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Munich Tops the List of Most Walkable Cities in the World

Recent research has identified the most pedestrian-friendly cities around the globe, with Munich, Germany taking the top spot. This analysis follows earlier studies that recognized Florence, Italy as a leading walkable destination.

Exploring a new city is a key element of travel, and walking is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience a destination. While some cities are equipped for long walks, others may pose challenges to pedestrians. For instance, residents of Lisbon often note that its hilly terrain can make walking a workout rather than a leisurely activity.

Nevertheless, certain cities not only support walking but actively promote it. According to an analysis by Compare the Market AU, Munich stands out as a premier location for walkers.

Methodology

The analysis by this home loan marketplace evaluated multiple cities for walkability by examining key factors such as annual rainfall, quantity of walking paths, safety metrics, public transport prices, availability of bicycle trails, and the presence of car-free zones. After compiling the data, Munich emerged as the leading city for pedestrians.

“Situated in Bavaria, Munich is ranked as the most walkable city globally, and for good reason,” the report explains. Key advantages include its extensive network of bike paths and the fact that 86 percent of residents live within one kilometer of car-free areas.

The report also highlights that despite Munich’s public transport system being the third most expensive, it achieved high safety ratings, crucial for pedestrians. Moreover, it ranks second for access to health care and educational facilities, with 85 percent of residents living in close proximity to such services.

Milan, Italy, follows closely in second place, credited for ensuring that 80 percent of its population is within one kilometer of educational and health services.

In third place is Warsaw, Poland, which benefits from its compact layout and affordable public transportation, with one-way tickets costing around $1.

Interestingly, the analysis reveals that nine out of the top ten walkable cities are located in Europe. Helsinki and Paris complete the top five, while Tokyo is noted for breaking the European dominance at sixth place. Madrid ranks seventh, followed by Oslo, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam, which round out the top ten.

Additionally, there are other walkable cities worldwide, with Sydney occupying the eleventh position and New York City, the highest-ranked U.S. city, sitting at number 34.

For a complete view of the rankings, visit comparethemarket.com.

Source
www.travelandleisure.com