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Seeing the sights on holiday always sounds good on paper, but in reality it can often involve the hassle and expense of renting a car or navigating unfathomable public transport networks.
Instead, plan a break in an ultra-walkable city and get in your 10,000 daily steps while you’re at it.
Need some inspiration? European travel experts have shared their favourite walking destinations with MailOnline Travel.
All of these cities have something unique to offer and are easy to explore on foot.
Read on for details on a Spanish spot with streets too narrow for cars, an English seaside spot with 150 parks, a walkable French town with a “powerfully impressive river,” and more…
Seville, Spain
Seville has winding streets that are “so narrow” that they “impede most traffic”
‘Seville is a city made for walking,’ says the team lonely planet.
In fact, the ‘winding streets’ of the city’s ‘historic center’ They are “so narrow” that they “prohibit most traffic.”
The team adds: “Traffic-free cobbled streets, riverside walks, parks and squares provide plenty of reference points to help avoid getting lost.”
Stockholm, Sweden
“Stockholm’s architecture, food scene, museums and galleries are all worth exploring,” says Justin from Responsible Travel. Pictured is Stockholm’s Old Town.
Justin Francis, Founder of Responsible travelHe loves exploring cities on foot, as he says that is where “you find the living culture and character of a place.”
He recommends Stockholm as a destination worth exploring on foot: “It’s a city rich in green spaces and culture, and fantastic to explore on foot or by bike.”
The long summer days in the Swedish capital are perfect for hiking, while in December you can stroll through cosy and atmospheric Christmas markets.
The expert adds: “Stockholm’s architecture, food scene, museums and galleries are all worth exploring.”
Oxford, United Kingdom
Oxford’s top tourist attractions are easily accessible on foot, says travel expert
Oxford’s “compact layout and well-maintained trails” make it an ideal location for a walking break, says Gareth Mills, UK country manager for All the trails.
He added: ‘The city’s main tourist attractions, including its historic schools, charming streets and cultural landmarks, are all within easy reach on foot.
‘Oxford’s pedestrian zones and rich heritage also create an ideal environment for avid walkers.’
AllTrails has 60 recommended hiking trails in Oxford, including popular ones Oxford circular tourwhich reaches some of the city’s top attractions, including the historic Bear Inn.
Bordeaux, France
“Bordeaux is a fairly flat city, with most of its main attractions located on central streets that flow from an impressive river,” says Clare from Travel Counsellors.
Clare Payne from Travel Advisors“The port city of Bordeaux, in the wine region of western France, is one of her favourite cities to explore on foot,” she says.
The expert says: ‘The city is quite flat and most of the main tourist attractions are located on streets that originate from an impressive river.
‘Don’t forget to visit Miroir d’eau (Water Mirror), a beautiful place in the city near the river and great fun for children too.’
You can find suggested hiking routes in the Bordeaux Tourism websiteincluding an 8km (4.9 mile) walk that passes the city’s main sights.
Bruges, Belgium
Rozenhoedkaai (pictured above), also known as the Rosary Quay, is one of the main attractions of “compact” Bruges.
Bruges, in northwest Belgium, is an “extremely walkable city,” says Clare Payne.
She tells MailOnline: ‘The city is quite compact so all the main sights can be easily reached on foot.
‘The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is full of beautiful cobbled streets. Don’t miss Rozenhoedkaai, also known as Rosary Quay, for the perfect photo for your social media.’
Athens, Greece
“Wherever you walk in Greece’s historic capital, the ancients have walked before,” says Lonely Planet
Greece’s capital is “walkable,” says the team of travel experts at lonely planet.
They say: ‘Walks through neighbourhoods such as the old town of Plaka, the famous Monastiraki flea market and the modern Pangrati are highlights.’
As an added bonus for history buffs, “wherever you walk in Greece’s historic capital, the ancients have walked before,” says Lonely Planet.
Brighton, United Kingdom
Brighton’s compact layout means visitors can easily stroll between “diverse attractions”
Gareth from AllTrails says: ‘Brighton is renowned for its walkability thanks to its vibrant, pedestrian-friendly city centre and famous seafront promenades and cliff-top walks, which offer 13km (eight miles) of off-road trails.
‘The city’s compact layout allows visitors to easily stroll between a variety of attractions, including eclectic shops, cafes and cultural sites.’
Gareth loves the city’s 150 parks, meaning visitors to the city are “never far from nature.”
However, he adds: “Brighton beach is not ideal for long distance walking as the pebbles make it a serious challenge.” Holidaymakers should stick to the paved promenade, which has enough cafes, bars and ice cream stalls to “reward any walker.”
Koblenz, Germany
The German city of Koblenz, within walking distance, is “in a prime location at the confluence of two of Europe’s great rivers: the Rhine and the Moselle (above)”
The team of Bywaya travel company without flights, recommends that tourists choose a small city if they are looking for a destination within walking distance.
They love Koblenz in Germany for its “excellent location at the confluence of two of Europe’s great rivers: the Rhine and the Moselle.”
Koblenz, they note, is a “charming old town” with “beautiful riverside walks.”
The Koblenz tourist office recommends exploring the city’s old town to “discover hidden gems” and “experience traditional half-timbered architecture up close.”
Byway adds that the city is also a “brilliant base” for trips out of the city into the wider region.
