The Most Walkable Cities on Earth
Seoul is the best city to walk, followed by Edinburgh.
Walking is one of the best ways to experience a city. It allows people to discover local neighborhoods, historic landmarks, restaurants, parks, shops, and cultural attractions at their own pace.
According to Time Out’s 2026 survey of more than 24,000 city residents, the world’s most walkable cities are places where locals believe exploring on foot is particularly easy and enjoyable.
At the top of the ranking are Seoul and Edinburgh, which both received an impressive walkability score of 93 percent. Seoul demonstrates that even a huge and densely populated city can be pedestrian-friendly.
Its safe streets, neighborhood districts, and innovative walking infrastructure, including the Cheonggyecheon Stream walkway and Seoullo 7017, make exploring the South Korean capital on foot appealing.
Edinburgh, meanwhile, is more compact, with attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town, and Calton Hill within relatively easy walking distance, although its hills and cobblestones can make walking more challenging.
New York City ranks third with 91 percent. Its famous street grid makes many parts of Manhattan particularly easy to navigate, while neighborhoods in Brooklyn also offer excellent opportunities for walking. Copenhagen follows with 90 percent, benefiting from its compact layout, pedestrian zones, and famous car-free streets such as Strøget.
Oslo receives 89 percent, reflecting its efforts to prioritize pedestrians and reduce car traffic in the city center. Stockholm and Paris both score 88 percent. Stockholm’s bridges and well-maintained pathways connect its many islands, while Paris has expanded pedestrian areas and reduced car traffic, making its streets more pleasant for walking.
In eighth place is Singapore, with a score of 86 percent. Its extensive covered walkways are particularly valuable in a tropical climate, protecting pedestrians from intense sunshine and sudden rain. Helsinki scores 85 percent, offering a compact urban environment and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure such as Baana, a traffic-free route for walkers and cyclists.
Finally, Kraków completes the top ten with 83 percent. Its historic Old Town and neighboring Kazimierz district are especially suitable for walking because many areas are pedestrianized and closely connected.
Overall, Time Out’s ranking shows that walkability is not limited to small cities. From Seoul’s modern infrastructure to Kraków’s historic streets, these cities demonstrate how thoughtful urban design, safety, accessibility, and pedestrian-friendly spaces can make walking an enjoyable part of city life.