When selecting a holiday destination, modern travellers increasingly prioritise ease of navigation, with the walkability of a city emerging as a critical factor for many. The ability to explore key attractions on foot, enjoying simple routes and pedestrian-friendly streets, can significantly enhance the travel experience. New research has now identified the European urban gems that excel in this regard, crowning two particular locations as the continent's most walkable.
Joint Champions: Milan and Porto Lead the Way
According to the study, Milan in Italy and Porto in Portugal share the top spot as Europe's most walkable cities, each achieving an impressive score of 9.9 out of 10. This joint first place highlights their exceptional pedestrian accessibility and well-connected urban layouts.
The Italian Fashion Capital's Pedestrian Appeal
Milan, renowned as a global fashion capital, proves to be a veritable gem for walkers. The research analysed a route connecting its five most popular attractions, which takes approximately 34 minutes to complete on foot. Remarkably, this journey involves a total elevation gain of only 11 metres, indicating a largely flat and highly manageable path for visitors.
The recommended walking tour begins at Il Cenacolo, home to Leonardo da Vinci's iconic masterpiece, The Last Supper. From there, it proceeds through the historic Castello Sforzesco, a fortress constructed between 1360 and 1370. The route then passes the Duomo di Milano, the city's magnificent Gothic cathedral and the second largest cathedral in the world. Next, walkers encounter the elegant Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a 19th-century shopping arcade housing luxurious boutiques. The tour concludes in the picturesque canal district of I Navigli, offering a charming finale to the pedestrian experience.
Adding to its appeal, budget flights to Milan can be secured from as little as £28 with carriers like Ryanair, making this walkable destination accessible for many travellers.
Porto's Compact and Scenic Route
Sharing the top honour, Porto in Portugal presents a slightly more compact walking route. The journey between its top five attractions totals just 1.9 kilometres, taking around 30 minutes to complete. Although it involves a higher elevation gain of 25 metres compared to Milan, Porto still achieved the same exemplary score of 9.9 out of 10, underscoring its walkable credentials.
Porto's route, often traversing areas like the scenic Ribeira neighbourhood, allows visitors to immerse themselves in the city's rich heritage and stunning riverside vistas with minimal effort.
Close Contenders and High Performers
The study also identified a strong cohort of cities achieving joint-second place, each with a score of 9.8 out of 10. This group includes:
- Athens, Greece
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Bergamo, Italy
- Antwerp, Belgium
Following closely, several destinations secured joint-third place with scores of 9.7. These highly walkable cities are:
- Nice, France
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Lille, France
- Palermo, Italy
Research Methodology and Insights
Conducted to determine which European cities are easiest to explore on foot, the research employed a detailed analytical framework. It assessed the average distance between the five most popular attractions in each location, alongside factors such as elevation changes, estimated travel time, and step counts. This comprehensive approach provides a robust indicator of pedestrian friendliness, revealing which cities facilitate efficient exploration without reliance on other transport modes.
The Least Walkable European Destinations
However, the study also highlights that not all European cities offer such seamless pedestrian experiences. Some urban centres present challenges with long distances between attractions, unrealistic step counts, and routes that may necessitate additional forms of transport to complete efficiently.
According to the research from Radical Storage, the cities identified as the least walkable in Europe are:
- Oslo, Norway – ranked as Europe's least walkable city
- Marseille, France – the second least walkable
- Helsinki, Finland – taking third place in this category
These findings serve as a valuable guide for holidaymakers, emphasising that while many European cities are designed for delightful discovery on foot, others may require more strategic planning to navigate effectively.
