A city which is walkable allows your feet to ride on its own so that your travel budget is taken care of. You need not sift through the transportation and try to find your way in a place that speaks an unknown language. Here are some walker-friendly cities that provide a personalized feel to secure the best in health and rejuvenation, allowing you to concentrate on your walking tours without the pain of sorting through logistics.
Sydney
Here’s a city that comes with a cosmopolitan flair, with impressive views, to make your walking easier. Inhale the aroma near the Royal Botanic Gardens, one of the oldest in Australia, or visit the Sydney Opera House to unfurl the ‘shells’ on its roof. For an old-world feel, visit The Rocks, the first settlement for convicts. Today, the place is the ground for liberated bars, cafes and galleries. Those who are more into the beach mindset can walk the cliffs between Coogee and Bondi beaches. The stretch is all of 3 miles, so be prepared with sunscreen, a wide-brimmed fedora and there you go!
Cape Town
The cobbled lanes of Bo-Kaap are remnants of a Muslim slave township in the era of Dutch colonialism. Visit Table Mountain in a cable car and walk the plateau for a couple of miles to behold a panoramic view of the city. Around 7 miles, and you are at Robben Island, a reformatory from the 17th century to the 20th century. Located off the coast, the island is home to the cell that had been occupied by Nobel Laureate and former President Nelson Mandela for a span of 18 years. Here, he had started a rock pile which has been added to by other governmental prisoners.
San Francisco
Welcome to the laid back streets of San Francisco. This is where you can revisit the North Beach which is home to the Beat culture. Around 100000 youth had assembled at Haight-Ashbury for the Summer of Love in 1967. Other highlights of the walking tour could be a dash for the Hippie Hills, the place of convergence for jugglers, happy people and drum circles. If you are thirsty for some open air, walk the promenade at San Francisco Bay. Traveling down 2 miles will bring you to Fisherman’s Wharf, The Embarcadero, where the local ambiance is constituted by local performance artists, fishing vessels and sea lions. Don’t forget the Golden Gate Bridge, which is the world’s most photographed bridge.
Amsterdam
The capital of Netherlands offers an invigorating version of walks which are possible due to its clean and wide streets. The walking tour can start with the city’s most conspicuous feature – its concentric canals that date back to the 17th century. Over 100 miles long, these have earned Amsterdam the title of ‘Venice of the North’. Jordaan is ideal for the shopping bugs with its open air markets and boutiques. Art fanatics can check out Museum Square which houses the biggest collection of van Gogh’s creations, the artist who was infamous as an arduous walker.
Old City, Jerusalem
You can enter this city of 3000 years from one of the 7 gates, the most popular being the Jaffa Gate as it is suitable for hiring cabs. The imposing Ottoman walls from the 16th century divide the city into 4 quarters – Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim. The Western Wall stands for Jewish faith, the Dome of the Rock for Muslim faith, while the Holy Sepulcher is testimony to Christian faith. Take the walk downwards with falafel or pizza.
Bordeaux
The medieval French town might not be perfect for vehicles, but they are certainly superb for your feet! Situated along the Garonne River, this tiny town is nicknamed, ‘Little Paris’. The Rue Sainte-Catherine is just what shoppers and walkers look for. The Rue is one of the Continent’s longest shopping streets. Retire in peace at the Quai de Bacalan waterfront that abounds in cafés and restaurants.
