Travel search platform Skyscanner has named the Spanish city of Cordoba as the world's most convenient destination to explore on foot, leading a new index of emerging locations for short city breaks.
As reported by Euronews, the ranking highlights promising destinations outside the United States that offer easy navigation for pedestrians without the heavy tourist crowds of major hubs such as Berlin or Dubrovnik.
To compile the walkability index, analysts at the booking site examined flight data and evaluated each city across 14 distinct indicators. The criteria included the physical distance between primary landmarks, total walking routes, average elevation above sea level, local air quality and overall safety scores.
The resulting walkability index measured the total step count and time required to visit major attractions on foot. Researchers also incorporated urban population density, the number of walking trails within and around the city limits, and the total count of cultural sights.
The top 10 list features Japanese destinations Hiroshima and Nagasaki, alongside Victoria in Canada, while European cities claimed all remaining positions on the global index.
Evaluating the Top Pedestrian Destinations
Cordoba took first place in the ranking. Located in the heart of the southern Spanish region of Andalusia, the historic city is most famous for its majestic Mosque-Cathedral, known locally as La Mezquita. Skyscanner noted that tourists can walk between all of Cordoba's primary historical sites in approximately 26 minutes, with 29 designated walking routes available across the city and its surroundings.
Visitors to Cordoba can also explore its Old Town, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as the Viana Palace, the traditional Jewish quarter of La Juderia, and the medieval fortress of the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs.
Japanese coastal destinations Nagasaki and Hiroshima secured the next positions on the index. Both urban centers represent the only Asian locations featured in the top 10 selection.
Reggio Calabria in Italy ranked fourth overall. Situated along the coast in southern Italy on the toe of the Italian peninsula, the city features public artwork including the Rabarama sculptures on Via Marina street. The city is also home to the National Archaeological Museum of Magna Graecia.
According to Skyscanner data, visitors can walk to all main attractions in Reggio Calabria in roughly 25 minutes, covering an estimated 2,321 steps.
Luxury Havens and Green European Capitals
Monte Carlo in Monaco claimed fifth position on the list. Although the Mediterranean principality is widely associated with luxury sports cars and superyachts, researchers found it exceptionally well suited for pedestrian exploration. Tourists can stroll past streets lined with designer shops before taking in sea views along Rue des Remparts.
Additional landmarks highlighted in Monte Carlo include its luxurious harbour, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, Casino Square, and the private vintage car collection belonging to the Prince of Monaco.
Tartu, the second largest city in the Baltic nation of Estonia, took sixth place. Selected as a European Capital of Culture for 2024, the city adheres to sustainable development principles and recorded the lowest air pollution levels of any city in the index.
Key attractions for visitors walking through Tartu include the Estonian National Museum, Town Hall Square, and the botanical garden operated by the University of Tartu.
Alpine Valleys, Ottoman Heritage and Mountain Capitals
Bursa in Turkey ranked seventh on the index. A modern industrial center in northwestern Turkey, Bursa is famous for its Royal Springs, featuring thermal mineral waters that have been popular since Roman and Byzantine times. The city combines natural thermal waters with historical Ottoman heritage.
Travelers in Bursa can visit bustling local bazaars and historical landmarks, including the Tomb of Osman Gazi, the Great Mosque of Bursa, and the Koza Han bazaar, known for silk trading. Skyscanner reported that walking between Bursa's major attractions takes a tourist approximately one hour.
Bolzano in northern Italy took eighth place. Positioned in a valley surrounded by hills and vineyards, the city is widely referred to as the gateway to the Dolomites. Main sights can be viewed in approximately one hour of walking, including Waltherplatz square, Via dei Portici street, and the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology.
Bolzano boasts 505 walking routes across the city and surrounding region, representing the highest number of paths in the ranking. The Italian city was also rated as the safest location in the entire study.
Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, placed ninth in the global study. Set along the Miljacka River within the Dinaric Alps, the city offers visitors cultural walking stops including the Museum of Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide, alongside the Museum of War Childhood.
After walking, tourists can relax in one of Sarajevo's numerous cafes to experience local coffee culture. Other notable landmarks in the city include the historic City Hall, the vibrant Bascarsija bazaar, and the Latin Bridge. Victoria, the capital of the province of British Columbia located on Vancouver Island in Canada, rounded out the top 10 index.
Cycling Infrastructure Index Highlights Global Transit Trends
The walkability report follows previous research published on urban cycling infrastructure worldwide. In that earlier study, researchers surveyed more than 24,000 residents across major global metropolises to evaluate how easy it is to travel by bicycle in their respective cities.
That cycling ranking highlighted 20 cities where the largest proportion of surveyed residents rated local bicycle commuting conditions as either good or excellent.
