There are many ways to explore a city and witness the magic that it holds. Rooftop tour buses, cars, bicycles, motorbikes, and vans are all some of the great ways, but walking remains the most exciting way to enjoy a place. Not all countries, however, are good for walking and tourists often get hit by reckless drivers in such places.
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Also, some countries have so many attractions that walking becomes the best way to enjoy the best experience. This alone is something to build a vacation around. Sometimes, one can be in the mood for riding in the car, but for those who want to explore a bit slower, here are the most pedestrian-friendly countries around the world to visit.
France
France is a country that encourages walking around its cities, and its capital, Paris, stands out as one of the world’s best cities for walking. The city is so enchanting and there is so much to see that one will be compelled to walk to enjoy everything more intimately.
Across France are several cities, with walking trails and pedestrian-only walkways that allow one to enjoy the country’s elegance.
- Top attractions: Eiffel Tower, Palace of Versailles, Louvre Museum, Gorges du Verdon
Switzerland
Switzerland is a great place to walk around, especially since the country is less populated and developed while remaining scenic. Zurich, the capital is a charming city to explore on foot, with broader lanes, pedestrian bridges, and boulevards making the walk more fascinating.
The landlocked country is also home to iconic streets that are best for walks and many are even closed to car traffic.
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- Top attractions: Lake Geneva, the Matterhorn, The Rhine Falls, Lucerne
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a country with compact city blocks, which makes it easier to walk without having to stroll past large blocks to access some areas.
Plus, the country pays attention to speed limits to protect pedestrians. With cities like Amsterdam looking to drop speed limits to 30km/hr, walking is being encouraged and pedestrians are protected here.
As one of the world’s ancient and developed countries, several landmarks and colorful streets are spread out across the country and they could be missed if one isn’t walking.
- Top attractions: Hoge Veluwe National Park, Van Gogh Museum, Burger’s Zoo
Spain
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Spain is one of the world’s most pedestrian-friendly countries, with cities like Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid, Valencia, and Ibiza well organized like a maze and suitable for strolling.
Wide sidewalks, small-sized city blocks, pedestrian-only walkways, and public parks also encourage walking in Spain’s famous cities.
Besides, walking is the best way to explore some of its most popular attractions like the Sagrada Família, the famous Passeig de Gracia street, and the iconic Monjuic Castle which are all in Barcelona.
- Top attractions: Guggenheim Museum, Toledo, Plaza Mayor, Alhambra
Italy
Italy is one of Europe’s most iconic countries, with ancient architecture, and landmarks, and walking is the best way to explore them while preserving their sanity.
Some islands in Italy, like Marettimo and Isola dei Pescatori, do not allow cars. Also, some of the streets are so narrow, cars can’t fit in and drive comfortably especially on cobblestone streets, leaving one with no option but to walk.
Venice is a floating city with fewer cars and more gondolas, which makes walking an excellent idea any day.
- Top attractions: Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Uffizi Gallery
Denmark
Denmark is a country filled with walkable streets and less chaotic city scenes compared to other European countries. From the streets of Copenhagen that were built with pedestrians in the plan to the car-free island of Faroe, Denmark loves to be walked upon.
Copenhagen is also one of the world’s most walkable cities, with a couple of car-free zones, that are scenic, and invites one to walk on them.
- Top attractions: Tivoli Gardens, National Gallery of Denmark, Viking Ship Museum
The U.K.
The United Kingdom is one of the world’s most walkable groups of countries due to the many car-free zones that are close to the inhabitants in its cities. London and Glasglow, and Edinburgh, are top walkable cities in the UK due to their small sizes and numerous car-free zones which makes walking super easy and enjoyable.
These iconic cities are best explored on foot via paved modern pedestrian walkways that are safe and airy. The U.K. is also full of ancient architecture and historical landmarks, with more walkways than many countries of the world, making it one of the friendliest countries to roam.
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- Top attractions: Tower of London. The British Museum, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle
Japan
Japan stands out as one of the best countries for walking in Asia. Tokyo might seem so busy and chaotic, which is true because it’s the largest city in the world.
Surprisingly, it’s one of the world’s most walkable cities with many pedestrian-only walkways where hundreds of people engage in walking and are protected from every other traffic.
Japan doesn’t subsidize car ownership, and most of its car owners live far away from the cities, making it a walking paradise and an anti-car paradise.
- Top attractions: Mount Fuji, Osaka Castle, Imperial Tokyo, Island Shrine of Itsukushima, Chubu-Sangaku National Park
United States
The U.S. has plenty of walkable cities that come with well-planned pedestrian walkways and other infrastructure that makes walking fun and safe. New York, for instance, features the pedestrian-friendly Times Square, renowned globally as one of the best places to stroll around.
Boston’s waterfront Harbor Walk is also a good place to walk, with a series of landmarks along its 40-mile length. Many other walking trails are abundantly spread out across most U.S. cities to satisfy every walking desire.
- Top attractions: Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Space Needle, Time Square
Singapore
Singapore is one of the few countries with sheltered walkways, and there’s no other way to encourage or prove that walking is a good idea than by covering the pathways. A lot of pedestrian walkways and bridges are all over Singapore, but some are outstanding because they are covered.
While several initiatives and moves by the government to promote walking are in the pipeline, one doesn’t need much persuasion to engage in the walks. One look at the Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, or Gardens by the Bay, and the inspiration to walk comes naturally because they are so magnificent.
- Top attractions: Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Zoo, Singapore Flyer, Chinatown, Sentosa Island
