Compare the Market AU ranks the best and most ideal countries in the world in terms of walking, roads and population including Greece. Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras are well placed in the ranking.
With 1.475 billion vehicles in the world and around 8.1 billion people, there are about 182 cars for every 100,000 people. This means that there is a significant proportion of people in the world who cannot drive or do not have access to a car. If you are one of these people or if you simply prefer to navigate a city on foot instead of behind the wheel, then this article contains the best suggestions for you.
Experts at Compare the Market AU analysed a number of factors to see which cities in the world are the most walkable, looking at things like the number of walking paths, rainfall and how safe they are. In addition, they looked at public transport systems and cycling options, as both are vital alternatives when you don’t have a car.
Munich (5,297) took first place, followed by Milan (4,934) and Warsaw (4,902). In the European ranking of the 20 cities on the list, Athens was ranked 18th, Thessaloniki 19th and Patras 20th.
Thanks to its pedestrian-friendly city centre, high levels of safety and 1.4 million kilometres of stunning cycle paths, Munich is the winner! In second place was Milan , which has an even more impressive 1.9 million kilometres of cycle paths, and in third place was Warsaw , where 74% of the population lives within 1 km of a car-free zone.
Europe dominates this list by a country, with Tokyo being the only non-European city in 6th place.
These are the ten most walkable cities in the world according to the global ranking.
- Munich
- Milan
- Warsaw
- Helsinki
- Paris
- Tokyo
- Madrid
- Oslo
- Copenhagen
- Amsterdam
Following Munich in the world ranking is the Italian city of Milan with a score of 4,934. Known for its fashion and coffee, Milan is also great for walking to get where you need to go, with 80% of the population within a kilometre of health and education services.
Warsaw completes the top three, with an overall score of 4.902. The Polish metropolis of Warsaw is located on the Vistula River, with a total population of 3.1 million, but despite its size, the centre of Warsaw is walkable, with plenty to see on the way.
Known for its vibrant social scene and beautiful canals where people walk by, Amsterdam rounds out the top ten with a score of 4,538 out of 8. With the world’s third longest distance of cycle paths (1,090,608 km), Amsterdam offers an excellent infrastructure for locals and tourists alike to explore the city.
Europe dominated the list with other cities in the top ten, including Helsinki (4.840), Paris (4.776) and Madrid (4.740). However, Tokyo (4.761) was the first non-European city to make the list, coming in sixth place.
Compare the Market’s director general, Stephen Zeller, says that access to healthcare and education services through to parks, cafes and libraries has an impact on the housing market. “Considering transportation and amenities is a critical step in evaluating a potential home,” Zeller explains.
“This means looking at public transportation connections and seeing how far away your nearest stop is, what time and frequency they run, as well as identifying routes that feel safe to walk. Keep in mind that the most desirable areas will generally cost more, which means you may need a larger home loan than you originally budgeted for. Using a loan strength calculator and downloading property reports can help with budgeting when it’s time to find a home to buy”.
