The World's Most Walkable Cities (PHOTOS)

There are cities where cars reign supreme, others where a bicycle or public transportation will suffice, and a select few that remain a paradise for two feet. By design or purely by accident, each of these 10 cities beckons you to wander its boulevards, paths, and parks.

Text by Charis Atlas Heelan. Photos courtesy of Frommers.com, where you can plan trips and connect with other travelers.

 

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Florence, Italy

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The Ponte Vecchio was the only one of Florence's medieval bridges left standing by the retreating German army in 1944. In many parts of Florence, cars either aren't allowed or can't fit. Though the cobblestone streets may not be ideal for breaking in that new pair of Gucci stilettos, you can only really discover the soul of this historical city by foot. As you stroll along the banks of the Arno River and get lost in the narrow streets, don't forget to look up for random frescoes, incredible architecture, and hidden cafes. Where to Walk: Take in all six of Florence's main bridges by walking along the Centro Historico side of the Arno. Pass the Ponte delle Grazie, Ponte Santa Trinita, Ponte alla Carraia and the famed Ponte Vecchio; walk through the Boboli Gardens and up to Forte Belvedere and Piazzale Michelangelo for breathtaking views; and promenade up the pedestrian zone of Via Calzaiuoli to Piazza Signoria and on through the arched exterior corridors of the Uffizi.

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The Ponte Vecchio was the only one of Florence's medieval bridges left standing by the retreating German army in 1944.

In many parts of Florence, cars either aren't allowed or can't fit. Though the cobblestone streets may not be ideal for breaking in that new pair of Gucci stilettos, you can only really discover the soul of this historical city by foot. As you stroll along the banks of the Arno River and get lost in the narrow streets, don't forget to look up for random frescoes, incredible architecture, and hidden cafes.

Where to Walk: Take in all six of Florence's main bridges by walking along the Centro Historico side of the Arno. Pass the Ponte delle Grazie, Ponte Santa Trinita, Ponte alla Carraia and the famed Ponte Vecchio; walk through the Boboli Gardens and up to Forte Belvedere and Piazzale Michelangelo for breathtaking views; and promenade up the pedestrian zone of Via Calzaiuoli to Piazza Signoria and on through the arched exterior corridors of the Uffizi.

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Comments

[Lily99]

10:34 PM on 11/24/2010

True story - I once had an American tourist complain to me about how Edinburgh was badly designed for cars. I tried, and failed, to resist pointing out that it wasn't a very big consideration back in the 13th Century.

Sigh.

[roseau]

04:15 AM on 11/23/2010

Funny how none of these cities are on the most dangerous list. Something about a city that actually functions well for human beings helps to create a city that can balance density and diversity without dangerousness.

[Indigo1941]

10:42 AM on 11/22/2010

New York and Paris and Venice are my personal favorites. I've never been to Australia, I wouldn't know. I'd like to nominate Orlando for Least Walkable City but let's not call it the Killer List.

[LMPE]

08:58 PM on 11/21/2010

Even Monterey, California, is small enough so that you don't need a car.

[DRaymond]

02:06 PM on 11/21/2010

I have been to Dubrovnik and absolutely agree on it.  I also find London a wonderfull place maybe not so much for walking but wandering in an exploratory mood.  No worry about getting really lost because sooner or later you will run into a tube station and then make your way back.
 
I have never been to Florence but I can say that Italy has places on my most and least walkable cities.  Most walkable was Venice.  Least walkable was Rome.  Crossing most main streets was hair raising there.  In between many of the plazas were pleasant pedestrian places (Trevi Fountain, St. Peters, Plaza Navorona, etc.) but getting from A to B can be tense.

[momofvegasgirls]

02:03 PM on 11/21/2010

Now that I live in Las Vegas, and not NYC, my waistline is MUCH bigger than it was when I walked everywhere. Walking is great exercise and also helps develop and strengthen the social fabric of those communities.

[stopgeorge]

01:32 PM on 11/21/2010

I lived in the West End of Vancouver for 5 years and I didn't once think about needing a car. I was much fitter then, since moving to the suburbs.

But Vancouver is truly an outdoor enthusiast's city. Tops on my list.

[nwfurn]

12:39 AM on 11/21/2010

Dubrovnik, for sure! What a unique city for walking. No cars in the Old Town.

[raker]

01:16 PM on 11/20/2010

Vienna and Budapest are also beautiful, walkable cities. This article made me think of one of the world's most wonderful yet completely unwalkable cities, Bangkok. I learned the hard way: take public transportation—everywhere.

[dbmetzger]

10:36 AM on 11/20/2010

this is not one of them...
Beijing Air Quality "Crazy Bad," Says US Embassy
The pollution in Beijing was so heavy Friday that the US Embassy ran out of conventional adjectives to describe the air quality. While the embassy's website later removed the term "crazy bad," the air pollution remains a health hazard for city resident. http://www.newslook.com/videos/267649-beijing-air-quality-crazy-bad-says-us-embassy?autoplay=true

[valeskas]

08:39 AM on 11/20/2010

Frankfurt, Germany

[KOisGod]

01:04 AM on 11/20/2010

come on, no San Francisco?
I must say though, Venice is marv.
Oh, WASN'T EVEN ON THE LIST.

[Stellaire]

06:10 PM on 11/20/2010

Oh, Venice! A dream for pedestrian: no cars, no motos, no bicycles and such a delight to be lost!

[notmzbehavin]

08:56 PM on 11/19/2010

I was staying near the American Embassy and walked to the Accademia, the Ponte Vecchio, etc.We never took a taxi or bus.

Sometimes it killed my feet and I was grateful for my tennies. As I was in a group with American college students, there wasn't a chance that I could pass as a native anyway so I was determined to be comfortable.

We actually went to Venice as well, and other than the water taxi's, never took public transport.

[subinense]

07:22 PM on 11/19/2010

Montreal ? Barcelona ?

[KIVPossum]

04:32 PM on 11/19/2010

Might include Petersburg and Budapest in that. Maybe Bratislava

[timbershell]

11:55 AM on 11/20/2010

are you kidding? bratislava? what a joke! Go to vienna instead - an hour and a world away...

[KIVPossum]

12:38 PM on 11/20/2010

Yeah, Vienna would do well on that list, too

[LMPE]

08:57 PM on 11/21/2010

I was going to mention St. Pete and Moscow (and maybe also Yekaterinburg). Very few European cities require cars.

[KIVPossum]

08:07 AM on 11/22/2010

Almost any European city is good for walking. My Chisinau is good. Plenty and plenty of parks, wide sidewalks (though most in disrepair), and very compact.