The rankings, determined by distances between landmarks plus additional criteria such as available walking routes throughout each city, have highlighted some unexpected gems across Italy and Spain
The idea of discovering a new destination entirely by walking makes holiday planning much more relaxing. Without the bother of hiring a car or working out public transport networks, there’s absolutely no worry about travelling between key sights at your chosen retreat.
For holidaymakers yet to book their getaway this year, Skyscanner’s travel experts have unveiled the world’s top 10 “most walkable” cities for 2025 – with an amazing six situated throughout Europe. The rankings, calculated by distances between landmarks plus extra factors such as available pedestrian paths across each city, have spotlighted some surprising treasures throughout Italy and Spain.
Taking the crown as the globe’s most walker-friendly location, this breathtaking ancient city lies at the centre of Andalusia, Spain, reports the Express.
Cordoba, Spain
Skyscanner calls Cordoba “a wonderful city to visit and explore on foot”, featuring the briefest walking distances amongst all top 10 locations.
This captivating spot previously functioned as a notable Roman colony and developed into a major Islamic centre throughout medieval periods.
The city’s famous mosque, La Mezquita, attracts tourists from around the world.
The ancient Old Town holds UNESCO World Heritage recognition and proves ideal for strolling its slim, winding streets by foot. Additional highlights include Palacio de Viana, La Juderia, and Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos.
A full tour of the main attractions takes just 26 minutes (2730 steps), while 29 walking routes are available for exploration across the city and its surroundings.
One visitor on Tripadvisor commented: “Cordoba was built before cars, so your taxi will probably not be able to take you to the door, but once you are there, you will be able to walk everywhere.
“It’s a good idea to start at the Roman Bridge, go over and see the models in the Torre de la Calahorra, in particular the model of the original mosque, before you visit the Mesquita, and walk around the narrow streets. Lots of bars, restaurants, shops, museums. The Jewish Quarter is also worth seeing.”
Another said: “There is lots to see and do around the many cobbled streets. Lots of cafes, quaint bars, shops, tapas bars and restaurants.
“Don’t be afraid to wander down little alleys, as this is where the hidden gems lie. It’s a fantastic couple of days, but wear sensible, comfy shoes as all those cobbles take their toll on your knees and feet.”
A third visitor remarked: “The restaurants we ate at were reasonably priced, not gouging prices like in other cities. In short, for beauty, history, outstanding city design [long, walkable parks], and kind people – Cordoba is your choice. It really amazed us.”
The charming Spanish city clinched the top spot amongst pedestrian-friendly cities, with Nagasaki in Japan hot on its heels.
Nagasaki, with the lowest crime rates among the top 10 cities, offers 531 attractions for tourists and sits at a modest average altitude of just 89 metres.
As for Cordoba’s European competitors, Italy and Monaco received accolades for their compact city centres and diverse range of attractions. Most pedestrian-friendly cities in the world 2025.
Most walkable cities in the world 2025
- Cordoba, Spain
- Nagasaki, Japan
- Hiroshima, Japan
- Reggio Calabria, Italy
- Monte Carlo, Monaco
- Tartu, Estonia
- Bursa, Turkey
- Bolzano, Italy
- Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Victoria, British Columbia, Canada