The Top 7 Most Walkable Capital Cities in the World

Written by Em Thomas
Published: February 9, 2024
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If you’re planning a quick trip overseas, you may want to head to one of these walkable capital cities. These cities will deliver a huge bang for your buck in terms of your time. Walkable cities have a lot packed into one place, making for a convenient way to explore all sorts of things without draining time on transportation. Let’s take a look at the seven most walkable capitals in the world.

Spoiler: they’re all in Europe!

7. Rome, Italy

view of fountain near pantheon, rome

The capital of Italy is one of the most expensive cities in Europe, so be sure you’re ready to spend some money if you come to visit!

©mjols84/Shutterstock.com

Rome, Italy is one of the most walkable capital cities in the world. It’s a beautiful spot, oozing with history and delicious food. While Rome itself is nearly 500 square miles in size, its city center is only 2.4 miles. That means you can explore some of the most incredible sites in Rome with just a short walk around the city! Visit the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and more in under an hour.

6. Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm old town city skyline, cityscape of Sweden

The city of Stockholm can be fairly expensive, so if you’re traveling on a budget, you may want to head to one of the other walkable capitals in Europe.

©f11photo/iStock via Getty Images

The stunning city of Stockholm, Sweden, is one of the most walkable capital cities in the world. Stockholm is fairly large in size, with a total area of over 70 square miles. However, the city center is a cozy 2.3 miles in size, making for a great walkable excursion. If you’re visiting Stockholm, chances are high that you’ll want to take in the beautiful history of the region. In the city center, you can walk to the Royal Palace, the Vasa Museum, and the Skansen Museum in under an hour. Though you’ll certainly want to spend more time at each stop!

5. Tallinn, Estonia

Old Town Tallinn, Estonia

While most of Eastern Europe is more affordable than Western Europe, Estonia isn’t a huge bargain. You can expect to save a buck compared to what you’d spend in some of the major capitals of Western Europe, though!

©Oleksiy Mark/Shutterstock.com

The beautiful city of Tallinn, Estonia, is another one of the world’s most walkable capital cities. Tallinn is a port city sitting on the Gulf of Finland by the Baltic Sea. Tallinn is rich in history and culture. The capital is over 60 miles in size, but the city center is a condensed 2.3 miles, making for a perfect morning stroll. In under an hour, you can expect to visit Freedom Square, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Kadriorg Park, and more!

4. Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland

The city of Edinburgh is one of the most expensive spots in the United Kingdom to visit. However, if you plan ahead, you can certainly find some more affordable things to do and see.

©f11photo/Shutterstock.com

Edinburgh, Scotland, is another major walkable European capital city. The city itself spans almost 50 square miles, but the center of the city is exceptionally walkable, with multiple sites packed into a 2.2-mile radius. If you’re coming to Edinburgh to enjoy the history of the region, you can expect to visit sites such as the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, and the Palace of Holyrood House, all in a short walk!

3. Madrid, Spain

Panoramic aerial view of Gran Via, main shopping street in Madrid, capital of Spain, Europe.

Europe’s big cities are pretty expensive, but Madrid is on the more affordable side!

©Matej Kastelic/Shutterstock.com

The capital city of Madrid is another one of the most walkable capitals in the world! Madrid is the capital of Spain, and it’s a gorgeous town bursting with personality. Food and wine in Madrid are out of this world. You can also find incredible museums and gorgeous parks. The city itself is over 200 square miles, but it boasts a great walkable city center that houses loads of historic sites. Visit the Temple of Debod, the Plaza Manor, and El Retiro Park, all in under an hour’s walk!

2. Athens, Greece

The Acropolis of Athens, Greece, with the Parthenon Temple on top of the hill during a summer sunset

While Athens isn’t one of the cheapest spots in Europe to travel, it is more affordable outside of the tourist bubbles.

©Sven Hansche/Shutterstock.com

Also located in Europe is the second-most walkable capital city in the world: Athens. Athens, the capital of Greece, boasts a rich and profound history. The entire city of Athens is only 15 square miles, but the city center is a cozy two miles in size. In under an hour, you can see the Acropolis of Athens, the Parthenon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and more! If you love Greek history, Athens is not to be missed.

1. Riga, Latvia

City Hall Square in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia

Riga is also an astonishingly affordable place to travel to, so if you’re exploring on a budget — this is a not-to-be-missed spot!

©KavalenkavaVolha/iStock via Getty Images

Finally, the most walkable capital city in the world is Riga, Latvia. While Riga itself is 118 square miles in size, the city center is a condensed 1.5-mile area. You can see all sorts of historic sights, including the Riga Cathedral and Bastejkalna Park. Latvia is a beautiful place to explore, boasting stunning streets and delicious food.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Canva Creative Studio, Toshe_O from Getty Images Pro/ via Canva.com


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About the Author

Em Thomas is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering places, travel, and chili peppers! She's an MBA student with a passion for storytelling. Though she's a Michigan native, she presently resides in Denver, Colorado. While she doesn't currently have any pets of her own, she's an avid dogsitter with an affinity for big dogs!

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