The best city walking tours around the world
If you like to travel in cities instead of hiking in the wilderness, then you’re probably a walking tour fan. There is no better way to explore a new city than by foot, especially if the city infrastructure allows it. Before choosing your next destination, it’s going to be useful to learn a little bit more about the world’s most “walkable” cities. Walking tours can be a real enjoyment if you choose the right city and if you don’t have to worry about getting lost. It feels good sometimes to go out and walk in a new city without all the navigating logistics. Here are the world’s best walker-friendly cities.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Besides being the number one cycling city in the world, Amsterdam is also a perfect place for all tourists that enjoy walking tours. Its flat and clean streets allow you to wander around for miles and always feel on the right path. The city sits on 17th-century canals that make Amsterdam also known as the “Venice of the North.” Jordaan Street should be your choice if you like to go shopping. If you are an artsy person, then walk to the Museum Square where you can see the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings in the world.
Sydney, Australia
Sydney offers a wide variety of splendid walking tours inside the city. If you have a couple of days to spend here and explore the beauties of this cosmopolitan place, you won’t regret it. Start with the Royal Botanic Gardens if you want to have an endless walk enjoying the cities oldest greenery. On the next day, you can check out the unique architecture of Sydney Opera House and its “shell” roof. Visit The Rocks if you like to see how the first convict settlement turned into a famous bar area. If this is not enough and you miss some sand beneath your toes, then try the 3-mile walk between Bondi and Coogee beaches.
Cape Town, South Africa
A relaxed walk through the cobblestone streets of Bo-Kaap in Cape Town is a unique experience that will make every person who visits South Africa happy. For an even more exciting journey, take a cable car ride to the plateau of Table Mountain where you can have a 2-mile walk and admire the gorgeous vistas of the entire city from above. All the history buffs can take a walking tour on the nearby Robben Island and visit the prison cell where South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his life.
San Francisco, California, USA
San Francisco is one of the best cities in the world to do a walking tour. Here everybody can find their favorite walk and enjoy this epic American city. You can go to Haight-Ashbury and learn about the Summer of Love from 1967 where thousands of young enthusiasts were meeting there. Also, you can walk the Hippie Hills accompanied by the rhythm of circus drums, jugglers, and smiling faces all around. If you prefer a more tranquil walk, then check out San Francisco Bay for some extra ocean breeze. For a spectacular ending of your San Francisco visit, walk the 1.7- mile long iconic Golden Gate Bridge and make some memorable photos.
Jerusalem’s Old City
The Old City in Jerusalem is one of the most inspiring melting pots in the world. The city is surrounded by walls from the time of the Ottoman Empire and has seven gates that allow visitors to enter the city. The most popular gate is the Jaffa Gate where you can easily find a cab because around this area there is the biggest circulation of people. The city itself is divided into four sections including Jewish, Armenian, Christian, and Muslim. Start your walking tour by visiting ancient examples of the three religions: the Jewish Western Wall, the Muslim Dome of the Rock and the Christian Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Make a stop on the way to taste some delicious falafel or talk to the locals.
Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux, also known as “small Paris,” is an incredibly beautiful city in France, perfect for a walking tour. The best shopping area where you can walk for hours is Rue Sainte-Catherine. If you want to see some more, head to the waterfront Quai de Bacalan where you can find many cafes and restaurants and enjoy your afternoon like a local.
Depending on your city taste and what it is that you like to experience on your travels, choose one of these amazing city walking tours that will feed your eyes and your mind, and help you lose some calories. Don’t forget to bring a pair of extra-comfy footwear that will allow you to enjoy each city you visit, blister-free. No matter what your choice is, you won’t regret it. Good luck!
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