stockholm’s extensive subway, bus, and tram systems make up for the lack of walkability. Not quite. The transit network is excellent for commuting between neighborhoods. But once you arrive, you’re often stranded with limited walkable areas nearby.

When winter rolls around, the already daunting pedestrian experience becomes brutal. Icy conditions make walking treacherous. And with darkness enveloping the city for most of the day, you’re better off staying indoors in winter or exploring by car.

Reykjavik, Iceland

The capital of Iceland may look quaint and walkable on a map, but don’t be fooled. Iceland’s infamously harsh weather is a major deterrent to walking in Reykjavik. Strong winds, freezing temperatures, and near-constant rain or snow can make even short strolls feel like arctic expeditions. When visiting in winter, you’ll want to bundle up and brace yourself against the elements.

Secondly, many of Reykjavik’s main attractions and neighborhoods are spaced out inconveniently. The distance between key sites like Hallgrimskirkja church and the waterfront Harpa concert hall is over a mile- a long haul in blustery conditions. Public transportation options are limited, so getting around without a car or tour bus can be cumbersome.

Tirana, Albania

Exploring Tirana on foot is quite a sport – a rigorous one, for that matter. The capital of Albania is notorious for its chaotic traffic and lack of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

For starters, Tirana went through rapid urbanization in the 1990s after the fall of communism. Unplanned development led to a concrete jungle with narrow streets crammed with cars. Sidewalks are narrow or non-existent in many areas.

Albanian drivers have a well-deserved reputation for reckless driving. As hazardous as it is, jaywalking across multi-lane roads is the order of the day in Tirana. Moreover, many intersections lack traffic lights or crosswalks.

With inadequate public transportation options, most residents drive personal vehicles. This clogs the streets and leaves pedestrians as second-class citizens. Also, the few sidewalks are often blocked by illegally parked cars.

Belgrade, Serbia

While the historic center and attractions like the Belgrade Fortress are relatively walkable, the rest of the city sprawls out in a less pedestrian-friendly way. The urban sprawl in this capital makes walking difficult. Many neighborhoods are designed with wide roads prioritizing cars over pedestrians.

Further, distances between key areas can be quite far apart. You’ll likely need to rely on public transportation like buses and trams to get around efficiently. The systems are decent but can be crowded during rush hours. Taxis are also an affordable option for longer journeys.

Furthermore, Belgrade’s uneven sidewalks and lack of crosswalks at busy intersections pose challenges for walking in some areas. Be prepared for cracked pavements, construction detours, and vehicles blocking paths.

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki might seem like a compact, walkable city at first glance. But the reality is quite different. While the downtown core is relatively pedestrian-friendly, this city extends outward with residential neighborhoods and suburbs sprawling for miles. Getting around on foot quickly becomes impractical.

Don’t forget Helsinki’s harsh winters with frigid temperatures, ice, snow, and punishing winds. These make walking long distances extremely unpleasant for much of the season.

While pockets of central Helsinki provide a nice urban walking experience, venturing beyond a few blocks requires adjusting your mobility expectations. Having alternative transportation options is necessary to fully experience this Northern European city.

Warsaw, Poland

You’ll want to pack your most comfortable walking shoes when visiting Warsaw. The Polish capital is notoriously spread out and difficult to navigate on foot. Many of the city’s top attractions are far apart, making it challenging to get around efficiently without a car or public transportation.

Warsaw’s walkability issues stem largely from its post-WWII rebuilding efforts. After the city was devastated by bombing raids, planners redesigned neighborhoods to accommodate cars over pedestrians. Wide avenues and multi-lane roads replaced narrower historic streets better suited for strolling.

While some areas like the Old Town are pedestrian-friendly, getting between districts on foot is a major hassle. Your best bet is to rely on Warsaw’s decent tram, bus, and metro networks to get around quickly and avoid sore feet.

Patras, Greece

You’ll quickly discover why Patras ranks among Europe’s least walkable cities. Its hilly terrain and maze-like streets make strolling quite a workout.

The city stretches along the edge of the Gulf of Patras – so steep inclines are common.

Just wandering a few blocks can leave you breathless. You’ll need endurance to explore beyond the compact historical center.

Public transit helps, but routes don’t cover every nook. Luckily, taxis afford door-to-door convenience when your legs give out. For longer jaunts, the suburban rail system connects Patras to outlying areas. Keep in mind the station locations may require a decent walk from your hotel. You will also realize that Patras has very few and narrow sidewalks.