Quick summary: Online searches for walkable destinations have surged by 55% as travellers increasingly reject fast- paced sightseeing in favour of slow, immersive urban exploration. Italy’s historic centres are leading this travel trend, with cities like Florence and Bologna offering pedestrian-friendly designs that naturally provide shade and climate resilience during extreme summer heatwaves. For public policy and urban planning, this shift in consumer behaviour underscores the profound well-being benefits of pedestrianised spaces, proving that investing in walkable infrastructure directly supports local tourism economies and enhances the mental health of residents and visitors alike.
Searches for walkable cities have increased by 55% in the last three months, reflecting a growing demand for slower, more immersive ways to explore destinations. Interest in guided experiences is also rising, with searches for Walks of Italy tours up 125% year on year.
With temperatures reaching 38°C in Italy this week, the slow travel trend is more relevant than ever. Italy’s historic cities are emerging as the ideal fit, built for walking and encouraging visitors to trade fast-paced sightseeing for leisurely days spent wandering between landmarks, cafes, and hidden streets.
Heather Green, Head of Product at Citalia, highlights Italy’s most accessible cities for exploring on foot, alongside her top tips for a walking-led getaway. Many of these destinations also lend themselves to multi-city itineraries, with popular routes including Venice, Florence, and Rome, Rome paired with Florence, and northern combinations such as Verona and Milan. Well-connected rail links make it simple to move between cities while continuing to explore each one on foot.
Florence
Recently recognised as Europe’s most walkable city, Florence has a compact historic centre where many landmarks sit within 500m–800m of each other. Searches for best walking tours in Florence have risen by 300% in the last three months. A morning can begin beneath the Duomo, followed by a 10-minute stroll to the Ponte Vecchio, while a slightly longer wander to Piazza Michelangelo rewards visitors with panoramic views at golden hour. This layout makes it easy to explore at a relaxed pace without relying on transport.
Venice
Built across a network of canals, Venice is a completely car-free city where exploring on foot is essential. Key landmarks such as the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Square are just 10–20 minutes apart on foot, and a typical day of sightseeing covers around 3–5 km. The city’s winding streets and more than 400 bridges mean routes are less direct, adding to the sense of discovery along the way.
Verona
Verona’s romantic and medieval charm is matched by its easy-to-navigate, largely flat terrain. Visitors can stroll from the Arena di Verona to Juliet’s House in around 10 minutes, with Castelvecchio also a short 10-minute walk away. The entire historic centre can be explored in a gentle 2–3 km loop, ideal for those looking to take in the city at a slower pace.
Bologna
Bologna’s streets are lined with 38 km of porticoes that provide shade in summer and shelter in cooler months. A short stroll connects Piazza Maggiore with the Two Towers in just minutes, while a longer, uninterrupted 3.8-km walk leads to the Sanctuary of San Luca under continuous cover. This design allows visitors to wander freely between historic landmarks, food markets, and cafes, making it one of the most weather-proof and walkable cities in Italy.
Rome
Rome‘s iconic landmarks are best explored in neighbourhood clusters. Within the historic centre, the Colosseum to Trevi Fountain takes around 20–25 minutes on foot, followed by a 10-minute stroll to the Pantheon and just 5 minutes on to Piazza Navona. However, with an urban footprint of over 100 square km, distances between key areas can stretch to 20–40 minutes, making Rome best experienced through hub-based walking combined with short journeys on public transport.
Milan
Milan brings a more modern take on walkable travel, with wide pavements, squares, and pedestrian-friendly streets. Its main attractions are largely concentrated within a 1–2 km radius, and the historic centre falls inside the low-traffic Area C zone, making it easy to navigate between Brera’s boutiques, Sforza Castle, and the greenery of Parco Sempione in one seamless walk.
Tips for a walkable Italian getaway
Heather Green, Head of Product at Citalia, said: “Exploring Italy on foot not only brings you closer to the destination but also creates those unplanned moments that often become the most memorable part of a trip. Many of Italy’s most beautiful cities were designed long before cars, which makes them perfect for slow, immersive travel.”
Green also shared her top tips for making the most of a walkable Italian holiday
- Wear comfortable footwear, as cobbled streets can be uneven, and supportive shoes are essential for all-day exploring.
- Embrace the aperitivo pause with a spritz, coffee, or gelato, and stay hydrated by topping up at Italy’s many public fountains.
- Head out early or later in the evening to avoid crowds, benefit from cooler temperatures, and see the cities lit at night.
- Consider booking a Citalia guided walking tour with a knowledgeable local guide.