12 European Cities So Walkable You’ll Forget What Traffic Jams Feel Like

Europe is blessed with many walkable cities that can be easily explored on two legs and feet. We can explore beautiful pedestrian-only squares, walk along canals to world-famous tourist attractions, and get lost in fascinating neighborhoods jam-packed with rich history and vibrant architecture.

However, with over 800 cities to visit, knowing where to visit first is a challenge. Luckily, we’re here to help. We’ve compiled a list of 12 walkable cities in Europe that allow you to explore on foot. These destinations are perfect if you don’t want to spend your city break sitting on a bus or driving a car.

Table of Contents

Venice, Italy

The first city on our list is Venice, the capital of Northern Italy’s Veneto region. Built on over 100 small islands in the Adriatic Sea, the city is most famous for its canals. It makes our list for several reasons. First, few roads are suitable for cars. Second, Venice’s main attractions are close together, so you don’t have to walk too far to get from A to B.

Third, the city is a joy to explore. At every turn and across every bridge, you’ll find beautiful architecture, charming canal walkways, and vibrant houses sitting precariously above the water. Notable attractions in the city include the Grand Canal, Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, and St. Mark’s Basilica.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a beautiful city in Southern Croatia, and it’s loved for its world-famous Old Town. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town dates back to the 13th century and is surrounded by tall 16th-century stone walls. The Old Town is small, so you can easily see it all in one day.

Better yet, it’s car-free, so you can enjoy the historic sights without dodging traffic and listening to loud engines. Start your walk at the city walls. These medieval ramparts circle the entire city, offering 6,360 feet (1,940 meters) of walking trails and incredible city and coast views. Then, get lost in the maze of cobblestone streets, admire the Stradun (Main Street), and discover Game of Thrones filming locations like Fort Lovrijenac.

Riga, Latvia

Riga, the Latvian capital, is located at the mouth of the River Daugava on the Baltic Sea. It’s another fantastic walkable city with a stunning pedestrian-only Old Town. Most of the action centers around this Old Town, and many attractions outside of it are only a mile or so away. As a result, you can easily reach all the best attractions without taking public transport.

You could visit most of the city’s best sights by walking approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers). Three popular attractions close together include Riga Cathedral, the House of the Black Heads, and the Central Market. Don’t miss Riga Castle, either.

Warsaw, Poland

A study by Compare the Market ranks Warsaw, Poland’s capital, as the third most walkable city in the world. This is mainly because of the city’s compact size, which makes it much easier to get around on foot. Compare the Market also discovered that 74% of the city’s population live within 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) of car-free space.

During your visit, you’ll likely spend most of your time around the Old Town, where famous attractions, such as Warsaw’s Old Town Market Place and the breathtaking Rynek Starego Miasta, can be seen. Famous tourist attractions, like the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the Palace of Culture and Science, are only a short walk from the Old Town.

Athens, Greece

Walkable Cities in Europe Athens — © neirfy / Adobe Stock

The next city on our list is arguably one of the most exciting cities on Earth. Bursting at the seams with mind-blowing architecture, historic sights, and gorgeous scenery, you don’t want to miss Athens. Athens is the capital and largest city in Greece and one of the largest urban areas in Europe, but that doesn’t stop it from being walkable.

Quite conveniently, many of the city’s most iconic landmarks and attractions are near one another. For example, you could visit the National Garden, the Agora, the Parthenon, and the Acropolis in less than two miles (3.2 kilometers) of walking. Furthermore, famous streets, like the shopping street Ermou Street, are pedestrian-only.

Hamburg, Germany

Admittedly, public transport in Hamburg is efficient, so you won’t have trouble getting from A to B if you have to take it. However, Hamburg is also highly walkable, so you likely won’t need to. Most of Hamburg’s attractions, parks, shops, and restaurants, particularly in the city center, are within walking distance of each other.

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You can easily navigate the street on foot, discovering vibrant streets, a charming waterfront, and historic buildings. Points of interest in the city include Hamburg Dungeon, the International Maritime Museum, Miniatur Wunderland, and Hamburg Town Hall. To show you how walkable the city is, you can visit the Hamburg Dungeon, the Maritime Museum, and Hamburg Town Hall in less than 40 minutes of walking.

Bruges, Belgium

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According to Motel One, Bruges is Europe’s most walkable city. The capital of West Flanders, this beautiful city in northwest Belgium is best known for its picturesque canals, cobblestone streets, and medieval architecture. You’ll spend most of your time exploring the Historic Centre of Brugge, where you’ll find famous sights such as Market Square, the Belfry of Bruges, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Burg Square is a great place to start your walk. It features impressive landmarks and historic buildings, such as the 14th-century Stahuis (City Hall). You can also easily walk from the square to Markt Square, the Belfry of Bruges, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a vibrant city much loved for its unique narrow houses, fascinating cultures, artistic heritage, and vast canal systems. According to Preply, it’s also Europe’s sixth most walkable city. Amsterdam is deemed a walkable city because its Canal Ring is easily navigated on foot.

The Canal Ring spans 60 miles (100 kilometers) and features more than 1,500 bridges, providing visitors with plenty of walking trails through the city. Better yet, many of the most famous streets in the city are pedestrian-only. Popular attractions you don’t want to miss include Anne Frank House, the National Monument, the Royal Palace, and the Rijksmuseum.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is perfect if you’re looking for a walkable European city break that offers more variety. This wonderful city has everything, from a medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town to lush parks and scenic hills. Despite this wide range of offerings, you can see almost all of them on foot.

This is because the city is so compact. From the Old Town, you can cross one bridge into the New Town, walk to lush parks, and climb a large hill that overlooks the city (Arthur’s Seat). For context, you could visit Edinburgh Castle, Calton Hill, the National Gallery, Holyrood House, and Holyrood Park on foot in approximately an hour.

Florence, Italy

Italy makes our list for a second time, this time with Florence. Florence is a breathtaking city jam-packed with historic architecture, iconic landmarks, and many pedestrian-only areas. The capital of the Tuscany region, the city is best explored by foot because the historic center is closed to most traffic, except for residents, taxis, and buses in a handful of streets.

The historic center will treat you to mind-blowing examples of Renaissance architecture and art, including the easily recognized Duomo Cathedral. Once you’ve explored the cobblestone streets around the cathedral, walk towards other popular attractions. Notable points of interest include Boboli Gardens, Uffizi Galleries, and Piazzale Michelangelo.

Madrid, Spain

Madrid may be the largest city in Spain, but that doesn’t stop it from being highly walkable. The Spanish capital’s compact Centro District allows visitors to explore many of its best and most famous attractions on foot. You’ll find iconic landmarks like the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and Puerta del Sol in the Centro District alone.

Many of the city’s other famous attractions are conveniently located within walking distance of the central Centro District hub, including El Retiro Park, Puerta de Alcalá, and Museo Nacional del Prado. Admittedly, if you decide to stay or venture further outside the city center, you’ll have much walking to do. Still, you’ll find many more attractions along the way, such as the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and the National Museum of Romanticism.

Porto, Portugal

The final walkable city on our list is Porto, a vibrant coastal city in northwest Portugal famed for its beautiful architecture, impressive stately bridges, and thriving wine production. There are several ways to get around the city, but walking is the best way to explore because it allows you to take in all the sounds, sights, and smells at your own pace.

Luckily, Porto is a very easy city to explore on foot. Most of the city’s best attractions are located close together in the Historic Center, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meanwhile, popular attractions outside the Historic Center aren’t too far away. Noteworthy locations in Porto include Luís I Bridge, Porto Cathedral, and Bolsa Palace.