From Lisbon’s steep staircases to Venice’s narrow alleyways, travellers worldwide have an array of exciting cities to choose from for a city break. With excellent public transport networks and closely packed tourist attractions, however, many tourists opt to explore these destinations on foot rather than renting vehicles – meaning getting around can sometimes be a little trickier.
With steep hill climbs just to get to and from your hotel for dinner, or towering staircases to reach the city’s prettiest viewpoints – we wondered, which cities around the world are truly the most walkable, and won’t leave you translating ‘one ticket please’ to a bus driver?
For travellers who don’t fancy intense leg workouts throughout their city break or might have medical conditions that make cardio-intensive city breaks less desirable, we analysed topographic maps to reveal the most and least walkable cities on the globe. So, pack your bags, purchase your Medical Travel Insurance, and get set to explore.
Which cities are the easiest to explore on foot?
To figure out which tourist hotspots are the easiest to explore, we collated a list of over 240 cities around the world and using topographic maps, ranked them according to their average elevation, and the elevation range between their highest and lowest points, to reveal which ones are a breeze to experience like a local.
Each city was given an overall difficulty score, with two Dutch cities, famously known for being flat enough for residents to choose cycling as their main mode of transport, taking the number one and two spots.
The top 20 most walkable cities
SWIPE TABLE
| Rank | City | Country | Average Elevation Score | Elevation Range Score | Overall Difficulty Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amsterdam | The Netherlands | 1 | 19 | 20.1 |
| 2 | Rotterdam | The Netherlands | 1 | 19.7 | 20.7 |
| 3 | Venice | Italy | 4.2 | 18.6 | 22.8 |
| 4 | New Orleans | USA | 4.2 | 20.9 | 25.1 |
| 5 | Kolkata | India | 10.9 | 18.4 | 29.3 |
| 6 | Cancún | Mexico | 10.9 | 18.8 | 29.7 |
| 7 | Abu Dhabi | United Arab Emirates | 6.7 | 23.2 | 29.9 |
| 8 | Colombo | Sri Lanka | 10.9 | 20.7 | 31.6 |
| 9 | Miami | USA | 10.9 | 21.0 | 31.9 |
| 10 | Bangkok | Thailand | 9.8 | 23.6 | 33.4 |
| 11 | Riga | Latvia | 12.6 | 22.0 | 34.6 |
| 12 | Sacramento | USA | 14.6 | 23.0 | 37.6 |
| =12 | Tampa | USA | 15.1 | 22.5 | 37.6 |
| 14 | Dubai | United Arab Emirates | 12.6 | 26.8 | 39.4 |
| 15 | Buenos Aires | Argentina | 16.8 | 22.9 | 39.7 |
| 16 | Copenhagen | Denmark | 14.0 | 26.1 | 40.1 |
| =16 | Portsmouth | United Kingdom | 11.8 | 28.3 | 40.1 |
| 18 | York | United Kingdom | 17.2 | 23.3 | 40.5 |
| 19 | Chennai | India | 12.6 | 28.8 | 41.4 |
| 20 | Jakarta | Indonesia | 10.9 | 30.7 | 41.6 |
1. Amsterdam – difficulty score 20.1/100
With barely any elevation above sea level, and a minimal range from the lowest point of the city to the highest, the capital of the Netherlands takes the top spot as the easiest city to explore on foot, with a difficulty score of just 20.1 out of 100. Amsterdam is famous for its art, architecture and picturesque canals, and has plenty of interesting side streets and attractions that make for a wonderful stroll.
2. Rotterdam – difficulty score 20.7/100
Much like Amsterdam, Rotterdam is also well known for its fascinating architecture and brilliant art collections and is the perfect city to traverse on foot. With a difficulty score of just 20.7 out of 100, there’s no need to climb lots of pesky steps or deal with any major hills when trying to immerse yourself in its culture.
3. Venice – difficulty score 22.8/100
Venice has many major tourist attractions within walking distance to each other including Piazza San Marco and Basilica di San Marco. A charming Italian city, chock full of culture, Venice is widely known as the ‘floating city’ and is an ideal place for tourists to take a relaxing stroll through its narrow streets and beautiful canals. Due to this network of canals however, there are lots of bridges, as well as the most common mode of transport being water taxis, for any travellers with accessibility needs to be mindful of.
4. New Orleans – difficulty score 25.1/100
The first of two American cities in the rankings, New Orleans, with a difficulty score of just 25.1 out of 100 takes fourth place. The Louisiana city is the home of the French Quarter, one of the oldest and most walkable neighbourhoods in the city, and often referenced in films and TV. Tourists can stroll along Bourbon Street to take in the lively atmosphere or explore Royal Street which is packed full of antique shops and art galleries.
5. Kolkata – difficulty score 29.3/100
Often referred to as the cultural capital of India, Kolkata (otherwise known as Calcutta) completes the top five most walkable cities in our rankings, with a difficulty score of just 29.3 out of 100. Travellers can take a stroll around the city’s famous College Street (also known as Boi Para – Book Market), which is home to the largest second-hand book market in the world. Kolkata can be fairly congested however, so if you’re planning to get to know the city by walking around it, plan your journeys carefully to avoid areas with heavy traffic.
6. Cancún – difficulty score 29.7/100
A much loved Mexican city is the sixth most walkable city in our study. With a difficulty score of just 29.7 out of 100, Cancún – which has one of the smallest elevation ranges of any city in the study – is a fantastic city for travellers who like getting to know a place by meandering around on two feet. The city is home to a vibrant street art scene, with the Cancún Street Art project having transformed many walls into brilliant artworks in recent years, reflecting the culture, history and natural beauty of Mexico.
7. Abu Dhabi – difficulty score 29.9/100
Sitting not far above sea level, Abu Dhabi – an Emirati city – is a brilliant getaway choice for travellers wanting an easygoing city to walk around. Tourists can wander down the beautiful Corniche, a waterfront promenade that extends 8 km along the city’s coastline. With phenomenal views of the Arabian Gulf, as well as several beautiful beaches to visit, the Corniche and its many parks, cafes and restaurants is a fantastic place to spend a day of your trip. Travellers should be aware of the high temperatures that are often reached in Abu Dhabi, however, so exercise caution when walking and ensure you’ve always got sun protection and water with you to stay hydrated.
8. Colombo – difficulty score 31.6/100
Located on the west coast of Sri Lanka, Colombo has many sandy beaches and low-lying terrain, cementing it as one of the top 10 most walkable cities in our study. Beautiful walking routes include the Galle Face Green, a promenade with impressive views of kites being flown over the sparkling Indian Ocean, and Pettah Market, one of the city’s oldest markets that sells all kinds of wares, from exotic spices to beautiful textiles.
9. Miami – difficulty score 31.9/100
The second American city to feature in our rankings, Miami is the ideal location for a holiday that will be easy on the knees. If getting to know a city means taking a guided walking tour for you, there’s plenty on offer here. Many travellers like to explore the South Beach neighbourhood with a guide, to learn more about its Historic Art Deco District, home to the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world
10. Bangkok – difficulty score 33.4/100
The capital of Thailand, Bangkok offers a vibrant scene for tourists, both by day and by night. The Chatuchak Weekend Market is a big hit with many tourists, who love exploring its 35 acres (about half the area of The Vatican) and 15,000 stalls, as is the Historic Rattana Kosin Island, home to the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho, where you can catch a glimpse of its giant reclining Buddha statue.
Which cities are the hardest to explore on foot?
Conversely, to figure out which cities are the hardest to explore, we took the same list and same topographic maps and ranked the cities in our study according to which ones sat the highest above sea level and had the largest elevation range between their highest and lowest points, making them that much harder to explore by walking.
The top 10 least walkable cities
SWIPE TABLE
| Rank | City | Country | Average Elevation Score | Elevation Range Score | Overall Difficulty Score /100 |
| 1 | La Paz | Bolivia | 49.6 | 50 | 99.6 |
| 2 | Bogotá | Colombia | 46.7 | 47.8 | 94.5 |
| 3 | Quito | Ecuador | 48.4 | 46 | 94.4 |
| 4 | Cusco | Peru | 50 | 42.8 | 92.8 |
| 5 | Medellín | Colombia | 46.4 | 43.3 | 89.7 |
| 6 | Kathmandu | Nepal | 44.5 | 44.3 | 88.8 |
| 7 | Granada | Spain | 40.8 | 41.2 | 82 |
| =7 | Tbilisi | Georgia | 40.2 | 41.8 | 82 |
| 9 | Guilin | China | 37.4 | 44 | 81.4 |
| 10 | Amman | Jordan | 40.6 | 40 | 80.6 |
1. La Paz – difficulty score 99.6/100
With the highest difficulty score in our study, Bolivia’s La Paz offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Andes mountains, but as one of the highest capital cities in the world (3,650m high) this is truly a city that will give you an intense leg workout. Located in a valley, and with much of the city built on steep hillsides, navigating its inclines on foot can be challenging, especially for extended distances or for those with mobility issues.
2. Bogotá – difficulty score 94.5/100
While the centre of Bogotá is relatively flat, the whole city is also situated in the Andes Mountains in Peru, and at an altitude of 2,640m above sea level, is one of the world’s trickier cities to explore for less mobile travellers, or those looking for a more relaxed city holiday. Some of its most spectacular attractions, like Monserrate, a stunning hill with a church on top, offer wonderful views of the city but are difficult to reach without a steep hike, or a cable car.
3. Quito – difficulty score 94.4/100
Ecuador’s Quito is surrounded by volcanoes and is another of the world’s highest capital cities, sitting at 850m (about twice the height of the Empire State Building) above sea level. Due to navigating steep streets and inclines, it is ranked as the third least walkable city in our study, and tourists not wanting to flex their leg muscles might wish to choose another South American city to explore.
The UK’s five most walkable cities
SWIPE TABLE
| Rank | City | Average Elevation Score | Elevation Range Score | Overall Difficulty Score /100 |
| 1 | Portsmouth | 11.8 | 28.3 | 40.1 |
| 2 | York | 17.2 | 23.3 | 40.5 |
| 3 | Cambridge | 17.9 | 25.3 | 43.2 |
| 4 | Peterborough | 17.5 | 27.3 | 44.8 |
| 5 | Southampton | 19 | 26.5 | 45.5 |
The UK is home to plenty of stunning cities for a city break too. For Europeans in particular many of these cities have excellent connections and can be accessed in a few hours, while for UK travellers also offer wonderful staycation options. But which are the most walkable?
Portsmouth, a picturesque coastal destination known for its historic dockyard is the UK’s most walkable city, while the top three are completed by York, a spectacular and ancient city found in northeast England, and Cambridge, a highly popular travel destination, found closer to London.
If all this has whet your appetite for a relaxing city break, where you can wander at your leisure and really feel like a local, don’t forget to buy fully comprehensive Medical Travel Insurance before you jet off on your next adventure.
Methodology:
We compiled a list of 242 cities around the world using desk research, making sure to include any cities commonly considered as very hilly, or very flat. To reveal which cities have the lowest overall elevation, and smallest elevation ranges, and thus are the most and least walkable, we analysed data from topographic-map.com.
All values were then weighted and normalised, to give ‘difficulty’ scores out of 100.
All data correct as of July 2024.
