Favourite Walkable Cities in Europe

Yesterday I left Malta and as we speak I’m in Istanbul for just a few days earlier than flying residence. What a beautiful a part of the world! Malta is small and straightforward to see in 4 days, I’ll share particulars quickly.

I’ve been lucky to go to many international locations in Europe over the previous 20 years and there are cities that stand out as favorites due to their walkability. My favourite factor to do once I journey is to discover on foot so if I can see many of the highlights of a metropolis in two or three days, that’s a win for me.

Under are ten cities I’ve visited the place you may stroll for hours and see many of the metropolis. These are usually not the biggies like Paris, Rome, and London. These are the smaller cities that every one have a singular allure which incorporates meandering streets good for pedestrian strolls, cafes for folks watching, beautiful structure, and an outdated a part of town with plenty of historical past. What’s fascinating is all of them sit on rivers or have canals, so waterways are an enormous a part of the attraction.

Should you keep in a trip rental or lodge in any of those cities you’ll have the ability to stroll round and see all of the highlights in two days should you’re fast, three days should you prefer to take your time and calm down. I’ve received a whole lot of different cities and cities on my listing to see, however to this point these are ten that I can suggest should you like to stroll round like I do.

___

1. Salzburg, Austria

I’ll begin with my favourite walkable metropolis. I’ve visited Salzburg twice, as soon as I lived there for month throughout a summer time examine overseas program, and I returned in 2016. It was simply as charming as once I lived there again within the Nineteen Nineties.

Highlights of this most scenic metropolis embrace Mirabell Gardens which you would possibly acknowledge them from the movie The Sound of Music. Mozart’s Residence is within the coronary heart of the outdated city, near the Salzburg Cathedral. Take a hike uphill to the medieval Hohensalzburg Fortress. A few of my favourite beer gardens together with Stern Beirgarten within the coronary heart of the outdated city and the favored Augusteiner Bräu the place you may sit for hours underneath chestnut bushes.

Salzburg is a musical metropolis due to its well-known resident so should you journey there within the hotter months you’ll discover a whole lot of festivals occurring, a lot of them outdoor. The stroll alongside the Salzach River on a heat night can’t be beat.

2. Munich, Germany

Solely a 90 minute prepare journey from Salzburg is Munich within the coronary heart of Bavaria. You possibly can go to each in a single journey, which I did once I visited this area. I really like the stroll by means of the outdated city previous the well-known Marianplatz and watch the well-known Glockenspiel in motion.

I like to recommend a motorbike tour by means of the outdated city and Englischer Gardens, don’t miss the Eisbach Wave the place surfers journey waves on a river! It’s fascinating to look at. The Bavarian delicacies is the perfect from the smaller pubs to the well-known Hofbrauhaus the place an oompa band in lederhosen prompts many a crowd to sing alongside. Augustiner Keller is the native beer that goes down very easy on a summer time’s eve! I really like strolling across the market stalls at Viktualienmarkt the place you discover the best and freshest German bites to take pleasure in within the open air.

3. Porto, Portugal

My second favourite metropolis in all of Europe that I’ve visited to this point is Porto. Nestled within the northern a part of the nation the place the Duoro River meets the Atlantic Ocean is image good Porto the place you are feeling such as you’re strolling by means of a portray.

The historic heart is dreamy to stroll round, there are such a lot of alleyways to duck down, however you’ll hit some hills whilst you do. Relaxation down by the river on the finish of the day the place dwell music performs and there are limitless cafes to select from to look at the boats go by. There are oh so many wine and port tastings and excursions you are able to do on this area. Stroll the well-known Luís I Bridge that spans the river or take a prepare journey to the coast for recent fish!

4. Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is a dream to stroll round, there’s no scarcity of allure right here with its canals and chocolate and structure, it’s a dream vacation spot in Belgium. We spent solely someday right here however you may see all of it should you begin early and take the final prepare residence (to Brussels the place we have been staying).

The Market Sq. historic heart is the place you’ll find yourself when you get off the prepare and take a stroll by means of the city. It’s an important place to sit down in a restaurant and other people watch, top-of-the-line components of touring to Europe. Should you’re bold you may climb the Belfry, however we spent our time tasting chocolate and beer as we meandered from road to road.

5. Bordeaux, France

I used to be shocked how a lot I beloved this metropolis once I visited just a few years in the past. It’s skilled a resurgence which makes it an enthralling place to land for just a few days and discover.

Should you’re a wine lover, you may discover the number of wine estates in St. Emilion and the Medoc wine area. Bordeaux was as soon as a walled metropolis and has a wealthy historical past that dates again to the 1500s, so should you go to undoubtedly take a guided strolling or bike tour! There are squares with fountains and the left financial institution alongside the river is a beautiful waterfront stroll and there’s additionally a cool procuring district. The outdated belfry La Grosse Cloche is one among a number of monuments within the coronary heart of city that make Bordeaux really feel somewhat like Paris.

6. Prague, Czech

Prague feels lots smaller comparatively to different international locations’ capital cities. There may be a lot to see and do from strolling across the outdated city to tasting the native delicacies and beer. Prague is the place I first seen overtourism creeping into the continent however I nonetheless beloved every thing about this metropolis, particularly strolling round within the evenings. The town has a magical high quality and one of the best bar I’ve ever been too, extra on that journey on this put up.

7. Seville, Spain

My third favourite metropolis in Europe and such a delight to discover! Sunny Seville is a superb place to expertise one of the best of Spain, from flamenco to sangria. The outdated city has superb cafes and retailers, the river stroll is divine, and the Plaza de Espana will seize your coronary heart with its architectural magnificence.

8. Venice, Italy

I nonetheless have but to share footage of my journey to Venice in 2021 nevertheless it was actually enchanting. I went with associates and hit it simply on the proper time when it wasn’t crowded and the climate was good.

I had been to Venice earlier than in August when mosquitos are actually dangerous and didn’t prefer it in any respect, however there was one thing about returning in October when there have been no crowds that made the expertise lots higher. Venice is so distinctive, the floating metropolis that’s simple to get misplaced in however a delight to discover. There’s nothing fairly like being sung to in Italian by a gondolier at sundown. I additionally beloved my ferry rides and day journeys to Murano and Burano which I extremely suggest.

9. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen was my first cease on a whirlwind journey to Scandinavia and such a delight I’d undoubtedly return. I used to be shocked how many individuals get round on bikes on this city so you may stroll or bike, both approach it’s a beautiful place to go to with pretty water views, loads of historical past, and nice meals and beer. Each Tivoli Gardens and Nyhavn are to not miss.

10. Amsterdam, Netherlands

What a picturesque metropolis to stroll and bike. Amsterdam is loveliness round each nook. I haven’t returned since I used to be in my twenties however all I want is an inexpensive flight and I’ll go once more.

The Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank Home are great and don’t miss the world well-known Rijksmuseum full of work by Dutch masters. Canal cruises are a soothing solution to see the sights. As a lot as I’m an advocate for strolling, having a motorbike is very nice in Amsterdam, it’s a good way to get round just like the locals do. Vondelpark is an English type backyard that’s pretty on a sunny day. And naturally there’s the well-known Pink Mild District if that’s your factor.

I’ve simply left Valletta in Malta, I’ll share all the small print about my expertise in that nation quickly. Different honorable mentions for walkable cities in Europe embrace: Good, France; Verona, Italy; the island of Ibiza; the island of Mallorca; Brussels, Belgium; and each Florence and Siena, Italy.

___

Chime in associates, have you ever been to those cities? Did you discover them to be walker pleasant? Any highlights you skilled whereas in these cities? Any others you’d suggest for avid walkers?