This City Has Been Declared the World’s Most Walkable — and It’s Also Renowned as the 'Bike Capital of the World'

Walkability, or the convenience of accessing city amenities on foot, is a vital characteristic of many of the world’s top cities. Beyond simple convenience, walkable cities encourage less reliance on cars, thereby reducing their environmental footprint and boosting local economies.

To determine the world’s most walkable cities, the medical travel insurance specialists at AllClear examined topographic data from over 240 cities, assessing each based on average elevation and elevation range. Amsterdam rose to the top as the best city for walkability, scoring a walking difficulty rating of 20.1 out of 100. (The lower the score, the more favorable it is.) Amsterdam’s comprehensive network of pedestrian-friendly streets reinforces its leading position.

Revered as the "Bike Capital of the World," Amsterdam features a vast network of roughly 250 miles of bike paths and a flat terrain that promotes exploration on foot. The city is rich in art galleries, historical landmarks, and a lively nightlife, with iconic sites such as the Anne Frank House, Royal Palace, and Centraal Station all easily reachable by walking. As visitors wander through Amsterdam’s renowned canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, they can take in the stunning gabled canal houses and numerous pedestrian bridges.

For an opulent getaway, visit De L’Europe Amsterdam, a 107-room neoclassical hotel boasting a prime location along the Amstel River. Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam, the city’s oldest hotel, opened its doors in 1815 and offers remarkable suites like the Rembrandt Suite, where the famous painting The Night Watch by the Dutch master was once displayed.

The same holds true for Rotterdam, the Netherlands' second-largest city, which ranks second with a score of 20.7 points, featuring many pedestrian-friendly zones and car-free areas.

The other cities rounding out the top five most walkable locations are Venice, New Orleans, and Kolkata, India. While European cities lead the top 20 with eight entries, Asia is also well represented with six cities on the list. The United Arab Emirates contributes two cities, with Abu Dhabi in seventh place and Dubai in fourteenth. Additionally, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia's capital cities each secured a spot, ranking eighth, tenth, and twentieth, respectively.

To see the full list and learn more about the methodology used, visit allcleartravel.co.uk.