New study ranks Istanbul as the most walkable city in Europe
Most cities have clusters of major attractions within a few kilometers, making them manageable for visitors on foot while combining cultural, historical, and scenic sites.
You can plan every stop in advance, spend hours researching, and collect endless recommendations, but some of the best holiday moments come from what you stumble across while walking.
Many European cities are easy to explore on foot, but some make it far simpler than others. To find out which ones top the list, Braw Scottish Tours analysed the walking distance and step count between the five main attractions in 30 of Europe’s most popular cities.
1. Istanbul
Istanbul tops the list with a total walking distance of 2.5 km, covering major attractions like Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar within a compact area. That’s about 3,250 steps and half an hour of walking.
2. Milan
Milan follows closely at 3.8 km, offering visitors a dense cluster of landmarks such as the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, roughly 4,940 steps and 0.76 hours on foot, making it ideal for those who prefer short walks.
3. Hamburg
Hamburg requires a bit more effort, with a walking distance of 4.4 km to reach sites like Miniatur Wunderland and the Elbphilharmonie, totaling 5,720 steps and 0.88 hours of walking.
4. Dublin
Dublin stretches to 4.9 km, encompassing attractions like the Guinness Storehouse and Trinity College, about 6,370 steps and 0.98 hours, providing a mix of cultural and historical sites within a manageable distance.
5. Prague
Prague extends to 5.8 km, guiding walkers through its historic center to landmarks like Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, roughly 7,540 steps and 1.16 hours.
6. Amsterdam
Amsterdam slightly increases the distance to 5.9 km, leading visitors past the Rijksmuseum and Anne Frank House, about 7,670 steps and 1.18 hours, showcasing its rich artistic heritage.
7. Copenhagen
Copenhagen’s attractions are spread over 6.1 km, including Tivoli Gardens and Nyhavn, totaling 7,930 steps and 1.22 hours, offering a blend of entertainment and scenic views.
8. Birmingham
Birmingham follows at 6.3 km, with sites like the Bullring & Grand Central and the Jewellery Quarter, roughly 8,190 steps and 1.26 hours, reflecting its industrial past and modern developments.
9. Frankfurt
Frankfurt requires 6.6 km of walking to explore its main attractions, such as Römerberg and the Städel Museum, about 8,580 steps and 1.32 hours, highlighting its blend of medieval and contemporary architecture.
10. Kraków
Kraków rounds out the list with a walking distance of 6.9 km, taking visitors through its historic sites like Wawel Castle and Main Market Square, roughly 8,970 steps and 1.38 hours, offering a glimpse into its rich cultural heritage.
Full list of the most walkable cities in Europe:
| Rank | City | Country | Total walking distance (km) | Step count | Walking time (h) |
| 1 | Istanbul | Turkey | 2.5 | 3,250 | 0.5 |
| 2 | Milan | Italy | 3.8 | 4,940 | 0.76 |
| 3 | Hamburg | Germany | 4.4 | 5,720 | 0.88 |
| 4 | Dublin | Ireland | 4.9 | 6,370 | 0.98 |
| 5 | Prague | Czech Republic | 5.8 | 7,540 | 1.16 |
| 6 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | 5.9 | 7,670 | 1.18 |
| 7 | Copenhagen | Denmark | 6.1 | 7,930 | 1.22 |
| 8 | Birmingham | United Kingdom | 6.3 | 8,190 | 1.26 |
| 9 | Frankfurt | Germany | 6.6 | 8,580 | 1.32 |
| 10 | Kraków | Poland | 6.9 | 8,970 | 1.38 |
| 11 | Madrid | Spain | 7.3 | 9,490 | 1.46 |
| 12 | Edinburgh | United Kingdom | 7.9 | 10,270 | 1.58 |
| 13 | Helsinki | Finland | 8 | 10,400 | 1.6 |
| 14 | Berlin | Germany | 8.3 | 10,790 | 1.66 |
| 15 | Rome | Italy | 9 | 11,700 | 1.8 |
| 16 | Stockholm | Sweden | 9.8 | 12,740 | 1.96 |
| 17 | Barcelona | Spain | 10.5 | 13,650 | 2.1 |
| 18 | Valencia | Spain | 10.8 | 14,040 | 2.16 |
| 19 | Glasgow | United Kingdom | 10.9 | 14,170 | 2.18 |
| 20 | Vienna | Austria | 11.6 | 15,080 | 2.32 |
| 21 | Budapest | Hungary | 13.9 | 18,070 | 2.78 |
| 22 | Paris | France | 14.1 | 18,330 | 2.82 |
| 23 | Brussels | Belgium | 15.9 | 20,670 | 3.18 |
| 24 | Munich | Germany | 16.5 | 21,450 | 3.3 |
| 25 | Lisbon | Portugal | 16.7 | 21,710 | 3.34 |
| 26 | London | United Kingdom | 17.5 | 22,750 | 3.5 |
| 27 | Zürich | Switzerland | 18 | 23,400 | 3.6 |
| 28 | Oslo | Norway | 19.5 | 25,350 | 3.9 |
| 29 | Warsaw | Poland | 21.5 | 27,950 | 4.3 |
| 30 | The Ruhr | Germany | 25 | 32,500 | 5 |
Methodology
The study examined the 30 most popular European cities and measured the walking distance between each city’s top five attractions. Cities with the shortest distances ranked highest for walkability.
Source
Google Maps