The 20 Most Walkable Cities in the World, Ranked
Walking should be one of the best parts of city life—and in a few places, it truly is. These cities make it easy to reach shops, parks, schools, and daily essentials on foot, so locals and visitors can get around without ever opening a rideshare app. Here are 20 places where walking feels natural, not like a chore.
Sydney, Australia
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Walking around Sydney means constantly bumping into something impressive: the Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden, and Circular Quay are all connected by scenic paths. A walk across the Harbour Bridge even has its own pedestrian lane, added in the ’90s.
Washington, D.C., USA
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The National Mall was designed for walking—it’s 2 miles packed with monuments and free museums. Georgetown’s cobblestone charm and Dupont Circle’s wide sidewalks turn everyday errands into scenic strolls. Even the cherry blossom season has a designated loop around the Tidal Basin, so no tour bus is required.
Genoa, Italy
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Genoa isn’t flat, but its compact layout squeezes a lot into small spaces. You’ll find shops and markets tucked between steep alleys and hillside staircases. The city’s palazzos and university area all connect through walkable corridors. It’s easy to spend a whole day on foot without retracing your steps.
Bilbao, Spain
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It’s hard to beat a city where a museum resembles a spaceship and serves as a central hub for walking. Bilbao’s riverside paths stretch from the Guggenheim through squares and promenades. Bridges cross the Nervión River at regular intervals and give pedestrians plenty of options and reasons to keep walking.
Edinburgh, Scotland
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Edinburgh is essentially a charming stairmaster. The Royal Mile threads together castles, pubs, and souvenir shops, while alleyways called “closes” lead to secret gardens and historic courtyards. Even with the hills, walking is rewarding, especially when it ends with a view over the city from Arthur’s Seat or Calton Hill.
Boston, Massachusetts
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Boston still follows its colonial street plan, which means you won’t find a neat grid, but you will find walkable density. The 2.5-mile Freedom Trail acts like a self-guided walking tour through 16 historic sites. Neighborhoods offer pedestrian-friendly streets lined with cafes and buildings older than the United States itself.
Brussels, Belgium
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Brussels keeps things compact and leg-powered. The Grand Place anchors a pedestrian zone that spreads out toward museums and government buildings. Walking between waffles, frites, and chocolate shops rarely takes more than 10 minutes. Even the main train station sits within easy reach of key city sites.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Philly’s original city plan was ahead of its time: a grid layout with walkable squares every few blocks. Today, that means you can walk from Independence Hall to the Art Museum without losing momentum. Side streets hide murals and sandwich shops, while major routes like Broad and Market keep pedestrian crossings visible.
Paris, France
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A walk through Paris might start near the Louvre and end by the Seine, without needing a map. Wide boulevards and riverbanks keep foot traffic steady. Even with its size, Paris doesn’t stretch the way newer cities do. Cafés, bookstores, and bakeries are all within walking distance of something worth seeing.
Zurich, Switzerland
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Clean streets and stunning lake views make Zurich a solid walking city. Cobblestone lanes guide pedestrians through the Old Town and across the Limmat River. Fountains scattered around the city offer free water refills, and it’s rare to walk more than 10 minutes without stumbling upon chocolate or cheese.
San Francisco, California
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The hills get the headlines, but much of San Francisco stays walkable, especially neighborhoods like North Beach and the Mission. A brisk walk covers coffee shops and Golden Gate Park within minutes. The Embarcadero offers long waterfront paths, and most daily errands don’t require wheels if you live centrally.
Copenhagen, Denmark
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Though Copenhagen is best known for its cycling scene, walking is still effortless. The main shopping street, Strøget, stretches for over half a mile with no cars in sight. Compact canals and modern footbridges make walking between neighborhoods feel more like urban exploring than getting from A to B.
Florence, Italy
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With most major attractions packed into a tiny radius, Florence lets you forget transit altogether. You can cross from the Duomo to Piazza della Signoria in five minutes, with gelato stops along the way. Walking also helps avoid narrow roads that are not designed for modern traffic.
New York City, New York
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The city that never sleeps also never stops walking. Manhattan alone has over 12,000 intersections, which means you’re never far from a café, deli, or subway entrance. Most locals don’t drive because they don’t have to. Walking is a lifestyle, and even the bridges come with dedicated pedestrian lanes.
Lyon, France
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The city’s Presqu’île district accommodates theaters, restaurants, and plazas within a compact footprint. Pedestrian bridges cross rivers and connect walkable areas like Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse. With two rivers, a historic core, and lots of public space, it encourages more walking and less commuting.
Singapore
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Walking in Singapore is weather-proof mainly due to covered walkways and a network of underground tunnels. Transit stations and offices connect easily on foot, especially downtown. Even when it’s humid or raining (which is often), walking remains the fastest and most convenient way to get around central districts like Marina Bay or Orchard Road.
Munich, Germany
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Munich’s city center makes walking second nature. You can start at Marienplatz and work your way through Viktualienmarkt, museums, and beer gardens without checking a map. The flat streets help, and pedestrian areas like Kaufingerstrasse make browsing shops feel like a side benefit to walking.
Dublin, Ireland
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Dublin’s scale works in a walker’s favor. Many of its best-known spots—Trinity College, Temple Bar, Grafton Street—are bunched together. The River Liffey splits the city neatly, with pedestrian bridges connecting both sides. Public parks, pubs, and landmarks are rarely more than 15 minutes apart.
Turin, Italy
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Turin may not be the first name in walkability, but it should be. The Roman-style grid and arcaded sidewalks keep navigation simple, even in the rain. Museums and cafes cluster tightly. Most errands take less than 10 minutes, and thanks to wide boulevards and well-kept paths, it never feels too packed or too sparse.
Milan, Italy
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Milan ranks first globally for walkability based on how quickly residents can reach key amenities. A 2023 study found most Milanese live within six minutes of schools and shops. The city’s compact design stems from ancient roots but supports modern needs.