These Are the World’s Most Walkable Cities, According to a New Study
As cities get more crowded and cars become more expensive, walking is becoming less of a luxury and more of a lifestyle goal.
With more than 1.6 billion vehicles now on the road worldwide, many people are actively seeking out cities where daily life doesn’t require a car. Places where you can do errands on foot, rely on public transit, and have safe streets and neighborhoods designed for people, not traffic.
To see which cities get it right, researchers at Compare the Market Australia analyzed 90 cities around the world, ranking them across eight factors, including access to services, car-free spaces, public transport costs, safety, rainfall, cycling routes, and commuting habits.
Here are the most walkable cities in the world for this year.
1. Prague
Prague takes the top spot as the world’s most walkable city in 2025. More than 80% of residents live within one kilometer of a car-free space, and everyday essentials like schools and healthcare are typically within walking distance.
The city also scores high for safety and affordability, with inexpensive public transport filling in the gaps when walking isn’t practical. Thanks to its compact layout, historic neighborhoods, and pedestrian-friendly streets, Prague makes it easy to live car-free without feeling limited. (It’s also recently ranked as one of the cleanest cities in the world.)
2. Vienna
Vienna’s reputation as one of the world’s most livable cities extends naturally to walkability. Roughly three-quarters of residents live close to both services and car-free areas, and the city’s layout encourages walking as part of everyday life.
Reliable public transit, strong safety scores, and manageable weather conditions help make walking a year-round option. From wide boulevards to leafy parks and plazas, Vienna feels designed with pedestrians in mind.
3. Tokyo
Tokyo proves that even a megacity can be highly walkable. Despite its massive population, most residents live close to essential services, and many neighborhoods function almost like small towns within the larger city.
The transport system is famously efficient and affordable, safety scores are high, and walking is deeply built into daily routines. While rainfall is higher than in many European cities, locals adapt easily — umbrellas included.
4. Wroclaw
Often overlooked by international travelers, Wroclaw, Poland, ranks among the world’s most pedestrian-friendly cities. A large share of residents live near car-free zones and essential services, and the city scores well for safety and affordability.
Its moderate climate and scenic riverside paths make walking practical as well as enjoyable. Wroclaw’s mix of historic squares and modern infrastructure gives it big-city convenience without big-city sprawl.
5. Warsaw
Warsaw rounds out the top five thanks to strong public transport, expanding pedestrian zones, and relatively low living costs for commuters. While it’s a larger capital city, much of daily life remains accessible on foot.
The city’s growing network of car-free squares and efficient transit system make walking a realistic option even for longer distances, especially compared to similarly sized cities elsewhere.
Other Cities That Made the Top 10
- London ranked sixth, boosted by its extensive walking paths and transit network
- Madrid and Stockholm followed, helped by relatively low rainfall
- Lisbon stood out for easy access to services
- Helsinki ranked tenth, with a high share of residents living near car-free spaces
How the U.S. and Australia Compare
Outside Europe and Asia, walkability drops sharply. Sydney placed 19th, Melbourne came in at 37th, and New York City was the highest-ranked U.S. city — at 61st overall.
The findings also highlight just how wide the gap is between pedestrian-friendly cities and those built almost entirely around cars. For a look at the opposite end of the spectrum, a separate analysis breaks down the least walkable cities in the world — and why getting around on foot can be such a challenge in those places.
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