Travel experts reveal eight of Europe’s most walkable cities, from the south coast of England to a Spanish spot with streets too narrow for cars

Seeing the sights on holiday always sounds good on paper, but in reality it can often involve the faff and expense of car hire or navigating unfathomable public transport networks.

Sign up instead for a break in an ultra-walkable city – and get your 10,000 steps a day in while you’re at it. 

Need some inspiration? European travel experts have shared their favourite walkable destinations with MailOnline Travel.

All of these cities have something unique to offer – and they are all easy to explore on foot.

Read on for the lowdown on a Spanish spot with streets too narrow for cars, an English seaside spot with 150 parks, a walkable French city with a ‘mightily impressive river’ and more…

Seville, Spain

‘Seville is a city built for walking,’ says the team at Lonely Planet. 

In fact, the ‘winding streets’ in the city’s ‘historic core’ are ‘so narrow’ they ‘prohibit most traffic’. 

The team adds: ‘The traffic-free cobbled streets, riverside promenades, parks and squares mean there are plenty of reference points to help you avoid getting lost.’ 

Stockholm, Sweden

‘Stockholm’s architecture, food scene, museums and galleries are all worth exploring,’ says Justin at Responsible Travel. Pictured here is Stockholm’s old town

Justin Francis, founder of Responsible Travel, loves exploring cities on foot as he says that’s ‘where you find the living culture and character of a place’.

He recommends Stockholm as a worthwhile walkable destination, saying: ‘It’s a city rich in green space and culture – and fantastic for exploring on foot or bike.’

The Swedish capital’s ‘long summer days are perfect for walking tours’, while in December ‘you can meander through cosy, atmospheric Christmas markets’.

The expert adds: ‘Stockholm’s architecture, food scene, museums and galleries are all worth exploring.’

Oxford, UK

Oxford’s key tourist attractions are all easily accessible by foot, notes one travel expert 

Oxford’s ‘compact layout and well-maintained footpaths’ make it an ideal spot for a walkable city break, says Gareth Mills, UK country manager at AllTrails.

He adds: ‘The city’s key tourist attractions, including its historic colleges, charming streets, and cultural landmarks, are all easily accessible on foot. 

‘Oxford’s pedestrian zones and rich heritage also create an ideal environment for avid walkers.’

AllTrails has 60 recommended walking routes in Oxford, including the popular Oxford Tour Circular, which hits some of the city’s top attractions, including the historic Bear Inn. 

Bordeaux, France

‘Bordeaux is fairly flat with most of the main sights centrally located on streets that spur from a mightily impressive river,’ says Clare at Travel Counsellors

Clare Payne of Travel Counsellors, says port city Bordeaux, in the wine-growing region of west France, is one of her favourite walkable cities.

The expert says: ‘The city is fairly flat with most of the main sights centrally located on streets that spur from a mightily impressive river.

‘Make sure you check out Miroir d’eau (Water Mirror), which is a beautiful spot in the city near the river and great fun for kids too.’

You can find suggested walking routes on the Bordeaux Tourism website, including an 8km walk (4.9 miles) that hits all of the city’s main sights.

Bruges, Belgium

Rozenhoedkaai [pictured above], otherwise known as Rosary Quay, is one of the top sights in ‘compact’ Bruges

Bruges, in northwest Belgium, is an ‘extremely walkable city’, says Clare Payne.

She tells MailOnline: ‘The city is quite compact so you can reach all of the main sights easily by foot.

‘The historic centre is Unesco World Heritage listed and full of beautiful, cobbled streets. Don’t miss Rozenhoedkaai, otherwise known as Rosary Quay, for that perfect social media shot.’ 

Athens, Greece

‘Wherever you walk in Greece’s storied capital, the ancients have walked before,’ says Lonely Planet

The capital of Greece is ‘easy to tackle on foot’, says the expert travel team at Lonely Planet. 

They say: ‘Strolls through neighbourhoods like old-town Plaka, flea-market famous Monastiraki and hip Pangrati are highlights.’ 

As an added bonus for history buffs, ‘wherever you walk in Greece’s storied capital, the ancients have walked before’, says Lonely Planet. 

Brighton, UK  

Brighton’s compact layout means visitors can easily stroll between ‘diverse attractions’

Gareth at AllTrails says: ‘Brighton is celebrated for its walkability thanks to its vibrant, pedestrian-friendly city centre and its famous seafront promenades and undercliff walks, which offer 13km [eight miles] of off-road trails. 

‘The city’s compact layout allows visitors to easily stroll between diverse attractions, including eclectic shops, cafes, and cultural sites.’ 

Gareth loves the city’s 150 parks, which mean visitors to the city are ‘never far from nature’. 

However, he adds: ‘Brighton’s beach is not one for distance walking as the stones make it a serious challenge.’ Tourists are better off sticking to the paved seafront, which has enough cafes, bars and ice-cream stands to ‘reward any walker’. 

Koblenz, Germany

Walkable Koblenz in Germany sits ‘in a super location at the junction of two of Europe’s great rivers – the Rhine and the Moselle [above]’

The team at Byway, a flight-free travel company, recommends tourists choose a small city if they’re looking for a walkable destination.

They love Koblenz in Germany, which sits ‘in a super location at the junction of two of Europe’s great rivers – the Rhine and the Moselle’.

Koblenz, they note, is a ‘delightful old city’ with ‘fine riverside walks’.

Koblenz’s tourism board recommends exploring the city’s old town to ‘discover hidden gems’ and ‘experience traditional half-timbered architecture up close’.

Byway adds that the city is also a ‘brilliant base’ for out-of-town excursions to the wider region.