Seeing the sights on holiday always sounds good on paper, but in reality it can often involve faff and the cost of renting a car or navigating the unfathomable public transport network.
Sign up for a city break to see – and get 10,000 steps a day while you’re at it.
Need some inspiration? European travel experts have shared the destinations they can meet with MailOnline Travel.
All of these cities have something unique to offer – and they’re all easy to explore on foot.
Read about the lowdown on a Spanish spot with a narrow driveway, an English seaside spot with 150 gardens, a walkable French town with a ‘beautiful river’ and more…
Seville, Spain
Seville has winding streets that are ‘narrow’ and ‘forbidden to most traffic’
‘Seville is a city built for walking,’ says the team at Lonely Planet.
In fact, the ‘winding road’ in the ‘historic core’ of the city ‘so narrow’ they ‘prohibit most traffic’.
The team added: ‘Traffic-free cobbled streets, riverside promenades, parks and squares mean there are plenty of reference points to help you avoid getting lost.’
Stockholm, Sweden
‘Stockholm’s architecture, food scene, museums and galleries are all worth exploring,’ says Justin at Responsible Travel. Pictured here is Stockholm’s old town
Justin Francis, founder of Responsible Travel, loves exploring cities on foot because he says ‘that’s where you find the culture and character that come alive in a place’.
He recommends Stockholm as a worth walkable destination, saying: ‘It is a city rich in green space and culture – and fantastic to explore on foot or bike.’
The Swedish capital’s ‘long summer days are perfect for walking tours’, while in December ‘you can stroll through the cozy and atmospheric Christmas markets’.
The expert added: ‘Stockholm’s architecture, food scene, museums and galleries are all worth exploring.’
Oxford, UK
Oxford’s main attractions are all easily accessible on foot, travel experts say
Oxford’s ‘compact layout and footpaths’ make it an ideal place for a walkable city break, says Gareth Mills, UK country manager at AllTrails.
He added: ‘The city’s main tourist attractions, including historic colleges, beautiful streets and cultural landmarks, are all easily accessible on foot.
‘Oxford’s pedestrian zones and rich heritage also create an ideal environment for those who enjoy walking.’
AllTrails has 60 recommended walking routes in Oxford, including the popular Oxford Tour Circular, which matches some of the city’s top attractions, including the historic Bear Inn.
Bordeaux, France
‘Bordeaux is fairly flat with most of the main sights set amidst streets that spur from the stunning river,’ says Clare at Travel Counselors
Clare Payne of Travel Counsellors, said the port city of Bordeaux, in the wine-growing region of western France, is one of her favorite walkable cities.
The expert said: ‘The city is average with most of the main sights located in the middle of the streets that spur from the beautiful river.
‘Make sure you check out the Miroir d’eau (Water Mirror), which is a great place in town near the river and also fun for kids.’
You can find recommended walking routes on the Bordeaux Tourism website, including an 8km (4.9 mile) walk that takes in all the city’s main attractions.
Bruges, Belgium
Rozenhoedkaai (pictured above), otherwise known as Rosary Quay, is one of the best sights in ‘compact’ Bruges.
Bruges, in north-west Belgium, is a ‘walkable city’, says Clare Payne.
He told MailOnline: ‘The city is compact enough that you can easily reach all the main sights.
The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is full of beautiful, cobbled streets. Don’t miss Rozenhoedkaai, otherwise known as Rosary Quay, for the perfect social media picture.’
Athens, Greece
‘Wherever you walk in the Greek capital, the ancients have walked before you,’ says Lonely Planet
The Greek capital is ‘easily tackled on foot’, says the expert travel team at Lonely Planet.
They say: ‘Strolls through neighborhoods like the old town of Plaka, the famous flea market of Monastiraki and the hip Pangrati are highlights.’
As an added bonus for history buffs, ‘wherever you walk in Greece’s storied capital, the ancients have walked before’, says Lonely Planet.
Brighton, UK
Brighton’s compact layout means visitors can walk between ‘various attractions’
Gareth at AllTrails said: ‘Brighton is celebrated for its walkability thanks to its vibrant, pedestrian-friendly city center and its famous seafront and undercliff promenade, which offers 13km (eight miles) of off-road trails.
The city’s compact layout allows visitors to walk easily between its many attractions, including eclectic shops, cafes, and cultural sites.’
Gareth is delighted with the city’s 150 parks, which mean visitors to the city are ‘never far from nature’.
However, he added: ‘Brighton Beach is not just for walking as the rocks are a serious challenge.’ Tourists are better off sticking to the paved seafront, which has enough cafes, bars and ice cream parlors to ‘appreciate the walkers’.
Koblenz, Germany
Walkable Koblenz in Germany sits ‘in a super location at the crossroads of Europe’s two great rivers – the Rhine and the Moselle (above)’
The team at Byway, a free-flight travel company, recommends tourists choose small towns if they’re looking for an accessible destination.
He likes Koblenz in Germany, which is situated ‘in a super location at the junction of the two great rivers of Europe – the Rhine and the Moselle’.
Koblenz, they note, is a ‘pleasant old town’ with a ‘riverside walk’.
The Koblenz tourism board recommends exploring the city’s old town to ‘discover hidden gems’ and ‘experience the traditional half-timbered architecture up close’.
Byway adds that the city is also a ‘great base’ for out-of-town tours to the wider area.