The best cities in the world to explore on foot have been revealed and it is Rome that takes the crown with its charming squares and cobbled streets.
Budapest is next in second place, where tourists can explore “every corner on foot.”
The list of 100 people is based on booking and search data from 800 cities in 120 countries conducted in the Guru Walk website between April 2023 and April 2024. The company, which offers free walking tours around the world, compared the number of bookings and page views by destination to compile the list.
spAin is the most walkable country, according to the results, with 28 cities in the top 100 list. France appears seven times, while the United Kingdom appears three times along with Poland, Colombia and Vietnam. Only one American city makes the cut.
Scroll down to see the top 10 in reverse order, with the full list presented at the bottom.
10. PORTO, PORTUGAL
Porto captivates with its picturesque old town and can be explored on foot
Porto is eminently explorable on foot “due to its size and density of points of interest,” says GuruWalk.
The Portuguese citycaptivates with its picturesque old town, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, its wineries on the banks of the Douro River and its iconic Dom Luis I bridge,’ adds the tourist company.
9. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
London is a “melting pot of culture, history and art” with many top attractions, including Westminster Abbey (above) and the London Eye, located within walking distance of each other.
London offers “a multitude of attractions” within walking distance of each other, from “the historic Big Ben and the majestic Westminster Abbey to the modern London Eye,” says GuruWalk.
He adds that the city is “a melting pot of culture, history and art, with world-class museums such as the British Museum and the National Gallery.”
8. AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
There is much to do in Amsterdam besides admiring the landscape surrounding its “charming” network of canals.
The Dutch capital invites visitors to explore its “charming” network of canals on foot. And there’s plenty to do besides admire the scenery, according to GuruWalk.
“Amsterdam seduces its visitors with its charming canals, rich artistic history and vibrant cultural life,” he says.
“The Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum are must-sees that offer a deep dive into history and art.”
7. PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech capital is famous for its architecture, including the Charles Bridge shown above.
Prague is known as the “City of a Hundred Spires” and is famous for its beautiful architecture, historic center and the iconic Charles Bridge.
So says GuruWalk, which ranks it as the seventh best city in the world to explore on foot.
“Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral and the Astronomical Clock are points of interest that captivate visitors,” he adds. And all three attractions are within a 30-minute walk of each other.
6. LISBON, PORTUGAL
Travelers are “enchanted” by Portugal’s capital, with its historic neighborhoods and iconic trams (above)
“Lisbon enchants the traveler with its unique blend of tradition and modernity, its historic neighborhoods such as Alfama and Bairro Alto, and its iconic trams,” says GuruWalk.
‘The Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery and the Monument to the Discoveries are just some of the attractions that make Lisbon a must-see destination.’
Walkers will be happy to know that it only takes 20 minutes to walk from one to the other.
5. FLORENCE, ITALY
Visitors can explore the best of Florence on foot in just a few hours.
“Places like the Duomo, with its impressive dome designed by Brunelleschi, the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace are essential for any visitor visiting Florence for the first time,” says GuruWalk.
‘And travelers can discover the best of the city. [by foot] in just a few hours.
4. MADRID, SPAIN
The capital of Spain captivates with the charm of its squares and historic center
Beyond its cultural attractions, the capital of Spain captivates with the charm of its squares, the cobblestones of the picturesque streets of the historic center and green spaces such as the Retiro Park.
So says GuruWalk, adding that the city is “known for its hospitality, lively social life and iconic museums.”
3. BARCELONA, SPAIN
Walking through the streets of Barcelona offers visitors an experience that combines art, history and gastronomy. In the photo: The Sagrada Familia.
Barcelona’s “vibrant cultural life, impressive modernist buildings and urban beaches” make it a top tourist destination, according to GuruWalk.
And he adds: ‘Walking through the streets of the city allows the visitor to explore the Gothic Quarter, the Rambla and the Boquería market, offering a complete experience that combines art, history and gastronomy.’
2. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
The Hungarian Parliament, pictured, is one of the “jewels” that Budapest offers travelers who “increasingly choose to explore every corner on foot.”
“Budapest, known as the ‘Pearl of the Danube’, offers its visitors a unique combination of history, architecture and nightlife,” says GuruWalk.
“Attractions such as Parliament, Buda Castle and the Chain Bridge are just some of the gems that this city offers travelers who, increasingly, choose to explore every corner on foot.”
1. ROME
The sheer number of monuments in Rome sometimes means tourists don’t even know where to start, says GuruWalk, which has named it the best city in the world to explore on foot.
There are clusters of world-class attractions to be discovered on foot in Rome, from the Colosseum to the Pantheon.
GuruWalk comments: ‘The sheer number of monuments it houses sometimes means that tourists don’t even know where to start.
“So it’s no surprise that Rome offers more guided tours than anywhere else.”