There are two kinds of travellers: those who meticulously plan each commute, and those who lace up a good pair of trainers and let their feet lead the way.
Walkability isn’t just convenient, it’s the best (and healthiest) way to get to know a city, whether it’s stumbling across a bakery before breakfast, discovering a niche local museum, or following the sound of live music to run into the city’s liveliest dive bar.
That’s why conducts an annual survey for city dwellers that covers everything from the best eats to the most walkable streets for ’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel.
The walking-friendly ranking is based on the percentage of locals who rated their city’s walkability as ‘good’ or ‘amazing’ in the survey, and we included the highest-scoring cities in each country. So, if you’re ready to ditch the ride-share apps and hit the pavement, these are the European cities that most reward wandering in 2026.
The best European city for walking in 2026 is Edinburgh, with a walkability score of 93 percent. If any city was made for a stroll, it’s here. Castle views, hidden closes and Arthur’s Seat are all connected by footpaths, and between the medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town, everything feels within arm’s reach – though your glutes might disagree after those hills.
Copenhagen takes second place with a score of 90 percent. It’s famously bike-first, but don’t underestimate how good it is on foot. The Danish capital is designed with pedestrians in mind: wide pavements and promenades flow seamlessly and intentionally in an urban design that makes getting around feel effortless.
Compact, clean and calm, Oslo comes third with a score of 89 percent, and is proof that nature and city life can coexist. Evidence? Stroll from cutting-edge museums to waterfront saunas and forest trails without ever needing a car.
Not far behind, Stockholm and Paris tied for fourth place – both with a walkability score of 88 percent. Both of these waterside hubs offer bridges that double as viewpoints, scenic neighbourhoods to stroll in (Gamla Stan or Montmartre, anyone?), and coffee shops hidden in corners that you’d only find by foot.
In fifth place, Helsinki scores 85 percent, and is a phenomenal walking destination – even in winter. City landmarks are near one another, and many streets have elevated pavements to protect pedestrians. Scroll on for a look at the rest of the roundup.
These are Europe’s 13 most walkable cities, according to
- Edinburgh, UK (93 percent)
- Copenhagen, Denmark (90 percent)
- Oslo, Norway (89 percent)
- Stockholm, Sweden (88 percent)
- Paris, France (88 percent)
- Helsinki, Finnland (85 percent)
- Kraków, Poland (83 percent)
- Riga, Latvia (83 percent)
- Vienna, Austria (83 percent)
- Amsterdam, Netherlands (81 percent)
- Tallinn, Estonia (80 percent)
- Zurich, Switzerland (79 percent)
- Munich, Germany (75 percent)
👣 Read the complete list of the world’s most walkable cities in 2026.
Ready to see the world’s best cities for yourself? Book your next trip with Intrepid Travel and start planning the ultimate adventure today.
ICYMI: After two years, one of Europe’s most beautiful hiking trails will re-open this month.
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