15 Walkable Cities Everyone Needs To Visit

Are you the type of traveler who likes to get up early and step out in a new city? I love walking around a new location and checking out all the sights and sounds.

Grab your best pair of walking shoes and start counting your steps if you vacation in one of these towns.

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Bike over canal Amsterdam city — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

The Netherlands actually translates to “Lower Countries” due to its low elevation and flat landscape. Since it is so flat, most cities are very walkable, like its Capital, Amsterdam. Tourists can start at the city center known as Dam Square, which is home to the Royal Palace, Nieuwe Kerk (New Church), and other smaller museums. After that, you can walk the many canal-lined streets that will take you to Rembrandt Square and Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s famous park similar to Central Park in New York City.

2. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is one of the most walkable cities in Europe due to its ideal climate. Tourists can start at Ciutat Vella, the heart of the city, and walk to the different beautiful sections of the old part of the city. Sections like the Gothic Quarter offer beautiful medieval-style streets and architecture, including the Cathedral of Barcelona. After, the El Born district is home to all of the hip bars and restaurants and the Picasso Museum.

3. Copenhagen, Denmark

Many of Denmark’s famous attractions can be easily traveled to on foot from a downtown hotel. If you want to spend your day shopping in the Stroget district, you won’t have to worry about cars because they are prohibited. From there, you can walk the Nyhavn area to some great restaurants and bars. You can also get your steps in at Tivoli Gardens, Denmark’s oldest amusement park, or The Round Tower, Europe’s oldest observatory.

4. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Old Town Square Czech Republic — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

You will want to take a walk to explore and take in everything this Eastern European city offers. Old Town Square is a great open space filled with street merchants selling food, drinks, and homemade crafts. The square is home to the beautiful baroque architecture of Tyn Church, St. Nicholas Church, and one of the oldest astronomical clocks in the world. A quick stroll over the Charles Bridge will lead you to St. Vitus Cathedral and the breathtaking Prague Castle. Make sure you stop to taste a delicious Czech-style pilsner beer, one of the oldest beer styles still brewed today.

5. Florence, Italy

The Salone dei Cinquecent, Florence, Italy — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Florence, Italy, is a great city for tourists looking to stroll around because most of the sights are close to each other. Tourist sights like the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, and Salone dei Cinquecento (Hall of the Five Hundred) showcase some of the gorgeous architecture the city is known for. After that, walk to the Galleria dell’Accademia for some of the most precious art pieces, including The Statue of David by Michelangelo.

6. Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is a very walkable city despite being nicknamed the “City of Seven Hills.” Praca do Comercio (Commerce Square) is a great place to sit down and enjoy a nice lunch in one of Lisbon’s most popular restaurants. The Santa Justa Lift is just around the corner and takes tourists to the top for picturesque views of downtown and the Baxia neighborhood.

7. Seoul, South Korea

Gyeongbokgung Palace — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

An hour-long walk in Seol can take you on a journey in Seoul. Starting in Bukchon Hanok Village, enjoy a preserved look at life in the past during the Joseon era, all the way to the Insadong District, a bustling modern downtown atmosphere. Stops in between should include Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces. Ending your walk downtown in the Insadong District will let you enjoy shopping and some of Seoul’s amazing street foods.

8. Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens, — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If you are looking to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, Kyoto should sit high on your list of travel destinations. It is also a city best explored by foot. Many famous temples, like Kiyomizu-Dera, Ninnen-zakat, and Sannen-zakat, can be observed during leisurely strolls. Be sure to stop in and explore some of the neighborhood shops and tea stores along the way, or sit in one of the many parks and enjoy the cherry blossoms.

9. Montreal, Canada

Bonsecours Market, Montreal, Canada — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If you are looking to explore this French Canadian city, forget about renting a car. All you need is a good set of shoes to see Montreal’s best sights. The historical neighborhood of Old Montreal is home to the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Help (Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours), built in 1772, and was a refuge for arriving sailors. Afterward, you can walk to Bonsecours Market for some great food and shopping. Make sure you get some traditional Canadian maple syrup! It’s so good that they even put it in their beer!

10. New York City, New York

Brooklyn Bridge Park, New York — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

New York City is so big you can only walk part of it, but smaller areas are accessible to roam around on foot. New York has some of the best public transit, so getting to and from different areas is simple. You will want to stroll the streets of Manhattan and Central Park. After that, check out some of the hip neighborhoods in Brooklyn with various street fairs and flea markets selling unique art and amazing food.

11. Boston, Massachusetts

Very few cities in the United States are rich in history like Boston. Luckily, the city is also very walkable. Immerse yourself in the early days of our country on this self-guided 2.5-mile-long walk known as The Freedom Trail. The trail will guide you to 16 historically significant sights while exploring the city’s cool neighborhoods. Be sure to check out Beacon Hill, Chinatown, and North End for a unique and fun Boston experience.

12. Washington, DC

The nation’s capital is the city’s best seen on foot. Many of the attractions you want to see can be easily seen on foot. The Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the White House are all within a few miles radius of each other. Also, the museums on the way are generally free, so stop in and enjoy the exhibits of the many Smithsonian Museums like Natural History and Air and Space Museum.

13. Seattle, Washington

Pikes Place Market,Seattle — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Seattle is a great city to get out and stretch your legs. The first place I would go is to Pikes Place Market for some of the best clam chowder and seafood stews on the planet. From there, you can walk up to the Space Needle and catch a ride to the top for some epic views of the Pacific Northwest. After that, grab some delicious coffee or one of the town’s award-winning craft beers from Fremont Brewing. That should fuel you up for a walk to Belltown, one of Seattle’s hippest areas for trendy art shops, restaurants, and boutiques.

14. San Francisco, California

San Francisco skyline — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Yes, San Fran has some hills, but once you get over the small climbs, you are in for a great, walkable city. The city has many public parks and cute neighborhoods like the Tenderloin, Chinatown, Haight and Ashbury, and Fisherman Wharf. You also can’t leave the city by the bay without walking across the Golden Gate Bridge! It’s okay if you get tired; you can always hop on a cable car to give your legs a break.

15. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, — Image Credit: Shutterstock.

You will want to take a walk after enjoying some of the amazing food Philly offers. With cheesesteaks being one of their popular items, I will have to climb the stairs like Rocky to burn those calories off. The busy downtown area of Philly can be easily explored on foot, so if you want to check out Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell, get your walking shoes on and start exploring.