In a world dominated by cars and traffic jams, it’s refreshing to see places where walking is the way to get around. Well, many of these cities were built before the age of the automobile or have reimagined themselves to prioritize pedestrians. If you’re looking for a comforting place for the holidays, then you might want to check out these 10 cities where life doesn’t revolve around cars. Also, consider some of these cities to move to someday if you’re planning to!
10. Vancouver, Canada
Over the years, Vancouver has made a lot of efforts to invest in mixed-use neighborhoods. They built extensive bike paths and preserved the downtown living of their cities. It’s no wonder that it’s known as one of North America’s most walkable major cities. Here, walking is strongly encouraged with their newly introduced pedestrian wayfinding maps and scenic lane along False Creek to Granville Island. There’s also a six-mile walk in Stanley Park to let you experience its city landmarks.
9. Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto was once the imperial capital of Japan, which means that it was designed long before cars. In here, you’ll get to spot narrow lanes and tightly packed machiya, which are wooden townhouses. There are also temples spread within neighborhoods, which makes a pretty compact environment. This traditional neighborhood still features intact local shops and restaurants that are all within walking distance to allow tourists to experience the authentic Japanese culture.
8. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh is known to be Scotland’s historic capital, which explains why it champions pedestrians. The city features cobblestone streets with the Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. It’s a stairmaster, thanks to the Royal Mile that threads castles, pubs, and souvenir shops together. Some alleyways will lead you to secret gardens and historic courtyards, while the hills will surprise you with a view of the city.
7. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is a pedestrian heaven as it combines bicycle infrastructure and car-free zones. There are also a lot of green spaces which create a liveable neighborhood. The city is committed to pedestrians and cyclists over cars, which has resulted in an urban environment where 60% of residents ride the bike or walk.
6. Dubrovnik, Croatia
The entirety of the Old City district is a pedestrian-only zone, which requires you to explore Dubrovnik by walking. The city features medieval walls where you get to spot Onofrio’s Fountain and the 16th-century Sponza Palace with the Old Port, all accessible by your feet. Head over to the hillside town on the Adriatic coastline, where you walk along cobblestone streets.
5. Paris, France
Did you know that Paris has a 15-minute city coverage with an average of an 8-minute walk to essentials? That’s the pioneering 15-minute city policy to create a walkable neighborhood. This means that residents can access necessities with just a quarter-mile walk from their homes. The city even has pedestrianized sections along the Seine and expanded bike lanes throughout. Those wide boulevards designed during the 19th century now serve pedestrians to allow them to walk from the Louvre to the Seine.
4. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam’s bicycle culture partners with its walkability. Regardless of the spots you want to visit, like the Anne Frank House or Van Gogh Museum, everything is by foot. The city features a compact layout with canal-side paths and the absence of steep hills, which makes it ideal for walking and cycling.
3. Venice, Italy
Everyone knows the famous Venice with its car-free canals and scenic bridges, which invites visitors to explore on foot. It’s the ultimate car-free city for geographic reasons and century-old designs. You might even find yourself lost in the labyrinth of side streets, but it’s the best way to explore the city. Just imagine that the world-famous landmarks of St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, and the Accademia Bridge are all accessible by walking.
2. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is now prioritizing urban walkability through the superblocks program. These superblocks are neighborhoods of nine blocks where traffic is restricted to major roads around the outside. With this, it opens up a group of streets to pedestrians and cyclists with an aim to reduce pollution from vehicles. The Catalan capital even plans to convert the entire central grid to a green and pedestrian-friendly area to clear out the cars.
1. Florence, Italy
If you’re a tourist who aims to walk your stress away, then Florence is the perfect city for you. Imagine that the Ponte Vecchio bridge and the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria are walkable in 10 minutes. Traffic in Florence’s historic center is restricted to permit-bearing residents, buses, and taxis. Walk along the cobblestone streets as they preserve the Renaissance city’s character with vehicles away.
