There’s nothing like walking in a city, absorbing the local culture, and stumbling upon hidden gems. So, what are the most walkable cities in the world? A new report has the answers.
Insider Monkey—an investing website—has curated a list of the most walkable cities in 2024, perfect for travelers who believe the best way to experience a destination is by going to locations where every step is an adventure.
To come up with the list, Insider Monkey used data from a number of sources. First, the analysts tapped into city walkability scores from Tourlane and WalkScore, then mapped out distances between the top tourist attractions. They also analyzed air quality data from IQAir and safety indexes from Numbeo to narrow down the list to 30 cities.
Topping the list is Florence, Italy, known for its Renaissance history and timeless architecture. Florence’s compact layout means all major attractions are within a half-mile radius, making it easy for visitors to explore on foot. “Florence’s walkability seeps through in its historic center, where narrow lanes lead to landmarks like the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio,” according to the authors of the report.
Europe dominated the list, taking the first five spots: Riga, the capital of Latvia, came in second, followed by Hamburg, Germany; Porto, Portugal; and Madrid, Spain. With 17 cities (including Istanbul, which straddles Asia), Europe also had the most locations of any region. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada each had three cities on the list. There were two in Australia, one in Asia, and one in the Middle East.
This medieval capital city set on the Baltic Sea is a delightful place for pedestrians. Its most popular attractions—the Riga Cathedral, Riga Central Market, the House of Black Heads, Bastejkalna Park, and Vērmanes Garden—are all within 1.5 miles of each other. Besides the pedestrian-only Old Town, Insider Monkey recommends checking out the UNESCO-listed neighborhood of Vecrīga, which it describes as “the historical center of Riga.”
Explore Riga on foot and experience the charm of this walkable city for yourself!
