Best Cities in the World to walk
What makes a city truly walkable? It’s more than just having attractions clustered closely together. A walkable city must have excellent air quality, low crime rates, and good access to public transit. It should be safe, clean, and pedestrian-friendly. To determine the most walkable cities in the world, investment site Insider Monkey created a consensus methodology, drawing on walkability data from sources like Tourlane and WalkScore and then mapping out the walking distance between each city’s top five tourist attractions. Analysts then factored in air quality, crime, and safety indexes for each city.
Florence, Italy, emerged as the world’s most walkable city in the study, thanks in part to its compact and pedestrian-friendly historic center. Narrow stone lanes and picturesque piazzas guide visitors from one iconic sight to the next—the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza del Duomo, and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore are all within a 10-minute walk fo each other.
Florence also scores well for walkability due to its clean, well-maintained public spaces and moderate air quality. With a safety score of 60.24, visitors can still feel comfortable walking around alone, even after dark.
The world’s eight most walkable cities are all in Europe, with Riga, Hamburg, Porto, Madrid, Edinburgh, Tallinn, and Stockholm earning high marks. Just one American city makes it into the top ten most walkable cities—Boston. With a smaller city size and higher safety score than New York City, Boston is the most walkable city in the U.S.
best Cities in the World to walk
Birthplace of the Renaissance and former stomping grounds of the Medici family, Florence, Italy is a dream destination for art and architecture lovers. Marveling at the city’s masterpiece-packed double bill of the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries (where works by artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli are displayed) is one of the best things to do in Florence. But visiting its iconic dome-topped Duomo at the Piazza del Duomo—as well as exploring old town sights like the Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, and Pitti Palace—come close behind. Cleanse your cultural palate with a foodie day trip to the rolling Tuscan hills and Chianti wine country.
Latvia’s capital city Riga is many things to many people. For some, a visit is all about the city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town and things to do within it—such as visiting the House of the Blackheads. Others use Riga as a chance to dip their toes into Latvia’s culture and history at city museums and art galleries. At the same time, more than a few see the Baltic destination as the ideal place for an affordable weekend of partying and revelry.
The port city of Hamburg charms visitors with its canals, rivers, and bridges—often drawing comparisons to other European cities like Amsterdam or Venice. But this German metropolis has an identity all its own, from its unique architecture to its vibrant cultural scene. It can be hard to choose between the many things to do in Hamburg. Should you join a sailing cruise or rent a bike to explore neighborhoods like the UNESCO-listed Warehouse District? Whatever you pick, rich history, live music, and hearty food will likely accompany your stay here.
Characterized by cobbled hills, colorful tiled facades, and a tumble of terracotta roofs, Porto is a laidback destination which blends old and new world charm with ease. From the modern Casa da Música and Don Luis Bridge to the steep streets of riverside Ribeira, historical Baixa—home to the Lello Bookstore—and trendy Cedofeita, there’s no shortage of things to do and see. After hours, sample decadent pastéis de nata (custard tarts) and smooth tawny ports; take a Rabelo boat ride down the Douro; or catch a late-night Fado performance in Portugal’s second city.
Spain’s capital exceeds most travelers’ expectations and is buzzing, regal, and steeped in history—and yet still oddly underrated among Europe’s capitals. Finding the best things to do in Madrid is easy for sightseeing enthusiasts, with tours of heavyweights like its Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, world-famous Prado, and other art museums here in force. Those wanting to explore in different ways can cycle verdant Retiro park, watch flamenco shows, sample tapas and wines on tasting tours, and head outside the city on day trips to the El Escorial monastery-palace, Avila, Salamanca, Toledo, and Segovia.
Capital cities don’t get much prettier than Scotland’s. With a skyline dominated by a brooding hilltop castle backed by winding cobblestone streets and alleyways, Edinburgh looks as if it were lifted straight out of the pages of a fairy tale. From exploring the medieval Royal Mile on foot to soaking up the atmosphere of the annual Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and toasting your trip with a wee dram of whisky, you’ll find no shortage of things to do in Edinburgh.
Tallinn is often likened to a fairy tale, thanks to its intact and walled medieval old town. At a glance, it would seem this is where you’d find the best things to do in Tallinn. But venture to the city’s Baltic waterfront, and you’ll see it’s more than just a port for cruise ships and the Helsinki ferry; it’s a hub for museums and crumbling Soviet landmarks. Alternatively, venture across town to Kadriorg to be charmed by its parks, stately villas, and baroque palace.
Fanning across an archipelago where the freshwater Lake Mälaren bumps up against the salty Baltic Sea, Stockholm is a watery wonder and one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals. Pristine nature is always within arm’s reach in Stockholm, but the city is also a delightfully dynamic metropolis home to thrilling art, design, and culinary scenes. From strolling the cobblestone streets of the colorful Old Town to exploring the Nobel Prize Museum and island-hopping around the archipelago, there is no shortage of things to do in Stockholm.
From the soaring white sails of the Sydney Opera House to the golden sands of Bondi, Sydney is simply a stunner. This spectacular Australian city blends natural beauty with all the thrills you’d expect of a modern metropolis, yet somehow exceeds even the highest expectations. Though you might be dazzled by its beauty, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Sydney, from sailing around the glittering harbor to exploring the historic Rocks neighborhood and heading into the nearby Blue Mountains.
With an enduring revolutionary spirit, Boston welcomes visitors looking to explore America’s past and the city’s current culture. Follow the Freedom Trail to discover colorful neighborhoods dotted with historic sites and parks. Then try the chowder (or chowda, as the locals would say). Also consider heading to the Italian-centric North End for cannoli and pizza or catching a ballgame at Fenway Park. From its unique eats to cultural institutions to historical attractions, there are plenty of things to do in Boston.
One of Europe’s most popular—and easy-to-visit—cities, world-class Amsterdam has Golden Age canals, striking 17th-century architecture, culture-filled museums, and beautiful parks, all crisscrossed by cycle-friendly streets and tulip-laden bridges. While many of the Dutch capital’s sights are easily accessed on foot, a canal boat cruise is also one of the best things to do in Amsterdam. Though places like the Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House are also must-sees, the entire city feels like an open-air museum. Be sure to leave lots of time for exploring the winding lanes and chocolate-box architecture.
Once coal-streaked and industrial and now thrumming with dynamism and new life, northerly Liverpool has blossomed into one of England’s must-visit cultural centers. Partial credit goes to the Beatles—local Liverpool lads—whose reflected glory can be seen at The Beatles Story and the historic Cavern Club. But that’s just the start of things to do in Liverpool. Where shipping facilities once stood, the city’s revamped Albert Docks are now a major tourist destination, while landmarks such as Liverpool Cathedral, a cohort of exceptional museums, and Anfield Stadium (home to Liverpool FC) all bring in the crowds.
