This City Was Just Named the World’s Most Walkable — and It's Also Known as the 'Bike Capital of the World'

Amsterdam boasts an extensive network of bike paths and a flat landscape that encourages discovering the city on foot.

Walkability, the ease of accessing city amenities on foot, is a key feature of many of the world’s “best” cities. Beyond mere convenience, walkable cities promote a reduced reliance on cars, which in turn can lessen a city's environmental impact and bolster its local economy.

To identify the world's most walkable cities, the medical travel insurance experts at AllClear analyzed topographic data from more than 240 cities, evaluating each based on its average elevation and elevation range. Amsterdam emerged as the top city for walkability, achieving a walking difficulty score of 20.1 out of 100. (The lower the score, the better.) Amsterdam’s extensive network of pedestrian-friendly streets further supports its top ranking.

Known as the "Bike Capital of the World," Amsterdam boasts an extensive network of approximately 250 miles of bike paths and a flat landscape that encourages discovering the city on foot. The city has a wealth of art galleries, historical sites, and vibrant nightlife to explore, and famous landmarks like the Anne Frank House, Royal Palace, and Centraal Station are all easily accessible by foot. Strolling along Amsterdam’s famous canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can admire beautiful gabled canal houses and numerous pedestrian bridges.

For a truly luxurious stay, head to De L’Europe Amsterdam, a 107-room neoclassical property with a prized location overlooking the Amstel River. Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam, the city’s oldest hotel, first opened in 1815, features extraordinary suites such as the Rembrandt Suite, where the famous painting The Night Watch by the Dutch master once hung.

Much is the same for Rotterdam, the second-largest city in the Netherlands, which takes second place with a score of 20.7 points and has numerous pedestrian zones and car-free areas.

The remaining top five walkable cities are Venice; New Orleans; and Kolkata, India. While European cities dominate the top 20, with eight spots, Asia also features prominently, with six cities making the list. The United Arab Emirates has two spots (Abu Dhabi in seventh and Dubai in 14th), while Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia’s capital cities take a spot each (eighth, 10th, and 20th, respectively).

For a complete list and to learn more about the methodology, visit allcleartravel.co.uk.

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