A walking tour is frequently an excellent way to learn about a new area. If you only had one reason to visit Europe, make it the vast number of readily walkable cities. If you put your mind to it, you could probably walk through every European city and town. On foot, there is only one way to fully tour a city without losing the essential small nuances that make up a city’s identity. It is a terrific option to travel to a town by bus, boat, or even helicopter for an initial look and to gain your bearings, but after that, walking wins every time. Here are the best cities that are pedestrians- friendly in Europe
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Many tourists to Amsterdam are unaware of how small and compact the city is compared to other European capitals. The Dutch capital is so modest that you can easily explore it on foot. Aside from being close, walking about Amsterdam is also a reasonably safe option. Amsterdam is the classic European city for grabbing an American and wandering through its lovely neighborhoods. While the town is somewhat large, many of the more “well-known” attractions are near the city center. From beautiful secret gardens to floating mansions on the canal, we think you’ll enjoy getting lost in the “ Venice of the North.” In fact, according to recent research, the Netherlands is the safest country in Europe for pedestrians.
Pavia, Italy
Pavia isn’t at the top of everyone’s European bucket list, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add it to yours. It’s charming, old, and off the usual tourist path. The peaceful town in Northern Italy is home to the Certosa di Pavia, one of the most magnificent Renaissance structures in all of Europe, and the Duomo, which Da Vinci collaborated to design. Additionally, it is home to two well-preserved Romanesque cathedrals and notable works of art in its own right, notably the neighboring famed Renaissance Certosa di Pavia. The city center is conveniently car-free and has a large portion of the original Roman street layout, making it easy to navigate on foot. The Po and Ticino Rivers meet in Pavia, the province’s capital, which is primarily plain land. Pavia is perched on a hill, shielding it from floods and, during earlier times, enemy attacks.
Munich, Germany
You can explore all the city’s best areas on foot, even if you don’t come to this beer capital during the fall. Hey, perhaps your journey will end up becoming a walking food tour. You can take time to view some magnificent buildings, such as the Wittelsbacher-Platz. You must see several sights, from the Wittelsbacher-Platz to the Marienplatz.
Paris , France
According to a survey, Paris is the third most walkable city in the world, with easy access to car-free areas and close medical and educational services. Paris is relatively small compared to other capital cities; it is just 10 km across, so you can walk the entire town in approximately two hours. Since many of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, such as the Eiffel Tower, Louver, and Notre Dame cathedral, are grouped within a radius of 4 kilometers, even more condensed for tourists.
Edinburgh , Scotland
Because Edinburgh is a big city, there are a lot of sights to visit and a lot of walking to do. You’ll wish you had more time to explore this lovely city after spending a whole day there. This area is rich in history, so set aside some time to see some of the unique historical sites Edinburgh offers. This city has everything, from historical sites to the royal home. There are numerous sights to see in this lovely city, but any tour of Edinburgh by foot ought to include these top tourist sights:
The legal residence of the Scottish monarch is the Palace of Holyrood. Although the Scots genuinely dislike the Queen, this is where she is formally seated in Scotland. The most well-known street in Edinburgh is The Royal Mile. Take your time and see all the historic churches. Edinburgh Castle is a medieval fortification from which visitors may enjoy breathtaking city views. The interior wasn’t that intriguing, and the admission queues were rather long.
Lausanne, Switzerland
Visit Lausanne, the capital of Vaud, to experience a bit of French-speaking Switzerland. Among the must-see sights in Lausanne is Lake Geneva, the traditional markets at Place de la Paud, the Olympic Museum, Lausanne Cathedral, and the Art Brut Museum. You might also take a day excursion to Lavaux’s terraced vineyards. A mid-sized city, Lausanne has roughly 130,000 residents. Although it is forward-thinking and welcoming, many old structures and areas also exist. One of the attractions is visiting Switzerland’s largest church, the more than 300-foot-long Lausanne Cathedral.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
There are no motor vehicles in Dubrovnik’s old walled Old Town, which keeps its marbled streets quiet. The only way to see the vista from Dubrovnik’s walls and the most significant way to absorb the city’s ancient vibe is on foot. Most of Dubrovnik’s attractions are concentrated along Stradun, the broad roadway that cuts across the city; nevertheless, specific interests, like Lovrijenac Fort, require a brief ascent of a hill. The Old Town’s northern side comes to an abrupt end with a steep stairway that leads out onto a parking lot. It makes sense why Dubrovnik ladies are so thin.
Cardona, Spain
In the Catalonia region of Spain, Cardona and its ancient castle are located midway between Barcelona and Andorra. Barcelona is located roughly 90 kilometers to the northwest. The Gardener river envelops Cardona, perched attractively on a hill close to Barcelona. The medieval castle, which is now a hotel, is the town’s most prominent landmark. On foot, you may tour the city’s key squares, Saint Miguel Church, and Graells Palace. It’s fun to walk through Cardona town’s confusing streets.
Stockholm , Sweden
Stockholm is an island-based metropolis; thus, water is present almost everywhere. The Swedish capital is a beautiful city to wander through because of the seemingly limitless routes discovered there. It takes only 46 minutes to walk to the Royal Palace, Vasa Museum, Skansen Museum, and other attractions in Stockholm. With hundreds of well-known designers and lesser artists running design boutiques, fashion houses, and creative collectives, Stockholm continues to be the center of Swedish creativity. It feels almost blasphemous to leave town without bringing some Scandinavian design back with you.
Conclusion
Europe is pedestrian-friendly, with towns designed for strolls and pleasant ambles. Each of Europe’s most walkable cities has something unique to offer that is different from the others, and they are all standing by to simultaneously fill your heart and lungs with joy and clean air. Drink plenty of water, wear comfy shoes, and get your camera ready. Vancouver is the only non-European city to rank among the top nine cities for walking. It benefits from the grid system, making it challenging to get lost. There’s much to view in Vancouver, including the charming Gastown neighborhood, Granville Island with its significant market, and the Waterfront and Stanley Park. Seals, countless museums, and the Waterfront and Stanley Park can be seen from the water.