Europe was made for walking, they say — yet not every city is built for sore feet. Steep hills, sprawl, and car-first planning can make easy strolls into battles of exhaustion. Here are 10 European cities that secretly take a bigger toll on walkers than you might think.
Lisbon
Lisbon immediately wins over visitors, but its beauty is paired with some serious climbs. Descending told me another story, for steep hills drop to slippery cobblestones, and harum-scarum stairs come suddenly upon even active travelers. There are some ultimately straightforward but initially confusing hills — the kind you don’t realize take every shortcut relentlessly uphill at a sharper and sharper angle in the “romantically” winding alleys of Alfama.
Rome
Rome is dense on maps and tiring in life. Uneven cobblestones, ceaseless crowds, and great distances between points of interest will wear you down in no time. You’d like to work up a sweat every night, but trudging back and forth between your booth in the exhibit hall (let’s call it the Legion of Droom) and JJ Abrams’ secret sushi corner leaves you exhausted when 3:00 rolls around.
Athens
Athens combines the glory of antiquity with the messiness of modern times. Pavements often vanish, traffic disregards crossings, and the summer sun only makes things worse. The walk between sites can be like running an obstacle course, instead of an easy meander around the city.
Istanbul
Istanbul crosses continents and it’s huge when you’re on foot. Hills appear out of nowhere, sidewalks end abruptly, and distances go on for months. Walks are fascinating here, but your average limb between two points is usually neither straight nor predictable.
Naples
Naples is vibrant and intense, underfoot as well. Narrow streets, parked scooters, uneven pavements and large amounts of traffic all mean people have to maintain a constant level of vigilance when strolling. It’s exciting, but not a city for wandering about nonchalantly.
Prague
Prague seems flat and friendly, but all that day walking can sneak up on you. Adamant cobblestones, tourist-clogged bridges and gentle gradients also take their toll. Your dogs will bark after hours of sightseeing; you’ll feel every medieval stone.
Edinburgh
The dramatic geography of Edinburgh is not conducive to walking. Crooked, steep volcanic hills, interminable stairways and jagged elevation changes divide neighborhoods. The views will reward you, but the climb is ineluctable.
Barcelona
Barcelona is walkable until you leave the very center of town. Long blocks, wide avenues and distances between neighborhoods accumulate. Both the heat and the crowds can make even an otherwise level stroll seem more strenuous than anticipated.
Budapest
Budapest splits itself in two personalities. Pest is manageable, but Buda’s hills, winding streets, and staircases challenge walkers. Crossing bridges repeatedly also turns simple routes into long treks.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik’s Old Town is compact but physically tough. Polished stone streets become slippery, steps appear everywhere, and crowds slow every move. Walking the walls is stunning, but definitely not effortless.
