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The Walkability of Global Cities: Insights from All Clear Travel Insurance

If the convenience of exploring a city on foot, while indulging in local shops, cafes, and attractions, is a priority for your travel plans, careful selection of your next destination is essential.

All Clear Travel Insurance recently released a study in July, highlighting which cities are the most and least walkable worldwide. The analysis included over 240 popular travel destinations across the globe. Researchers utilized topographic maps to assess each city’s elevation and the variation between their highest and lowest points, leading to an overall difficulty score that indicates how easy it is to navigate the area on foot. This extensive evaluation aimed to uncover cities that offer a pedestrian-friendly experience, inviting travelers to immerse themselves in local life.

While the Dutch cities of Rotterdam and Amsterdam emerged as the top contenders for walkability, another European location did not perform as well. Granada, Spain, was identified as the seventh least walkable city globally and holds the distinction of being the least walkable city in Europe.

Nestled in southern Spain, Granada boasts an elevation of 2,241 feet, featuring steep inclines and declines that can challenge even seasoned travelers. Nonetheless, for those who don’t mind a physical challenge, exploring the city by foot is quite feasible. Granada’s compact layout and narrow streets may actually lend themselves better to pedestrians than vehicles, particularly in its historic Old Town.

Alicia Benito, a specialist in Spanish language and culture at Promova, captured the essence of Granada’s charm when she remarked, “Granada is the perfect mix of history, amazing sights, and a very lively culture. The locals know how to enjoy life to the fullest. There are vibrant street markets, cozy tapas bars on almost every corner, and passionate flamenco performances across Sacromonte. It evokes a magical atmosphere that captivates visitors.”

Considering Granada’s ranking as the seventh least walkable city, one might wonder about the level of difficulty we might encounter in other locations. For comparison, La Paz, Bolivia, topped the list as the least walkable city, likely presenting even greater challenges for pedestrians.

In contrast, other cities like Venice, Italy; New Orleans; Kolkata, India; Cancun, Mexico; Abu Dhabi; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Miami; and Bangkok were celebrated for their excellent walkability, offering travelers numerous opportunities to explore vibrant urban landscapes on foot.

For a comprehensive look at the rankings and further insights, visit allcleartravel.co.uk.

Source
www.travelandleisure.com