You know what one of the best things about ‘s annual city survey is? Our readers come from all corners of the world, meaning we’re able to create a global snapshot of city life informed by the people who actually live there.
We ask about everything from food scene and nightlife to dating and happiness, and we gathered all that data this year to create ’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel, a definitive rundown of the greatest cities on the planet right now.
Of course, locals’ quality of life plays a huge factor in making a city a great place to be, so alongside food, culture and nightlife, we asked about stuff like community feel, access to green space and walkability.
Being able to explore a city comfortably on foot is the best way to get up close and personal with local life, stumble across off-map surprises and uncover the real culture behind the touristy facades. Not to mention, a walkable city is good for both people and profit, providing a boost to physical health as well as the local economy.
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To celebrate the best pedestrian-friendly hubs on the planet, we’ve ranked the cities with the highest scores for walkability in our survey. The world’s most walkable cities are those where a large majority of locals said getting around on foot was either ‘good’ or ‘amazing’, with only the highest-scoring city for each country included – and four Asian hubs made the list.
With a 93 percent local rating, Seoul isn’t just the most walkable city in Asia but also topped the ranking as the most walkable city in the world. The South Korean capital is home to safe yet bustling neighbourhoods and modern walkways like Seoullo 7017, a former inner city highway-turned-stroll-worthy green space, as well as the Cheonggyecheon Stream walkway that links many of the city’s central metro stations.
Up next is Singapore, the second most walkable city in Asia (and eighth overall). Home to long, arched walkways and wide, well-maintained streets, it’s no wonder 86 percent of locals praised the city for being pedestrian-friendly.
Elsewhere on the list is Taipei, with a 79 percent approval score. The city made a big step last year in becoming more pedestrian-friendly; the famous Shida Road, filled with shops and restaurants, just had a major renovation, widening its footpaths from 1.3 metres to 3.3. The road also leads to Hakka Cultural Park, a lovely little green space to take in Hakka architecture, and Shida Night Market, just a few blocks away. And speaking of night markets, Taipei has loads, all made for an evening stroll.
Macau is the final Asian city on the list, receiving a walkability score of 78 percent. The city offers back-to-back architectural marvels, from traditional Buddhist temples and ancient city walls to Spanish and Portuguese cathedrals, all ideally explored on two feet.
👣 Read the complete list of the world’s most walkable cities in 2026.
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