Europe’s ‘most picturesque walkable city’ is less than 2 hours from the UK

When holidaying, the best way to discover a new city is on foot. Travelling to top sights and attractions, either by hire car or public transport, can be a little less relaxing.

Walking around a city allows tourists to immerse themselves in the local scenery, history, and vibrant culture –  but what’s the easiest city to walk around in Europe?

Travel site Motel One has compiled a list of the top 20 walkable cities in Europe, considering how many of the top attractions you would see along the way and how long it would take.

With a walking time of 30 minutes between 2.3 km, Bruges, located in the northwest of Belgium, has ranked number one on the list.

Bruges has a small population of around 120,000 people and last year, it saw a whopping seven million tourists visit the city. The seaside city is home to a plethora of museums and offers tourists the chance to delve into its rich history spanning various eras.

The Gruuthuse Museum, with over 600 exhibits, vividly brings to life the city’s Burgundian heyday, the ‘underexposed’ period during the 17th and 18th centuries, and the rediscovery of Bruges in the 19th century through stunning paintings, unique sculptures and more.

One of the city’s most iconic landmarks is the Belfry of Bruges, a medieval bell tower located in the city centre. This 83-metre-high tower, housing 47 bells, is one of the oldest examples of medieval urban and public architecture, earning it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Most visitors to Bruges are day trippers, and given the concentration of beautiful sites within the city centre, it’s possible to soak up much of the city’s charm in just a day. Travelling to Bruges is less than two hours from UK airports and just over three hours on the Eurostar. 

Reviewing their stay in Bruges, a reporter from the Express shared: “My favourite thing about Bruges was the small fairytale feeling of the city.

“Even though I did crave more to do and see after a couple of days, it’s a lovely little place to just walk around and enjoy. If you’re planning a visit, a weekend is enough time to see the city.”

If you’re keen to venture further, explore Bruges’ woods and wetlands or enjoy a leisurely stroll along the coast. It even boasts its own sandy beaches, with a regular tram service ferrying visitors from one resort to another.

Winter is also the perfect time to visit Bruges; according to Christmas.co.uk, the Belgium city is one of Europe’s most picturesque and has beautiful Christmas markets.

Explore around 150 market stalls as the city transforms the historic centre into a winter wonderland.