Yesterday I left Malta and at present I’m in Istanbul for a number of days earlier than flying dwelling. What a stunning a part of the world! Malta is small and simple to see in 4 days, I’ll share particulars quickly.
I’ve been lucky to go to many international locations in Europe over the previous twenty years and there are cities that stand out as favorites due to their walkability. My favourite factor to do once I journey is to discover on foot so if I can see a lot of the highlights of a metropolis in two or three days, that’s a win for me.
Beneath are ten cities I’ve visited the place you’ll be able to stroll for hours and see a lot of the metropolis. These aren’t the biggies like Paris, Rome, and London. These are the smaller cities that each one have a singular allure which incorporates meandering streets good for pedestrian strolls, cafes for individuals watching, beautiful structure, and an outdated a part of town with plenty of historical past. What’s fascinating is all of them sit on rivers or have canals, so waterways are an enormous a part of the attraction.
In the event you keep in a trip rental or lodge in any of those cities you’ll have the ability to stroll round and see all of the highlights in two days for those who’re fast, three days for those who prefer to take your time and loosen up. I’ve received a whole lot of different cities and cities on my checklist to see, however to this point these are ten that I can advocate for those who like to stroll round like I do.
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1. Salzburg, Austria
I’ll begin with my favourite walkable metropolis. I’ve visited Salzburg twice, as soon as I lived there for month throughout a summer time examine overseas program, and I returned in 2016. It was simply as charming as once I lived there again within the Nineties.
Highlights of this most scenic metropolis embrace Mirabell Gardens which you would possibly acknowledge them from the movie The Sound of Music. Mozart’s Residence is within the coronary heart of the outdated city, near the Salzburg Cathedral. Take a hike uphill to the medieval Hohensalzburg Fortress. A few of my favourite beer gardens together with Stern Beirgarten within the coronary heart of the outdated city and the favored Augusteiner Bräu the place you’ll be able to sit for hours below chestnut timber.
Salzburg is a musical metropolis due to its well-known resident so for those who journey there within the hotter months you’ll discover a whole lot of festivals happening, lots of them outdoor. The stroll alongside the Salzach River on a heat night can’t be beat.
2. Munich, Germany
Solely a 90 minute practice journey from Salzburg is Munich within the coronary heart of Bavaria. You would go to each in a single journey, which I did once I visited this area. I like the stroll by the outdated city previous the well-known Marianplatz and watch the well-known Glockenspiel in motion.
I like to recommend a motorbike tour by the outdated city and Englischer Gardens, don’t miss the Eisbach Wave the place surfers journey waves on a river! It’s fascinating to look at. The Bavarian delicacies is the perfect from the smaller pubs to the well-known Hofbrauhaus the place an oompa band in lederhosen prompts many a crowd to sing alongside. Augustiner Keller is the native beer that goes down very easy on a summer time’s eve! I like strolling across the market stalls at Viktualienmarkt the place you discover the best and freshest German bites to get pleasure from within the open air.
3. Porto, Portugal
My second favourite metropolis in all of Europe that I’ve visited to this point is Porto. Nestled within the northern a part of the nation the place the Duoro River meets the Atlantic Ocean is image good Porto the place you’re feeling such as you’re strolling by a portray.
The historic heart is dreamy to stroll round, there are such a lot of alleyways to duck down, however you’ll hit some hills whilst you do. Relaxation down by the river on the finish of the day the place stay music performs and there are countless cafes to select from to look at the boats go by. There are oh so many wine and port tastings and excursions you are able to do on this area. Stroll the well-known Luís I Bridge that spans the river or take a practice journey to the coast for contemporary fish!
4. Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is a dream to stroll round, there’s no scarcity of allure right here with its canals and chocolate and structure, it’s a dream vacation spot in Belgium. We spent solely someday right here however you’ll be able to see all of it for those who begin early and take the final practice dwelling (to Brussels the place we had been staying).
The Market Sq. historic heart is the place you’ll find yourself when you get off the practice and take a stroll by the city. It’s an important place to sit down in a restaurant and other people watch, probably the greatest elements of touring to Europe. In the event you’re formidable you’ll be able to climb the Belfry, however we spent our time tasting chocolate and beer as we meandered from avenue to avenue.
5. Bordeaux, France
I used to be stunned how a lot I beloved this metropolis once I visited a number of years in the past. It’s skilled a resurgence which makes it an enthralling place to land for a number of days and discover.
In the event you’re a wine lover, you’ll be able to discover the number of wine estates in St. Emilion and the Medoc wine area. Bordeaux was as soon as a walled metropolis and has a wealthy historical past that dates again to the 1500s, so for those who go to undoubtedly take a guided strolling or bike tour! There are squares with fountains and the left financial institution alongside the river is a stunning waterfront stroll and there may be additionally a cool buying district. The outdated belfry La Grosse Cloche is one among a number of monuments within the coronary heart of city that make Bordeaux really feel just a little like Paris.
6. Prague, Czech
Prague feels so much smaller comparatively to different international locations’ capital cities. There may be a lot to see and do from strolling across the outdated city to tasting the native delicacies and beer. Prague is the place I first observed overtourism creeping into the continent however I nonetheless beloved every part about this metropolis, particularly strolling round within the evenings. The town has a magical high quality and the very best bar I’ve ever been too, extra on that journey on this put up.
7. Seville, Spain
My third favourite metropolis in Europe and such a delight to discover! Sunny Seville is an excellent place to expertise the very best of Spain, from flamenco to sangria. The outdated city has wonderful cafes and retailers, the river stroll is divine, and the Plaza de Espana will seize your coronary heart with its architectural magnificence.
8. Venice, Italy
I nonetheless have but to share footage of my journey to Venice in 2021 however it was actually enchanting. I went with pals and hit it simply on the proper time when it wasn’t crowded and the climate was good.
I had been to Venice earlier than in August when mosquitos are actually unhealthy and didn’t prefer it in any respect, however there was one thing about returning in October when there have been no crowds that made the expertise so much higher. Venice is so distinctive, the floating metropolis that’s simple to get misplaced in however a delight to discover. There’s nothing fairly like being sung to in Italian by a gondolier at sundown. I additionally beloved my ferry rides and day journeys to Murano and Burano which I extremely advocate.
9. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen was my first cease on a whirlwind journey to Scandinavia and such a delight I’d undoubtedly return. I used to be stunned how many individuals get round on bikes on this city so you’ll be able to stroll or bike, both approach it’s a stunning place to go to with pretty water views, loads of historical past, and nice meals and beer. Each Tivoli Gardens and Nyhavn are to not miss.
10. Amsterdam, Netherlands
What a picturesque metropolis to stroll and bike. Amsterdam is loveliness round each nook. I haven’t returned since I used to be in my twenties however all I would like is an affordable flight and I’ll go once more.
The Van Gogh Museum and Anne Frank Home are great and don’t miss the world well-known Rijksmuseum full of work by Dutch masters. Canal cruises are a soothing strategy to see the websites. As a lot as I’m an advocate for strolling, having a motorbike is very nice in Amsterdam, it’s an effective way to get round just like the locals do. Vondelpark is an English model backyard that’s pretty on a sunny day. And naturally there’s the well-known Pink Gentle District if that’s your factor.
I’ve simply left Valletta in Malta, I’ll share all the main points about my expertise in that nation quickly. Different honorable mentions for walkable cities in Europe embrace: Good, France; Verona, Italy; the island of Ibiza; the island of Mallorca; Brussels, Belgium; and each Florence and Siena, Italy.
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Chime in pals, have you ever been to those cities? Did you discover them to be walker pleasant? Any highlights you skilled whereas in these cities? Any others you’d advocate for avid walkers?