5 Best Walkable European Cities to Visit
If you’re traveling to Europe, you might want to try and pack in as many destinations into one trip as possible with the idea of seeing as much as you can on foot. Luckily, Europe is the best place to be able to actually make this happen! These are the 5 best walkable European cities to visit with comfy shoes and long days of sightseeing, exploration, and good food.
If you don’t want to stay on your feet all day long, don’t worry. With a great transportation network of local and multi-country trains, planes, and car rentals, planning a multi city European vacation is easier than ever. I’ll show you the best walkable European cities to visit and highlight some of the best things to do in each one below.
I’m going to share some of the most breathtaking European cities you should visit while you’re traveling abroad. First, I want to point out that this post may contain affiliate links that help me earn a small commission at no cost to you when you choose to click and make a purchase. I am so grateful for the support of readers like you in keeping my blog going!
Things to Consider Before Visiting Europe
Budget
If you are organizing your own tour around Europe, you can make it as budget-conscious or luxurious as you want. For trips that conform to the former, remember that there are plenty of youth hostels that offer dorm rooms for a small price, as well as single rooms for slightly higher as well. Europe has accommodations for every budget and most cities have plenty of cheap and moderately inexpensive hotels that offer more privacy than a hostel, or you can also rent an AirBNB.
Transportation
We’re exploring the 5 best walkable European cities to visit, but your feet aren’t the only way to get around! Traveling by rail, one can easily travel from city to city quickly all throughout Europe. That’s something you can further investigate here. You’ll find taxis, rideshare services, shuttles, lightrails, and even canal rides in some of the cities below. Get creative with your transportation!
Accommodations
If you’re looking for a high-end hotel and don’t want to organize your trip yourself, there are some great sites out there that will do the leg work for you. In fact, all you need to do is check out companies like the one you will find on this website and give them a rundown of your requirements. Then, they’ll do the rest, all the way down to booking your restaurant reservation in the evening! You can’t get any more convenient than that, can you?
What Are the Best Walkable European Cities to Visit?
1. Amsterdam
2. Hamburg
Another great place to add to your walkable tour of Europe is the historic city of Hamburg in Germany. Unlike Berlin, Hamburg is more traditional, so you can expect to see a lot more of the Gothic-style architecture, especially in the Altstadt or Old Town.
During the day in Hamburg, you can amuse yourself in the Miniatur Wunderland, a model railway attraction and the biggest one of its kind in the world. Then, why not head over to the Kunsthalle to soak up some culture? It’s a place where you can you can check out paintings, such as Seashore by Moonlight by Caspar David Friedrich and Monkey Frieze Painting by Franz Marc.
Lastly, you can round the day off with a visit to a beer hall as well. It’s a wonderful place to pick up some traditional German culture and have a few steins while you do it!
3. Venice
Obviously, Venice is another key location that you will want to visit on your European tour if you’re interested in a walkable city. It’s quite possibly one of the most beautiful and captivating places on Earth. In fact, the magic begins as you approach the city by sailing over the blue-green lagoon. On your trip, you will spy small islands with ruined manor houses peeking out from the water.
Once you arrive in Venice proper, you will be free to explore this magnificent city at your leisure. Take a trip to the Doge’s Palace, visit San Marco Square to eat gelato, or explore the back streets and canals and visit the glass blowing district. You’ll be glad you did!
Venice can be expensive because it is cut off from the mainland and slowly sinking as the seas rise. Staying in nearby Lido can save you some money if you are on a budget. The vaporetto (water taxi) can easily connect you with Venice proper and all the sourrounding islands like Burano and Murano.
4. London
Another city that you cannot miss when doing a tour of the best walkable European cities to visit is London. Of course, it’s not on the mainland, as it’s the capital of British Isles, but it’s only a short ferry ride or flight to reach the airports here (Gatwick or Heathrow are the closest, not Luton).
During your stay, you can enjoy touring Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the royal family and late Queen. You will also want to visit Big Ben and the House of Parliament—a vast building in the Gothic Revival Style, situated on the banks of the Thames where the UK government still debates the key issues.
Of course, if you are looking for that quintessential English experience, then you can do no better than booking an afternoon tea at the Ritz Hotel. Just be sure to do this well ahead of your travel date because spaces fill up months in advance!
More modern wonders are here to enjoy as well, including the Shard and the London Eye, which is a huge Ferris wheel with a panoramic view out over the city. Don’t forget to sample some fish and chips before you leave! After all, tasting the local cuisine is an essential part of enjoying yourself on any European tour of the most walkable cities!
5. Lisbon
Lisbon is one of my favorite and most walkable European cities to visit. It features an alluring mixture of cosmopolitan edge and historic architecture. The streets are well laid out, sweeping from the top of the city all the way down to the waterfront—perfect for walking the city!
Lisbon was almost completely rebuilt after the massive earthquake of the 1700s. It’s more metropolitan than many of the other nearby cities with a bustling tourist scene. There are castles, museums, shops, and restaurants to spend your time in. Soa Jorge Castle sits atop the city, dating back to the Moors. The central square, Praco Do Comercio, is a great place to grab a cocktail while you watch street performers and soak in the liveliness of the city. Lisbon is great for any budget, and you will fall in love with the beautiful coastline and have tons of activities to choose from—even if you choose to only get around on foot!
Why You Will Love the Most Walkable European Cities to Visit
Europe has so many cities and countries that are rich in culture and history, making it quite hard to choose where to explore. But if you want the best experience, choosing one of the most walkable cities in Europe ensures you’re able to get up-close to the architecture, the aromas, the people, even the cobblestones and cracks in the sidewalk—all the little things that make exploring a new city so enticing.
The cities of Lisbon, Venice, Hamburg, London, and Amsterdam are the best walkable cities to visit in Europe because they all offer so much variety. In each one, you’ll find a wonderful mix of culture, history, delicious food and drink, as well as museums, activities and learning. What are you waiting for? Start planning your trip—and training by doing as much walking as you can!
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