It’s time to ditch the public transport, taxis and bicycles and instead spend your next city break exploring on foot.
New research has revealed the most walkable cities in the world, and the best way to explore each one.
From a major port city in southeast France to the vibrant capital of Finland, Helsinki, there are plenty of places to enjoy.
Make sure to pack your best walking boots and read on to discover the top spots to stomp around.
1. Venice, Italy
Venice, in Italy, ranked as the top walkable city and a one-way flight there only costs £17 in June
Travel experience platform Hellotickets has analysed the tourist walkability of destinations around the world, including the space given to pedestrians, the density of sights and experiences accessible on foot.
It also considered the ease of exploring without a car, the pleasure of wandering, and the city’s ability to offer a complete stay at walking pace and compiled a list of the top 15.
Venice, in Italy, tops the rankings with a score of 96 out of 100.
It feels natural to explore the city on foot, with its picturesque settings and winding canals to walk along.
Hellotickets described every detour as feeling like ‘a film scene’ that absorbs its visitors.
Venice is affordable to get to too, as one-way flights can be bagged for as little as £17.99 with Wizz Air.
Best experienced on foot: Starting in Rialto and then head to the lanes of Cannaregio makes for a pleasant walk. St Mark’s Square is another spot to explore as well as some bridges ‘chosen at random’ and ending in Dorsoduro by sunset.
2. Pontevedra, Spain
Pontevedra, Spain ranked second and is home to the Gothic Santa María la Mayor Basilica
Located in northwest Spain is the beautiful city of Pontevedra – packed with history and stunning architecture.
Scoring 94 out of 100 for walkability, the Galician city offers a calmer experience than the more popular spots across Europe.
It offers a well-preserved old town and is home to the Gothic Santa María la Mayor Basilica.
Best experienced on foot: Explore the historic centre, lively squares, terraces and markets. There are also plenty of walking routes inspired by the Metrominuto.
3. Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, Finland has plenty of museums, cafes and parks to enjoy on foot
The capital of Finland ranks third for its walkability, securing a score of 88 out of 100.
Helsinki boasts a harbour, market halls, museums, cafés, design districts, parks and waterfronts all within a relatively close distance from one another.
Paired with a relaxed atmosphere and sea views, it’s great for holidaymakers who want a calmer city experience.
Best experienced on foot: First, explore Senate Square and then wander along the waterfront and market halls. The Design District is another good spot to enjoy, as well as the parks and cafes facing the water.
4. Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto, Japan, ranks fourth and is home to temples, gardens, shrines and traditional lanes
Best explored slowly and with plenty of time to take the beautiful sights in, Kyoto, in Japan, scored 86 out of 100, landing it in fourth place.
There are temples, gardens, shrines and traditional lanes and houses to walk through.
Best experienced on foot: Geisha district Gion is good to explore on foot, as well as the historic district of Higashiyama and the Philosopher’s Path. Head to the lanes around Kiyomizu-dera and Arashiyama early in the morning to avoid crowds.
5. Madrid, Spain
Madrid, Spain, ranks fifth and is a great city for walking through markets and lively neighbourhoods
Rounding off the top five is Madrid, in Spain, with a score of 84 out of 100.
The city lends itself to walking with its various squares, museums, markets, terraces and lively neighbourhoods.
Best experienced on foot: In between tapas and good food, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, La Latina, Retiro Park, the Paseo del Arte and Malasaña are all worth exploring by night.
6. Paris, France
Paris, France, places sixth and is packed full of iconic monuments, museums, galleries and cafes in a dense urban space
Although it’s known as the City of Love, Paris is also very walkable, and scores 83 out of 100.
The French capital boasts many iconic monuments, museums, galleries and cafes in a dense urban space.
Best experienced on foot: Check out the Seine riverbanks, the Louvre, Le Marais, Saint-Germain, Montmartre, covered passages and the Luxembourg Gardens.
7. Lyon, France
Lyon, France, is a beautiful destination to explore on foot
Boasting several centuries of history, Lyon is a magnificent city and the third largest in France.
Best experienced on foot: Head to the traboules, Vieux Lyon and the Saône riverbanks. The central part of the city, called the Presqu’île is worth exploring, as well as Fourvière and Croix-Rousse.
8. Philadelphia, USA
Philadelphia, USA, ranks eighth and has public squares, museums, markets and neighbours to explore and walk around
Bringing USA into the rankings, Philadelphia is described as having ‘the charm of an American city that can genuinely be discovered on foot’.
It has public squares, museums, markets and neighbourhoods to explore and walk around.
Best experienced on foot: Old City, Independence Hall, Rittenhouse Square, Reading Terminal Market, Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the museums.
9. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, Australia, is a natural city to explore on foot with plenty of outdoor space to enjoy
Melbourne, in Australia, is home to countless laneways, murals, cafés, arcades, markets and riverfronts that lend themselves to leisurely walks.
Best experienced on foot: The CBD laneways, Hosier Lane, Federation Square, Queen Victoria Market, the Yarra River and neighbourhood cafés.
10. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina, rounds off the top ten cities
The capital city of Argentina, Buenos Aires, is a vibrant and varied place to explore.
Split into 48 different neighbourhoods, there are avenues, cafés, bookshops, theatres and squares for tourists to enjoy.
Best experienced on foot: San Telmo, Recoleta, Palermo Soho, historic cafés, bookshops and Puerto Madero best seen at sunset.
11. New York, USA
New York, United States, is packed with iconic spots to meander around
Bustling and with plenty to see, tourists are spoilt for choice for what to explore on foot in New York.
From Manhattan and Brooklyn, to Central Park and the High Line, exploring the city is ‘a cinematic experience’.
Best experienced on foot: Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Greenwich Village, SoHo, the High Line, Williamsburg and Broadway by night.
12. Sète, France
Sète, France, ranks 12th and is home to canals and market halls
A major port city located in the southeast of France, visitors can meander along canals and through market halls.
Best experienced on foot: The market halls, the port, the canals, Mont Saint-Clair, the corniche, the quays and the beaches.
13. London, UK
London, UK, has an abundance of spaces to explore and landmarks to check out
London has several great urban walks for visitors to explore the city through, and is made up of 32 distinct boroughs that each have unique features.
It’s best to explore different sections of the capital on separate days to fully immerse yourself into the history, fun and culture of that area.
Best experienced on foot: South Bank, Westminster, Covent Garden, Soho, Notting Hill, Shoreditch, Camden and Hyde Park.
14. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, Turkey, places 14th for walkability and is described as a ‘spectacular, sensory world-city’
From mosques to historic neighbourhoods and waterfronts, Istanbul, in Turkey, is great for exploring on foot.
Hellotickets describes it as a ‘spectacular, sensory world-city’.
Best experienced on foot: Sultanahmet, the Grand Bazaar, Galata, Karaköy, Istiklal Avenue, Balat, Kadıköy and the Bosphorus waterfront.
15. San Pedro, Belize
Rounding off the top 15 walkable cities is San Pedro, in Belize
Described as ‘slower, lighter, and more island-like’, San Pedro in Belize is a relaxed city with plenty of chances to enjoy the sea-air and landscapes.
Best experienced on foot: The waterfront, jetties, restaurants, excursion departure points, sunset spots and Caribbean island atmosphere.
Prices correct as of May 27, 2026.
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