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
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
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
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, 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
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
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
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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