10 Best Cities to Explore on Foot

If you’re a travel fanatic, you probably already know that one of the best ways to explore a city or town is on foot. Walking (or whizzing around on roller skates if you’re cool) is truly one of the best ways to get to know a city on a much more intimate level than you would when travelling by car, train or bus. By fully immersing yourself in the unique sights and sounds of the local hangouts, you’ll be able to find hidden gems that most tourists may neglect if not for walking.

Today, we have a look at the 10 best cities to explore on foot, so get your best pair of trainers out and read on to find out more! 

• Kyoto

We start this list off with a trip to the orient. Kyoto is one of the best cities in japan for anyone who is looking to explore on foot. With its compact and peaceful atmosphere, this is the perfect city to get lost in. We highly recommend spending an entire day in Northern Higashiyama – starting at the Nanzen-ji Temple and making your way to the secret waterfall 200 metres up the hill behind it. If you can’t resist a bit of Japanese tukka (I mean, who can?), you definitely need to take a walk to Nishiki Market where you’ll find a wide variety of various Japanese street food stalls serving dishes such as Yakitori, fresh Japanese pickles, rice dumplings and so much more!  

• Florence

Let’s be honest..not exploring Florence on foot would be absolute sacrilege. If you want to truly immerse yourself in authentic Italian culture, walking your way through a maze of wine shops, restaurants and Italian bakeries is the way to do it. Did you know that most of Florence’s centre is open to pedestrians only? This makes it incredibly easy to navigate around and all that more exciting to explore. Spend an entire day sipping on an espresso al fresco or crossing the Ponte Vecchi for an experience of a lifetime. 

• New York City

New York City has been coined as America’s most walkable city, which would make it a crime to not include on this list. Sure, you could take the subway to whizz across the city from Manhattan to Brooklyn, but walking through this colourful city that never sleeps is a whole different experience. Major tourist sites such as Times Square and Broadway have become pedestrian-friendly, and don’t forget to trek the Brooklyn Bridge at some point too. 

• Barcelona

Barcelona has quickly become one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world and with good reason too. With so many sights, sounds and smells to enjoy, there is no surprise as to why over 30 million people visit this city annually. Areas such as La Rambla, a car-less, tree-lined promenade with shops, restaurants, street performers and cafes are basically built for walking along with Barcelona’s much-loved waterfront walkways such as the Plaça de Catalunya. Say goodbye to Uber and hello to one of the best walking adventures you’ll have in your lifetime. 

• Paris

Ah, the city of love. Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations for couples and singles alike, and it is also a city that is best discovered on foot. Want to get to the Eiffel Tower? Simply walk past the Pont de L’Alma on the way. Fancy a visit to the Arc de Triomphe? All you have to do is stroll past the iconic Champs-Elysees and stop by a cafe or restaurant on the way. Another much-loved area of Paris that is incredibly pedestrian-friendly is the Latin Quarter where you’ll be able to explore the National Museum Of History and the landmark Shakespeare & Company. 

• Melbourne 

You didn’t think we’d leave Melbourne out of this one, did you? Melbourne is truly one of Australia’s best cities to explore on foot especially when it comes to popular suburbs such as Carlton, Fitzroy, Brunswick and Southbank. Littered with restaurants, cafes and bars, the city of Melbourne is always filled with the sound of clinking glasses and happy chatter. The city also lights up absolutely beautifully at night thanks to the iconic Flinders Station, so you’ll definitely want to be spending an entire day exploring Melbourne and catching a beautiful sunset in the city. 

• Seoul

Seoul has become one of the top tourist destinations in recent years, with both K-Pop fans and avid travellers flocking to its streets to experience the rich culture of Korea. Often compared to New York City, Seoul’s incredibly large subway eliminates the need for cars, Ubers or taxis, making it the best city in Korea to trek on foot (or with the help of a subway ride to get you across further distances). If you’re a fan of bright lights, sounds and chatter, you’re going to absolutely love Seoul. 

• Vancouver

Vancouver is a city that faces the sea and is overlooked by the North Shore Mountains, making it not just incredibly breathtaking but also the perfect terrain for exploring on foot. Some popular walking spots include the promenade along the False Creek shoreline to Granville Island and along the Historic Steam Line. With its rich arts and culture scene, don’t forget to stop by the Museum Of Anthropology or catch a concert at the iconic Commodore Ballroom. 

• Singapore 

Singapore is one of Asia’s most popular tourist destinations and is often referred to as a global metropolis. A melting pot of different cultures and races makes Singapore one of the most exciting places to visit in Asia. Since the island city is so small, exploring it on foot is almost too easy a feat. Walk through the sights and sounds of the world-famous Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by The Bay and Fullerton Hotel — all conveniently situated next to each other. Don’t forget to fill up on as much of the local food as you can too, including but not limited to the iconic Hainanese Chicken Rice, Satay and Chilli Crab. 

•  Helsinki

Last, but my no means the least, the wonderful Helsinki. An absolute dream of a city for walking, this colourful always offers something new and interesting just around the corner. Distances between sights and sounds are also minimal, meaning you won’t end up with sore feet at the end of the day. Don’t forget to check out the Helsinki Cathedral, Market Square and Esplanadi; a wondrous picnicking area right in the middle of the city. 

And there you have it — 10 of the most walkable cities on the planet! We hope that this article has inspired you to put those sneakers to good use on your next trip or holiday to one of these marvellous cities. Bon Voyage!