According to a 2026 study by the GuruWalk platform, certain cities around the world stand out for their walkability and the richness of their urban routes. Rome, Madrid and Budapest top the ranking, confirming Europe’s appeal for walking tourism.
Exploring a city on foot remains one of the most immersive travel experiences. In 2026, GuruWalk analysed hundreds of thousands of reviews to compile a ranking of the best cities in the world to visit on foot. Europe occupies a prominent place in the list.
A GuruWalk study based on travellers’ experiences
The guided tour platform GuruWalk has published a global ranking of the world’s most enjoyable cities to explore on foot. Unlike purely theoretical rankings, this study is based on the real experiences of hundreds of thousands of travellers who have wandered through the streets of numerous destinations.
The criteria taken into account include the proximity of attractions, the ease of getting between sites, the quality of pedestrian areas and the cultural interest of urban routes. The aim is to highlight cities where walking is not only possible, but genuinely enjoyable and rewarding.
Several major European capitals stand out in the ranking, confirming the historical richness and compact nature of their city centres.
Rome, Madrid and Budapest dominate the global ranking
First place goes to Rome, a true open-air museum. With more than 2,700 years of history, the Italian capital allows visitors to move from the Colosseum to the Pantheon, or from the Trevi Fountain to a lively square, without needing transport. The historic centre boasts an exceptional concentration of monuments.
Madrid comes in second thanks to its broad avenues and vibrant neighbourhoods. Between the Prado Museum, Retiro Park and the bustling streets of the city centre, the Spanish capital offers a smooth and enjoyable experience for walking enthusiasts.
Budapest completes the global podium in third place. Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Danube”, the Hungarian capital charms visitors with the proximity of its iconic landmarks and the beauty of its riverside walks.
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Budapest, an ideal capital to explore on foot
Budapest stands out as one of the best destinations in Europe for walking tourism. The city is naturally divided between Buda and Pest, two sides connected by iconic bridges that are easy to cross on foot.
Visitors can discover a wide variety of urban landscapes, ranging from historic thermal baths to majestic landmarks such as the Hungarian Parliament. The banks of the Danube offer especially popular walks, particularly at sunset.
This compact layout makes it easy to combine several visits without difficulty, while enjoying a unique atmosphere where imperial architecture and contemporary life coexist harmoniously.
Europe, the global benchmark for walking tourism
The GuruWalk ranking confirms the dominance of European cities in walking tourism. Their historical richness, the density of their old town centres and the close proximity of monuments make them especially well suited to exploring on foot.
Paris, although renowned for its Seine riverbanks and iconic landmarks, ranks 11th in the list, behind cities considered even easier and more pleasant to navigate on foot. Nevertheless, this remains a respectable position in a ranking dominated by Mediterranean and Central European capitals.
The success of European cities can also be explained by the diversity of experiences available around every corner, combining heritage, gastronomy and local life, all of which naturally encourage travellers to explore on foot.
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