Italy’s most walkable city is one of Europe’s prettiest holiday destinations

Love exploring on foot when you’re on holiday? Some cities are much more walkable than others. Luckily, Europe is packed with walkable destinations.

Italy is one of the world’s most visited countries with more than 60 million tourists holidaying there each year. But what is the country’s most walkable destination?

According to research by Tourlane, Florence is Italy’s most walkable city with just 0.5 miles between the city’s top five attractions.

In fact, Florence was the first city in Europe to have paved streets after it used donations from wealthy merchants to do so in 1339.

Florence does tend to get very busy during peak season if you’re looking to book a holiday, it might be best to wait until the autumn to travel.

Start your day at the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s iconic shop-filled bridge. The bridge was the only one in the city to survive World War II.

It’s closed to vehicles which makes it the ideal spot to start your walk, although you might have to dodge the souvenir-hunting tourists.

From the Ponte Vecchio, head to the Uffizi Gallery on the riverbank. Botticelli’s Birth of Venus is the standout attraction at the Uffizi while the gallery also houses Michelangelo and da Vinci.

After the gallery, check out Piazza della Signoria, the city’s central square. Shaped like a W, the square is a common meeting point.

From the Piazza della Signoria, wander to the Piazza del Duomo, the city’s historic heart. While there, visit the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

One of the world’s largest churches, it was completed in the 1400s and the complex dominates Florence’s skyline.

All the sites are located within a 15 minute walking radius, leaving plenty of time to sample some local delicacies.

Try tagliatelle with truffle and porcini mushrooms or pappardelle with wild boar. For dessert, don’t miss cantucci.

The small almond cookies are often served with vin santo, a form of amber dessert wine which softens the cookies.