Intro
In recent years, city breaks — short trips to other cities for a slower pace of отдых, exploring local attractions and cuisine — have been growing in popularity. GuruWalk, a service specializing in organizing walking tours, has released a ranking of the world’s 100 best cities for walking, based on an analysis of bookings and search queries on its website from April 2023 to April 2024.
The ranking is topped by Rome, Italy’s capital, thanks to the huge number of world-famous sights that are walkable, from the Colosseum to the Pantheon. GuruWalk experts highlight the sheer volume of monuments and excursions, making Rome a preferred destination for walking travelers.
Spain stands out as the most walkable country, with 28 cities in the list, underlining the breadth of walking opportunities across the country. France and the United Kingdom are also noted for their walking routes.
What this GuruWalk ranking tells us
The ranking is based on GuruWalk bookings and search queries from April 2023 to April 2024.
#1 is Rome — packed with walkable landmarks and a huge range of tours.
Spain is the most “walkable” country in the list, with 28 cities featured.
The top 10 is fully European; the best non-European city is Medellín (ranked 24th).
The list reinforces how walking can be one of the most rewarding ways to explore a city.
Best cities in the world for walking
Top 10:
The top 10 is entirely made up of European cities, highlighting the continent’s rich culture and history. However, the best non-European city is Colombia’s Medellín, ranking 24th — a sign of growing interest in diverse walking-friendly destinations worldwide.
This ranking underlines the importance of walking in travel, offering visitors unique opportunities to explore cities.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
What to do
Go for a city break: a relaxed pace focused on landmarks, local neighborhoods, and food.
Choose cities where major sights are walkable — Rome’s Colosseum-to-Pantheon density is the classic example.
Add a walking tour or guided excursion for extra context; GuruWalk specializes in this format.
1-day itinerary
Morning: pick one walkable district and explore it slowly — the essence of a city break.
Midday: focus on the “must-sees” within walking distance and pause for local cuisine.
Evening: finish with a relaxed stroll and, if you like, a short guided walk to connect the story of the city.
2-day itinerary
Day 1: cover the classic walkable core and major landmarks (Rome is highlighted for exactly this).
Day 2: slow down — neighborhoods, food spots, and the “everyday city” you only notice on foot.
Add a walking tour or excursion for extra depth; the ranking emphasizes the availability of tours in top cities.
How to get there
For a city break, pick destinations with a compact center and sights close together — the entire ranking is built around walkability.
The top 10 being fully European is a good clue: Europe often offers dense, historic cores that are ideal for exploring on foot.
FAQ: city breaks & walking tours
What is a city break?
A short getaway to a city for relaxed sightseeing, local experiences, and food.
What is the GuruWalk ranking based on?
Bookings and search queries on GuruWalk’s website from April 2023 to April 2024.
Why is Rome ranked #1?
Because of its density of walkable landmarks and the large number of monuments and tours available.
Which country has the most cities on the list?
Spain, with 28 cities featured.
Which cities are in the top 10?
Rome, Budapest, Barcelona, Madrid, Florence, Lisbon, Prague, Amsterdam, London, Porto.
Why is the top 10 fully European?
The ranking’s top 10 is made up entirely of European cities, highlighting the continent’s culture and history.
What is the top non-European city?
Medellín (Colombia), ranked 24th.
Why is walking so important when traveling?
It gives you a unique way to explore a city and notice details you often miss when using transport.
Does the list suggest guided tours?
Yes — it mentions a large number of monuments and excursions, especially in top cities like Rome.
Where can I read about some of the top cities?
Several cities are linked to Admiral.Travel pages in the top list (Rome, Budapest, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Prague, Amsterdam).
Why isn’t a publication date shown?
This page format doesn’t display dates, but the ranking period (April 2023–April 2024) is preserved in the text.
Are France and the UK mentioned?
Yes — both are noted for their walking routes.
What type of trip does this ranking encourage?
Short urban trips (city breaks) that focus on relaxed exploration on foot.
Is the full ranking shown here?
No — the text highlights the top 10 and mentions the overall top 100 ranking.
What’s the key takeaway?
Walking is a powerful way to experience a city, and the ranking points you toward destinations built for it.
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