- Walkability is important to 9 in 10 (95%) UK holidaymakers when planning a city break abroad
- Kraków is named the most walkable European city, with a short distance between key attractions and plenty of green space
- Venice ranks second, with the shortest walk between landmarks at only 0.7 km and the highest percentage of roads accessible to pedestrians
- Travel insurance expert at Confused.com, Tom Vaughan, shares tips on what to consider when booking European city breaks
When choosing a city break destination abroad, walkability is a priority for over 9 in 10 (95%) UK holidaymakers. Confused.com travel insurance experts recently curated an index uncovering which popular European cities are the easiest to explore on foot.
Walkability unlocks local sights
A Confused.com survey found that a city break being known as easy to get around on foot would make 86% of travellers more likely to book it for their holiday. The key reasons travellers favour walkability are to enjoy sights while getting around (72%), to discover places they might otherwise miss (59%) and to stay active while away (49%).
The most walkable cities to visit
| Rank | City | Walking distance between top attractions | Topography (median slope degree) | % Pedestrian routes | % Green space |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
Kraków, Poland
|
5.3 km
|
3.8
|
50%
|
38%
|
|
2
|
Venice, Italy
|
0.7 km
|
0.5
|
85%
|
16%
|
|
3
|
Prague, Czechia
|
5.2 km
|
5.0
|
54%
|
43%
|
|
4
|
Copenhagen, Denmark
|
4.0 km
|
3.1
|
49%
|
22%
|
|
5
|
Berlin, Germany
|
5.2 km
|
4.6
|
56%
|
26%
|
- Kraków, Poland [Index Score: 8.4]
-
Venice, Italy [Index Score: 8.2]
-
Prague, Czechia [Index Score: 7.7]
-
Copenhagen, Denmark [Index Score: 7.6]
-
Berlin, Germany [Index Score: 7.4]
Kraków, Poland, with its medieval features and charming architecture, takes the top spot as the most walkable city in Europe.
The shortest walking distance between Kraków’s top 5 attractions is just over 5km. It’s easy to hop from the Old Town (Stare Miasto), to the magnificent Wawel Royal Castle and ‘Fabryka Emalia Oskara Schindlera’, an engaging museum where you can learn about the destination’s history during World War II and more.
In terms of Kraków’s topography (which essentially means how flat or elevated the ground is), it’s generally flat, making it efficient to get around. Half of Kraków’s routes are accessible to pedestrians and it has a good amount of green space with 38% of the city being parks, gardens, forests etc.
Situated in a lagoon on the Adriatic sea, the small, yet culturally rich city of Venice is the second easiest European city to explore by foot.
Venice boasts the shortest distance between its top 5 attractions, at only 0.7km. Most attractions sit on or around the principal square, ‘Piazza San Marco’, including the breathtaking Basilica di San Marco, Palazzo Ducale and Campanile di San Marco. The other unmissable attraction is the Canal Grande, which you can admire from pedestrian viewpoints or hop on a gondola for the authentic experience.
Venice is a car-free city, with nearly all routes (85%) accessible to pedestrians. Venice also has the lowest topography, being mostly flat and close to sea level. It’s worth noting that despite its beauty, the city’s compact, canal-based design means green space is limited and it can feel busy at times, particularly during peak summer months. Beyond the city centre, you are also just a short boat ride from the colourful island of Burano and the renowned glassmaking hub of Murano.
Taking the bronze medal is Czechia’s capital, Prague, with cobblestone streets and historic character.
The shortest route around the city’s famous attractions is 5.2 km. These hotspots include Staromestske Namesti (Prague’s Old Town Square) home to the Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock, and Charles Bridge, which has stunning views of the Vltava river. On the other side of the bridge you can visit the gothic Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral.
Prague is the steepest city out of the 5, so those travelling with prams, wheelchairs or who struggle walking at an incline should bear this in mind. It does however have the most green space out of the cities featured, with tranquil gardens and expansive parks to enjoy.
The vibrant, yet relaxed or ’hygge’ city of Copenhagen also ranks among the best European cities for walkability.
It’s only a 4k walk between Copenhagen’s top attractions - which are notably diverse. The city houses the Tivoli Gardens, the second oldest operating amusement park worldwide, Nyhavn, a unique, colourful harbour, a renowned food market, TorvehallerneKBH and more.
The city has the second lowest topography on the list, so it’s not too hilly! Almost half of the roads in the city are accessible to pedestrians. Copenhagen has an urban feel, but still above 20% green space, with enough parks and gardens to not feel too disconnected from nature.
Berlin, with its distinctive and edgy atmosphere, is 5th on the list, being ideal for pedestrians.
The walking route between Berlin’s tourist hotspots is the same as Prague at 5.2km, making them easily accessible on foot. You can explore the rich and complex history of the city from the iconic Reichstag Building to Friedrichstadt-Palast, with one of the world’s largest theatre stages, as well as Brandenburg Gate, dating all the way back to 1788.
Berlin has a slightly steeper topography than the other cities apart from Prague, but it’s still easy to explore and 56% of routes are pedestrian friendly. Over a quarter of the city is made up of green space, so you can enjoy the landscape alongside the landmarks.
Confused.com travel insurance expert, Tom Vaughan, highlights what to consider when visiting a walkable European destination:
- “Check the passport requirements: You should check the passport requirements for your chosen destination well ahead of your holiday. Our handy passport checker can quickly tell you if your passport is valid for the destination you input alongside your travel dates. For UK passport holders, your passport not yet reaching its expiry date is not enough to guarantee entry into Europe. You must have a date of issue less than 10 years before your arrival, as well as an expiry date at least 3 months after your departure1.
- Prepare for the EES system: The EES system - EU’s Entry / Exit System - is a new airport feature you’ll have to navigate, so it’s important you know what to expect. The electronic system is replacing stamps when you go through passport control, registering all entries and exits into EU countries with biometrics e.g. fingerprints and photos(2). Since the system is still new, it’s a good idea to factor spare time into your journey and consider getting to the airport earlier than usual, to allow for delays.
- Ensure you have adequate insurance: A UK GHIC provides access to state healthcare when travelling within the EU and some destinations outside of it.This may differ to healthcare services in the UK, meaning you could have to pay in circumstances you wouldn’t at home. The UK GHIC also doesn’t cover medical repatriation or private treatment, which is why having travel insurance is important. When taking out insurance, it’s important to factor in how much walking you plan to do on your trip. The typical walking city break will be covered by a standard policy, but if you’ll be hiking or trekking, you may need additional or specialist cover.”
-ENDS-
MethodologyA survey of 2,000 UK adults who go on a city break abroad at least once a year was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Confused.com between 20th to 27th March 2026.
Confused.com created an index of European cities served by Europe’s busiest airports, looking at data points related to walkability: Pedestrian routes - Used Open Street Map data to identify the number of routes within a city that include pedestrian access. Green space - Used Open Street Map data to identify areas within a city with a tag corresponding to a park/garden/forest etc, and comparing that to the overall area. Topography - The relative steepness of a city was calculated based on NASA elevation data and a score derived from the median slope between points in the city. Tourist attractions - Identified the top 10 attractions listed on Tripadvisor and then filtered to the top 5 within the city boundary based on their co-ordinates. The shortest walking route between them was calculated using OSRM. (Data accurate as of 31 March 2026)
1. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/holiday-cancellations-and-compensation/travelling-in-europe/
2. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system
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