The Top 10 Cities in the World for Walking: Skyscanner's Ranking

The ease of getting around a city center on foot often determines the overall impression of a trip. Analysts at Skyscanner have compiled a ranking of destinations where walking offers the greatest convenience—taking into account routes, safety, and the city’s compactness. Euronews recently reported on this.

We’ll discuss the selection of 10 destinations, the evaluation criteria, and the unique features of each city further in this article.

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How was the city walkability index developed?

Skyscanner experts analyzed flights to cities outside the U.S. and evaluated them based on 14 criteria. Key factors included the distances between major attractions, the number of walking routes in and around the city, average elevation above sea level, air quality, and safety metrics.

The final index also takes into account population density, the number of steps between locations, and the time required to walk between them.

The final list includes cities from various regions of the world, most of which are in Europe. Two Japanese destinations and one Canadian destination also made it into the top 10.

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Top 10 Cities in the World with the Best Walkability Index

Skyscanner has identified the ten most pedestrian-friendly destinations—seven of them are in Europe, two in Japan, and one in Canada. The list is based on a composite index that combines metrics for walking routes, safety, and the compactness of the city center. The ranking includes cities that are often overlooked by the general tourist audience. The full list, in order from first to tenth place, is as follows:

1. Córdoba, Spain;
2. Nagasaki, Japan;
3. Hiroshima, Japan;
4. Reggio Calabria, Italy;
5. Monte Carlo, Monaco;
6. Tartu, Estonia;
7. Bursa, Turkey;
8. Bolzano, Italy;
9. Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
10. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Córdoba: Top-Ranked City for Walking Routes

The Spanish city of Córdoba in Andalusia took first place in the ranking; it was once an important Roman center and one of the main hubs of Islamic culture. A walk through the main attractions takes just 26 minutes, and there are 29 walking routes available in the city itself and its surroundings. The main architectural landmark is the Mosque of La Mezquita.

Must-see locations include the Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Palacio de Viana; the Jewish quarter, La Judería; and the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos fortress.

Reggio Calabria and Bolzano: Italy’s Top Picks

Two Italian cities made it into the top ten. Reggio Calabria, in the south of the country, remains a less popular tourist destination, but allows visitors to explore the main sights on foot in 25 minutes—or 2,321 steps. Bolzano—the capital of the province of South Tyrol—can be explored on foot in about an hour and has the highest safety rating among all cities in the ranking.

In Reggio Calabria, be sure to explore the waterfront with the “Rabarama” sculptures along Via Marina, the National Museum of Magna Graecia, and the panoramic view of Mount Etna from the Strait of Messina.

Bolzano offers 505 walking routes, with key attractions including Walter Square, Via dei Portici, and the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology.

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Monte Carlo: Monaco’s compact, pedestrian-friendly capital

Monte Carlo ranks fifth on the list. The city covers less than one square kilometer, so most attractions are within a short walking distance. Travelers should be aware of the terrain—the hills here are quite steep. The main areas to explore include the streets lined with designer shops, the promenade with ocean views on Rue de Rempart, and the harbor with its yachts.

Among the must-see attractions are the Monaco Oceanographic Museum, Casino Square, and His Serene Highness the Prince of Monaco’s private car collection.

The World’s Most Beautiful Hotels of 2026, according to Time Out—in this article.

Tartu: Estonia’s Cultural Capital in the Rankings

Tartu is Estonia’s second-largest city and the European Capital of Culture for 2024. It ranks sixth in Skyscanner’s list. It stands out for having the lowest level of air pollution among all destinations on the list. The pedestrian-friendly infrastructure is shaped by the picturesque Old Town, ruins, neighborhoods with wooden architecture, parks, and waterfronts.

Among the city’s main attractions are the Estonian National Museum, Town Hall Square, and the University of Tartu Botanical Garden. The city adheres to the principles of sustainable development, and its streets are adorned with street art.

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Bursa: Turkey’s Ottoman Heritage on the Itinerary

Bursa, in northwestern Turkey, ranks seventh on the list. This industrial city is known for its Royal Springs—hot mineral waters that have attracted visitors since the days of the Roman and Byzantine Empires. Bursa was also the first capital of the Ottoman Empire, so the preserved heritage of that era shapes the city’s character. A walking tour of the main sights takes about an hour.

Key sites include the Tomb of Osman Gazi, the Grand Mosque of Bursa, and the Kozahan İpekçiler Bazaar. The city offers lively shopping streets and access to natural landscapes in the immediate vicinity.

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Sarajevo: the compact capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo rounds out the European portion of the top 10 and ranks ninth on the list. The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina is compact and easy to explore on foot. The city is situated on the banks of the Miljacka River, against the backdrop of the Dinaric Alps. Its cobblestone streets and eclectic architecture create the perfect atmosphere for long walks.

Among the main attractions are the Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide, the Museum of Childhood During the War, City Hall, the Baščaršija Market, and the Latin Bridge. The city is also known for its coffee culture—numerous coffee shops serve as tourist attractions in their own right.

Remember! Walking tours in unfamiliar cities involve physical exertion, changing weather conditions, and everyday risks. The Visit World portal offers travel insurance policies for travelers going abroad—they cover medical care abroad and other standard travel insurance claims.

Get your insurance in advance so you can feel confident during your walking tour!

A reminder! In our previous article, we discussed where to go in Europe for a day trip.

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