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When you travel, do you love walking for hours to discover every corner of your destination? Then you’ll definitely enjoy this article. We’ve decided to list the 15 most pedestrian-friendly cities in Europe—cities that prioritize pedestrians, often at the expense of cars. And to ensure our selection wasn’t arbitrary, we based it on a 2022 study that compares numerous cities worldwide based on the number of kilometres of streets dedicated to pedestrians.
This study was published in the European Journal of Geography. It uses OpenStreetMap data to measure and compare the length of pedestrian streets in 992 cities around the world.
⚠️ Note : In the ranking revealed by the study, the cities mentioned are generally metropolitan areas, not just the city proper. However, the information remains very useful for a traveller wishing to visit a destination and its surroundings.
Paris, France – 223 km
The French capital, known for its commitment to sustainable urban mobility, has an ambitious strategy for developing its pedestrian zones. According to the study mentioned above, it tops the European ranking of pedestrian-friendly cities, or “walkable cities,” as they are sometimes called.
The city plans to add 100 hectares of pedestrian space by 2030, thereby enhancing safety and comfort for pedestrians. Projects include widening sidewalks, creating new pedestrian zones, and improving the pedestrian experience in iconic neighbourhoods such as Le Marais and the area around the Eiffel Tower.
The famous Champs-Élysées (🛎️ see our selection of hotels) is also being transformed into a greenway, which will halve car traffic on this avenue and create a large urban park. This policy aims to reduce air pollution and promote an active and healthy lifestyle for Parisians and visitors.
Barcelona, Spain – 203 km
Barcelona (📖 read our guide) is recognized in Europe for its initiatives to improve the quality of urban life by reducing the space for cars and increasing pedestrian areas.
The city has implemented the innovative concept of “Superblocks” or “super islands” (superilles in Catalan), which transforms residential blocks into primarily pedestrian zones. These Superblocks restrict car traffic to the periphery, leaving the interiors of the blocks open to pedestrians, cyclists, and community activities.
This project significantly increased the city’s pedestrian area, from 45% to 74%, while simultaneously reducing air pollution. At the same time, Barcelona also transformed streets into pedestrian green spaces, adding 33 km of additional green areas to improve accessibility and reduce pollution..
Madrid, Spain – 172 km
Madrid (📖 read our guide) is actively engaged in transforming its spaces to improve pedestrianization and the quality of urban life. Pedestrian zones, such as Calle del Arenal, illustrate this commitment. Located in the heart of Madrid, this street is primarily pedestrianized and is one of the city’s most vibrant thoroughfares, connected to famous squares such as Puerta del Sol and Plaza Isabel II. It is lined with various shops, cafes, and restaurants, making the street bustling and dynamic.
In addition to these already established zones, Madrid (🛎️ don’t miss our list of amazing hotels) continues to expand its pedestrian zones in various neighbourhoods, including Chamberí, Barajas, Vicálvaro, and the Malasaña district, with the aim of promoting local businesses and creating green spaces and safer, more accessible meeting places. These initiatives are part of the Low Emission Zones project.
Rotterdam, Netherlands – 165 km
Rotterdam is a pioneering city in the development of innovative pedestrian infrastructure, exemplified by projects like the Luchtsingel. This pedestrian bridge, funded through crowdfunding, connects three previously fragmented neighbourhoods, fostering greater urban integration and revitalizing public spaces. The 400-meter-long Luchtsingel has become a symbol of participatory urban planning, linking key locations such as Delftsehof and Pompenburg Park, transforming neglected areas into welcoming spaces for the community.
Furthermore, the Rotterdam Rooftop Walk project illustrates another dimension of the city’s urban innovation. This temporary walkway, established at a height of 30 meters above street level, traverses rooftops and bustling streets, offering spectacular views and spaces for art exhibitions and community activities.
It is now closed, but this illustrates the city’s desire to promote the discovery of the city using only one’s own two feet.
Valencia, Spain – 140 km
Valencia is also a city that emphasizes pedestrianization, particularly in its historic centre, where areas such as the Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) and the Mercado Central (Central Market) have been transformed to prioritize pedestrians. These initiatives aim to “humanize” these spaces by reducing car traffic, thus allowing more space for pedestrians and café terraces. This is part of a broader city-wide approach to improving the quality of life and promoting a more sustainable and accessible urban environment.
Valencia has also implemented limited traffic zones, such as the Ciutat Vella Nord district, where access is mainly reserved for residents and delivery vehicles, thus demonstrating a desire to reduce congestion and promote a lifestyle focused on walking and cycling..
Athens, Greece – 139 km
Athens has undertaken major transformations to become a more pedestrian-friendly city, particularly in its central and historic areas. One of the most iconic streets, Dionysiou Areopagitou, offers a unique pedestrian experience along major historical sites such as the Acropolis. This street is often the scene of cultural and social activities, highlighting its importance in the daily lives of Athenians and tourists alike (📖 read our guide).
In response to increased tourism and the need for more sustainable urban areas, Athens has also introduced measures to restrict vehicle access in several central districts. This includes areas like Plaka and parts of Ermou Street, which have been transformed into pedestrian-only spaces to improve accessibility and reduce pollution.
🛎️ Magical moments. For an unforgettable stay in the Greek capital, we have selected hotels with views of the Acropolis, or even with a rooftop pool.
Amsterdam, Netherlands – 112 km
Amsterdam has always distinguished itself through its commitment to a pedestrian- and cyclist-centric urban space, reflecting a holistic approach to sustainable urban mobility. It therefore naturally deserves its place in this ranking of “walkable cities” in Europe.
The city has implemented policies to significantly increase pedestrian spaces, particularly in central areas frequented by tourists and residents. Iconic spaces like Vondelpark, often compared to New York’s Central Park, offer a peaceful refuge with dedicated pedestrian walkways, highlighting the importance of access to urban green spaces.
In addition to promoting green spaces, Amsterdam has also restricted car access in many neighbourhoods, thereby increasing exclusively pedestrian and cycle-friendly areas.
Malaga, Spain – 103 km
Malaga is undergoing a transformation to become a more pedestrian-friendly city, particularly with the coastal development project, which plans to convert large areas into pedestrian zones. This ambitious project includes the construction of an underground parking garage to reduce surface car traffic and thus increase the space dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists. The cost of this project is estimated at around 408 million euros, with a significant investment aimed at restricting access for the most polluting vehicles to the city centre.
Another major project in Malaga is the transformation of the Alameda Principal. With the extension of the Malaga metro to the Atarazanas market, this area has been redesigned to prioritize pedestrians. The works include the creation of wide sidewalks on both sides of the Alameda, significantly reducing the space allocated to car traffic.
Seville, Spain – 93 km
Seville is also renowned in Spain for its efforts to expand pedestrian zones in its historic centre, the largest in the country and one of the largest in Europe. The city has implemented pedestrianization processes to foster a more pleasant and less polluted urban environment. This transformation includes converting streets traditionally open to vehicles into exclusively pedestrian zones, enriching the tourist experience and improving the quality of life for residents.
A striking example of this transformation is the area around the Metropol Parasol, a spectacular wooden structure and one of the largest in the world, which has revitalized the Plaza de la Encarnación. This project not only reduces congestion but also integrates spaces for social and cultural activities, markets, and green spaces, creating community gathering places and tourist attractions.
Bilbao, Spain – 85 km
Located in the Spanish Basque Country, Bilbao stands out in Europe for its commitment to sustainable mobility and the increase of its pedestrian zones, making it one of the most committed cities in Spain in this area.
The city benefits from a predominantly flat geography, which facilitates walking and cycling for the majority of its residents. Furthermore, improvements such as widened sidewalks and the installation of elevators and escalators encourage this trend by making the city more accessible and pleasant for pedestrians.
Zaragoza, Spain – 77 km
Yes, another Spanish city in this Top 15 list of pedestrian-friendly cities in Europe. Zaragoza has adopted a gradual approach to reducing car traffic and increasing pedestrian spaces, which has enriched the urban experience for both residents and visitors.
The city’s historic center, particularly the area around the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar and the Plaza del Pilar, has undergone a significant transformation. These streets, once choked with cars, are now completely redesigned pedestrian zones. They offer residents and visitors a spacious and welcoming area for strolling, relaxing, and enjoying the restaurants and shops.
In addition, projects like the Paseo Independencia , a grand avenue leading to the Plaza de España, offer a harmonious combination of commerce, leisure and culture, all within a pleasant pedestrian setting.
Genoa, Italy – 88 km
Genoa, the port city that has shaped Italy’s history, has incorporated extensive pedestrian zones into its city centre, particularly in the old town, where narrow, winding streets create an ideal environment for walking. Via Garibaldi, famous for its Renaissance palaces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the iconic streets transformed into a pedestrian zone. This transformation has not only improved access to the numerous historical and cultural sites but has also increased the area’s commercial appeal.
🧳 For your stay. If you plan to visit Genoa, don’t miss our selection of eight must-see activities in the city, as well as our list of the best hotels with sea views.
Dortmund, Germany – 83 km
Dortmund, located in the Ruhr industrial region of western Germany, has significantly integrated pedestrian zones into its city center to improve the accessibility and appeal of its urban spaces. Major shopping streets like Westenhellweg and Ostenhellweg have become entirely pedestrianized, fostering a more pleasant and safer shopping experience. These streets, lined with department stores and diverse boutiques, attract both locals and tourists with their wide range of products at reasonable prices.
London, United Kingdom – 80 km
London, with its notoriously heavy traffic, has adopted several initiatives to transform its urban environment in favour of pedestrians. The “Walkable London” plan, proposed by Zaha Hadid Architects, aims to create a comprehensive network of pedestrian routes across the capital, thereby increasing activation corridors and reducing congestion and pollution. The objective is to make walking an integral part of daily life, which benefits public health, the economy, and social capital.
In addition, the city has experimented with traffic lights that prioritize pedestrians, aiming to reduce the dominance and speed of motorized traffic. These measures are part of London’s ambition to achieve “Vision Zero,” a plan to eliminate pedestrian deaths and increase safety throughout the city.
If you are planning a short stay there, don’t miss our guide to London, as well as our selection of hotels with the best views of the city.
Milan, Italy – 62 km
Milan, the fashion capital and one of Italy’s largest metropolises, has made great strides in pedestrianizing its city, especially in its historic centre and around key shopping areas. Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, one of Milan’s most famous streets, has been transformed into a pedestrian zone, connecting Piazza del Duomo to Piazza San Babila. Lined with fashion boutiques and cafes, it offers an attractive shopping experience without the inconvenience of motorized traffic.
In addition to commercial zones, Milan has implemented strict limited traffic zone (LTZ) policies, which regulate vehicle access to the city centre in order to reduce pollution and improve air quality.
So, we hope that this selection of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in Europe has helped you, if you enjoy walking, to choose your next destination.