In this article, we list and describe the 10 Most Walkable Cities in the World. If you would like to read our detailed discussion of the topic and the complete list, go to 30 Most Walkable Cities in the World.
10. Boston, US
Distance between top five attractions: 2.9 miles
Walking time: 58 minutes
Boston, a city in the US, is well known for its East Coast charm, history, and innovation. The city is very walkable, with its cobblestone streets in Beacon Hill, surrounded by historic brownstones and gas street lamps. Cleanliness is also not an issue in Boston, with many well-maintained parks and streets throughout the city.
Furthermore, Boston has decent air quality and harbor breeze often graces the city. When it comes to walking to the top attractions in Boston like the Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park, and Boston Common, the walk is short and pleasant. Index-wise, the city has an air quality score of 24 and a safety score of 58.43.
9. Sydney, Australia
Distance between top five attractions: 2.7 miles
Walking time: 54 minutes
With the walking time between the top five destinations being only 54 minutes, Sydney is ranked nine on the list of the most walkable cities in the world. Sydney has remarkable cleanliness, even on the beaches and public spaces. The public transit for the city includes ferries and buses, which complement the city’s walkable layout.
The top five attractions in Sydney are the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Garden, Hyde Park, Sydney Harbor Bridge, and the Darling Harbor. Each attraction is situated at a distance of 2.7 miles from the other and is accessible by foot.
8. Stockholm, Sweden
Distance between top five attractions: 2.3 miles
Walking time: 46 minutes
Stockholm offers walks with an archipelago setting and a unique mix of modernism and history. The air quality in Stockholm is exceptionally good, with a score of 15 on the IQAir Index. It is also a safe city for walkers with a safety score of 54.5, and there are several parks and waterbodies throughout the city.
The top five attractions, including the Royal Palace and the Vasa Museum, are located within a distance of only 2.3 miles from each other, and require a walking time of only 46 minutes.
7. Tallinn, Estonia
Distance between top five attractions: 2.3 miles
Walking time: 46 minutes
Tallinn is a Baltic gem with a medieval charm, clean streets, old buildings, and massive towers. The city has a compact layout, which makes walking on foot ideal, but public transportation is also available, such as trams and buses. The city has a safety score of 77.15 and an air quality score of 37.
Similar to Stockholm, Tallinn requires a walking time of 46 minutes to travel between its top five destinations by foot. The walking experience in Tallinn takes you through a rich mix of tradition and culture. The most sought-after destinations of the city include Freedom Square, Tallinn Town Hall, and Viru Gate.
6. Edinburgh, UK
Distance between top five attractions: 2.2 miles
Walking time: 44 minutes
Ranked six, Edinburgh is the most walkable city in the UK, with clean parks and several sightseeing places. On average, Edinburgh residents are only 308m away from the nearest green space. The city has much better air quality than London and also has a slight tinge of sea breeze, which attracts many walkers. The air quality score for Edinburgh is 17, while the safety index score is 68.84. The public transport system is also quite efficient.
The city’s top five attractions, including the National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Castle, are all located 2.2 miles from each other.
5. Madrid, Spain
Distance between top five attractions: 2.2 miles
Walking time: 44 minutes
Madrid is a city in Spain shaped by its history and cultural diversity. The city’s walkability is most evident in central areas like Puerta del Sol and Retiro Park, which are both historic landmarks. Cleanliness is also maintained in the city and there are plenty of safety measures, with the city having an air quality score of 29 and a safety index score of 73.16. Madrid also has an accessible public transport system which complements the city’s walkable layout. The distance between the top five attractions in Madrid is around 2.2 miles, and the walking time required is 44 minutes.
4. Porto, Portugal
Distance between top five attractions: 2.2 miles
Walking time: 44 minutes
Porto is another walkable city in Europe, with narrow cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and the famous Dom Luís I Bridge. The city has clean streets and well-maintained parks like the Jardin do Palácio de Cristal, where pedestrians can relax. Porto’s air quality is influenced by its coastal location, with the city having an air quality index score of 63. Moreover, the city’s safe environment allows pedestrians to explore landmarks, situated 2.2 miles from one another, like Livraria Lello and the Clerigos Tower safely on foot.
3. Hamburg, Germany
Distance between top five attractions: 2 miles
Walking time: 40 minutes
Hamburg, Germany’s walkable layout has a mix of maritime vibes, modernity, and plenty of cultural sites. Scenic sites like the famous Elbe River and the Planten un Blomen, an efficient public transport system, and cleanliness add to the city’s walkability.
Hamburg has a safe environment, with a safety score of 57.82, and an air quality score of 22. The distance between the top five attractions like the Hamburg Dungeon and Miniatur Wunderland is only 2 miles and is a walk of about 40 minutes only.
2. Riga, Latvia
Distance between top five attractions: 1.5 miles
Walking time: 30 minutes
Second on the list is the capital city and the cultural center of Riga, Latvia. The city combines medieval charm and urban life, with cobblestone streets winding throughout the city. Riga’s walkability reflects the best in Vecrīg a UNESCO-listed neighbourhood, and the historical center of Riga. Not only does Riga have clean streets but also is also a safe place for walkers, with a safety score of 61.27. The air quality here is moderate, with a score of 54.
The top five attractions in Riga are the Riga Cathedral, Riga Central Market, House of Black Heads, Bastejkalna Park, and the Vērmaine Garden. All five of these are located only 1.5 miles from each other. The city has an extensive public transport network, and most errands here can be done on foot.
1. Florence, Italy
Distance between top five attractions: 0.5 miles
Walking time: 10 minutes
Topping the list is Florence, Italy — a city that offers Renaissance history and timeless architecture with each step. Florence’s walkability seeps through in its historic center, where narrow lanes lead to landmarks like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio.
Florence prioritizes cleanliness, evident in its well-maintained piazzas and the banks of the Arno River. The air quality in Florence has a score of 44 and has a slight Mediterranean breeze to it. On the other hand, the safety score for Florence is 60.24.
Landmarks like the Uffizi Gallery, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza del Duomo, and Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore are within 0.5 miles of each other, at a 10-minute walking distance, making the city easily explorable by foot. You can also walk through Central Florence in only two hours; some walking tours of the entire city take only around 6-7 hours.
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