8 Amazing City Walks, Ranked Easy to Challenging

There's something magical about exploring a city on foot. Walking allows you to discover hidden gems tucked away in quiet corners, observe the daily rhythms of local life, and experience the authentic character of a place in ways that rushing past in a vehicle simply cannot match. Whether you're a casual wanderer or dedicated urban explorer, the right city can transform a simple walk into an unforgettable journey.

We've ranked the world's best walking cities based on their paths, transport links, attractions, and scenery. For each city, we offer routes suitable for all levels, from easy walks to challenging treks.

1. Venice, Italy

Why it tops the list: Venice stands unchallenged as the ultimate pedestrian city. With its complete absence of cars, 400+ footbridges, and labyrinthine network of narrow streets and canals, Venice was designed for walking long before automobiles existed.

Beginner walk: A 2-kilometre route from St. Mark's Square to the Rialto Bridge, following the main thoroughfares with minimal stairs.

Advanced walk: An ambitious 15-kilometre full-day circuit covering all six sestieri (districts), including the less-touristy Cannaregio and Castello neighbourhoods, with dozens of bridge crossings that provide a proper workout.

What makes it special: Getting lost is part of the experience, and each wrong turn reveals charming squares, historic buildings, or peaceful canals away from the crowds.

2. Kyoto, Japan

Why it ranks highly: Kyoto combines excellent pedestrian infrastructure with extraordinary cultural density, over 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a relatively compact area. The city's grid layout makes navigation straightforward despite the language barrier.

Beginner walk: A gentle 3-kilometre stroll through the Southern Higashiyama district from Kiyomizu-dera Temple to Yasaka Shrine, passing numerous heritage sites on well-maintained paths.

Advanced walk: The committed 20-kilometre Philosopher's Path extended circuit, connecting the Silver Pavilion, multiple temples, and ending at Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing up Mount Inari.

What makes it special: Kyoto's walking culture includes opportunities for mindful walking experiences through temple gardens, bamboo groves, and along contemplative paths designed for exactly this purpose.

3. Copenhagen, Denmark

Why it ranks highly: Copenhagen represents the gold standard for modern urban walkability. Decades of pedestrian first planning have created extensive car-free zones, wide pavements, and intuitive wayfinding systems. The compact city centre means most attractions are within a 30-minute walk of each other.

Beginner walk: An easy 2.5-kilometre route from Nyhavn harbour to Tivoli Gardens via the Strøget pedestrian shopping street, all completely flat and car-free.

Advanced walk: A 12-kilometre circuit connecting the harbour baths, Christiania, Kastellet fortress, and the Little Mermaid statue, incorporating multiple bridges and green spaces.

What makes it special: Copenhagen's unparalleled pedestrian infrastructure means walking never feels like a compromise, it's often genuinely the most pleasant transportation option.

4. Barcelona, Spain

Why it ranks highly: Barcelona's innovative urban design features the famous "superblocks" system that prioritises pedestrians over vehicles. The city combines a walkable Gothic Quarter with the grid-pattern Eixample district, offering diverse walking experiences.

Beginner walk: A 3-kilometre flat route from Plaça de Catalunya down Las Ramblas to the waterfront, then along the beach promenade.

Advanced walk: An 18-kilometre challenging route from Park Güell through the Gràcia neighborhood, along Passeig de Gràcia to see multiple Gaudí masterpieces, through the Gothic Quarter, and ending at Montjuïc hill with significant elevation gain.

What makes it special: Barcelona's unique architectural heritage means walking doubles as an open-air museum tour, with unexpected visual delights around every corner.

5. Edinburgh, Scotland

Why it ranks highly: Edinburgh offers dramatic topography combined with magnificent historical architecture. The compact Old Town and New Town are UNESCO World Heritage sites that reward exploration on foot, though the significant hills provide a workout.

Beginner walk: A 2-kilometre route along the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace, mostly downhill with minimal exertion.

Advanced walk: A challenging 10-kilometre circuit taking in Arthur's Seat (251m elevation), Calton Hill, and the steep wynds (narrow passages) of the Old Town with substantial climbing throughout.

What makes it special: Edinburgh's dramatic cityscape offers spectacular vantage points that constantly change your perspective, making it feel like you're walking through different time periods as you explore.

6. Singapore

Why it ranks highly: Singapore has become a walking paradise by building walkways, covered paths, and bridges that link parks, waterfronts, and city areas.

Beginner walk: A simple 4-kilometre route through the Gardens by the Bay complex and Marina Bay waterfront promenade, completely flat and mostly covered or shaded.

Advanced walk: A 16-kilometre trek along the Southern Ridges, connecting multiple parks via spectacular elevated walkways with moderate hills and stairs in tropical heat that adds to the challenge.

What makes it special: Singapore's seamless blend of futuristic architecture and lush vegetation creates a unique walking environment, with countless rest points and water features designed to make walking comfortable despite the tropical climate.

7. Porto, Portugal

Why it ranks highly: Porto offers the perfect combination of manageable size, rich architectural heritage, and dramatic river valley setting. The historic centre is compact enough to explore thoroughly on foot while offering endless visual interest.

Beginner walk: A gentle 3-kilometre stroll from São Bento railway station through the Ribeira district to the Dom Luís I Bridge, mostly downhill with frequent café stops.

Advanced walk: A demanding 14-kilometre route crossing both levels of the Dom Luís I Bridge and exploring both Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia riverfronts, with several steep climbs up from the Douro River.

What makes it special: Porto's history unfolds as you walk, with medieval lanes leading to baroque squares and small shops concealing beautiful tiled interiors.

8. Fes, Morocco

Why it ranks highly: For the adventurous walker, Fes el Bali (the walled medina) offers perhaps the world's most immersive pedestrian experience. This UNESCO-listed site contains over 9,000 streets and alleys in an area less than 2 square kilometres, all completely car-free by necessity, as most passageways are too narrow for vehicles.

Beginner walk: A guided 3-kilometre introduction to the main souks and monuments, sticking to wider pathways with minimal elevation changes.

Advanced walk: An adventurous 8-10 kilometre journey through winding alleyways, wandering off the tourist path into the maze-like quarters over uneven ground.

What makes it special: Walking in Fes isn't just transportation, it's time travel to a medieval urban landscape that has remained largely unchanged for centuries, offering sensory experiences impossible in modern cities.

Walking Tips for Urban Explorers

• Beginner walkers (2-5 km routes): Choose flat terrain, allow plenty of time, wear comfortable shoes, and plan regular breaks at cafés or parks.

• Intermediate walkers (5-10 km routes): Start incorporating moderate hills, explore quieter neighbourhoods beyond the main attractions, and consider guided walking tours for local insights.

• Advanced walkers (10+ km routes): Embrace challenging terrain, connect multiple districts in a single day, and venture into peripheral areas rarely visited by tourists.

The beauty of exploring cities on foot is that it's entirely customisable to your abilities and interests. Whether you're managing just a few kilometres at a leisurely pace or tackling an ambitious cross-city trek, walking connects you to urban environments in ways no other form of transport can match. Each of these remarkable cities offers its own unique walking experience, the only question is which you'll explore first.